A Few Minutes Earlier
Zade strode through the palace gates, ignoring the curious stares of the guards as he passed. His mind was singularly focused on one person: Evelina Drewstone.
His hand brushed against the leather pouch at his side, feeling the cool, smooth surface of the object inside—the Dragon Pearl. Its faint energy pulse reassured him that his mission had been worth it.
Zade's wolf stirred within him, a soft growl of anticipation rumbling in his chest. "We have it," the wolf whispered in his mind. "She will see our worth now. She must, Zade."
Zade nodded to himself, his lips curving into a satisfied smirk.
"And if she doesn't, just kiss her and make her see it. We are much better than that Crown Prince."
Evelina had doubted him, as had everyone else.
No one believed the icy mountains held anything more than frigid death, let alone a mythical dragon guarding a pearl of imnse power. But he had proved them wrong.
The old myth turned out to be true and his cunningness had proven useful.
"Where is Lady Evelina?" he demanded as he reached the inner hall.
The guard he addressed hesitated, exchanging a glance with his companion before answering.
"She's with Crown Prince Damian, My Lord."
"Damian?" he echoed. "What would Damian be doing with Evelina by this ti of the night?" he asked aloud, though more to himself.
But the guards heard him and replied. "She... she was accused of attempting to poison the prince, My Lord. She was arrested, beaten, and dragged to the dungeon. Monts before her execution—"
"She what? Who did what? What stupid execution are you talking about?" he asked hurriedly, barely giving them any chance to respond before bombarding them.
"My Lord, Evelina, she..."
"Where is she now?" Zade cut in sharply.
"She's inside the palace," the guard stamred. "With the prince."
Zade didn't wait for more.
His anger flared and his wolf growled in protest. Evelina, accused of treason? Beaten?
His claws were ready to co out as he rushed through the hallways, focusing his senses on her sll.
The faint lavender trail led him to the grand dining hall. The double doors were slightly ajar, and Zade pushed them open.
As soon as the doors creaked open, silencing the conversation between Damian and Eve, both turned to face the intruder.
Damian's expression darkened instantly. His silver eyes narrowed as he straightened in his chair. Storm growled internally, his anger pulsing through as Damian greeted coldly, "Stepbrother."
Eve, on the other hand, blinked in confusion as she took in the newcor. Her gaze flickered between the two n as she took in Damian's word, 'stepbrother,' and gulped.
From the tension between both n, she could tell it would be detrintal to be present during whatever discussion was going to take place.
"And here I thought you had better judgnt," Zade spoke sharply. His bright blue eyes were focused on Damian, then moved to Eve, softening for a mont before becoming hard again. "Letting them treat her like a criminal?"
"Excuse ?" Damian arched his eyebrows. He rose to his feet, his imposing presence commanding the room.
Zade ignored him, stepping further into the hall. "Evelina," he said with a gentler voice, though anger still simred in his eyes as he approached. "Do you really think she would poison you?"
Damian bristled. "And what was I to think or do?" he shot back. "The evidence was freaking damning."
"Evidence?" Zade's laugh was bitter, his wolf surging closer to the surface. "Or your own paranoia, brother?"
"You weren't here," Damian growled. "You didn't see what I saw."
"Uhmm... excuse ," Eve interrupted. "What is going on here?"
Zade's gaze softened as it turned to her. He took the pouch from his side and opened it gently, revealing a glowing pearl that appeared to shine with a strange light.
Eve's breath caught.
The object was srizing, almost hypnotic in its beauty.
Zade stepped closer. "The Dragon Pearl," he said. "As you requested. I ventured to the icy mountains, faced the dragon itself, and returned victorious. I've brought this to prove my worthiness as your chosen mate."
Eve stared at him, her mind spinning.
The pain in her temple flared again, and suddenly, a fragnted mory surged forward.
She saw herself—Evelina—standing before Zade with an unreadable expression. "Defeat the dragon," she had said, her voice echoing in Eve's mind. "Bring the pearl, and perhaps I'll consider you worthy of ."
"Oh, no," Eve whispered.
"You can say that again, Eve," Relia replied.
"Relia," Eve whispered internally. "What the hell is this? Did Evelina hold feelings for him? Why did she put him up to this?"
Relia's voice was hushed but concerned. "Because she didn't an it, Eve. Evelina thought she had sent him on a fool's errand. She didn't believe the dragon existed. No one believed the legend."
Eve's stomach twisted. Oh, shit.
Damian's scoff broke through her thoughts. "Well, congratulations, Zade," he said mockingly. "But all of that effort was for nothing."
Zade's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"
Damian leaned forward. "Because Evelina... is my mate."
The room fell into silence. Eve's eyes widened, and Zade's wolf snarled audibly in his chest.
"Your mate?" Zade repeated, his voice shaking with disbelief and anger.
"That's right," Damian said, his silver eyes gleaming with a clear challenge. "So whatever grand plans you had for Evelina, I suggest you forget them."
Zade's hands clenched at his sides, his entire fra vibrating with restrained fury. His gaze snapped back to Eve, who looked between the two n, her mind reeling.
Her inner voice was hesitant. "Relia... this isn't good."
"No kidding," Relia responded. "But..."
Zade growled, breaking Eve's concentration, his claws coming out as his anger surged. "Evelina belongs to no one," he hissed. "Not you, and not anyone else."
Eve's heart pounded as the tension threatened to explode. Her wolf stirred.
"Two alphas fighting over us? This could be... fun."
"Relia," Eve whispered internally, "not helping."
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