Zayn crouched next to her, watching closely.
He raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. “Are you sure of this place?”
Lily nodded.
He glanced around. “The others said it was found farther west.”
She quickly shook her head, frowning. Then she pointed down at the ground. Sothing was there—she could feel it. Her chest tightened. She had to prove she wasn’t lying.
Without saying anything, she dropped to her knees and started digging with her bare hands.
Zayn stayed there for a mont, watching her small fingers claw at the dirt. No tools. No gloves. Just her hands, moving fast and rough. She looked desperate. Determined.
He looked around. A few field workers were nearby, watching from a distance. So were whispering but none ca forward to help.
“She’s just pretending,” soone muttered.
Zayn didn’t say a word, he kept his eyes on her.
Lily’s fingers scraped against the ground. Her nails were dirty, her knuckles red and sore. Sweat clung to her skin, and her breathing turned shaky. But she didn’t stop.
Then, she froze.
Her hand hit sothing.
It wasn’t a rock or a root.
It was smooth. Cold. Sothing different.
Her eyes went wide.
She dug faster, brushing more dirt aside. The object was large. Way bigger than anything she’d found before. She uncovered just enough to show the edge of sothing curved—covered in deep carvings.
People nearby gasped.
Zayn stepped forward quickly.
“What is that?”
Lily looked up at him, breathing hard. She didn’t know what it was. She just moved aside so he could get a better look.
Zayn knelt beside her and started brushing away more dirt with his hand. Whatever it was, it was huge. Much bigger than the other totems. And it gave off a faint glow, like it held so kind of power.
“Alpha!”
Ezra ca jogging over, eyes narrowing as he looked at what they’d uncovered.
“Where’d this co from?” he asked.
“She found it,” Zayn said.
Ezra crouched beside them, tapping the surface lightly. “It’s big. And it’s buried deep. Shovels won’t be enough.”
Zayn nodded. “Call the builders. We’ll dig it out properly.”
Ezra turned and shouted to a nearby guard, already calling for tools and backup.
The mood around them shifted.
The sa wolves who had been whispering and doubting just minutes ago were now staring with wide eyes.
“She actually found that?”
“She knew the exact spot...”
Zayn stood slowly, his eyes scanning the small crowd before landing on Lily again. She sat on the ground, arms wrapped around herself. Her hands and arms were covered in dirt. She was still catching her breath.Zayn crouched down beside her again, his voice lower this ti.
“You weren’t lying.”
Lily looked up at him, surprised. He believed her!
Behind them, the digging continued—soft shovels, low voices, and the occasional order barked into the dark.
Zayn watched a little longer, then leaned toward Ezra. “Keep this quiet. I don’t want anyone else seeing it until I decide.”
Ezra nodded. “Got it.”
Zayn turned and started walking away.
Lily stayed where she was. Her hands were sore. Her body was tired. She had dirt on her cheeks and dust on her clothes.
She looked at him as he walked, unsure if she was supposed to stay or follow.
He stopped and glanced back.
“Do you want your reward or not?” he snapped.
Lily stood quickly, wobbling a little from exhaustion, and hurried after him. They didn’t speak as they walked.
Zayn stayed a few steps ahead, not looking back.
Lily followed quietly, not sure where he was taking her... but knowing better than to ask.
They stopped in front of a large oak door. Zayn opened it and walked into the dining hall.
It was quiet. Empty.
There was only one long table in the center, softly lit by a few lanterns. Zayn walked over and sat at the head of the table, then motioned to the chair next to him.
Lily paused.
She looked around nervously. No one else was there. Just them.
Zayn didn’t even glance at her. “Sit down,” he said.
She moved slowly, carefully, and lowered herself into the chair beside him.
It was the first ti she’d sat at a proper table. Ever.
A mont later, a servant ca in carrying a tray with two plates. One plate looked fresh—perfectly cooked steak, vegetables, golden potatoes. The other plate—hers—looked thrown together. The steak was overcooked and dry, and the potatoes... sothing was off. Too shiny.
Lily wrinkled her nose. Her eyes narrowed.
It looked like soone had spit on them.
Zayn noticed too. He raised an eyebrow as the servant placed the plate in front of her.
“This is what you bring her?” he asked, voice cold.
The servant stiffened. “This was the way the kitchen prepared it, Alpha.”
Zayn slamd his hand on the table, causing both Lily and the servant to flinch.
Lily didn’t say anything.
Before Zayn could speak, she reached for the fork. She gave a tiny nod to herself—she’d eat it. She had to. She didn’t want to upset him. Even if it made her sick. Even if it closed up her throat again. Maybe that was what he wanted.
But right as she picked up the fork, he grabbed her wrist.
She froze.
“Don’t,” he said.
She looked up at him, wide-eyed.
He stared at the food, disgusted. “You’re allergic to potatoes,” he said flatly. “Did you think I forgot?”
“You’re not dying, not on my watch,” He muttered beneath his breath.
Zayn turned to the servant. “Go get her a new plate. Tell the kitchen to serve it right, or I’ll have all of your heads.”
The servant opened his mouth like he was going to argue—but one look at Zayn shut him up fast. He gave a stiff bow and hurried out.
Lily stared down at the table, quiet.
After a mont, Zayn asked, “Why didn’t you say anything?”
She reached out slowly and traced a word into his palm again.
Fear.
Zayn didn’t reply right away. He just sat there in silence.
A few minutes later, the door opened again. The servant placed a new dish in front of Lily—a hot bowl of beef stew with soft bread on the side.
Lily blinked at it, like she wasn’t sure it was actually hers.
Zayn glanced at her. “It’s all yours. Eat.”
She hesitated for just a second, then picked up the spoon with shaky hands. The first taste made her eyes widen. It was rich, hot, and full of flavor. She’d never eaten anything like it before.
The rich fragrant spices made her mouth water, make her stomach growl for more.
She started eating fast, barely stopping to breathe.
Zayn watched her with a strange look—part amused, part... sothing else.
“You act like you haven’t eaten in years,” he said.
Lily froze, her spoon halfway to her mouth. She looked up, about to apologize.
Zayn sighed and leaned back. “Relax. It’s okay. Just slow down a little.”
She gave a small, sheepish nod and went back to eating, this ti taking her ti. But every bite still felt like heaven—real food, real warmth. Not scraps. Not garbage.
Zayn started eating his food too. Rembering he had sothing to tell her, he paused for a mont.
“There’s going to be a full moon in two days, and with the Alpha King and other Alphas visiting, the upcoming full moon dance is of great importance...”
Lily shuddered. She knew what the full moon dance was. She had witnessed the debauchery that occurred during such an event under her father’s rule. She made a ntal note to stay as far away from the celebration grounds as possible.
“I’ll have to attend, of course,” Zayn lanted before adding, “And so will you.”
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