Chapter 29

Zane’s POV

I dragged my eyes away from the bathroom door and dialed room service.

I didn’t even know what Mabel liked to eat, so I ordered everything on the menu. The hotel didn’t offer enough variety anyway. I’d just get it all and see what she’d pick.

After placing the massive food order, I had one more call to make. This was important.

“Hey, Steph…” I greeted when she picked up.

“So, you do remember me.” Tina’s voice was laced with irritation.

“Is something wrong?” I asked, sensing the edge in her tone.

“Isabel’s coming,” she said. “Where are you?”

I sighed. Isabel. “We’re on our way back. Should be home soon.”

“When will you get here?”

“No idea. Something came up, that’s why I’m calling.”

I could hear the concern in her voice as she responded, “Are the kids alright?”

I couldn’t help but smile a little. Tina always treated us like kids, no matter how old we got. “Yeah, we’re fine. But we’re bringing someone with us. I need you to get a room ready for her.”

She paused for a moment. “Alright… I don’t know if we have free rooms in the main building. Vivian handles that, but I can have one of the single Omegas take her in until we figure something out.”

I frowned at the thought. Mabel needed to be close to me, not some random Omega.

“No,” I said firmly. “She’ll stay in the packhouse. My old room.”

Tina fell silent. The third floor was for the Alpha and his family. Was I really doing this? Bringing someone into my space, someone who might mean more than I was ready to admit?

“You’re bringing Lydia, aren’t you?” she asked, her voice curious.

I nearly choked on my drink. “What? No!”

Her tone shifted, as if piecing it together. “If not Lydia, then…?”

“She’s just a girl, Steph!” I snapped.

“If you say so…” Tina said, her tone laden with suspicion.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. She didn’t get it. We’d taken in so many rogues and outsiders, but no one had ever stayed in the packhouse. It was reserved for family. For me. And I was about to break that rule for someone who didn’t even know what she was walking into.

I rubbed my face, irritated by the way my mind kept circling back to the same thoughts. “Just don’t make a big deal of it. She’s been through hell. She’s hurt. Timid. I don’t think she has a wolf.”

“What do you want me to do about it?”

“I want her to get checked out as soon as we get there. Tell Travis to be ready for a full exam. Make sure she’s alright.”

“I’ll make it happen,” she agreed. “But when are you coming?”

“Probably tomorrow morning.”

“Great…” she groaned. “That’s when Isabel’s coming too, you know.”

I didn’t care. “Just hurry up, and drive safe.”

She hummed in agreement before ending the call.

I glanced back at the bathroom door, listening to the faint sound of water running. My thoughts wandered—what was she doing in there? Was she naked? The idea made my throat dry.

I swallowed hard, trying to push the thoughts away.

The warm water of the shower was a godsend to Mabel. For the first time in hours, the pain in her muscles started to fade, even if just a little. Her cuts were scabbed over, so the shampoo didn’t sting too badly, but the bruises still throbbed when she moved, especially when she washed around them.

She would have stayed there all day if she could, but she knew better. Nothing good lasts forever.

After stepping out, she grabbed a towel, studying her bruised reflection in the mirror. She didn’t know how long it would take to heal.

But more than that, she didn’t know what the hell was going on. Why was she here? Why was Zane helping her?

She could stay in the bathroom all day, sure, but that wouldn’t change what was coming next. She had to face him.

If she stayed too long, he might come looking for her. After all, one flimsy lock wasn’t going to keep someone like Zane out if he really wanted to get in.

Mabel bit her lip. Was he lying to her? Did he have bad intentions?

She’d heard stories about Alphas. Strong, prideful men. Ruthless. Power-hungry. They didn’t do things for others unless it benefited them. And yet, Zane was doing something… different.

It didn’t make sense. But that didn’t change the reality. She was stuck here. With him.

Mabel froze.

Her clothes—her only clothes—were sitting in the car, probably still in the trunk. She glanced at the bathrobe hanging on the hook by the shower and decided it would have to do. Better coverage than a towel, at least.

With a deep breath, she opened the bathroom door just enough to peek into the room.

Please, let him be asleep, or at least gone.

But no such luck. Zane was sitting on the bed, scrolling through his phone.

After what felt like an eternity, Zane glanced up from the screen, his eyes locking on her. “How long are you going to stand there?”

Mabel cleared her throat. “Did you bring my things from the car?”

He didn’t.

When they got here, he’d been carrying her, while Tyler had brought only his suitcase.

“What do you need?” Zane asked.

“Clothes.”

He motioned for her to come in. “First, let me check your injuries.”

Mabel flinched, still half-hidden behind the door.

He raised an eyebrow, “Come on. I won’t bite.”

Not unless she asked him to, but that was another matter.

She moved gingerly, settling onto the edge of the bed. She wrapped the bathrobe tighter around herself, clutching the fabric as if it could shield her from everything else.

Zane watched her, intrigued and amused. All the women he knew would’ve thrown themselves at him by now. But not Mabel. She kept her distance—kept him at arm’s length.

He didn’t understand it. And honestly? It bothered him more than he cared to admit.

“Your hand,” Zane said, extending his palm.

Mabel hesitated, but eventually placed her hand in his. A slight shock ran through him, and he stilled for a moment, savoring the sensation. He focused on her injury, noting how much it had healed. It wasn’t just the physical recovery—there was something more to it. Something between them.

The bond. He was sure of it.

He enjoyed the tingling sensation on his skin as he gently traced his finger over the light pink scar. He could feel the sparks of their bond, but Mabel—she didn’t react at all.

It bothered him. But at the same time, he was relieved. If she felt what he was feeling, it would only complicate things.

He needed her to be safe. That was all.

He wouldn’t let anyone hurt her, not even her own fear.