ZANE’S POV
I walked back to the palace in a daze, with my mind still fixed on the soft glow of light coming from Aria’s window.
I had stood there for what felt like hours, frozen in one place, with my heart pounding with a desperate need to knock on her door and see her face.
But I could not bring myself to do it.
I did not know what to say, and I was terrified that she would not want to see me.
So I had turned around and walked away, feeling like a coward with every step.
I did not sleep that night.
I lay in my bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying every moment of that night at the bar over and over in my head.
The way she looked at me, the way she felt in my arms, and the way she made me feel like I was the only person in the world who mattered.
I had never felt that way about anyone before, and I could not understand why I felt so strongly for her, a woman I barely knew.
The bond with Aurora was supposed to be the strongest connection I would ever feel but it was hollow and empty, while my feelings for Aria burned like a fire I could not control.
The next morning, Tristan walked into my chambers without knocking, with a curious expression on his face.
He looked at me and shook his head, and whistled low.
“You look terrible, Zane.
Did you sleep at all?”
I sat up and ran my hand through my hair.
“No.” I replied gruffly.
Tristan walked over and sat down across from me.
“I figured as much.
Let me guess, you went to see her?”
I nodded.
“I stood outside her windows for hours, but I could not bring myself to knock.”
Tristan sighed and leaned forward.
“Zane, I am going to be honest with you.
This is dangerous.
Aurora is your mate, and the pack is already talking about the mating ceremony.
If anyone sees you sneaking around the Sinclair house, it will cause problems.”
I looked at him and said firmly.
“I do not care about the danger, Tristan.
I need to see her.
I need to understand why I can not stop thinking about her.
There is something about her that I can not explain, and I will not rest until I figure it out.”
“Alright.
What do you need me to do.”
“Find out where she goes during the day,” I said.
“I need to find a way to speak to her alone.”
He agreed even though I could see the worry in his eyes.
Then he left me alone and I spent the rest of the morning, pacing my chambers, counting the minutes until he returned.
The waiting felt unbearable, it was like every second felt like an hour, and every hour felt like a day.
Finally, I could not wait any longer, I grabbed my jacket and left the palace, moving slowly and steadily to the Sinclair house.
I told myself I would just watch from a distance, that I would wait for the right moment to approach her.
But as I stood across the street, hiding in the shadows, I saw Elara and Aurora leave the house together, laughing and chatting like they did not have a care in the world, and I waited for Aria to follow, but she never appeared.
Hours passed slowly as the sun shone brighter in the sky, and still, there was no sign of her.
I became worried and uncomfortable.
What if Something had happened to her?
What if Aurora had done something to hurt her?
Then I noticed an elderly woman tending tonher garden nearby and decided to approach her.
She looked up as I walked closer, and I saw recognition appear in her eyes immediately.
She straightened up and bowed her head respectfully.
“Alpha Prince,” She said in surprise.
“Forgive me, I did not expect to see you here.
What can I do for you?”
I smiled, trying to make her comfortable and said calmly, “Please, there is no need for formalities.
I was hoping you could help me with something.”
She nodded her head eagerly.
“Ofcourse, Alpha.
Anything.”
“I am looking for Aria Sinclair,” I said carefully.
“The younger daughter.
Have you seen her today?”
The woman looked at me with curiosity and shook her head.
“I have not seen her all morning, and that is unusual.
She is usually quiet, but she always comes out to tend to the gardens or walk around.
But today, nothing.”
I felt my heart drop, but I kept my voice steady. Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
“Do you know if she left?”
The woman shrugged and replied thoughtfully, “I do not know, Alpha.
But I saw Elara and Aurora leave earlier and they seemed very happy.
But Aria….I did not see her at all.
She keeps to herself mostly, that one.
Always has.”
I thanked her and walked away with an uncomfortable feeling in my chest.
Something was wrong.
I could feel it in my bones.
I was about to leave when my phone buzzed in my pocket, and it was Tristan.
I answered immediately and said impatiently.
“Tell me you found something.”
Tristan’s voice came through, sounding steady and sure.
“Zane, I found her.
I found Aria.”
The words hit me like a bucket of cold water, and I breathed out in relief.
“Where is she?
Is she okay?”
“She is safe,” Tristan said.
“She is at her friend’s place.
A she wolf named Mira, and she left the Sinclair house in the middle of the night.”
I felt a mixture of emotions surge through me, relief that she was safe, worry about why she had left, and determination to see her as soon as possible.
“I am going to her.
I need to see her.”
“Zane, be careful,” Tristan warned.
“If anyone sees you—”
“I do not care,” I said, cutting him off.
“I need to see her.”
Without another word, I ended the call and walked away.
I finally knew where she was, and nothing was going to stop me from seeing her today.