A/N

This story is unedited so apologies for grammatical and spelling errors if any.

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Zachary's (POV)

After spending the night with Fiora, I found myself grappling with a disquieting realization: I had entrusted her with information that should have remained guarded, especially considering our tenuous grasp on her trustworthiness. Having lived amongst manipulators, Fiora's allegiances remained an enigma, a fact that weighed heavily on my mind. The inherent complexities of the mate bond only exacerbated my frustrations.

In stark contrast, Theo seemed inexplicably drawn to her, his demeanour brimming with unwarranted happiness whenever she was near. It irked me to no end that he refused to yield the reins of control, often opting to side with her over me. It was as if he were under a spell, blind to the potential dangers lurking beneath the surface of her facade. As much as I wanted to trust Fiora, my instincts urged caution.

"Theo, I'm going to run a background check on her," I declared firmly, my resolve unwavering as I sought to safeguard our interests.

"No, Zack, it's her privacy you're talking about. Give her some time. If she doesn't open up, then you can do what you want," Theo countered, his voice tempered with reason and compassion.

"But by then, it might be too late," I argued, frustration simmering beneath the surface. "She already knows about us, and we've witnessed her power. Who's to say she didn't reveal her abilities to earn our trust? If we wait too long to discern her true intentions, she could already be executing her plan. We've encountered minions of the manipulators before; I refuse to let history repeat itself."

Theo's expression softened, his understanding evident as he weighed my concerns against his own convictions. "I understand your apprehensions, Zack. But rushing into action could backfire. Let's give her the benefit of the doubt for now and proceed cautiously."

Reluctantly, I acquiesced, though the lingering doubts continued to gnaw at the edges of my mind. As much as I wanted to trust Fiora, the stakes were too high to ignore the possibility of betrayal.

As I emerged from my walk-in closet, I was taken aback to find Fiora standing before me, clad in my shirt, trousers, and sweater. A rush of desire surged through me, her presence evoking an undeniable allure to see her out of my clothes. Mentally chastising myself for my reaction, I fought to regain control over my emotions.

Forcing a composed demeanour, I managed to offer Fiora a nod of acknowledgement as she thanked me for the borrowed clothing. Despite my efforts to maintain a professional distance, the pull of the mate bond intensified with each passing moment, heightening the attraction between us.

Summoning what little restraint I had left, I blurted out a few words of response before extending an invitation for her to join me for breakfast.

As we arrived at the nearest clothing centre, Fiora wasted no time in selecting the first set of decent clothing she laid eyes on. Anticipating her needs, I offered to cover the expenses, only to find myself embroiled in an unexpected confrontation.

Fiora adamantly insisted on paying for herself, citing some perceived slight against women's independence. Confusion clouded my thoughts as I struggled to understand her reaction. I hadn't intended to imply any limitation on her ability to pay, merely offering assistance out of courtesy.

Despite my attempts to defuse the situation and clarify my intentions, Fiora remained steadfast in her stance. Frustration simmered beneath the surface as I grappled with the sudden tension between us. In my efforts to extend a helping hand, I had inadvertently ignited a conflict that threatened to mar our burgeoning rapport.

"There's something wrong with her," Theo pointed out "Yes, definitely she's a psycho" I replied all frustrated, Theo rolled his eyes at me as we embarked on the silent car ride. Despite the tension, I couldn't help but notice Fiora's palpable discomfort. Sensing her unease, I wrestled with the urge to reach out and coax an explanation from her, but my lack of finesse in such matters held me back.

Upon our arrival at the library, Fiora stepped out first, her expression a kaleidoscope of awe and wonder. As she followed me inside, I observed her gaze flitting between the myriad genres and the ornate architecture, her initial unease gradually giving way to a sense of calm and fascination. It was as if the grandeur of the library had cast a spell over her, easing the tension that had lingered since our encounter.

"I want to know what's wrong with her," Theo asserted, his tone edged with concern.

"Nothing's wrong with her," I replied defensively, though doubts gnawed at the edges of my certainty.

"Don't tell me you didn't notice her fidgeting and expressing myriad emotions," Theo pressed, his persistence challenging my denial.

I fell silent, unable to refute his observation. It was true—Fiora's demeanour had been a whirlwind of conflicting emotions since our encounter.

Taking control of the situation, Theo stepped forward and embraced Fiora, his voice softened with genuine concern. "Are you okay, moon pie?" he inquired gently.

Fiora immediately distanced herself, her reaction a testament to the barriers she erected around herself.

