The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 225: The Other Half ()

Zariah walked down the hallway of the Ethereal Palace, headed for Askel’s quarters. It had been a short time since she had left and Zariah headed back, knowing Askel would awaken anytime soon.

Or perhaps he had already awakened, Zariah had not intended to stay out long, she had been so lost in her thoughts, she had not taken note of the time that had passed,

But after sorting through her thoughts, Zariah felt so much more clear-headed and her heart was lighter than it had ever been since she had awakened to this new lifetime.

Perhaps it was because for the first time, Zariah was certain of what path she wanted to take and of what purpose truly mattered the most.

Zariah soon arrived at Askel’s quarters and she pushed open the door, stepping in.

Zariah walked past the receiving room, heading to Askel’s bedroom, however Zariah froze in her step the moment she stepped into Askel’s bedroom to find a familiar face straddling Askel on his bed.

It was Vivienne, the young woman Zariah had met earlier. She was barely clothed and her lips were locked with Askel’s in what looked like a deeply passionate kiss to Zariah.

Zariah felt her heart drop and her hands clenched tightly by her sides.

"We are even now, I guess." Zariah said in a blank tone. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

It was only then Zariah’s presence was noticed and like he had just awakened from a slumber, Askel’s eyes went wide as he stared between Zariah and Vivienne, first in confusion and then in horror.

Zariah did not wait to hear any explanation, she turned to take her leave but Askel swiftly blocked her path, grabbing Zariah’s hand before she could leave.

"Zari, love, I would never... I thought she was you, I swear it!" Askel explained to Zariah swiftly.

"Forgive me beloved, forgive me. You are the only one I have eyes for, I would never hurt you in this manner when you have only just returned to me." Askel apologized fervently.

Zariah frowned slightly, recalling Lucas’s words to her. When Askel regained consciousness after losing control to the beast, he would always be a bit muddled and confused.

It was not that difficult for Zariah to figure out what had just happened, if there was one person who would know Askel’s condition at his waking moment as well as Lucas did and also have access to Askel’s quarters, it could only be Queen Sancia.

All the while, Vivienne stood by the bed, staring at Askel and Zariah with silent fury.

"Did my mother put you up to this?!" Askel demanded from Vivienne, still holding Zariah’s hand so she did not storm out.

"Askel, how certain are you that she has not been with another in this past month? Why can you not see the truth that Her Grace wants the best for you? You would rather be with a disloyal slut?!" Vivienne hissed.

Zariah’s brows twitched slightly as Vivienne made reference to her. Rage surged within Zariah and she whirled around, her eyes gleaming with fury.

A powerful aura exploded out of Zariah in that moment, charging up the entire atmosphere with an intense, raw dominance that screamed of an Alpha.

Zariah felt her consciousness harshly tugged to the back of her mind as in that moment of rage, another presence Zariah had never expected to sense again rose to the surface of her mind.

’Torin!’ Zariah exclaimed in surprise at her wolf’s sudden appearance.

However, Torin did not respond to Zariah. Now in control, she shrugged off Askel’s hand and stalked Vivienne in slow, predatory steps.

"Since when could a nameless pup address me? Has Zariah been too lenient? Because Torin will not be so... gentle." Torin spoke, her words a deep growl.

Vivienne’s eyes had gone wide with alarm, her face was as white as a sheet and she trembled visibly from head to toe as Torin’s aura forced her wolf to submission.

"How dare you lay a hand on what is mine?!" Torin hissed darkly.

In a flash, Torin was right before Vivienne, her hand grabbed hold of Vivienne’s throat before she could even realize Torin had moved at all.

Zariah watched in astonishment, not surprised by Torin’s actions but more by her sudden appearance.

’Torin, no...you cannot hurt the girl.’ Zariah was quick to reason with her bad tempered wolf half before a dead girl would grace the room in the next moment.

Torin’s response to Zariah was a growl but Zariah knew Torin would comply, but not without a warning.

And so, it did not surprise Zariah when Torin moved again and the next thing Zariah saw was a screaming Vivienne as she tumbled down from the balcony where Torin had just tossed her off.

Zariah knew Vivienne would survive the fall, she was a wolf shifter after all but not without sufficient injuries.

Zariah was still taken aback by Torin’s return, so much so that she did not even contemplate fighting to regain control.

When Nile had told Zariah there was a possibility of Torin recovering and that her recovery could already be in process unbeknownst to them all, Zariah had not dared believe it or hold such hope.

Even when Torin had manifested briefly in the Sea Kingdom, Zariah had just taken it as a moment of life and death occurrence, never had she expected that Torin would be so possessive to return now of all times, at the thought of another woman being with their mate.

It was baffling, and Zariah only became alarmed when Torin’s target changed and she now stalked a surprised but calm looking Askel.

"We finally meet... your eyes are beautiful, the other half of my beloved." Askel said to Torin, his tone one of awe and adoration.

However, the compliment did not sit so well with Torin.

"Do not patronize me...not you and not Vance either. You both dare touch another woman?! You are mine!" Torin hissed.

Zariah could have died of embarrassment there and then, but she was more concerned with Torin’s purpose for backing Askel into a corner of the room.