Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Seth
“Anything?” I ask the soldier hurrying toward me as I stride through the infirmary wing.
Roy shakes his head. “Nothing. We’ve had two of our witches go over the area. There’s no trace of magic, but there’s no scent, either, not even the healer’s. Lord Zane’s blood is there, but there’s no scent. We used human testing to check the blood. It’s his.”
My jaw tightens. “Has Lord Zane woken up?”
“Yes,” Roy says. “He’s waiting for you to come see him.”
I start walking toward the part of the infirmary that is reserved for those of royal blood or nobility.
Zane Radrick falls into both categories.
He’s the nephew of the late queen’s cousin and from the prominent Radrick family.
He is also part of the Umbra Council, which could mean he’s dangerous.
He has never really revealed which faction of the Council he sides with, and that makes him a wild card.
When Selene emerged from the forest like something from a nightmare—her dress torn and bloodied, her small frame barely supporting Zane’s unconscious weight—the sight stopped my heart cold. My body started moving before I could even process what I was seeing.
She had run from me in tears, my vicious words driving her into the darkness while I returned to the celebration.
I forced myself to rejoin the party, to pretend nothing had happened, sure she would return soon.
But she didn’t. My eyes searched for her for two hours, and when she didn’t show up, I decided to go find her.
I had taken a few steps toward the forest when I saw her stumble out of the trees, covered in blood, barely able to walk, supporting a badly injured man.
My heart dropped into my stomach. For one terrifying moment, I thought it was her blood. I thought she had encountered danger in the forest, and I cursed myself in that moment.
I should have followed her!
The relief when I realized the blood wasn’t hers nearly brought me to my knees. But I ran to her and caught her just as she collapsed, her small body crumpling into my arms like she weighed nothing at all. My wolf howled with contentment even as my heart pounded in my chest.
I’ve been guarding the healers’ compound non-stop, unable to leave. Every time I try to walk away, something pulls me back. I tell myself it’s duty, or protocol, but deep down, I know the truth. I simply can’t bear to be away from Selene.
Earlier, when I pushed aside the curtain after hearing her voice, I immediately knew something was off.
Her eyes widened for a moment, and then she laughed through tears, a hysterical laugh that made my blood go cold.
I’ve never seen her look so relieved. And then, when she spoke to me, it was like I was no one.
I couldn’t sense any of the physical reactions she used to have to me. No quickened pulse. No change in scent. No trembling or breathless quality to her voice. Nothing.
My wolf is anxious, pacing restlessly in my mind, whimpering in confusion. He doesn’t understand why our mate isn’t responding to us anymore. The bond still thrums in my chest; I can still feel the fated connection pulling at me with that familiar ache. So, why is she not reacting to my presence?
I’m tense, every muscle coiled tight. Something happened in that forest; I’m sure of it. I just don’t know what.
I knock twice on the heavy, oaken door and wait for permission to enter. Even with my suspicions about him, protocol demands respect when dealing with the head of a noble house.
“Enter,” comes the smooth reply from within.
I push open the door and step inside, offering a brief bow of acknowledgment. “Lord Zane. Thank you for agreeing to see me.”
Zane Radrick sits propped up against pristine, white pillows, looking far too composed for someone who was supposedly dying two nights ago.
His dark hair sits on his head in carefully arranged waves that somehow look perfectly tousled despite his ordeal.
His chocolate brown eyes are inviting and welcoming as they meet mine, the kind of gaze that would put most people immediately at ease.
Yet something about that cordiality feels too practiced, too perfect, making my wolf pace restlessly beneath my skin.
At thirty-two, he’s the youngest head of a major house in recent memory, a position he inherited after a series of convenient deaths.
His father died in a hunting accident three years ago.
His uncle—the previous heir—succumbed to a sudden illness just months later.
A second uncle went missing during what should have been a routine business trip to the border territories.
His body was never found, and after a year with no word, he was declared dead.
All mysterious. All perfectly timed to clear Zane’s path to power.
The Radrick family has always been influential, but under Zane’s leadership, it has become controlling. He has consolidated wealth and political connections at an alarming rate, all while maintaining the perfect facade of a grieving, young lord thrust into responsibility too soon.
