Chapter 3 - Only Treasure

Lilly's POV

"Oh, heavens, Beta Zackary!" Angelica's voice filled the kitchen. "Get away from that filthy girl before she ruins your clothes and reputation. What will the pack say when they see you—a person with a high status—treating a lowly, wolfless omega? She doesn't deserve your kindness!"

Zackary's expression hardened, a mixture of anger and defiance flashing across his face.

"Yeah," Sade added, crossing her arms around her chest. "Look at her. There is no need to help this piece of trash. She is more than capable of looking after her dirty and clumsy self!"

Zackary clenched his fists, the tension in the air palpable. He suddenly stilled, placed the towel down on the counter, and balled his hands into fists while anger colored his face.

He was furious.

He slowly stepped away from me—probably afraid he would scare me—turned around, and faced Angelica and Sade.

"That is enough!" he snarled, expanding his aura and silencing the two women.

They whimpered and quivered in fear and unwillingly dropped their heads, submitting to the higher power.

I knitted my eyebrows together, confused.

Why wasn't I affected by his strong aura?

Why didn't I feel afraid of his temper?

Why was I shielded from his wrath?

I peek from under my eyelashes, watching his eyes turn even colder. He wasn't done with them yet.

Why was he defending me? He didn't owe me anything! He doesn't know me?

Or does he...?

There was a sudden spark of hope rippling through me. Maybe Beta Zackary knew me.

Could he tell me who I was?

I took the opportunity and let my gaze trail his outline. He was tall and handsome and stood around 6'3". He had dark curly hair, golden brown skin, and a straight nose.

I could see his giant muscles flexed under his royal uniform. He looked fit, strong, and powerful—exactly how a Beta should be. However, I couldn't help noticing that he was much younger than I expected a Beta to be.

"Did I say anything to offend you, Beta Zackary?" Angelica stuttered nervously, unable to meet his gaze.

"I don't know who you are, or your rank or position," Zackary growled, his eyes flickering between black and blue. His voice was low and menacing, filled with an intensity that sent shivers down Angelica's spine. "But this is no way to treat a werewolf! It's against the law!"

"W-what..." Angelic stuttered, unprepared for the wrath that Zackary was about to release on them.

Zackary growled.

"W-we didn't know," Sade quickly added, trying to save her mom.

Zackary closed his eyes, trying to get his wolf under control before things escalated any further.

"Leave us!" He snarled coldly and gestured to the warriors to escort the women out.

I watched Zackary take a deep breath—he seemed to be struggling. He sighed and slowly turned back to me.

"Sorry about that," he said. "I hope I didn't scare you."

I shook my head.

He smiled and slowly moved closer. He grabbed the towel and gently started to clean the blood on the side of my face.

I couldn't believe that a stranger, who held a very high rank, actually cared.

Zackary's hands were skillful and careful—he tried his best not to hurt me.

I couldn't help but feel intimidated by his cold blue eyes—it felt as if he was looking right through me and into my soul. His gentle and warm touch was in strong contrast with his cold exterior.

For a moment I felt like a person; his concern felt almost real.

"Get your head out of the clouds and back to reality, Lilly!" I internally scolded myself. "This is too good to be true! This must be some kind of trick... Beta Zackary must want something of me."

"Penny for your thoughts?" Zackary asked when he patched up my last wound.

My gaze met his.

"I am all done," he said, removing the gloves from his hands. "Your wolf should be able to heal the wounds rather quickly..."

"I don't have a wolf," I muttered, embarrassed. "But I am very grateful for your help, Beta Zackary."

"Call me Zack," he said.

I nodded and smiled.

"Thank you, Beta Zack, for helping me," I whispered.

Zack scrunched his eyebrows together as an unknown emotion crossed his eyes. He wanted to say something more, but I quickly jumped off the barstool, grabbed a wet towel, and headed toward the bloody mess.

I needed to clean the blood off the floor before it stained the white Italian tiles—Angelica would just love that!

I squatted, lost my balance, and cried out in pain when I had to steady myself on my injured hand.

Zack was by my side in the blink of an eye. His blue eyes were full of raw concern as he steadied me.

"Are you alright?" he asked, helping me off my injured hand.

"I... I'm fine," I stuttered.

"You are a bad liar," he said, watching me as my face turned crimson.

"Let me," he said.

"No need. I can do it myself," I replied, trying to shift myself back onto my knees, but my face twisted in pain.

He shook his head in disapproval and held out his hand.

"It will go quicker if I do it," he said. "Your hand is too severely cut.

I froze when Zack gently took the towel from me and started cleaning the blood off the floor.

Fear suddenly surged through me—if Angelica saw that Zack was helping me to clean up this bloody mess, she would surely give me a beating.

"That's better," Zack said, smiling. He straightened himself and extended his hand to me.

I hesitated for a moment, looking at his hand, before shifting my attention to his gaze. His eyes were warm and gentle—he seemed genuinely happy to help me.

I gently placed my hand in his, and he pulled me to my feet.

"Thank you," I whispered. "I think I got it from here."

I took the bloody towel from him, picked up the dustpan, and made my way to the dustbin. I emptied the contents and went to pack the dustpan away.

Zack's gaze bore into my back—he was watching my every move.

A low growl suddenly escaped his lips, and my attention snapped toward him.

Before I could even ask him what was wrong, he grabbed my arm and turned my wrist.

"What is this!" He snarled, his eyes shifting between black and blue. The wolf seemed to be displeased by something, but what?

My heartbeat escalated as I shifted my gaze at what Zack was pointing at.

A too-small bangle—my only treasure—glittering in the sun on my left wrist.

Angelica gave the bangle to me when I was a kid. She said it was something my parents left me before they died.

"It was a gift," I whispered, watching him intensely.

Zack didn't look convinced. He brought my arm closer to have a better look.

"From whom?" he growled, letting go of my arm.

"The madam of the house, Angelica," I replied.

Zack roared in anger.

A moment later, the two warriors rushed inside.

"Watch them," Zack ordered, and rushed past them, down the hallway, and out the front door.

I was left standing there in pure bewilderment—what the hell just happened?

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