"See, I told you," I murmured, resigned to the truth of Theo's assessment.

Ignoring my protest, Theo continued

"I don't think we should cross our professional boundaries, I'm grateful for what you did for me yesterday, but I believe it would be best if we exercise restraint..." Her words were cut short by Theo's sudden action. Closing the distance between them, he leaned in and tenderly kissed her, prompting a flurry of conflicting emotions within me.

I braced myself for Fiora's rejection or perhaps even a slap, but to my astonishment, she responded to Theo's kiss with a warmth that seemed to transcend the moment. In that fleeting instant, there was a palpable connection between us, a shared intimacy that caught me off guard.

However, the moment was short-lived. As Fiora pulled away, her expression twisted in pain, and she clutched her stomach before hastily retreating towards the washroom. It was then that the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place, and I realized the true cause behind her enigmatic behaviour. The smell of blood confirmed it.

Feeling a pang of guilt for my lack of understanding, especially after having shared a roof with Ziwa, I couldn't help but feel helpless in the face of Fiora's sudden distress. "Let's prepare warm water and a place for her to rest," I offered, my voice tinged with sadness at my own ignorance.

"Warm water is a good idea, but whether she wants to rest or not depends entirely on her," Theo replied, his tone gentle and reassuring, like that of a caring older brother.

His words served as a reminder that, despite our best intentions, ultimately it was Fiora's decision how to proceed. We could offer support and comfort, but ultimately, it was up to her to decide what she needed at that moment. With a nod of understanding, I resolved to do whatever I could to assist Fiora during her time of need, even if it meant simply being there for her

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As an Alpha, it was my responsibility to ensure the well-being and education of the next generation. With the library running out of space for more books and resources, extending it seemed like the most logical solution. After all, it is a favourite spot for young kids to learn about their powers and explore their potential.

In our world, specialized schools exist where children can learn about each other, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. However, the library served as a vital resource for self-study and exploration. Here, all the necessary equipment and resources were readily available, making it an invaluable asset for young minds eager to understand and develop their abilities. That's the project we're involved in.

As I contemplated the layout and structure of an expanded library, my attention was drawn to now emerged Fiora from the washroom. Catching sight of me, she muttered under her breath, "What a waste of sex appeal." Despite her attempt at discretion, her words rang loud and clear to my heightened senses. I couldn't help but find amusement in her flustered state, especially when I knew that I was the cause of it.

As Theo, still in charge, approached her with a smile, she inquired, "What's your name?" I couldn't help but wonder if she had forgotten our previous exchange. "Theo," my wolf replied, a touch of amusement evident in his voice. "I think we should proceed with our work," she stated, deliberately avoiding our gaze. Reacting instinctively, I retorted, "Hell, no. She needs rest." "Only if she wants to" my wolf replied

Theo closed the distance between us and crouched down to her eye level, gently asking, "Does it ache terribly?" In response, a reflexive retort escaped her lips, "I'm not a child, I can take care of myself," she said, her irritation palpable. I realized she must be in a considerable amount of pain. With a soft touch, we patted her hair reassuringly before passing her the water bottle. She took it and unscrewed the cap, then tightened it again before holding it close to her abdomen.

"I'm sorry," she apologized softly. There was nothing for her to apologize for, but we remained silent in response. It struck me then that Fiora seemed to open up to Theo far more easily than to me. This realization prompted me to ponder: Am I perhaps too intimidating?

"You can rest if you wish," I took back charge and suggested. "Not necessary," she simply replied. "Is Theo gone?" she inquired. "Why, am I that scary?" I asked, trying to ease the tension in the air. "I didn't mean that," she quickly interjected. "You like him more, don't you?" I asked, feeling a pang in my heart not because she liked Theo more but because she was scared of me. She didn't reply, leaving a heavy silence between us.

We finished our work, but Fiora didn't smile even once, her expression business-like. Despite clearly being in pain, she refused to rest. I made an effort to stay as close as possible to her, knowing that a mate's presence can often ease discomfort. I hoped that perhaps my proximity provided her with some relief if only a little.

We drove back to my parents' house, where Fiora greeted them politely before retreating to her room. I followed suit, but as the night wore on, she didn't join us for dinner. Unable to suppress my concern for her well-being, I found myself overcome with curiosity. It wasn't entirely my fault that I knocked on her door. I was worried, the blame was on the mate's bond

When she opened it, my breath caught in my throat at the sight of her drained appearance. "Yes, Mr. Crystal," she said formally, her voice lacking its usual vitality. "Are you alright?" I asked, genuine worry evident in my tone.

