A/N

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

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Zachary (POV)

Ziwa lay still, unconscious, her body cold and emitting strange fumes reminiscent of the eerie mist Fiora and I once encountered in that ominous cave. Politely but firmly, I dismissed all the healers, urgency knotting my stomach as I commanded servants to urgently summon the female delta.

Alone in my chamber, I awaited her arrival. When she entered, bowing respectfully, her inquiry about Ziwa's health stoked the embers of my fury. I grasped her by the neck, unable to contain my rage any longer, demanding, "What have you done to my Ziwa?" In response, she unleashed a barrage of energy, forcing me to release her, my heart pounding with anger as she pushed me back

She coughed violently, her hand clutching her throat as anger flashed in her eyes. "Are you out of your damned mind or bewitched?" she spat, her words dripping with venomous fury and confusion.

Theo and I bellowed in unison, our voices thundering in the room. "Stop playing games, Arnica! Ziwa is engulfed in those same cursed blackish-blue flames we saw in your accursed cave!"

Arnica's eyes widened in terror, her expression twisted in horror and disbelief. She recoiled as if struck, her anger morphing into a volatile mix of fear and desperation. "Where is Ziwa?" she asked

"Why, huh? So you can drain her dry and leave her for dead? That's your twisted game plan, isn't it? That sword in the cave, it's all about sucking up energy, right? And now Ziwa's just another victim in your sick little scheme?" My words came out in a seething torrent, my anger blazing like wildfire.

"If you want to save her, then take me to her. Or are you waiting to see her dead first?" she retorted, my voice surprisingly calm despite the gravity of the situation.

"No, not until you come clean," I asserted firmly, refusing to yield.

"I will, I promise. Ethan and my kids are here. I won't run away. You're a wolf yourself; you understand the mate bond. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't escape. Please, we have to save Ziwa. Take me to her," she pleaded, her tone serene, belying the urgency of her words.

Reluctantly, I agreed, my gaze never leaving her, every fibre of my being on edge as we made our way to Ziwa's room.

As she stepped into her room, a radiant aura enveloped her, emanating her celadon energy toward Ziwa. The energy flowed into Ziwa's body, causing Arnica to sway dizzily. Reacting instinctively, I reached out to steady her until she regained her balance. Suddenly, a swirling mass of blackish-blue energy emerged from Ziwa's body encircled within Arnica's celadon energy bubble.

With precise control, Arnica condensed her protective bubble until it matched the size of the swirling energy ball. However, her hands trembled uncontrollably, and before I could react, a powerful force hurled me against the wall with a deafening boom, reminiscent of the aftermath when her queen had healed Fiora, leaving the room in disarray with broken cupboards and scattered belongings.

Arnica collapsed onto the floor, unconscious. Panic surged through me as I realized the potential repercussions. "Ethan is going to kill me," raced through my mind. Hastily, I lifted Arnica and carefully carried her to my room, tenderly arranging her on the bed and covering her with a blanket. After ensuring she was comfortable, I sought someone to watch over her.

Meanwhile, I escorted Ziwa out of her room and settled her into the guest room. Quickly, I arranged for Ziwa's room to be repaired

Deciding to move both ladies to my room, I reasoned it would be easier to attend to their needs there. As I sat beside Ziwa, I noticed her temperature rising, a positive sign of improvement.

Hours later, an enraged Ethan stormed into my room. With a single glance at his mate, he seized me by the collar and slammed me against the wall, demanding, "What have you done to Arnica?"

Swiftly freeing myself from his grip, I retorted, "I demand an answer to that question too. What has your mate done to Ziwa?" My frustration was palpable.

"Why would Arnica do anything to Ziwa?" Ethan's voice sliced through the air, laced with fury and confusion.

"I wish I had an answer to that. It's confounding, truly. But for now, let's try to keep our heads and wait until Arnica regains consciousness," I urged, attempting to diffuse the tension, though the unease lingered between us as Ethan moved to stand by his mate, his concern etched deeply into his features.

In the heavy silence that followed, Ethan's voice, rough with worry, shattered the quiet, "How's Ziwa?"

