Nicolas POV
Now that I have resolved my inner conflict about staying away from Zara, I am going to see her.
I could already taste her soft lips on mine and hear her sweet moans beneath my touch. I was dying to be with her and eager to taste her once more.
“It is done,” Ronan said, getting in the car.
I gave Levi instructions to meet me at their cave this afternoon.
“Did he say anything?” I asked.
“No,” he answered. “Beta Levi accepted the note without indicating that something was up. Luna Zara will be very surprised to find you there.”
As Ronan started the black SUV and drove away, my mind raced back.
In the few minutes we waited for Zara to clean herself up in the restroom, Levi and I struck up a very interesting conversation-one that would benefit me in seeing Zara anytime I wanted.
“Just to be clear, Alpha,” stated Levi seriously. “Luna Zara and I are not formally mated nor marked.”
It appeared that Levi was a little nervous to get that off his chest.
“I have noticed that,” I replied, and a grin formed at the corners of my lips, remembering how lovely Zara’s mouns sounded in my ears when I had my fingers inside her and licking her juices from her tiny p*ssy.
If they had been fully marked and mated, I would not have been able to do so. Neither would I have been drawn to her like a moth to a flame.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I had to find out the whole backstory of why the two had chosen to act like a mated couple of wolves.
“Why is that?” I asked cautiously.
“It is a complicated story,” Levi stated. “However, rest assured that Luna Zara is very safe under my care.”
I scowled at him, not sure what he was getting at. Did he mean something more than met the eye with those few words?
I sighed as I remembered Ray’s words. For some strange reason, Ray trusted Levi blindly with our mate. Perhaps I ought to follow suit and take a risk as well.
“I want to see her again,” I said, cocking my head in his direction. “And you will be responsible for planning that.”
Levi nodded without arguing. That thought appeared to please him.
“I will be happy to help,” he answered. “However, Alpha, just promise me one thing.”
“Anything,” I responded. “Name your price.”
“I do not want anything in return,” he said. “But swear to me that you will not cause Luna any pain or break her heart. I hold her in the highest regard. She has gone through enough. Her pain and suffering are too much for me to bear.”
Levi seemed to have a very soft spot for Luna Zara. I was unable to comprehend their attempt to trick everyone into believing that they were mated.
However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized it did not matter.
I could tell that Levi had no romantic feelings toward Zara based on his nonchalant response when he smelled me on her a few minutes ago. I guess they must have an agreement in place.
“I have no intention of hurting her,” I answered firmly. “My intention is to dedicate my life to her and make her my Luna. You have my word.”
That was an easy promise to make. I was already completely smitten with her.
The little she-wolf has already taken up most of the room in my heart. One of these days she will have me by the balls.
“Thank you, Alpha Nicholas,” Levi said, bowing his head.
“Call me Nic,” I said. “That is what everyone in my circle calls me.”
Levi flashed a delighted smile at that. He likes that idea.
“As you please, Alpha Nic,” he answered. “Let me know what you need.”
“I most certainly will,” I answered.
I had a feeling it would be easier to learn from Levi Zara’s preferences than by asking her directly.
Zara appeared to view me as a challenge, but Levi appeared to be more approachable. I suppose her grievance stems from my failure to claim her at the altar.
“Take your chance now,” Ray barked from the back of my mind. “And ask him to assist you in seeing her this afternoon. He will definitely assist. He gives off the impression of being a hopeless romantic.”
“And I am not?” I challenge.
Throughout the years I spent with Isabella, I consistently managed to impress her. I always planned some sort of surprise for her, and not a week passed without one. I love taking care of and spoiling my mate, and I planned to do the same for Zara.
“I think Zara is going to be very different from Isabella,” Ray replied. “She will not take pleasure in big, fancy things the way Isabella did, who enjoyed elegant dinners and pricey presents.”
“What do you suggest I do?” I asked.
“Suprise her by sneaking into the pack to see her,” Ray said. “That is going to rile her up and make an impression. I think she likes to take risks.”
“And how can we accomplish that without being noticed?” I asked. “The Silverado pack is well protected. It would be much harder to cross the border covertly now that war is imminent, and it would look suspicious if I asked Alpha Rick to see Zara by herself.”
“Who said that we were going to cross the border?” Ray interjected with a question. “Have the underground tunnels slipped your mind?”
It took me a moment to understand what Ray was talking about.
“Tell me, beta,” I said, crossing my fingers behind my back. “Is there somewhere a quiet and isolated place where I could meet Luna Zara and nobody would know?”
“Within the territory?” Bet Levi asked.
I nodded.
“Our den is the only place that comes to mind,” he answered. “It is a cave that is near the river. Zara and I found it a couple of years ago, and Alpha Rick gave us permission to use it as our secret hiding place. We are the only ones who go there.”
Could it be that one of the tunnels did, in fact, end up there? That would make things a lot simpler.
“How much of the cave have you explored? I asked. “Are there any tunnels in it?”
“We spent some time exploring the cave,” he answered. “However, Alpha Rick gave us instructions not to explore the tunnels. I suppose he was afraid that while we were down there, we might get lost or hurt. Having grown up, we have essentially forgotten about the tunnels and their intended destination.”
I felt a surge of excitement. Was there any chance I could sneak into and out of the pack without anyone knowing? I would be able to see Zara whenever I wanted and still protect Levi and Zara’s secret.
The drive back to our pack was an exciting but busy one. Ronan and I talked about a few things related to my leaving the pack without being noticed.
“Just be home before dinner,” Ronan said, sounding like a parent enforcing a curfew.
I raised an eyebrow, challenging Ronan.
“Your father requested a meeting with you tonight,” he briefly but quickly explained.
“With reference to what?” I asked.
“The pack,” he said. “He wants you to form alliances and begin signing treaties once more. That sort of thing.”
I sighed.
My father was always berating me for breaking pack customs and rules, and I was not in the mood to hear it. As of now, we were managing just fine without outside assistance.
“You can tell your father that you intend to sign a treaty with the Silverado Pack,” Ray advised. “For the time being, that ought to satisfy him and keep him off your back.”
“What a great idea,” I said, taking my phone out of my pocket and making a call.
“So I guess I should book a dinner reservation then?” Ronan said when I hung up the call.
“Yes,” I replied. “Everything is arranged.”
As soon as we crossed the border, Ronan stopped the SUV, and I climbed out.
“I will see you later,” I said as I undressed and took my duffle bag containing extra clothes out of the back seat. Ray found it simpler to carry my clothes that way.
“Don’t be late,” Ronan said, and I rolled my eyes. Ray took control and shifted, grabbed the duffel bag, and headed for the lake.
Our run would take approximately thirty minutes to arrive at the lake and an additional ten minutes or so to reach the secret cave situated at the base of the mountain, but the trip through the tunnels was unknown.
I could not contain my excitement, as I anticipated seeing Zara’s surprised but shocked expression.
Is she going to be pleased to see me?
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