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Chapter 131
Zade patted its neck gently, murmuring sothing inaudible to the black horse. I was speechless as his attention drifted to , the glint in his eyes betraying his amusent.
He knows, doesn’t he?
The corner of his mouth twitched.
"Do you trust ?" He extended his hand.
My gaze flickered between his eyes and the offered hand. It was a simple question, but the answer carried a weight far beyond its words.
"I trust you."
The white horse walked over to and I had to admit, my heart sped faster than it ever did in my entire life.
Taking his hand, he helped onto the horse and I was taken aback. I hadn’t ridden a horse before in my life but this... felt natural.
But Zade seed unfazed, his calm deanour putting at ease. "Just follow my lead," he said as he mounted his own horse.
The horses walked side-by-side, and the gentle sway of their movents lulled into a comfortable rhythm.
"So, you haven’t ridden before?"
I looked at my side and smiled. "How did you know I hadn’t ridden a horse?" I asked curiously.
"Because," he replied, a playful smile on his lips, "if you had, we wouldn’t be walking."
"You have a point there but who says one couldn’t walk while atop a horse?"
Zade smirked, shaking his head. "Call it instincts but you do not look like one who would play it safe if you could ride."
My smile spilled into my eyes as I looked away. He was right. I felt a certain kind of energy in just holding onto the reins. Almost like a second skin my body rembered.
In all the lives I had lived, this wasn’t a part of anything I knew so how?
We continued on the trail, the sounds of nature enveloping us. The trail narrowed, forcing us to ride a single file. Zade took the lead, his posture confident and relaxed.
I tried to imitate his stance, gripping the reins lightly.
As we reached a fork in the path, he slowed, allowing to catch up.
"Left or right?" he asked, glancing over his shoulder.
"You’re the one in charge," I replied with a smile.
"Not here, Zara," he said, his tone gentle but firm. "We’re equals."
I paused, touched by his sincerity. "Right, then," I answered.
He nodded, steering his horse down the right path. The air changed, growing cooler as the trees closed in around us.
"Where are we going?" I asked, leaning forward slightly.
"You’ll see," he replied with a mischievous grin.
We continued on, and the scenery beca more and more familiar.
"Is this a shortcut to the waterfall?"
He chuckled, shaking his head. "No, this is sothing else."
We reached the clearing, and I gasped, unable to believe my eyes.
A large treehouse was built amongst the branches of an ancient tree, the wood aged and weathered but strong.
"Did you build this?"
Zade nodded. "I built it a long ti ago, but I haven’t been here in years."
He dismounted and approached my horse, helping down.
"Co on," he said, leading the horses over to a nearby trough.
We climbed the steps and I was struck by the craftsmanship and attention to detail. Everything was exactly how I imagined a treehouse would be, only better.
"This is incredible," I murmured, running my fingers over the smooth wooden planks.
"I’m glad you like it," he replied, watching carefully.
"So, this is your secret hideout?"
His lips curved into a crooked smile. "Sothing like that. I used to co here when I wanted to escape."
"Escape from what?"
He turned, looking out at the view. "The pressures of being an Alpha male, the expectations of others. This was a place where I could just be myself with..." He halted before the next words left his lips.
I wanted to pry but knew better than to do so.
His honesty took by surprise, and a sense of understanding dawned.
"Thank you," I said softly. "For sharing this with ."
He t my gaze with an open and vulnerable expression. "I haven’t brought anyone here since I was a child."
I looked away, my chest tight. His words resonated with in a way that surprised .
We stood together in silence and then, without warning, a flashback struck.
I saw a child—a young girl—with shining blond hair and light blue eyes, her expression determined and hopeful as she climbed the stairs.
She entered the treehouse and sat down, her small hands smoothing over the floor.
"Zara?"
I blinked, the mory fading.
What was that?
My heart hamred in my chest, and I turned to Zade, my eyes wide and filled with confusion.
He stared back at but I couldn’t read him. He was just like Snow or should I say worse.
"You’re the only person I’ve trusted with this place, Zara."
His words were quiet, but the aning behind them was clear.
He trusted .
"Why?" I whispered.
His eyes softened. "Because you are different and you remind of soone."
I couldn’t find the words to express what I was feeling. A deep connection. My mind raced as the emotions threatened to overwhelm .
Just then we heard the horses whine, breaking our attention. Without looking back, I hurried away and down the tree house.
"What’s wrong, Diamond?" I asked, petting the white horse.
Zade appeared from behind, walking closer to us. "Diamond?"
I nodded. "Well, whenever I look into her eyes they hold a spark and I am rembered of Diamonds. Hence the na."
Zade smiled, giving a nod. "Great then. Diamond is what we’ll call her. Want a ride back?"
I nodded and before he could help , I climbed atop Diamond with ease, shocking and Zade.
"You’re a natural," I smirked at his complint. "Well, let’s see if being natural can make you keep up with this."
I barely understood what he ant but the next second, Zade got into his and to my shock, he charged forward on his horse.
"Co on, Zara. Show what you’ve got," he cooed as he rode.
Rather than being scared, I felt my blood pump, my veins eager for a ride.
"Hey girl, ready?"
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