Chapter 26a-Free Chapter

A/N: Had this sitting in my drafts, I didn't want to include it at first so it wouldn't be like a filler.

Angel_2022, I hope you see this.

Chapter 26-Keep Your Eyes on Me [The other version-Zenith’s POV]

I walked out of the room and shut the door behind me with more force than necessary.

The hallway felt too quiet, making the thoughts in my head a bit too loud. All I could still feel was the warmth of his body against mine, the way he had fit so easily in my arms when I carried him up from the garden, the way his fingers had briefly clutched at my shirt... like he didn’t want to let go.

I couldn’t believe I had done that.

I was not talking about the carrying itself. I believe leaving him on the ground in front of Zira would have been unacceptable. But what I couldn't believe was the way I had done it… without hesitation. I had simply held him, all the way back to his room like it was the most natural thing in the world.

My jaw tightened as I began to walk away from his door.

I lifted my right hand as I walked, noticing it was shaking slightly. Though it was barely noticeable, it enough to make something ugly twist in my chest. I stared at the faint tremor of my hanf for a second before curling my fingers into a tight fist, nails biting into my palm.

Get a hold of yourself.

I stopped briefly and closed my eyes, forcing a slow breath in through my nose. But right at the moment, everything just felt impossible. Because even taking a deep breathe proved difficult as the lingering trace of his scent still clung to my clothes I'm, soft and wrongfully comforting. It made my wolf insanely satisfied which only irritated me further.

In my mind, this was temporary, moment of weakness caused by the bond and the sight of him hurt.

Getting unsettled by an Omega dented my ego more than I would like to admit. Especially since the Omega was MY Omega.

I opened my eyes again and continued walking, descending the grand staircase. By the time I reached the bottom of the stairs, my hand had stopped shaking, which I was extremely grateful for.

I immediately spotted two servants passing by and called them over with a sharp gesture.

“Prepare heated water and attend to Silas in his chambers,” I ordered. “He has a sprained ankle.”

They bowed quickly and hurried away without question. I watched them disappear around the corner before turning on my heel.

Next, was my hard headed brother, Zira.

I marched straight back toward the garden, my irritation climbing higher with every step I took. When I walked through the entrance, he was still there, seated casually on the same stone bench as if nothing had happened, scrolling away on his phone. The moment he looked up and saw me, that familiar, infuriating smile spread across his face.

“If it isn’t my possessive brother.” he taunted. Which I was completely used to, but I wasn't having it this time.

“Don’t call me that.”

“Okay.” He shrugged, completely unbothered.

I exhaled sharply through my nose, barely keeping the annoyance in check. “I’m going to tell you this for the last time, Zira. Stay away from my mate.”

He stood up slowly, matching my height. I could already notice the look in eyes sharpening. “Or what? I thought you didn’t want him. So why the hell are you acting like a possessive dog?”

“What I want or don’t want is none of your damn business,” I said coldly. “And watch your tone with me.”

“Your business in this palace is to do whatever the hell I tell you to,” I continued, stepping closer. “I sent you on an errand, and the first thing you do when you get back is coddle up to my mate.”

Zira’s eyes narrowed. “The hell are you even saying? He was injured, right in front of me, Zenith. You expect me to just walk away?”

“Yes,” I snapped. “I expect you to walk away.”

He scoffed, shaking his head. “For someone who hates his mate, you sure do care a lot.”

I said nothing. I refused to give them the satisfaction of showing how much his words sat uncomfortably under my skin.

“Besides,” Zira went on, “Silas is my friend-”

Friend? When the hell did that even happen?

“-and the best thing I can do is be there for him. We weren’t doing anything wrong. I was just teaching him the basics of dancing, which you didn’t even-”

“I’ll teach him myself.” The words came out sharper than I intended. I already said it before I even realized what I said.

Zira stared at me for a second… then laughed. Actually laughed. The sound grated on every last nerve I had left.

“You?” he said, still grinning. “You’ll teach him?”

I held his gaze without flinching, even as something hot and possessive curled tighter in my gut. Yes, I would teach Silas the dance basics myself.

Just the idea of Zira’s hands on him again, guiding his steps, making him laugh the way he had earlier, was unacceptable. It was a sight I did not want to see again.

Deciding I had already given this conversation more attention than it deserved.

I turned and walked out of the Garden without another word, leaving Zira standing there with that irritating smile still on his face.

I had a dance to teach.

And this time, it would be on my terms.