STARLIGHT PROMISE:"Bound to the Lycan"

Chapter 33

ZALE's POV;
                      Is she innocent or just plain reckless? The thought tumbled through my mind, tangling with frustration as I walked down the darkened hallway, carrying her back to her room. Amora had actually fallen asleep outside, curled up beside Lace, as if the massive silver wolf wasn't a creature capable of tearing her apart in seconds. Yet, she had trusted him instinctively, her body relaxed and peaceful, unafraid in the way only innocence or foolishness could be. The irony was maddening—she trusted a wolf, my wolf, yet she couldn't bring herself to trust me.

I had stayed in my wolf form longer than usual, my instincts pulling me to protect her even as she lay there, completely vulnerable. Lace, too, had insisted she stay with him, urging me to leave her be, but the risks were too high. October nights could be brutally cold, and I couldn't afford her falling sick on my watch. She was fragile, human; I knew that now more than ever. So, despite Lace's protests, I took control, gently lifting her in my arms and carrying her back. I tucked her into bed, adjusting the blankets and pillows until she looked comfortable enough to sleep through the night.

It took every ounce of willpower to leave her there and head to my office. There were matters I had to attend to, responsibilities I couldn't ignore—not even for her. The pack had been facing threats, and with rogues prowling the borders, my attention was split, frayed. Protecting my people, arranging defenses, and ensuring everyone had what they needed had become second nature, but now I had Amora to consider, too. Her presence was new, a complicated puzzle I hadn't yet figured out.

I'd also need to arrange for Amora to meet my mother and my sister, Zora, both of whom were arriving tomorrow. This meeting was crucial; I knew that. I'd kept her in the dark long enough, letting her piece together fragments of my world without ever seeing the whole truth. Soon, she'd have to know everything. But the idea of Zora's enthusiasm, her knack for spilling secrets in a heartbeat, worried me. I needed to control the situation, to make sure nothing was revealed before I was ready.

As I settled in at my desk, the weight of secrecy felt heavier than ever. Holding back the truth from Amora had felt necessary, for her protection and mine, but how much longer could I keep up the charade? I felt like a dam about to burst, and with my family arriving, the whole situation was on the brink of spiraling out of control.

Just then, Wilder mind-linked me, his voice slicing through my scattered thoughts. Alpha.

What is it, Wilder?

His reply came in a rush. The queen and your sister are at the gate.

They're what?! I shot up from my chair, disbelief clouding my mind. They weren't due until tomorrow. Why hadn't they informed me of the change?

Wilder's voice held an edge of urgency. They said they finished early and decided to come tonight instead.

A string of curses escaped me, echoing in the silence of my office. "Damn it," I muttered under my breath, my voice low and tight with frustration. This was the last thing I needed—an unannounced visit that could blow everything wide open before I was prepared.

Wilder, I commanded, bring them to my office before they get a chance to see Amora. Especially Zora. You know how... talkative she can be.

Yes, Alpha. Wilder's tone was firm, and I felt a surge of relief that he understood the gravity of the situation.

Minutes ticked by in tense silence, each one stretching longer than the last. My mind churned through a hundred different scenarios, each one more chaotic than the last. I needed to keep control, to manage this meeting carefully. My sister had a tendency to barrel headfirst into situations, her enthusiasm as boundless as her affection, and if she saw Amora before I could explain... I couldn't even imagine the damage control I'd have to do.

The door swung open, breaking through my anxious thoughts. And there she was—Zora, her dark curls bouncing as she bounded into the room, her face alight with a grin that could chase away the darkest of nights. Before I could brace myself, she lunged at me, throwing her arms around my shoulders, pulling me into a fierce hug.

"Brother!" she squealed, squeezing me tightly. "I missed you so much!" Her voice was warm, brimming with that familial bond we'd shared since we were kids.

Despite my irritation, I couldn't help but relax, if only a little. "I missed you too, Zo," I murmured, patting her back as her enthusiasm eased some of the tension within me. For a brief moment, my worries faded, replaced by the simple joy of seeing her.

Then, as she pulled back, I noticed my mother, standing a few steps behind her. Regal as ever, she held herself with the quiet, commanding grace she was known for. Her gaze softened as it met mine, and she tilted her head in that familiar way that always managed to ease my worries.

"Zale?" she said, her voice gentle. "How have you been, my son?"

"Fine," I replied, feeling the weight of all the things I wanted to say but couldn't. Not yet.

I took a breath, the air feeling thick with unspoken words. This was my family—two of the few people I trusted completely, yet tonight, they felt like two unpredictable forces that could unravel everything I had been trying to protect. They couldn't know the whole truth, not yet, but I had to tell them something. And before they met Amora, I needed to prepare them for the role she would play in our world—whether she knew it or not.

"Listen," I began, my voice low and serious. "I need to discuss something important with both of you."

Their expressions shifted, curiosity sharpening their gazes as they sensed the gravity in my tone. And so, with every ounce of control I could muster, I began to explain, careful not to reveal more than was necessary but knowing that the truth was already closer to the surface than ever before.