"I'm not entirely certain. Whatever Arnica did seems to have worked Ziwa's condition is improving. She's growing warmer by the minute," I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil within, keenly aware of Ethan's shared apprehension for Ziwa's well-being.

"Hmm," Ethan murmured, his worry palpable, a silent acknowledgement of the uncertain and perilous situation we found ourselves in.

A few hours later, the weighty silence between us was finally shattered by Ethan's voice.

"So, you and that girl hooking up?" he asked, his tone casual yet curious, the question hanging in the air between us as we remained seated, engrossed in our respective laptops.

"Who?" I feigned i gnorance, not eager to divulge any details.

"Our manager," he clarified, his tone still nonchalant.

"Hmm... kind of," I responded with a noncommittal shrug, unwilling to disclose her identity.

Ethan's smirk hinted at his amusement as he pressed further, "Why? Gave up on the idea of true love, mate bond, and all that?"

"Not really. Still committed to that," I replied casually, my tone betraying little of the complexities behind my response.

"So, you're just going to leave her if your mate appears?" Ethan's question carried a blend of confusion and curiosity, his expression mirroring the complexity of his inquiry.

I shrugged, a gesture of resignation.

"Partner, look at me," Ethan's voice compelled me to meet his gaze, his tone now infused with a seriousness that demanded attention.

"You know that's wrong, Zachary Theo. You can't do that," he admonished, the gravity of his words hanging heavily in the air

"We know that, have some faith in your Alpha, Mr. Delta," Theo added playfully, attempting to lighten the mood.

"So, she's our Luna," he stated casually, dropping the bombshell with ease.

"What made you jump to that conclusion?" I inquired, genuinely curious about his reasoning.

"I don't know, just a wild guess," he responded with a teasing tone, clearly enjoying the banter as he left the statement hanging, leaving me to contemplate the implications without further explanation.

"Is she or not?" Ethan asked, his curiosity still evident in his tone. I met his gaze and gave a slight nod, silently signalling him to keep the information to himself. Despite being in a soundproof environment, I preferred to err on the side of caution.

He acknowledged my gesture with understanding and refrained from pressing the matter any further, respecting my decision and the need for discretion.

I sent Fiora a text, regretfully informing her of my inability to meet up, hoping she'd understand my need for rest despite missing her company.

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As both ladies stirred and then drifted back into slumber, their conditions gradually improving, Ethan and I found ourselves standing by the window, gazing out into the distance.

"Do you think Arnica is up to something?" Ethan's question broke the silence, his tone calm yet probing, as we contemplated the events unfolding before us.

"I'm not sure, but she certainly has secrets about her clan, and don't tell me you haven't noticed," I replied, acknowledging the veiled nature of Arnica's past.

"Doesn't imply she's planning something," Ethan defended, his loyalty to Arnica evident in his words.

"Neither that she's not," I retorted, acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding her intentions.

"She won't harm anyone," Ethan's voice softened, a testament to his trust in Arnica.

"I don't doubt that," I reassured him with a smile.

"Then why?" he asked, his expression quizzical.

"Because whatever she's hiding, it's proliferating and creating a ruckus, and we need to be ready for whatever is coming our way," I replied, emphasizing the importance of preparedness.

"You tricked her," Ethan observed, recognizing my tactical approach.

"I certainly did. I never doubted her, but I couldn't trust her either. I couldn't unearth what she was hiding. Do you know she has teleportation powers?" I questioned, curious if Ethan was aware of this aspect of Arnica's abilities.

He nodded indicating he wasn't aware, as I expected, she has many more unusual powers but It's not my place to tell Ethan about those It would break the trust they created so, I restrained myself

Exhaustion weighed heavily on me, making it a struggle to keep my eyes open. Meanwhile, Ethan's concern for his mate was palpable, and though I felt for him, it was time to reveal our delta's female.

"Will you run away with her if your mate's found guilty?" I asked, my voice drained of energy.

Ethan shook his head once more. "That won't happen," he assured, his tone resolute. Then, without looking at me, he added, "Even if it does, I know you'll protect us."

