PART TWO: CHAPTER FORTY THREE

“Zaramanni, how do you know about the Overlord?” Beta Zoey inquired while Zara’s mind became jumbled.

Her forehead creased and she rushed air out of her mouth, trying to keep herself calm. Then, as she tried to stay still in Zoey’s solid hold, Zaramanni asked, “Does it matter how I found out? Why didn’t you tell me that he was dead?”

“And, why would I do that?” The mid of his forehead wrinkled. “As far as I am aware, you and the Overlord don’t have any business together. So, why would you be concerned about him?”

“Because…” Zara quickly bit back the words she was about to utter.

“Because?” Their bodies were still flowing with the river and Zoey’s grasp around her waist was still intact. More reluctant to give a response, Zaramanni’s gaze fell on the mountain of trees ahead, her incisors biting into the flesh of her lower lip. “Because?” Zoey’s low voice asked again and Zara found herself giving him a response in her mind.

‘Because it means that the dragon is right. And, that means that war will indeed recur in Zenrada.’

Of course, Zara couldn’t bring herself to announce her scary thoughts.

So, while she continued to feel the warmth of his scrumptious physique, Zaramanni replied, “Because his death will put Zenrada in a tough spot.”

“That is true, but I am yet to understand how that concerns you.” Zoey’s fingers traced their way into the roots of her hair. Holding her gently, he inclined her head so that she was looking at him once again. “Zaramanni, is there something I should know?”

“No,” came her sharp response.

Then the fact that she was attempting to hide something of such gravity from Zoey made guilt weigh on her heart.

She did not wish to keep the heavy words of the ancient creature from him or the people of Zenrada. They deserved to know that an impending disaster was nigh.

But, Zaramanni’s mind kept digging out all the details of the moment she spent with the dragon, and she recollected how it had told her that her attempts to warn the wolves of the approaching danger would fall on deaf ears.

After a deep exhale, Zara began to think further.

Wouldn’t it be more terrible if she failed to inform someone about the war? She pondered.

Besides, even if her warnings are not fully heeded, someone like Zoey or Lord Elias, or perhaps, Sham will be willing to listen to what she has to say.

That way, she will be certain she has done her best and the rest of the work will fall on the people she tells the vital information to.

Whatever they decide to do with the warning will determine whether or not the war will devour Zenrada.

After that lengthy contemplation in her mind, Zaramanni got headway and decided to tell Lord Elias first since he was the oldest in the Kingdom.

The librarian’s response will determine what she would tell Zoey and most probably Sham who she had not seen in a while.

“Zaramanni...” Zoey’s voice dragged her out of her expanding thoughts. Her eyes fluttering gently, she looked into Zoey’s eyes which looked rather impatient and full of unsaid words. “I hope you haven’t forgotten that I can peer into your mind if I want to.”

Zara’s breath paused for a second. Trying hard to hide her fear, she wondered if all that she had been thinking about was already known to him.

But, the he-wolf said, “I don’t want to resort to such means, so please tell me if something is going on.”

“I…”

“Did you by any chance hear about the events that made the Overlord’s demise very worrisome?”

“What are you talking about?” Zaramanni did not miss the way remorse was embedded in the wrinkles around his eyes. “What things made his death worrisome?”

Zoey sighed.

“Some strands of your hair were found in the Overlord’s abode at the time of his demise. So by default, you are a suspect.”

With a strained look of regret on his face, Zoey’s reddish eyes searched the depths of her blue ones. Since their chests were still glued together, Zara could feel her chest rise and fall with his. So, she felt the effect of the deep sigh he took. At the end of that sigh, the Beta made his full lashes sweep over his eyes, and for a second, he remained that way, his face crinkling with emotions that were an extensive indicator of the words he was yet to say.

But, before Zoey could get a chance to utter a word, Zara slowly pulled away from his hold, her feet already paddling toward the river bank.

“Zaramanni,” the particular raspiness in Zoey’s voice called her name, his muscular arms getting to work and pulling her back. Fully recovered from the depths of remorse he was earlier soaking himself into, Zoey hugged the slim girl from behind, the flesh of her buttocks jamming into his groin. “Zaramanni…” was all he said as he ensured that she was not swimming away.

“Zoey…” A shuddering breath followed Zara’s whisper and on cue, Zoey hugged her tighter, his exhalations more audible thanks to their proximity. Holding onto the width of his arms, Zara’s face began to twitch uncontrollably. Struggling to keep the tug on her heart at bay, she recalled the things the Overlord told her. “Someone is trying to kill me…”

“What?” came that troubled mumble.

“Someone in this kingdom wants me dead,” Zara responded, her voice dangerously calm.

“Are you sure about that?” Quickly, Zoey made her face him. Seriousness all over his face, he asked, “Do you know who this person is? Just give me a name and I’ll hunt their soul till it becomes nothing but ruins.”

Holding onto his triceps, Zaramanni lifted her lids slowly until their eyes locked. Zara shook her head and Zoey’s scattered brows frowned. The Beta was about to sharply give a response but Zara beat him to it.

“Zoey, you need to be careful from now on. The Overlord tried to warn me and now he is dead. Until we find out who this person is, please…” She pleaded with her eyes. “… be careful.”

“I…” Zoey’s voice suffered a crack. He quickly narrowed his eyes and it appeared as though he was having a hard time making sense of Zaramanni’s words. “What do you mean by…” A deep exhale followed. “… the Overlord tried to warn you? You had contact with that vile creature? And, how can you utter such words? How can you tell me to be careful?”

