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Chapter 383
~Zara’s POV~
I didn’t return ho that night.
After the argunt with Snow, after everything I had seen, I needed space. I needed to breathe, to be away from the suffocating weight of betrayal and unanswered questions.
So, I stayed at a hotel.
Alone.
I barely slept, my thoughts looping in endless circles—why didn’t he tell ? Was he planning on accepting her? Was she just a mistake he pitied, or was she sothing more?
I hated that I didn’t know. I hated that my heart still ached for him despite everything.
By the next morning, I decided to return ho. Not because I was ready to face Vani, but because this was my house. My life. My future. I refused to let fate or so unwanted mate bond take that from .
I bathed, dressed in a fitted white blouse and black slacks, and was brushing my hair when a knock landed on the door.
"Co in," I called, expecting Aira or Ella.
Instead, Zade walked in.
I blinked in surprise before a warm smile spread across my lips. "Zade."
His sharp blue eyes studied carefully, searching. "You look like you haven’t slept."
I chuckled lightly, shaking my head. "Well, good morning to you too, dear brother."
He smirked but didn’t drop it. "Sothing’s wrong. I can feel it. Your wolf’s energy is off."
I hesitated. "It’s nothing."
Zade raised a brow. "You do realize lying to is pointless, right?"
I sighed, dropping onto the edge of the bed. "It’s Snow."
His entire posture shifted, his shoulders squaring, his expression darkening. "What did he do?"
"Nothing," I admitted. "And... everything."
Zade remained silent, waiting.
I let out a slow breath, but he finally spoke to . "Aira overheard part of our argunt about a maid but didn’t catch the details. She thinks it was a misunderstanding." Zade’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Was it?"
I let out a bitter laugh. "Oh, it was sothing, alright." I leaned forward, clasping my hands together. "I just... I don’t know what to do. What to think."
"Then don’t think," Zade said simply.
I looked at him, confused. "What?"
He smiled knowingly. "You need a break. Sowhere quiet, away from all this ss, away from mate bonds and betrayals. Sowhere you can breathe."
I tilted my head. "And where exactly is that?"
Zade’s smirk deepened. "Co on, I know just the place."
I hesitated. I had things to deal with—Snow, Vani, the ss that was my life—but at the sa ti, I was exhausted.
Maybe... maybe Zade was right. Maybe I needed to clear my head before making any decisions.
"Alright," I agreed. "Let’s go."
Zade grinned. "Good choice."
Thirty minutes later, I knew exactly where he had taken .
The stables. The very place he had first brought when I was still trying to navigate being his friend while figuring out what anchored him to and the mories.
The horses neighed as we approached, and a strange sense of calm settled over . Quickly, Zade whistled, and I knew what that ant.
"Seriously?" I arched a brow. "Your grand plan was to take horseback riding?"
Zade shrugged. "It worked the first ti, didn’t it? And you said you’d love to return."
I exhaled a soft laugh, shaking my head. "You’re ridiculous."
"But I’m right," he added smugly.
I rolled my eyes but didn’t argue.
We saddled the horses—white for , black for him—and rode through the familiar trails. The wind was cool, the scent of pine and damp earth filling the air. It was peaceful.
For the first ti since last night, I breathed.
We rode silently for a while before Zade slowed his horse, nodding toward a familiar path.
"Co on," he said.
I frowned. "Where?"
"You’ll see."
I followed him, and when we reached the clearing, my breath caught in my throat.
The treehouse.
I dismounted, my fingers brushing against the old wood as mories flooded back.
The first ti I had co here, Zade had told it was his secret place, the one place he could escape. And now... now, he was bringing back.
I turned to him, my heart aching. "Zade—"
He shook his head. "No talking. Just breathe, Zara."
And so I did.
I climbed up the wooden steps, feeling the worn edges beneath my fingertips. It was just as I rembered. The inside slled of aged cedar and the lingering hint of pine. I settled into the sa spot I had before, leaning against the wall, pulling my knees to my chest.
Zade sat across from , stretching his legs out, watching carefully.
After a long mont, he spoke. "You don’t have to say anything. I just need you to know that whatever happens, I’m here."
I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I know."
And I did.
Zade had always been there. Even when I didn’t realize I needed him.
I sighed, staring out the window at the vast expanse of trees. "Do you believe in fate, Zade?"
He was quiet for a mont before answering. "I believe fate is a bitch sotis. But I also believe that we have a say in how we deal with it."
I huffed a laugh. "That’s the most Zade answer I’ve ever heard."
He smirked. "Well, I am ."
I shook my head, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Thanks, Zade."
"For what?"
"For this. For knowing when I needed it."
He reached out, ruffling my hair. "That’s what big brothers are for."
I smiled, closing my eyes for a mont, letting the peace of the treehouse settle over .
I still didn’t know what I was going to do. I still didn’t have the answers.
But for now...
For now, this was enough.
After about thirty minutes of complete silence, a tear rolled down my cheek, and Zade saw it. "Zara, honey."
"Snow..." I breathed, lifting my head so no more tears would fall. "Snow has found his mate. My Snow, my husband, has a fated mate."
Zade gasoed softly but as quickly, he rushed to and hugged . "Oh Zara, shhh.... big brother is here."
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