ZANE’S POV
I lay in my bed, staring at the ceiling, with my mind spinning with thoughts of Aurora’s warning.
Her words echoed in my head over and over again, which was a cold reminder that she knew more than she let on.
“We should be careful who we associate with.” She knew about Aria.
She knew I had been at Mira’s house.
And the way she smiled when she said it, so sweet and innocent, made my blood run cold.
She was not warning me about rumors.
She was threatening me.
I turned over and punched my pillow, with hot frustration boiling inside me.
I could not let her control me.
I could not let her hurt Aria.
The thought of Aurora doing anything to Aria made my stomach churn with rage.
The next morning, Tristan came to my chambers with a grim expression on his face.
He closed the door behind him and leaned against it, and said in a low and serious voice.
“I have news.
I looked into who was watching Mira’s house that night.
It was a guy named Derek.”
I sat up immediately, my heart pounding in my chest, and asked, “Derek?
Aurora’s ally?”
Tristan nodded with a grim look on his face and replied, “The same one.
He has been following you.
He is loyal to Aurora and does her dirty work.
She knows about Aria, Zane.
She has known all along.
And she has been playing you for a fool.”
I clenched my fists, with rage simmering beneath my skin.
“I cannot sit back and do nothing, Tristan.
I need to see Aria.
I need to warn her.
She does not even know how dangerous Aurora really is.” I muttered under my breath
Tristan stepped forward, and said cautiously, “Zane, be careful.
If Aurora knows you are going to see Aria again, she will use it against you.
She is playing a game, and you are walking right into it.”
“I do not care about her game,” I said, standing up.
“I care about Aria.
I will not let Aurora hurt her.
I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.”
Tristan studied me for a moment, then sighed in resignation.
“Okay.
Then go.
But be smart about it.
Do not let anyone see you.
And for the love of the Moon Goddess, do not do anything reckless.”
I nodded and grabbed my jacket, slipping out of the palace and making my way through the streets.
I knew Aria was working at the café now, and I made my way there quickly, keeping to the shadows to avoid being seen.
When I arrived, I stood across the street and watched her for a moment.
She was smiling at a customer, laughing at something they said, and the sight of her made my heart ache.
She looked different, stronger, more confident.
But I could also see the tiredness in her eyes, the weight she was carrying.
I waited until she was alone and then approached her.
She looked up, startled, but when she saw it was me, her expression softened immediately.
“Zane?
What are you doing here?
Is everything okay?” She asked with her eyes wide in surprise.
I stepped closer, and kept my voice low.
“I need to talk to you.
I would not have come if it was not urgent.”
She nodded and led me to a quiet corner of the café, away from the other customers.
“What is going on?
You look worried.
You look like you have not slept.” She said with a worried expression on her face.
“I am worried,” I admitted.
“Aurora knows about my visit to Mira’s house.
She knows I was with you.
She has been watching me, following me.
I just found out she has someone tracking your movements too.
Someone named Derek.”
Aria’s face went pale, and she pressed a hand to her stomach.
“I knew something was wrong.
I saw a man watching me the other day.
I did not know who he was, but I knew he was not there by accident.
He was standing across the street, just staring at me.” She said softly.
“That was Derek,” I said.
“He is one of Aurora’s allies.
He has been reporting everything to her.
She knows you are working here.
She knows everything about your life now.”
Then Aria shook her head, and asked in a trembling voice.
“What am I going to do?
She will not stop until she destroys me.
She has always been like this.
She cannot stand to see me happy.”
I reached out and took her hand, and said steadily, “That is why I came.
I want you to be safe, Aria.
I have a property, a small apartment on the outskirts of the territory.
It is secret.
No one knows about it.
I want you to stay there.
I will have my men watch over you.
You will be safe.
No one will find you there.”
Aria pulled her hand away instantly, and shook her head, her eyes filled with dismay.
“I cannot do that, Zane.
If people find out I am staying at my sister’s mate’s house, I will not be spared.
The pack will tear me apart.
They will call me names and say I am trying to steal you from her.
I will be shamed forever.” She said in a trembling voice.
I stepped closer, and kept my voice soft but urgent.
“No one will know, Aria.
It is a secret property.
I have never told anyone about it.
Not even Tristan knows.
You will be safe there.
Please, just think about it.
That is all I am asking.”
She hesitated for a moment, her eyes searching mine, and then finally asked, “What if someone follows me?
What if they find out?
What if Aurora discovers where I am?”
“I will make sure of it.
I will protect you with my life.”
She was silent for a long moment, and then she nodded slowly.
“I will think about it.
I cannot promise anything, but I will think about it.
I need some time.”
I felt a wave of relief wash over me.
That was more than I had hoped for.
I quickly reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone, and said softly, “Give me your number.
I need to be able to reach you.
I need to know you are okay.
I cannot bear not knowing.”
She hesitated, then took my phone and typed her number in.
She handed it back to me, her fingers brushing against mine.
“Do not use it unless it is urgent.
I mean it.” She whispered sternly.
I smirked and shrugged my shoulders lightly.
“I will try.
But no promises.”
She looked at me, and I saw something flicker in her eyes, a spark of hope, and said under her breath, “Zane, I want to trust you.
I really do.
But I am scared.
I have been hurt so many times.
I do not know if I can handle being hurt again.
I do not think I could survive it.”
I reached out and cupped her face gently, my voice filled with so much conviction I could muster, “I will not hurt you, Aria.
I will protect you.
No matter what it takes.
I swear it on my life.”
She nodded, and for a moment, we just stood there, the world fading away around us.
But then a customer called out, and she pulled away, her cheeks flushed and said shakily, “I have to go.
I will think about what you said.
I promise.”
I nodded and watched her walk away, with my heart pounding.
I left the café and started walking back toward the palace, but I could not shake the feeling that I was being watched.
I looked around and saw Derek standing across the street, with his phone pressed to his ear, and my blood ran cold.
He was reporting to Aurora.
I forced myself to keep walking, with my mind racing euth anticipation, because I could not just resist teaching this rat a lesson.
I passed a bend in the road and ducked into the shadows, pressing myself against the wall.
I waited, and sure enough, Derek followed, walking with light and careful footsteps.
He looked around, confused, when he could not find me.
And then I stepped out and kicked him hard in the chest.
Derek stumbled back, gasping for air, with his phone flying out of his hand.
He tried to retaliate, swinging a punch at me, but I dodged it easily and grabbed his arm, twisting it behind his back.
He cried out in pain, but I did not let go.
Then I shoved him to the ground and stood over him, lowering my voice into a cold and dangerous whisper.
“This is a message for who sent you,” I said, my eyes burning with fury.
“Next time, I will attend to him directly.
I am done playing games.”
Derek stared up at me, with fear flickering in his eyes.
He opened his mouth to speak, but I had already turned away.
I pulled out my handkerchief and wiped the blood off my fingers, with my jaw clenched tight.
Then I walked away without looking back, my heart pounding with a mixture of anger and satisfaction.
I had sent my message.
Now, it was up to Aurora to decide what to do with it.