“Please, Commander Rowan, sit.” He gestures to the chair beside his bed with easy assurance, those deep brown depths crinkling with what appears to be genuine amiability. “I assume this is about my unfortunate encounter in the forest.”
I remain standing, arms crossed. “If you’re feeling well enough to discuss it, my lord.”
His laugh is soft, refined, and his inviting gaze never leaves my face. “Much better now, thank you. Though I must admit, I don’t remember much after the attack began.”
“Can you tell me what you do remember?”
Zane leans back against his pillows, his expression open and engaging as if we’re old friends sharing stories over drinks. But I catch something else—a shadow passing behind those dark eyes that suggests he’s measuring every word, weighing every response.
“I’d been drinking at the celebration. Too much, I’m afraid. Decided I needed air, maybe a run to clear my head.”
“You went into the forest alone? Without guards?”
“I’m not helpless, Commander.” His voice remains smooth, but a slight tightness around his mouth hints at displeasure.
“Or rather, I wasn’t. I’d made it deep into the forest, found a secluded spot to shift…
” He trails off, his cordial gaze growing distant.
“That’s when they came out of nowhere. Three shifters, already transformed.
They attacked before I could even react. ”
My wolf stirs uneasily. Something about his story doesn’t sit right. A man who eliminated three potential heirs to claim his birthright should be capable of handling a few rogue attackers, even if he had been under the influence of alcohol.
“And you couldn’t fight them off?”
Zane’s smile remains charming and is now filled with what looks like self-deprecating humor.
“I was drunk, Commander. Unsteady on my feet, slow to respond. By the time I realized what was happening, they had me down.” He shrugs with practiced humility.
“I suppose I’m not as formidable as my reputation suggests. ”
The geniality in his expression never wavers, but his eyes tighten, a coldness forming in them that doesn’t match his courteous demeanor.
“Did you recognize them? Catch any scents that might help us identify them?”
“No. Everything happened so fast, and honestly, I was more focused on staying alive than taking notes.” His gaze meets mine with apparent sincerity, yet I can’t shake the feeling that he’s enjoying some private joke. “I suppose I should be grateful they left me alive.”
“Any idea why they would target you specifically?”
Zane tilts his head thoughtfully, that affable countenance never faltering. “Could have been random. Or…” He pauses, as if carefully considering his words. “There are factions that might see eliminating certain Council members as advantageous. Though I can’t imagine why anyone would want me gone.”
Another lie delivered with perfect, gracious control.
“We’ll investigate thoroughly, my lord. If these attackers are still in the area, they pose a threat to everyone.”
“How thoughtful of you.” His smile widens, and behind those brown eyes, a glimmer of interest surfaces that makes my skin crawl. “Speaking of which, where is the little healer who saved me? I’d like to thank her properly.”
Every muscle in my body goes rigid. “She’s recovering from the strain of healing your injuries, my lord.”
“Ah, of course. The poor thing must have exhausted herself.” He runs a hand through his dark curls, the gesture somehow both casual and methodical, his inviting stare growing almost tender. “Such dedication. Such…selflessness. I find myself quite impressed by her abilities.”
The way he says it, with such apparent kindness and admiration, makes it somehow worse than outright leering would have been.
“I should like to visit her once I’m released. Express my gratitude in person.”
My wolf snarls inside me, possessive heat flaring in my chest. “She’s not taking visitors at this time.”
Zane’s smile turns mysterious, almost knowing. “Oh, she’ll meet me, Commander. I’m quite certain of it.”
The conviction in his voice, the way his eyes gleam with certainty, makes my blood run cold. He sounds like a man who knows something I don’t, who’s holding cards he hasn’t revealed yet.
I force myself to maintain my self-control as I bow stiffly. “I’ll take my leave now, my lord. Rest well.”
“Oh, I intend to, Commander.” His inviting stare follows me to the door, that unsettling smile never wavering. “Give her my regards, won’t you?”
I push through the door and into the hallway, my wolf pacing frantically in my mind. Every instinct I have is screaming that something is wrong—not just with Zane’s story about the attack, but with his confidence about seeing Selene.
The way he said it, with such quiet conviction, as if their meeting isn’t a matter of if, but when. As if he knows something that guarantees she will come to him, whether she wants to or not.