Zara

Don’t get me wrong, I was enjoying every moment, but I knew we had an audience. As if to confirm my words, one of the middle-aged werewolves in the room glanced my way.

"Good girl," Alpha Kane muttered, playfully squeezing my waist.

I could feel Carter and Wade trying to ignore what they’d just heard. Blood rushed to my face, drawing the gaze of several more wolves.

"They probably want to eat us," Nova grumbled.

"Could they?" I frowned.

"I have no idea, but I wouldn’t rule it out." Nova shrugged, pleased she didn’t notice that side of me.

Alpha Kane handed me a glass of champagne. I greedily drank the fruity drink, longing for something stronger. As several more people entered the back room, a man approached Alpha Kane and me. I knew he was a werewolf the moment our eyes met. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

His jet-black hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, and his eyes were a striking shade of green. His black suit hugged every curve and hollow of his body.

My heart pounded in my chest as he sat down next to Alpha Kane and me. I forced a mask of calm onto my face, hoping it wouldn’t crack.

My fear was justified, and I could only hope my training with Commander Steele and Alpha Kane had been sufficient.

"Hello, Alpha Kane Sterling." The wolf gave us a knowing smile, and his emerald eyes gleamed nervously.

If Alpha Kane was surprised by his words, he didn’t show it. Alpha Kane’s face remained impassive, his eyes glimmering with indifference. I wondered how that asshole Alpha managed to maintain such composure and how long it had taken him to perfect this technique.

Alpha Kane glanced at him lazily, his expression neutral. I sharpened my features, hoping they would reflect the same indifference.

As my heart pounded, I carefully checked the secure bookshelves in my mind.

Every thought and memory was securely hidden, bound in leather, and tucked away.

Before I could even consider whether this man was a purebred wolf, I felt someone enter my mind.

Clear as day, I watched the black-haired wolf stroll through my mind, his nails scratching the thick oak bookshelves. It was like an annoying scratching at the back of my mind, an itch I couldn’t shake.

It took all my concentration to keep the library upright. Clearly, this guy wasn’t as skilled at mind games as Marcus. Still, his intrusion made me uncomfortable. I wasn’t sure there was room for anyone else in my head; Nova was already taking up enough space. Resisting the urge to wince, I feigned irritation.

"Could you please stay out of my head?" I raised an eyebrow at the wolf, my eyes flashing dangerously. "Itchy."

Alpha Kane turned his gaze to me, letting a glimmer of caution and concern flash before erasing the emotion. The black-haired wolf looked at me blankly, then stretched his lips into a dazzling smile.

Though the smile transformed the man’s entire face, there was not a shred of warmth or comfort in it. His smile was snaky, cold, and calculating.

"I apologize, but you certainly can’t blame me for trying." The black-haired wolf smirked, his emerald eyes sparkling and glittering. "Instead of insulting me, let’s not let the wolf get to my head," Nova grumbled, indignant at the closeness between him and me.

"A pleasant surprise to find you here, Alpha Kane." He smirked, his emerald eyes scanning Alpha Kane before turning to me. His full lips curved in an interested smile as he met my gaze.

Something dark glimmered in their depths, and a knowing smile appeared on the man’s face. "And it’s nice to finally meet you, Zara." "I assume you’re here for one of our prisoners."

A low, warning growl shook Alpha Kane’s chest, and his wolfish grin widened in response. Bright-eyed, he knew why we were here, who we came for.

This could be a trap," Nova muttered. "They’re not going to let us go."

"I knew we’d have to get out of here the minute we walked in. Let’s do it and take Ryan with us." I nodded.

Alpha Kane’s voice echoed in my head, anger evident in his tone. I could feel the presence of Sofia and the others, eavesdropping, waiting for word of what had happened.

"They knew we were coming." Alpha Kane repeated Nova’s words, his voice firm but decisive. "We’re waiting for the right moment. I need to create a distraction so the three of us can get out safely. When I give the signal, wreak havoc."

An irritating tingle danced in my eyes as I looked at Alpha Kane. He was determined to lead this mission, even though he had no obligations to my family. He could have simply sent a team to do it for him, but he knew I would insist on going.

And with him.

He was willing to go so far to save my brother, willing to fight for his life. I felt the same way Sophia did, how I asked them for help without hesitation. I gathered my strength and forced myself to brush away tears, staring intently at the wolf.

"If you know why we’re here, then you know what I’m willing to do to get him back." My voice was calm and confident, betraying none of the turmoil currently seething in my stomach.

There was no point in continuing to be polite. I wasn’t trying to start a fight unnecessarily, but it was better to get straight to the point. Whether they had time to prepare or not, they knew why we came.

I refused to think about Marcus, choosing to ignore the flutter in my stomach at the thought of seeing him. Ever since the scarlet mark on my shoulder had healed, I’d felt a stronger pull toward Marcus than ever before.

A small part of me hoped Marcus would be here tonight. Nova growled in frustration, hating the scarlet mark that brought only torment.

"A fight would be pointless, needlessly bloody." The dark-haired wolf shrugged, his emerald eyes sparkling with amusement. He leaned forward, his cold gaze meeting mine. "I’m sure we can agree."

Alpha Kane understood without explanation, but I felt a growl building in his chest. Attacking our enemies would do us no good, at least not right now.

"What do you want for him?" My voice was firm and cold, but even I couldn’t hide the interest blazing in his gaze. As if realizing I’d caught his attention, he broke into a serpentine smile.

"That can be discussed." He smiled, and a strange expression lit his face.