Semua Bab Luna By Blackmail: Bab 11 - Bab 20

Zara's POVThe bed was still warm, but I was alone. I didn't stand up for a moment; I just inhaled Rael's scent on the sheets: oud, heat, and wolf musk. I could still feel the mark he had left stinging softly, and I was so sore from yesterday, but I felt alive.I brushed my fingers over the mark lightly, and it throbbed as my pulse fluttered.He’d marked me not just in bed, not just with his hands. Not even with his cock. He’d claimed me with blood and teeth. The ancient, final kind of bond. There was no undoing that.I should’ve been scared; I was, but not for some reasons I expected.The truth? I’d let him, and worse, I wanted him to.I rolled over, the silk sheet slipping from my shoulder. For a second, the cold side of the bed made something twist in my chest. But before I could sit up, I heard his voice.“Still alive in there?”Rael’s voice, lazy and amused, came just before the door opened with one hand; the other hand carried a tray carefully. He had no shirt on, and his pants

Zara’s POVThe last person I expected to see at my door that night was Lena. She didn’t knock like someone unsure of her welcome. She knocked like someone who’d already decided I’d open, and I did.“Zara,” she said softly. “We need to talk.”I stepped back, just enough to let her in. The younger healer waited outside.Lena sat on the edge of the bed without asking. She looked at the room like she’d already guessed why I was no longer in Rael’s."Rael explained everything that happened between you two," she muttered"Can we not talk about that, please?""Just hear me out, Zara," Lena muttered softly.I looked at her and nodded my head.“Rael told me everything,” she said. “And before you ask, yes. He told me about Mona.”I stiffened.Lena’s voice didn’t change. “They were childhood lovers; they grew up together. It was always assumed they’d mate one day. But it wasn’t love, Zara. Not the kind you and Rael,” she paused. “Not what you two have.”I didn’t reply.“She betrayed him,” Lena s

Zara’s POVLena looked at me without a word. I could see the smile on her face, like she was so aware of what happened between me and Rael.“I don’t want to hear it,” I said.“I wasn’t going to say anything,” she replied, her voice too innocent. “But if I were… I’d mention the fact that your new dress looks like it’s apologizing for the last one.”“Lena!”She grinned. “What? I’m happy for you. Sex after fury always resets the bond.”I shot her a sideways glare. “You make it sound like medicine.”“For him, maybe. For you, it’s a declaration.”We stepped back into the ballroom.The music had slowed, dipping into that rich, wine-soaked tempo that made bodies lean too close and masks slip just a little. The chandeliers cast gold over everything, the kind of glamour that felt earned, not gifted. I walked forward, spine straight, heart calm.And then I saw her, Mona.Still standing near the drink table, surrounded by wolves who clearly didn’t know how to walk away from a losing battle. Her

Zara’s POVI walked into the courtyard quickly, the sun burning colder. I moved through the crowds lightheaded as if I were drugged. I could barely hear the guests cheers or laughter. And Thorne? He was already back at his seat, sipping from a silver chalice like he hadn’t just buried himself inside Mona like a dog in heat.I was too stunned to cry. Too stunned to rage.So I smiled. I smiled like I was fine and like nothing happened. Like I hadn't just seen Thorne and Mona screwing each other."Excuse me." I whispered.Rael turned his head toward me instantly, brows drawn. His gaze pinned me like a knife to glass. I didn’t meet it.I just walked, not too fast or slow, just enough to disappear.Once I passed the gilded doors, I broke. My chest rose and fell like the ground itself had cracked beneath me. I stumbled toward the east wing, the long, marble corridor that always stayed empty during public events and braced both hands against the cold stone wall.The note, the poisoned wine,

Zara’s POVIt had been a week since Rael touched me, not even a brush of fingers. Not a glance held too long. Not a whisper in the dark.Just silence. Silence that filled rooms louder than thunder. Silence that sliced like frost through the halls and I didn’t ask why. Because I was afraid I already knew.He hadn’t looked at me the same since that night the note, the poison, the gathering. I told myself maybe he needed space. Maybe I did too. But every time I passed his door, I felt the weight of the air change, like his absence was intentional.I stayed composed, polite and distant, not trying to talk to him. Tonight it was raining heavily and I was cold. I sat on my bed in my robe thinking about Rael.A knock broke through the storm two taps. Familiar and steady. I opened the door slowly to find Thorne dripping from the rain. He was holding two glasses."I think you could pass time with this." Thorne gestured to the bottle.I hesitated.The last time I saw Thorne this close… his han