Rejected and Pregnant: Claimed By The Dark Alpha Prince-Chapter 216: A strange man

Zilia nervously bit her nails. Casaio hadn’t said a single word to her after accusing her of manipulating his kindness.

"He doesn’t believe me... He truly thinks I tried to help Jake," she whispered, sinking into the chair. "I only wanted to help. I’d never hurt him..."

Her fingers tightened around the edge of the seat.

"Master’s ordered me to kill Casaio. If I don’t obey, he’ll grow suspicious. But Idris isn’t in his grasp anymore... I don’t have to fear for my brother’s safety now." She paused, her voice trembling with conviction. "Casaio saved him with Gabriel’s help. I owe him everything. I’ll protect him, no matter what."

She exhaled deeply, knowing full well what failure would cost her. The Alpha of the Blood Dominion didn’t forgive disobedience. If she hesitated too long, someone else would be sent to finish the job, and her.

Shaking off the thoughts, she stood and walked to the refrigerator. Opening it, she blinked at the empty shelves. "Great... I forgot to buy groceries yesterday," she muttered. Walking to her room, she grabbed her wallet and then, headed out.

As she entered the supermarket, Zilia grabbed a cart and slowly pushed it through the aisles, her thoughts still tangled in worry.

The phone in the pocket of her coat buzzed, but lost in her own world, she didn’t notice.

Stopping at the snacks section, she scanned the shelves and picked out a packet of chips, one of her brother’s favorites. A faint smile curved her lips as she held it, but before she could place it in the cart, another hand suddenly snatched it from hers.

Startled, Zilia looked up.

A bald man stood before her, tall and broad-shouldered, with eyes that glinted coldly under the overhead lights. He looked to be in his late thirties, but what unsettled her more was the strange tattoo around his neck that wasn’t fully visible.

He offered a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

Zilia decided to avoid the bald man entirely. Without sparing him another glance, she grabbed a different packet of chips and placed it in her cart. As she pushed forward, an odd uneasiness crept through her chest, one she couldn’t explain.

’Was he someone Master sent to kill me?’ she wondered, gripping the cart tighter.

Suddenly, a hand touched her shoulder, and she flinched violently, her heart leaping into her throat. She whirled around, only to find Casaio standing behind her.

"You okay?" he asked, his brows furrowing. "You weren’t answering your phone."

Zilia blinked in surprise, still catching her breath. Her eyes flicked over his shoulder toward the aisle behind him but it was empty.

Casaio noticed her distracted stare and turned to look as well. "What are you looking at?"

"There was a man," she whispered. "He had a strange presence... like something wasn’t right about him. It felt off."

Casaio didn’t respond immediately as he wasn’t interested in her blabbering. "Finish your shopping," he finally said. "I have a few questions for you afterward."

And just like that, he dragged the cart ahead without a word.

Zilia stared after him. ’He didn’t even ask what the man looked like...’ She cast one last glance behind her, no sign of the bald man.

After paying for the items, she silently followed Casaio out of the store. Unlike before, he didn’t offer to help with the bags. The small gestures, the quiet care, it was gone. How quickly things had changed between them.

’If I had married him... what would’ve happened?’ she wondered. ’I kept delaying it for his safety. I thought I was protecting him... but now, I don’t even have a place in his heart.’

Lost in thought, she didn’t realize Casaio had come to a sudden stop. She bumped into his chest, startled, her bags jostling in her arms.

Casaio grabbed the two bags from her and put them in the backseat of the car.

"Go, sit in the front," Casaio said.

Zilia hummed softly and slipped into the passenger seat. She absently rubbed her fingers along the edge of the seatbelt strap.

Casaio got behind the wheel and drove off in silence. The drive to her apartment was short.

Once there, he grabbed the grocery bags from the backseat and followed her inside. He set them down on the table with a thud that made Zilia flinch slightly.

"We caught Jake last night," Casaio said, turning to face her. "His mate was attacked because he failed his mission. The woman ended up attacking my brother last night, who had gone to save Jake’s mate."

His voice sharpened. "So, Zilia, mind telling me what the hell you’ve done?"

Her eyes widened. "You think I informed them!?" she asked, her tone rising with disbelief as her brows arched.

Casaio’s jaw clenched. "You are a spy. Of course, it has to be you. You are the only one who wants to harm me or my brothers," he openly accused her.

"I didn’t do it. I’ve no idea how to make you believe that I was never a part of it. My brother is in your custody. Why would I do something to risk his life?" Zilia clenched her fists tightly.

"I don’t think you even care about Idris. You know, you are selfish. You only care about yourself," Casaio bellowed at her.

Zilia sneered at him. "I’m not spying anymore for you. Do whatever you desire without me. And it’ll be better if you kill me with your own hands," she muttered in annoyance and frustration. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she didn’t let them fall.

"Of course, I’ve to kill you after I’m done with you. We are going to Blood Dominion Pack tonight. You’ll guide me, Zilia. Let’s face that bastard who sent you to kill me," Casaio pronounced.

"Are you serious?" Zilia frowned at him. "You’re going to a place, where you’ll be captured at once. I’m not taking you anywhere. Also, I didn’t do anything to betray you. If I had to betray you, I would’ve done it by marrying you a long time ago."

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