Chapter 42: Mark Her, Save Her

Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Mark Her, Save Her Zayn stared at her, stunned into silence. Mark her? It was madness. It was permanent. It was... binding. Zayn froze, staring at Talia like she had lost her mind. Then shook his head. "I can’t," he said, voice rough. "I already—" he broke off, jaw clenching. Talia frowned, confused. "You already what?" He dragged a hand through his hair, backing up a step. "I rejected her. I already rejected the mate bond between us." Talia’s mouth opened, stunned. But there was no time to argue. Zayn’s jaw locked tight. “I thought-” His voice strained, full of regret as he shook his head again, “It doesn’t matter.” Talia stood up straighter, urgency burning in her voice now. "You can still save her," she said. "Look at her!" Lily’s body spasmed again, a fresh trail of blood leaking from the corner of her mouth. Zayn’s heart twisted painfully at the sight. His wolf howled in pain within. Talia grabbed his arm, forcing him to meet her eyes. "She’s going to die, Zayn. In minutes, maybe seconds. If there’s even the slightest chance that this can save her, you have to try." For a second, everything inside him rebelled. The guilt. The fear. The doubt. "No—" he whispered, moving without thinking. He reached her side in two strides, dropping to his knees. "Lily," he muttered, cradling her against his chest. Her body was burning up, slick with sweat, trembling uncontrollably. "I can’t..." he whispered hoarsely, brushing her tangled hair away from her face. Talia crouched down beside him. "She’s your mate, Zayn. Only you can help her." He shook his head, but his arms only tightened around Lily. She let out a small, broken sound, almost like a whimper. Zayn leaned down, pressing his forehead lightly against hers. He shifted her gently, exposing the soft curve of her neck. Talia held her breath, watching. Victoria, still hidden under the bed, bit down a scream, rage burning her from the inside out. No! No! No! Zayn’s canines elongated as he leaned down. "Lily," he whispered, brushing his lips against her neck. "Hold on just a little longer." His canines sank into her skin, fast and clean. Lily jerked weakly in his arms, a tiny cry leaving her lips. Zayn wrapped his arms tighter around her. Her nails dug weakly into his shirt, struggling against the sudden sharp pain—then slowly, slowly... she stopped fighting. Zayn felt it when the bond ignited, raw and powerful. It intertwined them together. Talia let out a shaky breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, clutching her hands to her chest. "It’s working," she whispered. Zayn pulled back slightly, licking the wound as it closed. He cradled Lily tighter against him as her trembling slowly, slowly began to ease. The color started returning faintly to her cheeks. Her breathing steadied. Victoria covered her mouth with both hands under the bed, eyes wide with horror. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Lily was supposed to die. Talia wiped her forehead, her hands still trembling slightly. “She’s stable,” Talia said, relief flooding her voice. “The bleeding has stopped. Her body’s calming down.” Zayn didn’t move, didn’t even breathe for a second, just staring at Lily’s face. Her breathing was soft and steady now, no more convulsing. She survived. “She’ll sleep for a while,” Talia added, voice gentle. “But she’s out of danger. For now.” Zayn sighed deeply. He brushed a thumb lightly across Lily’s lips, careful not to wake her. Talia straightened, rubbing the stiffness out of her neck. “We should have someone stay with her,” she said, looking around the room. “Just in case.” “I’ll do it,” Zayn said immediately, his voice leaving no room for argument. Talia hesitated. Her gaze softened. “You should rest too,” she said. “I’ll rest here,” Zayn muttered, pulling a chair up close to the bed. “Go. You’ve done enough.” Talia smiled faintly, exhausted. "Call me if anything changes. Anything at all." Zayn gave a small nod without taking his eyes off Lily. Talia slipped out quietly, shutting the door behind her. Silence fell over the room. Zayn leaned back slightly in the chair, exhaling heavily. His muscles ached. His head pounded. But he didn’t care. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from Lily’s face. She was pale, far too pale, but breathing. He watched her carefully, settling into the stillness of the room when he heard a faint shift. A subtle creak. What was that? Zayn’s head snapped up, his senses sharpening instantly. His golden eyes narrowed, scanning the room.) There—beneath the bed. His voice dropped, deadly soft. "Come out from under there," he said, his voice cold enough to freeze the air, "Now." Nothing. His hand slipped to the dagger tucked at his waist. "I’m not asking twice," he warned. "You have five seconds before I drag you out myself." A tense silence. Then— The slightest, reluctant movement. Victoria slowly crawled out from under the bed, brushing imaginary dust from her dress, keeping her face carefully blank. Zayn’s golden eyes followed her every move, sharp and cold. “What were you doing under there?” he asked, voice low. Victoria widened her eyes, playing innocent. “I... I heard noises, so I came in to check. When I heard footsteps, I panicked and hid.” Zayn didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t push. As he turned his attention back to Lily, Victoria’s gaze darted around the room. Her heart skipped when she spotted the empty vial lying near the bedpost. Without missing a beat, she shifted her foot and skillfully kicked the vial back under the bed, out of sight. Zayn didn’t notice. “Go back to your room,” Zayn said flatly, not looking at her. But Victoria didn’t move. Instead, she stepped closer. Before he could react, she slid onto his lap, straddling him, her arms wrapping around his shoulders. Zayn stiffened immediately. “Victoria. Don’t.” She leaned in, her voice a soft, desperate whisper against his ear. "Is it true?" she murmured. "What did they say?" Zayn didn’t answer. Victoria pulled back just enough to look into his face. "You declared her your Luna," she said, her voice trembling with anger she struggled to hide. "In front of the Alpha King. In front of everyone." Zayn’s jaw tightened. He didn’t deny it. Victoria’s nails dug lightly into his shoulders. "Why?" she whispered. "Why her?" She reached out, cupping Zayn’s face gently between her trembling hands. "What about me?" she whispered, her voice cracking. Zayn’s brows furrowed slightly, but he didn’t pull away. Victoria swallowed hard. Her thumbs brushed over his cheekbones like she could smooth out the coldness in his gaze. "You made a promise," she said, her voice breaking. "You promised my father. Before he—before he died for you." Zayn’s jaw tightened. He remembered. Clear as day. Victoria’s father—one of his most loyal men—had given up his life to save Zayn’s. And Zayn had stood there, blood on his hands, swearing to protect Victoria no matter what. Victoria’s hands slid down to his shoulders. "You said you’d take care of me," she said, her voice low and desperate. "You said you’d never abandon me." Zayn closed his eyes briefly, guilt slicing through him. "I haven’t forgotten," he said quietly. "I’ll honor that promise, Victoria. Always." Her eyes filled with tears, but her lips trembled into a bitter smile. "Then why her?" she demanded. "Why mark her? Why not me?" Zayn exhaled slowly, heavy with weariness. "Lily..." He paused, shaking his head. "Declaring her as my Luna is purely political. With it, my seat as Alpha would be secure. Marking her... was to save her. She cannot die, not now." Victoria’s expression twisted with pain. "You mean it’s all just duty?" Zayn nodded once. "In name only." His voice was steady, empty. "She’ll be my Luna. But nothing more." Victoria stared at him for a long moment, studying every line of his face. Looking for a lie. Hoping for something more. "What about me?" she asked in a whisper. "Where does that leave me?" Zayn opened his mouth, but no words came out. Victoria leaned in closer, her forehead almost touching his. "Zayn, I’ve never asked you for anything," she breathed. "I want you to mark me too." Zayn stiffened. She searched his face desperately. "If she’s only your Luna in name... then prove it. Mark me.”