The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 177: Caedmon ()

Eloneth nodded slowly, she could see that Zariah would not come between her relationship with Darren but also would not pretend to be on friendly terms with Eloneth.

"Do you hate me? I mean you saved me even when my mother made things difficult for everyone and you still got hurt in the process."

"You lost a month and a half’s worth of time with King Askel... and now, with everything that’s happening..." Eloneth trailed off, unable to complete her statement.

"Listen, Eloneth...it did cost me a lot to save you, and with all your mother did, it is a sacrifice the Fae was not deserving of. "

"That being said, all I did, I did willingly. Because my cousin’s happiness is mine, his pain is mine and I will give anything if he would never have to get hurt, whether it be a month and a half...or my very life." Zariah made clear.

"My point is, you do not owe me anything, Eloneth. Because I did not do anything for you, I did it for Ren and as long as he is happy, all debts are paid."

"As for my personal affairs, I will handle them myself, you do not need to concern yourself with it." Zariah finished.

Zariah got off her bed and grabbed a coat that was draped over the chair at the side of her bed.

Zariah pulled on the coat and strode past Eloneth, heading to the door, she paused at the door, having a mental battle with herself before she finally glanced over at Eloneth.

"I am going for a walk. If you really are hell bent on keeping an eye on me, you should keep up." Zariah said.

With that, she headed out, ignoring Eloneth’s excited giggle as she hurried after Zariah.

_________________

Zariah and Eloneth had been walking through the woods for the better part of an hour.

And for that time, Eloneth had not stopped talking, retelling various events to Zariah who only hummed in response or nodded here or there.

As much as Zariah had been opposed to Eloneth’s company, she found that the Fae was not so bad after all.

Like the summer, she was bright and bubbly, optimistic and positive about everything.

Zariah barely engaged in the conversation but she found Eloneth’s view and ability to see the beauty in everything quite entertaining and a vast difference from Zariah’s own darker thoughts.

It had been so long, yet Eloneth’s excitement had not dampened by even a fraction and Zariah found it unique and interesting that one could be so genuinely happy about everything.

"And so, the flower field finally bloomed. I was just ecstatic! I had been trying for days on end and my magic just could not revive the field no matter how hard I tried. I realized then that some times, nature needs a more warmer touch than just magic..." Eloneth was cut off by the sound of a twig snapping.

Zariah paused in her step, she had long suspected there was another presence in the woods ahead of them but she had dismissed it as just a normal hunter checking his trap.

This was not the unclaimed lands, it was the human settlement within Royal Lycan territory and it was well protected by the Royal Lycan guards, it was not possible that a rogue would get this deep into the forest.

And even pack wolves were not allowed to casually traverse through the human settlement, except properly authorized.

"Step out now, that is enough with the hide and seek." Zariah called out, knowing whoever was hidden would hear her.

Zariah was not even surprised when a familiar face stepped out from the cover of a tree, his gaze fixed on her.

Though Zariah was not surprised, her heart still sank right to the pit of her stomach and her gut clenched up in terror.

A rare feeling for one as strong as Zariah was, but strength did not matter now, Zariah had every reason to be terrified.

"Caedmon..." Zariah murmured quietly, staring straight at the subject of her worst nightmares.

"Alpha Zariah." Caedmon greeted in a slow breath, inclining his head to a bow.

Zariah just stared, frozen in place. Her mind reeled and her instincts screamed for her to run right in the other direction but she could barely register it.

That tugging sensation of the bond had already made itself known, filling Zariah with utter disgust.

"Can we talk? For only a moment?" Caedmon asked after a short time of silence.

It took Zariah a moment to get out of that haze of shock and panic, and Zariah had to suck in a sharp breath to calm her heart.

Caedmon must have mistaken Zariah’s actions to be the effect of the mate bond and a warm smile settled on his lips.

’There is still time to change everything. You know better now, you can correct your mistakes now, you do not have to fear him.’ Zariah mentally lectured herself sternly.

"Alpha Caedmon Grey." Zariah adjusted her address.

This was no longer the Caedmon she had loved with all her heart, this was a stranger she did not know and Zariah knew it was only natural to treat him as such.

Hurt flashed across Caedmon’s eyes as Zariah addressed him formally, far different from the breathless manner in which she had called his name a moment ago.

"I do not believe you should be out here at this time. The Royal Lycan guards will not be pleased to find you moving unauthorized through Royal Lycan territory." Zariah continued.

"By the Alpha King’s orders, they have me remanded in the guest palace, but I could not just sit still and do nothing. I had to come find you, my wolf would not rest easy otherwise." Caedmon replied, subtly accusing the Alpha King.

Zariah scoffed inaudibly, staring blankly at Caedmon.

"You are on Royal Lycan territory, it is expected that you abide by Royal Lycan laws. As for the other matter

s... I do not wish to discuss them at this time." Zariah replied in a monotone.