Rise of the rogue queen-Chapter 19 - - Zephyrine

Caden's POV

I suddenly walked out of my chamber, Sylvia following closely behind.

"My lord, are you going somewhere?"

"Yes, and I won't be back anytime soon. I'm heading to the werewolf realm. There's an time-sensitive matter I need to take care of. I don't know how long I'll be gone, but I won't be back soon." I replied, taking a sharp turn toward Xelvorn's chamber.

"But, my lord—" Sylvia rushed to keep up.

"Xelvorn," I called as I entered his room.

He glanced at me briefly before returning to the book he was writing. He often claimed that writing was a way to preserve history for future generations.

"Lord Caden, you seem in quite a hurry. What's so urgent that you can't stay here in Grim hollow and enjoy the air? Is it too toxic for your liking? I'll have Sylvia clear it and replace it immediately," he said, adjusting his glasses before finally lifting his gaze to meet mine.

"No, the air is fine," I replied, exhaling sharply. "But I have something important to handle, and I may be gone for a while. I want you to oversee Grim hollow's affairs until I return."

Xelvorn studied me in silence before speaking. "My lord, you shouldn't concern yourself with the affairs of werewolves. You are beyond them. They should be at your feet, begging for mercy, yet you insist on lowering yourself to their level."

I sighed, unwilling to start this conversation. "Xelvorn, I am the lord of all realms. If I am to govern, I must understand how their world operates."

Xelvorn inhaled deeply, steadying his breath. "My lord, that is not your concern. Have you forgotten what they did to your parents?"

"Please, my lord, listen to Xelvorn," Sylvia added. "He's right. The werewolves don't deserve your attention or sympathy. You should stay away from them."

I turned to Xelvorn, my tone final. "I didn't come for your permission, Xelvorn. I came to inform you." Then I turned to leave and noticed Ziphora standing at a distance.

She ran up to me, sniffling as she raised her teary eyes. "My lord, are you leaving again?"

I smiled and knelt before her. "I'll be back."

"Take me with you. If you're leaving, then I leave too."

I chuckled. "Pack your things, then. Let's go."

"But my lord—" Sylvia gasped. "Her appearance—"

I glanced at Ziphora. She was a flower fairy. I had found her as a child, blooming for the first time, and I had taken care of her ever since.

"Her appearance doesn't matter. We'll figure that out when we get there." I smiled, and in an instant, we vanished.

Sylvia turned to Xelvorn, who stepped forward. "Keep an eye on Lord Caden and report everything to me."

"Yes, Xelvorn." Sylvia vanished.

Zyphora and I reappeared somewhere in the werewolf realm.

"Lord Caden, I hear voices," Zyphora whispered.

"Stay hidden until I tell you otherwise." I instructed, moving toward the source of the voices.

"You should go back where you came from and stop following me." Zephyrine turned sharply toward the young man trailing behind her, looking furious.

"But I don't have anywhere to go." He crossed his arms, huffing. "Why are you so mean?"

Zephyrine shot him a glare that made him shrink. She sighed before continuing her path.

"I don't know the path that leads to where I'm going. I lost my way. I was attacked, and I lost my things."

She stopped, turning to face him. "Oh really? Attacked?"

He gulped, blinking rapidly, it was obvious that he was lying. Because Zephyrine had seen first hand just how skillful he is, and now he claims some petty thieves stole his belongings.

"Alright, fine," he finally admitted, sighing as he sat on a rock. "I was chased out of my pack. My parents died mysteriously, and they called me cursed. Termed me evil or something." He chuckled dryly.

Zephyrine hesitated, listening.

"I don't mean to bother you, but if you could let me stay just for a while, I swear I'll leave soon." He pleaded.

She exhaled. "Fine. You can stay. But only because you have nowhere else to go."

I sighed, palming my face where I hid. How can she trust him so easily?

"Why are you out here anyway?" The young man asked.

Zephyrine scoffed, pulling her hair loose before tying it into a bun. "So you followed me without even knowing where I was going?"

Zyphora shifted, accidentally hitting a branch.

Zephyrine tensed immediately. "Who's there?"

She stepped closer to my hiding spot, and I panicked. There was no place to run to, so I stepped out. "Hey, princess. What a coincidence. Didn't expect to meet you here." I smirked, but she remained unimpressed.

"What are you doing here? Are you stalking me?" She asked.

I chuckled, "Me? Why would I?"

Zyphora flew and stood over my shoulder. "I'm sorry, my lord." She spoke through a mind link.

Zephyrine scoffed, letting out a short laugh. "You keep a bird now?"

"Yeah, and it's a special one," I smirked. "Jealous?"

She sneered. "I wish."

I turned to the young man. "Who's he?"

The young man shot me an irritated look.

"Someone special," Zephyrine said.

I glanced back at him to see him blushing. I knew she was just trying to annoy. I watched their relationship from where I hid, and even a blind man could tell that she's annoyed by his presence.

I grinned. "Sarcasm, right?"

She remained expressionless. "Do I look like I'm joking?"

I suddenly stretched. "I need a place to rest."

"You're welcome in my pack, but under my custody. I have questions to ask."

"Your custody? You mean your room, right?" I glanced at the young man with a victorious smile.

He glared at me.

Zephyrine shot me a sharp look. "Don't even think about it."

The young man smirked at me mockingly. It bruised my ego, so I straightened up. "You can't deny I've been there before."

"Shut up and let's go."

We got to the pack, and I was impressed, it had changed, flourishing in a way Killian could never achieve, not even in years. A single woman had built what he never could. I admired her as she entered her room.

The young man moved to follow, but I blocked him. "She didn't say your name when she asked to talk."

He scoffed. "Who are you to decide that?"

Zephyrine grabbed my shirt, pulling me inside.

"Don't worry," I smirked at the young man. "I won't make her scream too loud."

Zephyrine slammed the door and folded her arms, her expression turning serious.

She tilted her head, revealing the mark. "Why did you do this?"

"I marked you."

"Why?" Her voice was low, dangerous. "I told you—I don't want a mate. What game are you playing? Why are you back? Do you think you can walk in and out of my life whenever you please?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Which question should I answer first?"

She grabbed my arms, pinning them behind me, slamming me against the wall.

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"You knew Killian was using pills, right? Selling them to the poor, lying that they cured sickness?" She gritted out.

"What are you talking about?"

She punched the wall beside me. "Liar. Stop acting dumb."

I genuinely had no idea what she meant, but I could tell something was bothering her. She looked restless.

"Zephyrine, calm down and explain."

She let go of me, exhaling sharply then walked over to her table, pouring a glass of water in a cup and gulping it down in one go.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." She responded quickly. "You should leave, I think I need to rest."

I sighed out loudly and turned to leave, then heard a loud thud.

"Zephyrine!"