“Zoey, that is not…”

A scoff of disbelief ensued, and the man-wolf became restless. “Zaramanni, are you trying to tell me not to protect you? Or why are you telling me to be careful? Do you think so less of me? Do I look like I am not capable of protecting you?”

“Zoey!” The girl exclaimed, her chest heaving as her hands cupped the sides of his face. “Why are you talking this way? Huh?”

Beyond the troubled frown on her face, Zara’s voice sounded like it was about to get raided by the heaviness that usually came with tears.

“You can’t speak like that, Zaramanni. Not with me.” Beta Zoey closed his eyes for a second, his breath trying to stay stable as his large hands covered hers, their bodies moving freely in the river. “Don’t tell me to be careful. Instead, urge me to shield you from danger. Use me, Zaramanni. Use me to protect yourself from the dangers in your way. And, I promise you, I won’t let any of them come close to you. As long as my heart beats for you…” Their foreheads met and they exchanged heated breaths, his words echoing in her head and caressing her heart. “… as long as I live for you, nothing will happen to you.

Nodding fervently in response, Zaramanni noticed some welling in Zoey’s eyes and a deep ache wrapped her chest in reaction.

And, that moment became overwhelming. Holding onto the sharpness of his jaw in a rather desperate way, Zaramanni’s lips began to quiver, her throat felt scratchy and tears began to gather in her eyes.

Still struggling to maintain a regular breathing pace, Zoey took one hand to her waist and he pulled her nakedness against his, the same desperation in her touch found in his hold.

“Zaramanni…” The whisper in his voice…

That damn whisper…

It made her heart ache some more but in a good way.

And, his touch… It was simply demanding, reassuring, and igniting.

“Zaramanni,” Zoey spoke again, and she replied to him with a hum, her entire being struggling to keep her tears away. But with the way she was feeling at that point… It seemed like the tears would come anyway.

That reassuring touch of his caressed her skin and the other hand that rested against hers travelled down her arm.

Then, he said, “Don’t ever speak about going back home if you know you have no intention to take me along. At this point, Zaramanni, my heart feels sick because of how much I yearn for you. So, please do not think of leaving without me. Okay?”

“I won’t. I promise you.”

Zaramanni hugged him to her chest and she reasoned that he must have felt hurt when she talked about returning home earlier. She then wondered if that was the reason for his outburst.

However it was, Zara had just experienced something new. She had just felt another person’s pain. It was a strange thing because it felt like her own pain. And it was stranger because the more she felt the pain, the more her heart yearned for Zoey.

Zara was about to ask Zoey about the things she was feeling but the man-wolf was so quiet as he held her firmly.

So, while pushing away her questions, Zaramanni held on to the man her heart beat strongly for.

Then, she looked up at the distant skies whose clouds were now turning a shade darker- a sign that heavy rainfall was approaching.

And that would be the first downpour since the fairies’ attack.

~

The rain met Zoey and Zaramanni on their way back to the manor.

They had the desire to find a place to hide till the heavy rainfall reduced, but for some reason, their legs kept walking and they refused to listen to their brains.

So, the duo just went with the moment. They walked to the manor in silence- the kind of silence that was absolutely refreshing.

A couple of minutes after, the drenched couple made it to the end of the wet pathway that welcomed them back to the manor.

A few seconds later, after ascending the stairs that led to the grand entrance of the manor, the arched porch of the massive and majestic building shielded the duo from the rain.

But, a slightly slouched figure blocked their way. This person seemed to be struggling with the heavy doors that were supposed to lead them into the building.

Zaramanni, who was already feeling the embrace of the chilly day, wrapped her hands around her chest while she silently urged her legs not to give in to the shivers trying to overpower its limbs.

“Who are you?” Beta Zoey’s authoritative voice which sounded a little scary in that atmosphere asked, his legs impatiently rushing toward the person.

Zoey successfully twirled the person’s stance, and Zaramanni gasped.

“You…”

It was the blind man they had helped in the forests. As he helplessly darted his clouded eyes and struggled with his hands that were trying to reach for some kind of support, Zara rushed to the young man-wolf, not minding the disturbing smell coming from his body.

Holding his wet hands in hers, her voice raised slightly to overpower the loudness of the downpour, Zaramanni worriedly asked, “What are you doing here?”

“Z-Zaramanni?” came that timid voice while the man’s silver orbs were still searching for what he could not see.

Before she replied, Zara noted how his eyes glowed.

Then she thought, ‘If only he could see how beautiful his eyes are. If only.’

“Yes, yes it’s me,” she responded, giving him a tight squeeze. “What are you doing here?”

“I… I uh…”

Before he could complete his reluctant utterance, a side of the double door swung open and a partial view of the grand stairs ahead was presented.

Then, Clarissa appeared, an illuminated lantern in her hold.

Pulling down the hood of the dark-coloured, warm-looking cloak draping down her shoulders, the jolly face of the woman greeted Zaramanni.

But, before Clarissa could say anything, her sight landed on the young he-wolf who was listening. Walking out to the huge porch, her arched brows knitted and she said, “Isaac?”

“Do you know him?” Zara asked.

And, Clarissa rushed toward the blind man, grabbing his shoulders dearly, her face finally wearing an easy smile since the demise of her unborn child.

Scanning her delighted gaze through his round, puffy face which wore many scratches, with a shaky breath, Clarissa replied, “Of course, I know him. He is my nephew.”

A burst of excited laughter filled the gloomy atmosphere as Clarissa engulfed the young one in a huge hug. And Zaramanni watched as the he-wolf returned the embrace, relief all over his face.