CHAPTER-5 Her saviour

“Fuck, Violet, hang on.” 

Violet felt herself moving, no longer weighed down by the water.

She heard a panicked voice and tried to open her heavy eyes but it was impossible to do so. Then she felt the same tingling sensation spread across her lips, gentle yet electric. What is this? 

Her mind was foggy, she couldn't think straight, but the feeling was exhilarating. So comforting to her. 

Violet found herself responding. She didn't know why, but it felt right. But as soon as she heard a soft groan, her senses awoke. 

Someone was kissing her. Soft lips moving against hers, gentle but firm, like marking their territory. 

Violet fluttered open her eyes, everything blurry and disorienting met her eyes. Someone was above her, still kissing her, pressing on her chest. Panic exploded in her chest.

‘Who… who is this? What’s happening?’ Her thoughts spiraled as she tried to make sense of the situation.

Without thinking, she pushed hard, shoving the person away from her. Water burst from her mouth as she gasped for air, choking, coughing. She couldn’t stop the instinct, her hand shot out, and hit the person hovering on her. 

The slap echoed, jolting her fully back to reality. She was on the poolside now, not drowning, not floating.

Her gaze snapped to the person next to her. Her heart raced, fear and confusion warring within her. She could barely make out their faces, 

“Who… who are you?” Her voice was shaky, her breath ragged as she could still feel the ghost of that kiss lingering on her lips. She sat there, drenched, shivering. 

Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks as she blinked rapidly. 

Someone saved her.

The figure moved beside her, and she looked up as the clouds shifted, allowing the moonlight to spill down and illuminate him. Violet gasped, her heart stopping in her chest seeing those red eyes.

“Alpha Z...Zenith?” She whispered, her voice barely audible, as the realization crashed over her.

Alpha Zenith’s eyes, filled with a mix of worry and anger, locked onto hers. Even though she slapped him, the most powerful Alpha of the continent, he swallowed the tiny insult because the girl in front of him was not some ordinary girl. 

“Violet,” He called her name calmly but rigidly, “Are you okay?” 

She tried to respond, but the words caught in her clogged throat. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions. Relief, embarrassment, guilt. She hit him. She hit the man who saved her life. On the top, She hit the Alpha. 

“I… I’m sorry,” she managed to whisper, her voice trembling. “I thought…” her hand automatically reached for him. 

“Hey.. It’s okay,” Zenith said gently, scanning her tensed features and reaching out to steady her. His touch was careful, erupting tingles again. “Don’t worry about it. You’re safe now, Little one. You are safe with me.”

His words were a lifeline, pulling her back from the edge of panic. 

Safe. Yes, she was safe because of him. 

“Who did this? Tell me.” His voice was barely controlled, hand carefully cupped her face, examining her swollen face. His nose flared in uncontrollable fury but Violet couldn’t sense the hot lava rage behind his words. 

But she felt light headed again, her eyes were fluttering into unconsciousness. 

“I didn’t know… I didn’t know it was you…” her voice was faint, The world around her felt distant,“Thank you..”

Zenith’s face blurred as her eyelids grew heavy. She could see his mouth moving, saying something, but the words were lost to her. She fought to stay awake, but dizziness won over her. 

“Violet, stay with me. Fuck!” His voice was the last thing she heard before everything faded away. 

Alpha Zenith stared at her beautiful face, bare of any ugly makeup and a pang of guilt twisted in his gut. Did I just overwhelm her with my kiss? 

He sighed before scooping her into his arms, feeling the weight of her limp body against his chest. Her head rolled to the side. She was so weak so fragile, weighted like feathers. 

Zenith turned to take her to the pack doctor when suddenly he noticed something glinting in the moonlight on the ground near the pool’s edge. An earring.

He bent down, still holding Violet with one arm, and picked it up, holding it up to the light. 

Then he took off, sprinting down the path towards the main house, his  footsteps hitting against the cobblestones. 

Zenith was not careful, he bumped into people in a hurry, their startled gasps lost on him as he pushed past, not stopping to fucking apologize. 

“Move!” He barked at a couple standing in his way. They parted, eyes wide with shock as he sprinted past. His mind raced, thoughts a blur of panic and anger. 

Who the fuck pushed her into the pool? 

“Zenith….” Suddenly a voice stopped him from behind. He turned to see Keroline walking, her face masked with worry. She stopped short when she saw him, her eyes flickering to Violet in his arms. Her eyes widened, Zenith saw the flicker of panic behind her gaze.

“What happened?” She asked. Zenith snarled and was about to walk away not wasting his time on her when his eyes fell on her bare ear then at another ear which was decorated with earring which was similar to the one he had in his fist.

“Keroline, were you at the poolside before?” He demanded as his blood boiled in anticipation and he towered over her, letting his dominating presence do the talking. 

Ruth growled, his voice a low rumble that made her flinch. He could see the fear in her eyes, her confidence crumbling. 

“Zenith,” Keroline started, her voice trembling. “I saw you running with Violet in your arms? Where are you taking her?”  

“Alpha Zenith!” His voice silenced every breath around them and Keroline swallowed hard. She nodded. 

“Now tell me what are you doing there in the pool?” 

“I didn’t. I wasn’t there..” Keroline stammered, glancing around as if looking for an escape. “I came to see you. You left the banquet so suddenly, I bought you a Christmas gift, so I..”

“Did you hurt her?” Zenith sharpened his gaze. Keroline widened her eyes then she let out a nervous chuckle. 

“Alpha Zenith. She is just acting her way. Glorifying her fever. Why are you so concerned about her? Just leave her to me. I will have my maids take care of her.” She tried to come closer when he snapped. 

“Stay away.” He growled, his voice cold as he showed her the earring in his hand. 

“Recognize this?” He asked, his voice low, dangerous. Keroline’s eyes broadened, and she took a step back, her face draining of color.

He knows!