3- Shall We Find Out?

Run. Run. Run.

“Stay right there, little one.” He ordered as if he read my mind.

My body refused to move, let alone to run.

“I have conquered half of Moon Whispers for you.”

Every soul in the village heard it.

Those golden eyes remained fixed on me, studying every inch of my face as though comparing reality to a dream he had imagined a thousand times.

Slowly, he frowned.

A faint one that showed disappointment.

He tilted his head. “This is what fate chose for me?”

The words pierced deeper than I expected.

I didn't know why.

Perhaps because I had imagined monsters would roar.

Not speak so quietly or express a deep disappointment. 

Before I realized what was happening, someone stepped in front of me just as he once promised.

Robbie.

His gaze was stern. Prepared to engage in a battle as I remained motionless, looking at Robbie with hopes.

“You won't come any closer.”

Alpha Zarius finally looked away from me and it settled on Robbie.

The corner of his mouth lifted, “Oh? You? The one who sent the message.” 

Message…? 

My eyes fell on Robbie who stood unwaveringly, holding his head up.

“Yes. I did.” 

“You wanted my hunt to end.” 

Robbie glanced over his shoulder, towards me with compassion for five seconds. Slowly, his shoulders slumped in defeat.

“As promised, Alpha Zarius.” He swallowed. 

“I have given you your mate.”

The words struck me harder than any blade. They took the faintest hope I had left.

“...Robbie?”

He didn't turn around. Not daring to meet my eyes anymore.

“I've kept my word. Now keep yours.”

“No…”

My heart cracked, retreating a step out of incredulity. My mind refused to believe such an absurd announcement. 

He promised me, he said he would protect me. 

He won’t do this to me—

“She is your mate, Alpha Zarius.”

His voice remained steady, looking directly at the Soulless Alpha. As if he was already prepared. A hundred times.

“Now, spare this land. Let these people live. Take her and leave.”

Whispers erupted behind us.

“Our Evelise? His mate? How did he know?”

“The Beta… He told him?”

“Is it true?”

I stared at Robbie's back.

Unable to believe what I'd heard.

My hands trembled as I reached for him, silently begging him to turn around... to look at me... to deny what I had just heard. 

“You…” My voice barely existed. “...you brought him here, Robbie?”

He closed his eyes.

Only for a second. Then opened them again without answering me. 

Before anyone else could speak, my father stepped forward.

"Enough.”

His aura surged across the area.

“I am Alpha Harold of Silver Pine and she is my daughter. She is under my protection.”

His voice boomed, stepping forward to appear before me protectively.

“No one touches her.”

Dozens of our members immediately surrounded us.

Wolves drawn.

Ready.

Alpha Zarius couldn't care less about it. He didn't even bother to glance at my father or Robbie.

Those deadly eyes had pinned me in place only.

"Hm." 

Alpha Zarius slowly began walking towards me.

One step.

Another.

The warriors instinctively retreated. None dared to attack, not even dared to breathe, including me.

He stopped only a few feet away. Close enough for me to finally see his features clearly.

He was taller than everyone else, broader. His face carried no scars.

Only… an abysmal darkness. 

As though the burden he carried had become too heavy, for even him. This time too, he had zero hopes for this to be true.

“You disappoint me. You think this little one is my mate?”

His words were directed at Robbie.

“Trust me.”

“I've trusted certainty before.”

He glanced toward the people behind him, around everyone before giving a deep frown.

“Thirty-five women.” His voice remained emotionless.

“Thirty-five disappointments.”

He looked at me again, sending a shiver down my spine.

“And now you expect me to believe fate has suddenly decided to reward me?”

“I know she's your mate.” Robbie replied.

“So did the others, boy.”

He was close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from him, forcing my wolf to react.

But how would he know? He couldn’t. His curse won't let him.

“...Look at me.”

I didn't. I couldn't.

“I said.” His voice went deeper, darker. A single finger lifted my chin. 

“Look at me.”

Against my will… I obeyed.

My breaths caught up. His haunting golden eyes searched mine.

“So.” His tthumb traced the curve of my lower lip.

“You're afraid of me, little one?”

My lips parted, but sound came out, only a whimpering.

"Good.” His smirk deepened, bringing my face dangerously closer till our breaths mingled.

“You should be.”

I gathered what little courage I had left.

“...Please, Alpha.”

“Hmmm?”

“D-Don't hurt m-my family… please.”

He blinked once before he let out a vicious chuckle.

“I haven't decided whether they're worth sparing.”

Tears gathered in my eyes, becoming breathless due to our closeness and his power.

“I've done nothing to you. You don't even know me.”

He gave a sharp nod, pressing his thumb harder into my lower lip.

“So I can finally have an answer.”

My heart nearly stopped. He raised one hand. His claws slowly extended.

Every warrior tensed up, every wolf growled. Not in defiance, but out of fear, we were aware of what he was capable of.

“I don't trust promises. I trust proof.”

A terrible realization washed over me, “...No.”

"I'm going to mark you."

Father came forward, holding his hand up, “You'll do no such—”

A single glance from Zarius silenced him.

“If she's my mate...then my search ends today."

His claws gleamed beneath the morning sun.

"But, If she isn't..." His gaze hardened, slowly reaching my neck, grazing it slightly.

“I'll kill her myself.”

His claw dug deeper into my skin, drawing a single trail of blood.

“Shall we find out, little one?”