The warlord’s arrival

Mariana’s POV

For a moment, nobody in the hall moved.

Zayan’s hand was still wrapped around the soldier’s throat, his expression frighteningly calm as the man struggled uselessly against his grip. I could feel the tension spreading through the room, every wolf watching the scene unfold with wide eyes. I quickly reached for Zayan’s free hand and gently squeezed it. “It’s okay,” I murmured. “You can let him go now.”

His eyes moved to mine.

For a second, he said nothing. Then he released the man.

The soldier crashed onto the floor, coughing and clutching his throat. Zayan didn’t spare him another glance. Instead, he turned slightly toward one of his guards. “Take him outside. And make sure he understands that putting his hands on my mate again will have consequences.” The guard bowed immediately. “Yes, My Lord.” Two other guards stepped forward, dragged the shaken soldier to his feet, and escorted him out while the entire hall remained silent.

Zayan then turned back to me.

He took my hand as though nothing had happened.The simple gesture seemed to shock everyone more than anything else.

I caught Nicholas staring.

His face had gone completely rigid, while Wren looked as though someone had just slapped her. Her mouth was slightly open, her eyes fixed on our joined hands. I could practically see the questions running through her mind. He actually came for Mariana? He called her his mate? He touched her like that in front of everyone?

Zayan, however, seemed completely unaffected by the attention. He simply looked down at me and gave my hand a gentle squeeze before turning toward Clarissa and Felix.

“So,” he said, his expression softening, “you must be Clarissa.”

Clarissa looked stunned for half a second before smiling brightly. “Yes, My Lord.”

Zayan inclined his head. “I’ve heard quite a lot about you. You’re my Luna’s most trusted friend. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Clarissa’s smile became even wider. “And it’s a pleasure to finally meet you too.” She glanced at me briefly, then back at him. “Mariana has told me so much about you.”

I immediately felt my face heat.

Zayan’s eyebrow rose. “Has she?”

Clarissa laughed. “Some good things.”

“Clarissa,” I warned.

She only laughed harder.

Felix stepped forward and bowed respectfully. “My Lord, we’re honored that you came.”

Zayan shook his hand. “Congratulations. I hope you both have a long and happy life together.”

“Thank you, My Lord.”

Zayan turned toward his guards. “Bring the gifts.”

I blinked.

“Gifts?”

He looked at me as though it were obvious. “Did you think I came empty-handed?”

Within moments, several guards entered carrying beautifully wrapped boxes. There were enough of them to make Clarissa’s eyes widen.

“Zayan, you didn’t have to do all this,” I said.

“I know.”

Clarissa stared at the gifts. “My Lord, this is far too much.”

“It’s not.”

Felix immediately shook his head. “It really is. We are already grateful that you came.”

Zayan smiled. “Then accept them as a wedding blessing.”

Clarissa looked genuinely touched. “Thank you. Truly.”

I watched her open one of the smaller boxes and reveal an exquisite piece of jewelry. Her eyes widened.

“Oh, Mariana…”

I laughed. “Don’t look at me. I didn’t choose it.”

Clarissa looked at Zayan. “You chose all of this?”

“Some of it.”

She smiled. “Then thank you.”

After a little more conversation, Zayan glanced toward the windows. The sun had already begun to lower in the sky.

“We should leave soon,” he said quietly. “Frostcrest is still a journey away, and I don’t want us arriving too late.”

I nodded.

He turned to me and extended his hand.

“My Lady, are you ready?”

I smiled and took it.

“Almost.”

I turned and hurried back toward Clarissa, wrapping my arms around her.

“I’ll miss you.”

She hugged me tightly. “I’ll miss you too.”

“You better write to me.”

“I will.”

“And take care of Felix.”

She laughed. “I’ll try.”

I pulled away and looked at her one last time before turning toward the door. As I passed Wren, I glanced at her.

She was still staring at me.

Then I gave her a small scoff and walked away,i didn’t need to say anything.

The message was clear enough.

I was no longer the girl who had left Mountcrest in tears.

Behind me, I heard Nicholas introduce himself to Zayan’s guards, attempting to regain some of the importance he had lost. “I’m Nicholas, one of the highest-ranking warriors under Master Graham. And this is my lady, Wren.”

Zayan barely looked at him.

His attention remained on Clarissa and Felix as they continued thanking him for the gifts.

And somehow, that dismissal felt better than any insult I could have given Nicholas myself.

Soon, I was inside the carriage beside Zayan, and the familiar walls of Mountcrest slowly disappeared behind us.

For several minutes, neither of us spoke. I stared through the window, watching the landscape blur past.

Then Zayan broke the silence.

“Are you planning to remain quiet for the entire journey?”

I looked at him.

He had a faint smile on his face.

“Since when did my bold little wolf become so quiet?”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not quiet.”

“You’ve barely spoken since we left.”

“I’ve just got a lot on my mind.”I laughed softly.

He leaned back against the seat. “I’d love to hear about it.”

I looked down at my hands.

“I wanted to thank you.”

“For what?”

“For today.”

He shrugged. “I was only standing up for my mate.”

My heart skipped at the way he said it so casually.

My mate.

He looked at me again, and his expression softened.

“You looked beautiful today, by the way.”

I blinked.

“What?”

“Your dress.” His eyes moved over me appreciatively. “It suits you.”

I immediately looked toward the window.

“Uhmm…thank you.”

“I think I’ll have the royal tailor make you more.”

I turned back. “More?”

“Yes. Several.”

“You don’t have to.”I laughed,trying to conceal the thoughts running through my head.

He reached for my hand, intertwining our fingers.

“You should have beautiful things, Mariana.”

I didn’t know what to say to that.

So I turned back toward the window, pretending to be fascinated by the passing trees while my cheeks burned.

The journey continued with little conversations scattered between comfortable silences. By the time Frostcrest finally came into view, the sky had darkened considerably.

When the carriage stopped in front of the palace, Zayan stepped out first.

He turned and offered me his hand.I placed mine in his, and he helped me down.

The moment my feet touched the ground, he didn’t let go.

Instead, he looked at me with a mysterious smile.

“What?”

He shook his head.

“Nothing.”

“Zayan.”

He chuckled.

“I have a surprise for you.”

I frowned.

“A surprise?”

“Yes.”

“What kind of surprise?”

“If I tell you, it won’t be much of a surprise anymore.”

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously.

He laughed, then gently pulled me closer by the hand.

“Come with me, little wolf.”

And with that, he led me toward the palace, leaving me with absolutely no idea what he had planned.