"Didn't I tell you, I can take care of myself," she replied, her words tinged with weariness as she looked sleepy and tired. I didn't respond immediately, instead, I entered her room and closed the door behind me.

"What are you doing, Mr. Crystal? I'm not in the mood to entertain you," she protested, clutching her stomach in discomfort.

"Neither do I want you to entertain me," I said, feeling a twinge of annoyance. Our relationship may have its complexities, but if she was going to harm herself, that wasn't going to happen, not on my watch. "I want you to rest and let me take care of you," I insisted, closing the distance between us. With gentle concern, I reached out to take her temperature with the back of my hand, confirming my suspicion that she had a fever. Too tired to protest, she reluctantly complied, sinking onto her bed and pulling her blanket around herself.

I stepped out of the room and quickly gathered some water, towels, a hot water bag, and chocolates in case she wanted them. While I was busy preparing these items, both of my parents joined her in her room. Upon my return, I found her holding my mother's hand, her posture reminiscent of a child seeking comfort.

"Give her the hot water bag," I said, concern evident in my voice. "She's asleep, Zaco," my mother replied quietly, gesturing to Fiora's peaceful form. Undeterred, I sat beside her with a bowl of water and a towel, gently placing the cool cloth on her forehead to help bring down her fever. After a few minutes, her fever subsided, but she began to shiver uncontrollably.

Throughout this, my mother remained by her side, observing my actions. Confusion crept over me until my mother explained that Fiora didn't actually have a fever; rather, it was an imbalance in her energy that was causing her body to react unnaturally

I nodded in understanding as I set aside the bowl of water. "Zaco, is she your mate?" my mother questioned in a monotonous tone, her inquiry breaking the silence. My father, who had been silently observing, gently placed his hand over hers, silently urging her not to pursue the question further. The topic of my mate had always been a taboo subject in our household, believed to potentially bring catastrophe to our world

"Yes, Mother," I replied honestly, meeting her gaze. "She's beautiful, inside and out," she remarked, a soft smile playing on her lips as she looked at me with warmth.

"But, Mother, I don't want her to be part of this," I admitted, my voice betraying a hint of vulnerability. My father, who had rarely interfered in matters concerning my mate, spoke up for the first time.

"Son," he began, his tone firm yet gentle. "Mates are meant to be loved and cared for. They are a gift in your otherwise ultra-boring life as an Alpha. Who cares what others say or believe? To hell with those future prophecies. What I've learned is that the future holds many alternatives, and you can't control them until they're at your doorstep. The decisions you make at that point will determine the path of your future." His words resonated deeply within me, offering a new perspective on my responsibilities as an Alpha and the significance of my relationship with Fiora.

I nodded in understanding, caught off guard by my mother's question. "So, when's the wedding?" she asked, surprising me further. I felt my cheeks flush as I stuttered in response, "What wedding? We hardly know each other," my eyes darting anywhere but to my mother.

"What nonsense. Since when do mates require time to know each other? They do it in the process of being deep inside each other," my mother retorted, her words causing my blush to deepen. "You're my mother, Mother, can we not talk about my privacy, please," I protested, my face burning red with embarrassment. I could hear my father and mother chuckling quietly, their amusement evident, especially since Fiora was asleep.

My father chimed in, "Well, son, you know, back in my day, we didn't need dating apps. We just got straight to the point!"

"I can't believe this," I muttered, wishing for the floor to swallow me whole.

"Yeah, and speaking straight to the point, your mother here wasn't exactly subtle with her intentions," he added, nudging my mom playfully.

Mom grinned mischievously, "Oh, please, I was just being efficient! Why waste time on small talk when there's a lifetime of 'inside jokes' waiting to be made?"

I buried my face in my hands, wondering how my life had taken such a comedic turn. "Please, let's just stick to discussing the weather or something less mortifying," I pleaded, knowing full well that my parents would never let me live this down. I realized this conversation would haunt me for the rest of my days. "Note to self: never bring a date home to meet the parents. Moreover, I found myself grappling with a nagging feeling that I hadn't treated Fiora right. My father's words had served as a poignant wake-up call—punishing someone for a crime they hadn't committed was unjust. Yet, the weight of prophecies loomed over me, a constant reminder of the unpredictability of fate, and it was this uncertainty that kept me wary of her, and It's not going away

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A/N

Word count:- 2600

Hello, my lovely readers, I hope you all are doing well

Here, is the 17th chapter of my book

I hope you all liked it and have a great day ahead

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bye:)

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Date:- 28/03/2024