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Chapter 192
~Zara’s POV~
Astrid’s voice rang out in my head, replaying my own fear.
I had seen him once in my previous life, only on television. Never in my entire existence did I imagine eting him for real. And worse on an occasion just like this.
"Lycan King Sloan."
His lips curled at the side, aning he had heard my muttered words.
In my past life, he never attended such etings. People often saw the Lycans as proud and they never attended the werewolves gathering. So why did one appear before like this and what business had he with ?
His presence was so overpowering that his wolf’s aura let out to oppress the werewolves around to the point that even Astrid felt the weight of his wolf.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed Snow’s clenched fist as he watched in anger as the Alpha King, Sloan, held my hand and lifted my palm to kiss it gently.
I felt my body shudder from the closeness, and imdiately whatever pull was freezing in place, Astrid’s aura surged forward as I challenged his oppressing aura and broke free.
I tried retracting my hand from his grasp but his grip only tightened as he pulled closer, breathing in my scent as I did his.
The intensity in those eyes as they stared at made it hard for to form any coherent words but Alpha King Sloan made the first move.
His green eyes narrowed as his smile brightened. "Hello, my lady. My na is..."
"Alpha Sloan." I whipped my head to the side to see Snow standing close to us. His anger radiated off him in waves.
"Alpha King Kaid Sloan," he corrected softly as though that was the least of his worries and I bet it should be.
Knowing Snow, all hell could break loose now that he felt his territory had been breached but the imposing calm on Kaid’s features was enough to steal any woman’s breath away.
How effortlessly he moved, yet he carried so much regal grace.
"And you are inappropriately touching my wife," Snow added through a clenched jaw.
And then, for the first ti, I saw him truly pleased or should I say, intrigued. Alpha King Sloan mused, turning his head slowly to the side to take in Snow for the first ti.
"Your wife?" Snow growled but kept Glacier under check. "I don’t recall what is inappropriate here knowing that she is my betrothed." His gaze flickered to the other side where my mother stood and I felt my heart leap into my mouth.
His what?!
My shock rendered speechless, my heart pounding as I followed Alpha King Kaid Sloan’s gaze toward my mother.
The look on her face mirrored mine—stunned, but there was sothing more behind her eyes. Sothing that hinted she wasn’t entirely caught off guard by his claim.
Betrothed?
The word echoed in my mind in a cold and unwelco manner. I swallowed hard, willing myself to stay composed.
This wasn’t the ti to crumble under pressure, even though every fiber of my being scread for answers.
I searched the crowd desperately, my eyes darting between the faces that had now turned toward us. Whispers rippled through the room like wildfire. Everyone was watching, dissecting every move and every word exchanged.
And then I found him—Zade.
His eyes locked with mine, swirling with a storm of emotions: anger, protectiveness, and a flicker of confusion that mirrored my own. His lips pressed into a thin line, and I knew he wasn’t going to let this slide.
Kaid’s grip on my hand tightened ever so slightly, and I felt my breath hitch. His presence lood over , his scent and aura oppressive, yet undeniably magnetic, like his wolf was eager to claim .
His erald eyes sparkled with amusent as if daring anyone to challenge him.
But I wouldn’t let this go on. Not like this.
I yanked my hand free, stepping back. The movent felt small compared to his towering fra, but it was enough to draw everyone’s attention.
"No," I said firmly, though the tremor in my voice betrayed . "It doesn’t matter what claims you think you have. I already have a man I love, and I choose him. I choose Alpha Snow."
Snow stepped forward imdiately, his presence like a shield against the rising tension. But just as he moved toward , Kaid shifted to block his path.
The room stilled, the atmosphere charged with the potential for chaos.
"Choose?" Kaid repeated dangerously, though there was an edge of mockery to it. "You think this is about choice?"
I glared at him, my heart pounding. "It’s about my life. And you’re not a part of it."
Kaid tilted his head, his expression unreadable. But the dangerous glint in his eyes didn’t waver. "You’re mistaken, my lady. I have every right—"
"No, you don’t," Snow interjected sharply. Glacier’s growl rang out loud enough to tell Kaid he was challenging him for his woman, but Snow kept himself in check. His fists clenched at his sides as he towered closer to Kaid. "She’s my wife. You’re out of line, Alpha King."
