Nicolas POV
I have spent the last thirty minutes standing at Zara’s bedroom door, apologizing.
Still, she had not even attempted to unlock the door.
Will her heart ever soften enough to forgive me?
Will I ever get an opportunity to present my case to her?
My phone started ringing in my pocket, and I hesitated to answer. At that point, I was not ready to give up. I pressed the side button on my phone, and it went silent.
“Zara,” I called out. “I am sure you can hear me. I apologize for saying those things, but you only heard one side of the conversation. Please accept my apology.”
“That would not exactly improve the situation,” said Ray.
I continued hammering on the door and calling her, ignoring Ray.
I was aware that Zara was still in her room. Her rich, euphoric wildflower scent was still lingering in the surrounding air.
I called out to Levi and moved away from the door.
“Yes, Alpha,” he replied, looking from the door to me.
“Have you tried linking Zara?” I asked, desperate to find a way to talk to her. “Have you, by chance, managed to reach her?”
“I have attempted,” he remarked, appearing concerned. “However, she has cut me off. I believe she is upset with me for allowing you inside.”
I did not want that. Our misunderstanding had nothing to do with Levi. I was solely responsible for this.
“Is there another way to get inside Zara’s room?” I asked, hopeful. “Maybe like a secret passageway?”
Levi gave a shake of his head.
“This door is the only way in and out of that room,” Levi stated, pointing to the bedroom door. “And the bedroom window.”
“Will Zara be reckless and daring enough to climb through the window?” I asked.
Would Zara attempt such a move to avoid me?
“I do not think so,” Levi replied. “Zara would not act rashly and jump out the window to avoid you. Although you may have caused her pain, she does not consider you to be a direct threat.”
“How sure are you?” I asked.
“I know Zara very well, Alpha,” he stated. “She would have called her father or the guards to have you removed if she had been that upset with you. She has not made that kind of big move.”
Out of nowhere, my phone rang again.
“Damit!!” I snarled as I silenced the damn thing. However, a third call came through the second I silenced it.
“You better answer,” Ray said. “Perhaps it is a pressing matter, such as a rogue attack.”
“At this hour?” I said, glancing at my watch. It was a little after eight in the morning. The majority of pack attacks take place at night.
“Anything is possible,” Ray said.
I rolled my eyes and reached into my pocket to take out my phone.
“Dalton,” I snarled angrily over the phone receiver, not bothering to look at the name or number.
“Alpha, I apologize for bothering you, but there is urgent news to share.” Ronan’s voice called out, terrified, from the other end of the line.
“Not right now, Ronan,” I snarled. “I am trying to fix things with Zara.”
“Yeah, how is that going?” he asked, sounding concerned.
“Not too well, I suppose,” I muttered, disappointed. “I really can’t talk right…”
“Alpha!” Ronan cut me off, his voice rasping dry. “Your father has just informed the pack that this upcoming weekend’s annual carnival will feature your hand-up for bid.”
That surprised me and caused me to stop talking.
We organized the yearly carnival as a charitable event to raise money for the local werewolf orphanage situated on the outskirts of my pack.
We have been doing this every year for as long as I can remember, but in the past few years, we have done it to honor my mother’s memory. She had a strong commitment to the project and thought that all wolves-orphans included-should have a place in the world.
Every year, hundreds of different stalls, carnival rides, and, of course, food to suit every taste are all part of the massive and spectacular celebration.
Every pack featured a sort of stall where they sold everything from straightforward items like fruits and vegetables to more intricate items like trucks and holidays. Everyone participated in the large-scale effort to raise money for the orphanage.
“How come?” My heart raced in my chest as I let out a hiss.
Is that the extent my father would go to? Could he really try to sell my hand to the highest bidder? Was I some sort of charity case in his eyes?
“His goal is to acquire a new Luna for you and the pack,” Ronan stated. “He stated that you have had ample time to grieve Isabella and that it is now appropriate for you to have a resilient and new Luna by your side.”
Oh Goddess, no!
“He will compel you to choose a she-wolf,” Ronan went on. “He will auction you off to the highest bidder at the charity ball if you do not choose one that night.”
Ronan was telling me things that I could not believe. Was my father willing to take such drastic measures out of fear of the Silverado Pack?
“But,” I blinked a couple of times, trying to process what Ronan had just told me. “What does the council think about this proposal?”
“They agree with your father,” Ronan answered. “And now that war is approaching, they believe it to be a fantastic idea. Their goal is to produce a pack heir.”
At Ronan’s final words, I swallowed hard. He was aware of my struggle with that.
“You must be joking with me,” I growled. “Have you tried to stop him?”
“Yes, I did,” Ronan replied. “However, the council has already decided on a course of action and has added the proposal to the agenda. The auction is scheduled to happen at the charity ball. Additionally, the council has shared information about the unique listing on the program with the local packs. The surrounding packs have already found the information interesting and submitted bid requests.”
I ran my fingers through my hair.
We concluded the week with a sumptuous ball and determined the total amount of money raised for the project at the charity ball.
“Learn everything my father is up to,” I gave the order. “I refuse to let him dictate how I live my life. He is aware of Zara and my intentions to claim her as my mate. I refuse to settle for anything less, even if it means igniting another war.”
I noticed movement and slowly turned to peer over my shoulder.
Zara was positioned at the front door, her hand on the handle. Her eyes widened in shock, giving her the appearance of a deer caught in headlights.
How much of the conversation did she hear?
“Zara,” I said, hanging up on Ronan, and continued forward. “I intend to…”
“It does not matter,” she said, silencing me. She had tears in her eyes, and I could not stand to see her like that.
“Perhaps your father has a point,” she remarked as she wiped away a stray tear. You will then, at the very least, have the freedom to select whoever you wish. Perhaps you will even come across the ideal Luna-someone far more experienced than I am.”
“It is not what I want,” I said as I inched forward. “You are my desire. I want you! And only you! You are MINE!”
“That is what the mate bond is telling you to feel,” she growled. “The bond will not allow me to hold onto my anger towards you for very long.”
Zara’s lips quivered as she took a deep breath.
“I know what love feels like,” she said. “However, this,” she indicated between us. “This is not love at all…”
****