CHAPTER 7

Zima’s POV

Locked in…

The broad chested soldier yanked me forward, his grip crushing my wrists as he dragged me down the corridor. The cuffs were cold and made my arms hurt.

“Easy, my arms,” I hissed through clenched teeth. “You are hurting me.”

He smirked, shoving me into the dark cell. “Get used to it. Pain will be your only companion once you are exiled.”

The heavy door slammed shut with a metallic clang, the lock turning with finality.

I sank against the wall, my breath trembling. My chest tightened with the weight of it all.

I knew I got drunk that night, but it was only one drink. How could they twist it into this? Could I really have killed someone? And why did Darius look almost happy when the footage was declared missing? I let out a long sigh.

I searched my mind, digging into my memory. I only remembered the kiss and Darius carrying me to the room. I had never been wrong about being the werewolf version of bad luck.

Just then the door jingled. I looked up to see who was there.

“Hey, are you okay?”

I looked up and found calm gray eyes peering at me through the bars. Darius.

“Hey,” I whispered, forcing myself to stand. “I could be better if I wasn’t locked up like a rogue.”

He gave a small smile, almost too soft for the situation I am into. “Well, you do look good behind bars. Brings out your wild side.”

I frowned. “This isn’t funny.”

“Who said I was joking?” His eyes glimmered with humor. “Relax. I’m here for you.”

I let out a shaky breath. “I just can’t wrap my head around any of this.”

“The academy is darker than it looks,” he said, leaning closer. “But maybe you were meant to shine in the dark.”

“Darius.”

I gasped, eyes darting toward him.

He pulled out a key and unlocked the door with ease.

“How do you even have that?” I whispered.

“You keep underestimating me,” he said with a sly smile. “I hate that… for you.”

He stepped inside, sat down, and gently nudged me until I sat with him on the cold floor.

“I brought something back,” he murmured, slipping the necklace around my neck.

“They let you keep it?”

“Yes. And I didn’t even have to ask.”

I frowned. “You don’t expect me to believe that.”

His smirk deepened. “I’m not here to convince you. I’m here to talk about the kiss we never finished.”

My breath caught. His hand slid into my hair, fingers weaving slowly through the strands. My wolf stirred, her tail wagging, heart pounding, so eager I could barely breathe. Like she had been aching for that touch.

“Kiss?” I whispered, my voice unsteady.

“Yes,” he murmured, eyes burning into mine. “Don’t pretend you’ve forgotten.”

“Darius, I’m locked in a cell for something I didn’t do, and you’re here talking about a kiss?”

“Yes, because that’s all I’ve thought about since that night. My wolf wants nothing else but your lips, again and again, for the rest of its life.”

His hand cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing my skin as he pulled me into his warmth. My heart beat faster, my wolf leaping with joy at his touch.

“How about we talk about how to get me out of here?” I whispered.

He smiled, his lips grazing my ear. “No. How about we talk about you pressed against this wall, giving me sounds the guards have never heard in their lives?”

“What sounds?” I scoffed, pulling back.

“Wait, let me show you,” he said, rising to his feet and tugging me up with him. He pressed me gently against the wall, his body warm against mine.

“It’s easier since you’re already in cuffs.” His grin was wicked, his eyes glittering.

“Darius, this isn’t what I should be doing,” I whispered, heat climbing my cheeks.

He tilted his head, smirking. “Then it’s a good thing I’m not asking what you should do. I’m asking what you want.”

Before I could answer, he leaned in, his breath fanning across my lips, stealing every thought from me. My wolf howled with need, desperate to close the space between us.

“Your trial is soon. I know you’re scared.”

“As I should be. No one is coming to save me.”

“That’s why I’m here.”

I narrowed my eyes. “And how can you do that when all you care about is pinning me to the wall?”

His voice dropped, deep and rough. “Then let me mark you. As my mate, no one would dare touch you. All charges would be gone.” His lips brushed against my neck, warm and tempting.

I jerked back, my chest rising fast. “You wouldn’t do that for me unless I let you mark me?”

“I might,” he said softly, stepping closer. “But I need to make sure you are mine and mine alone.”

“I am confident I didn’t kill Sophie, so…” I started, my voice trembling but firm.

Darius’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You were too drunk. The footage may say otherwise.”

My stomach twisted. His calmness scared me more than his words. I pressed my back to the wall, hugging myself as if that could hold me together. “I don’t want to be marked now, Darius.”

His brows arched, but he smiled like I had just teased him. “You don’t want to belong to me? Ouch.” He placed a hand over his chest dramatically, though his eyes glimmered with something sharper, hungrier.

For a moment, I thought he might pull me back into his arms, but instead he turned toward the door. “Call me when you change your mind.”

“Just like that?” My voice cracked with disbelief.

He paused, glanced back over his shoulder, and winked. “Just like that.”

The door clicked shut behind him, leaving me frozen. My heart pounded against my ribs, my thoughts a tangled mess. Did he really want to save me… or only claim me? And why, despite everything, did a part of me ache for him to stay?

I heard heavy footsteps echoing down the hall, growing closer to my cell. The soldier appeared and yanked me up by the arm.

“The Alpha King is here,” he said coldly. “Your trial begins now.”