Kaid’s lips curled into a slow, predatory smile, the weight of his aura pressing down on everyone in the vicinity. Several Alphas nearby stiffened, unable to withstand his dominance. Even Astrid stirred uneasily, though she pushed back with defiance.
"She was promised to ," Kaid said coldly, his eyes flicking toward Zaria.
My stomach twisted, and I turned my gaze toward my mother, hoping—praying—that she would refute his words. But she remained silent, her expression pained.
"Mother," I whispered, my voice trembling. "Is this true?"
Before she could respond, Zade reached us. His presence brought a wave of relief, but his expression was thunderous.
"Enough," Zade uttered, his voice piercing the tension with a sharp edge. He stepped between Kaid and , his broad fra blocking Kaid’s view of entirely. "Whatever arrangent you think you had is void. My sister is not a pawn, and she belongs to no one but the man she loves."
Kaid’s amusent faded, replaced by a flicker of irritation. He tilted his head, studying Zade with a calculating gaze. "And who are you to decide, Alpha Zade?"
"The Alpha of the Golden Claw Pack," Zade shot back, his tone icy. "Her brother."
The room collectively held its breath. Snow took another step forward, his jaw tight as he addressed Kaid.
"Step aside," Snow ordered, his voice low and threatening. "This ends now."
But Kaid didn’t move. If anything, his amusent returned, a smug grin playing on his lips. "You think you can stop , pup?"
The tension thickened, and I could see the storm brewing in Snow’s icy blue eyes. He was seconds away from snapping, and I knew the consequences would be catastrophic.
"Enough!"
The booming voice cut through the rising chaos like a whip. All eyes turned toward the staircase where Alpha Slade stood, his expression grim.
"Gentlen," Slade began, descending the stairs with asured steps. "This is a celebration, not a battleground. Let’s not forget ourselves."
Kaid’s gaze flicked toward Slade, his grin fading slightly. "Stay out of this, Slade. This doesn’t concern you."
"It concerns everyone when you disrupt my event," Slade countered smoothly, though there was an edge to his voice. "Surely, even the Lycan King can see the value in diplomacy."
Kaid’s jaw tightened, but before he could respond, another voice joined the fray.
"That’s enough, Alpha King."
The room stilled as Zaria approached. And beside her, holding her hand tightly, was Alpha Storm, who had co to greet her.
The sight of them both sent a wave of calm through , though I could still feel the tension radiating from Snow and Zade and I too was angry at my mother.
If she knew, why didn’t she ntion it?
Kaid’s gaze softened ever so slightly when it landed on Zaria, but when his eyes flicked to Storm, his expression grew unreadable.
"Zaria," Kaid said, his tone quieter. "You know this isn’t over. You know she was promised to ."
"Then you are wo decades late, Alpha King," Snow chid.
"That’s because she was stolen from us all."
Zaria t his gaze without flinching. "It’s over because I say it is. Zara is married. She’s happy. Whatever promises were made in the past are null."
Alpha Storm chid, backing Zaria. "Leave them alone. And settle it another way."
The simplicity of his words struck a chord, and for the first ti, Kaid looked uncertain.
Zaria’s expression softened as she glanced at Storm before turning her gaze back to Kaid. "You are a king, Kaid. Act like one. Don’t tarnish your na by clinging to sothing that isn’t yours."
Kaid stared at her for a long mont before finally stepping back, his aura retreating slightly. He glanced at one last ti, his eyes lingering before he turned and strode toward the opposite VIP room without another word.
The room exhaled collectively, the tension finally breaking. Snow imdiately reached for , his touch grounding as I leaned into him.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly.
I nodded, though my heart was still racing. "I am now."
Zaria placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, her eyes filled with apology and relief. "I’ll explain everything," she whispered.
As the crowd slowly returned to their mingling, I couldn’t help but glance at Snow, Zade, and Alpha Storm.
Updat𝓮d from freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.co(m)
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