His words stirred a mix of amusement and warmth in me, a hint of a smile tugging at my lips despite my weariness.

As I turned to leave, Ethan's voice stopped me. "Where are you going?"

I chuckled tiredly. "Away from your lovey-dovey to my lovey-dovey," I said with a smirk, needing a break and some time with Fiora.

A figure glided through the air towards the forest as I reached Fiora's hostel. Even in the darkness, I recognized Fiora's graceful movement. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of her, a mix of relief and affection washing over me.

"She can travel in the air. Isn't she a fire-powered?" Theo asked, his confusion palpable in his voice.

"She mentioned in the car that she uses two elements. You should pay more attention next time," I replied, a hint of exasperation mingling with my concern for Fiora's safety.

"I was, but I didn't know what that meant," Theo admitted, his tone reflecting his efforts to understand Fiora's abilities.

I followed her as she gracefully halted above the quiet waterfall, clutching the familiar book from our last encounter. With a stern gaze, she glanced at the cascading water, her expression betraying a hint of determination. After a contemplative moment, she settled herself beside the waterfall, the sound of rushing water providing a serene backdrop to her solitude. Immersed in her reading, she seemed lost in another world. I lingered at a distance, silently observing her for a while, allowing the peaceful atmosphere to envelop us before approaching her.

"Hello! Little bud," Theo exclaimed in a spooky voice, and it had the desired effect. Fiora jumped in surprise, half-shouting, "Theo, why would you do that?" She placed her hands on her chest, a mix of annoyance and slight anger evident as she closed her book. Turning fully towards me, she awaited an explanation.

"I missed you," Theo said with a hint of cuteness in his voice. Fiora half-yawned in response, her fatigue evident. "Me too," she murmured. In a contagious exchange, Theo also yawned, confirming his own weariness.

"Tired?" Fiora inquired, concern laced in her tone.

"Hmm," Theo confirmed with a nod.

"Turn back to your human form. I'll help you sleep," Fora suggested, her kindness evident.

"I don't have clothes to wear," Theo hesitated, but he plopped down beside her nonetheless, trying to make himself as comfortable as possible.

Fiora's eyes gleamed with mischief, a mischievous sparkle dancing within them. "I don't mind," she said with a sly grin.

"The same goes for me too magic bubble, wolves are all about nature, with nature, in the nature, under the sky," Theo retorted, a smirk playing on his lips as he tried to match her playful energy.

"On second thought, I think I would mind that," Fiora replied, her tone suddenly shifting to one of mock innocence, a hint of embarrassment tinting her cheeks as she averted her gaze from Theo. Her cheeks flushed crimson with the playful banter, making her look like a shy but mischievous woodland sprite

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"Come on, hop in. Let me take you to your new house," I said, my voice betraying my fatigue.

"Zack, I already told you there's no need. I've already—" Theo interrupted her, lightly licking her neck, causing her to freeze and flush crimson once more. "And didn't I tell you to protest all you want, and I won't stop," he reminded her, locking eyes with her. I secretly hoped she'd protest a little more, and my wish wasn't in vain.

"I have already... Ahh..." She started again, but before she could finish, Theo had already manoeuvred himself on top of her, gently resting his massive head on Fiora's chest, causing her blush to deepen further, her hands were on Theo's wolf chest

"Zack, can I talk to you, please?" she requested, her voice carrying a mixture of urgency and vulnerability.

"Yes, Miss Mary, how can I help you?" I replied, my tone playful, relishing every moment of this interaction.

"Don't enjoy it; ask him to understand," she protested, her voice tinged with frustration and longing.

"Okay, as you say," I responded, my amusement evident as I mockingly shouted at Theo, "Theo, you're heavy! Don't lay on her; instead, let her lean on you," my words dripping with sarcasm.

"Ok, boss," Theo replied dutifully, a hint of amusement in his tone.

"Zaccccck!" she shouted, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and excitement, her emotions palpable.

"Wait, Theo, she's saying something." I stopped Theo from following, "Yes, bubbles, do you need something else?" I continued the banter, enjoying the playful exchange despite sensing her growing frustration.

She sighed in defeat, her shoulders slumping as she realized the playful banter wasn't going to end anytime soon.

