Free Web NovelChapter 97: Chapter 97 Torn Loyalties
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"Selina, don’t worry. The doctor says there won’t be any scars,"Alpha Zack said, his voice calm and reassuring.
But Selina wasn’t comforted. Her eyes flashed with anger. "Zack, Elara went too far this time! I need to report this to the Pack Council!"
Alpha Zack’s lips pressed into a hard line. He studied her face carefully, looking for any tells. "I heard her grandmother had a heart attack? Did you go see her recently?"
Selina’s expression shifted suddenly. Her face went white.
"Zack, what are you implying? You think I had something to do with her grandmother’s illness?" Her voice cracked with emotion.
"I swear, I know nothing about how her grandmother got sick! Mom just wanted me to apologize. We just wanted her to help smooth things over with Elara." She wiped at her eyes.
"I know I’ve made mistakes, but that doesn’t mean everything is my fault!" "I’m not the bad guy here!"
Alpha Zack looked at the emotional girl and felt his heart soften. Despite his suspicions, seeing her distressed still affected him. "Hey, easy. When you get upset like this, it tears me up inside."
"Alright, Selina. I won’t mention it again," he said, brushing his thumb across her cheek. But his wolf remained alert, still processing the fear-scent she’d given off.
"Zack, I want to report her to the Council!" Selina insisted again, her eyes searching his face.
She grabbed his arm, her grip desperate. "But you don’t want me to, do you?" Her voice hardened with suspicion.
"You have feelings for Elara, don’t you?!" Her voice turned sharp. Her nails dug into his arm through his shirt.
Alpha Zack’s breath caught in his throat.
Something flickered in his eyes - guilt, maybe desire - before he schooled his expression.
He gently pried her fingers loose, trying to buy himself time to think.
He truly didn’t want this taken to the Pack Council.
"No," Alpha Zack took her hand and kissed it gently. "Look, babe, you’ve been in the spotlight lately. The last thing we need is more drama following you around."
"Besides, Nadia is her mother. If this escalates that far, how would she live in your house?" His voice softened, appealing to her better nature.
"Selina, your father loves you, so you should think about him too. Right?" He cupped her face with both hands, forcing her to meet his eyes.
Selina was almost convinced by Zack’s words, but she couldn’t forget the way he had looked at Elara earlier.
The memory burned in her mind like a brand.
That predatory interest, the way his nostrils had flared like he was scenting a potential mate. That was how a male wolf looked at a female he desired! She’d seen it countless times before - but never directed at someone else.
"Zack, when are we getting mated?" she asked, her voice turning soft and vulnerable. She pressed herself against him, trying to recapture his attention. "I need to know we’re solid. I’m so afraid of losing you!"
She grabbed his shirt, her voice dropping to a whisper.
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Half the unmated females in the territory would kill to be with you." freewebnøvel.com
Alpha Zack felt something stir in his chest, but he didn’t commit. The familiar weight of duty and expectation settled on his shoulders. "End of the month. Selina, I won’t back out of what I promised."
"Baby, you have to give me some time to prepare a proper proposal, right?" He smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. His hands moved to her waist in a gesture that should have felt natural but somehow didn’t.
Selina pouted her lips. She searched his face for any sign of deception. "Fine. But I’m serious, Zack. One more incident like this, and I’m done playing nice." The threat was soft but unmistakable.
Alpha Zack kissed her on the corner of her eye with apparent devotion. "That’s my girl. Always so understanding." freeweɓnøvel.com
But even as he said it, his mind drifted back to fierce eyes and untamed fury. To a woman who didn’t back down, who fought with claws out when cornered.
He could still smell the adrenaline that had rolled off Elara in waves, still see the magnificent rage that had transformed her into something wild and beautiful.
For the first time, Alpha Zack wondered what it would be like to have a mate who could challenge him instead of one who melted into his arms.
A mate who was fire instead of gentle rain.
The thought should have disturbed him. Instead, it made his pulse quicken.
His wolf stirred restlessly.