She looked at me with a soft smile, her fingers threading through my thick fur. The sensation of her nails gently scratching my scalp sent waves of relaxation through me, and I felt an overwhelming sense of comfort wash over me.

"Am I heavy?" Theo's voice was sweet and concerned as he spoke

With a gentle shake of her head, she continued her tender ministrations, her touch soothing and reassuring. Still in my wolf form, I lay upon her lap, allowing myself to sink into her warmth. Closing my eyes, I surrendered to the moment, seeking solace from the weight of my burdens. In that embrace, I found a fleeting sanctuary, a respite from the tumult of the world, and drifted into a peaceful slumber.

I stirred from slumber to the gentle caress of a morning breeze, the sunlight filtering through the canopy above, casting dappled shadows. However, my view was partially obscured by the presence of a striking figure—a vision of my lady-to-be—immersed in her book, her fingers still running tenderly through my fur. Dark circles underlined her eyes, her hair tied back in a casual knot.

"You haven't slept all night?" I inquired, my voice still heavy with sleep.

Lowering her gaze from the pages, she met my eyes with a tired but warm smile. "Someone had to keep watch and protect," she responded, her voice bearing the weight of exhaustion.

"You should have woken me," I suggested, rising from her lap and stretching my limbs, still in my wolf form.

A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she stretched and settled back, book in hand. "Would you have woken me?" she countered, her gaze fixed on me, her smile radiant despite the weariness evident in her features.

I returned her smile, shaking my head in amusement before settling down beside her. Despite my lingering drowsiness, her sleepy concern drew me in.

"I'll be late for the office. My boss will fire me," she murmured, her words laced with worry.

"Don't worry," I reassured her with a smile, "I'll ask for a leave on your behalf."

Her smile widened as she closed her eyes, relaxing into the moment. "Hmm, and what will you say?" she inquired, her voice soft and sleepy.

"I'll say, 'Your diligent manager was busy protecting your ultra-handsome CEO, so she won't be able to handle your work,'" I teased softly, earning a tired but amused giggle from her before she drifted off to sleep, still clutching her book tightly. The exhaustion in her features was evident.

Quietly, I shifted back to my human form and carefully removed the book from her grasp, inadvertently catching a glimpse of its contents as I did. Although I couldn't decipher the words, the intricate drawings captivated me. The page was adorned with descriptive illustrations of Thalassians, their features depicted in stunning detail.

As I turned the pages further, I unearthed intricate depictions of every type of Therianthrope imaginable, each creature was brought to life in stunning detail, their features rendered with exquisite precision.

Despite its unassuming thickness, the book's cover gave little indication of its true nature. As I turned the pages, a sense of wonder washed over me, for I quickly discovered that this was no ordinary volume. Each leaf seemed to hold within it a wealth of knowledge and enchantment as if the book itself were a gateway to another realm. It was as though the pages were pulled from some mystical space, creating endless content within its modest exterior

Several pages later, I stumbled upon a section detailing Magic holders. Despite my curiosity, I found myself unable to decipher a single word of the text, even with the aid of accompanying illustrations. The book's handwritten script added to its mystique, suggesting its age and origin. It was clear that this book held the information I sought, yet its contents remained frustratingly incomprehensible to me.

Though I was tempted to awaken Fiora and seek her assistance, the moment I laid eyes on her sleeping form, all thoughts of disturbing her vanished from my mind.

I closed the book gently, taking care not to disturb its enigmatic contents, and proceeded to get dressed. With Fiora still sound asleep, I carefully lifted her in my arms and carried her to her new home. I made sure to lay her down comfortably on her bed, tucking her in with a soft blanket. The house I had chosen for her was modest and unassuming, a simple yet cosy abode. I hoped it would suit her tastes.

Placing her cherished book on the bedside table within arm's reach, I silently wished her sweet dreams before quietly slipping away. As I returned home, I was surprised to find that both the ladies had awakened.

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A/N

Word count:- 3000

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

Here, is the 23rd chapter of my book

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

bye:)

Until next time

Happy reading 💐

Date: 17/06/2024