The Cursed Alpha Prince's Replacement Bride-Chapter 16: The Second Prince, Lord Zarek

{Third Person}

At the other end of the Imperial palace, the Second Prince’s residence was far from peaceful.

Tension lingered in the air, sharp and restless, mirroring the man seated at the centre of it.

Zarek Thornfield stood near the open window, one hand clasped behind his back as a guard finished delivering his report.

"The political bride arrived a week ago," the guard said carefully. "She was detained under suspicion and imprisoned by order of the King. However... His Highness intervened."

Zarek’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Intervened?" he repeated.

"Yes. The Alpha Prince personally went to the dungeon and had her released. The guards involved were punished."

A short silence followed, then Zarek scoffed. "A human?" he muttered, almost amused. "He went to the dungeon... for a spineless human?"

He turned slightly with a cold gaze. "Has he fallen so low already?"

But the faint amusement didn’t last as it twisted into something dark. Zarek’s expression hardened as something else settled in. Then his voice dropped.

"And you’re only telling me this now?"

The guard stiffened, quickly lowering his head, afraid to meet his lord’s gaze.

Zarek’s gaze sharpened, cutting. "Something of this scale happens in the palace," he continued slowly, "and my spies decide to take their time delivering it?"

No one dared to speak up, whether in explanation or in defence. It’s not like they wanted to take anyone’s place in death.

Zarek’s lips curved not into a smile, but something far more dangerous. "Useless." He turned fully now and said without hesitation, "Have them hanged. All of them." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

The room went colder.

"Their bodies..." he added, almost lazily, "throw them into the deep forest and let the ravens decide what remains."

His guards bowed immediately. "Yes, Lord Zarek." Then they moved at once to carry out the order.

Zarek exhaled lightly, irritation still lingering in his eyes. Just then, the door opened softly, and a werewolf woman stepped in.

Her presence was quiet, almost unassuming, yet she carried herself with grace. Her attire was refined and expensive, and her jewellery was subtle yet telling of her status.

She didn’t speak at first. Instead, she moved toward the table and began preparing tea. The faint clink of porcelain filled the room.

Zarek didn’t stop her. He simply watched as his mate, Julia Roberto, moved casually before him.

Julia poured the tea carefully, then stepped closer and handed him a cup. Only then did she speak.

"I couldn’t help but overhear," she said softly.

Zarek took the cup, his gaze still on her. She lowered her eyes slightly, her tone measured.

"For His Highness to defy imperial order and personally retrieve the political bride from the dungeon..." she paused just enough, "she must be quite remarkable. He usually never shows interest in women."

Zarek’s fingers paused briefly around the cup as calculating interest danced in his eyes. Then, he raised the cup to his lips, taking a slow sip as he studied the thought.

"Is that so..." he murmured. The corner of his lips lifted faintly. "Then it seems I should go see this little human for myself," he said, setting the cup down with quiet precision,

Across from him, Julia lowered her gaze further. But just for a second, the faintest trace of a smile touched her lips. Gone as quickly as it appeared.

---

Just as Alexander stepped out of Amara’s side of the residence with Jasper a pace behind him, the sound of an approaching carriage cut through the quiet.

Both men stilled, already knew who it was.

The carriage came to a halt at the front, and the door opened. Zarek stepped down first, his posture relaxed, his expression carrying that familiar, infuriating smirk. A second later, Julia followed.

The moment she appeared, the light in Alexander’s eyes dimmed. His expression hardened instantly.

Julia walked beside Zarek, her steps measured, her gaze lowered just enough to appear respectful, but the tension in her shoulders betrayed her.

They finally stopped before Alexander.

Julia curtsied. "Your Highness."

Alexander didn’t respond. His gaze remained fixed on the top of her bowed head. His fingers clenched tightly.

Beside him, Jasper inclined his head slightly toward Zarek. "Lord Zarek."

Zarek gave a lazy nod before turning his full attention to Alexander, his smirk deepening.

"You don’t look pleased to see me," he said casually. "Why does your mood look so sour?"

Alexander finally tore his gaze away from Julia, and she straightened slowly. Then his sharp eyes landed on Zarek.

"What are you doing here without my invitation?" he asked.

Zarek spread his hands slightly. "I only just heard that the political bride arrived," he said. "I thought I should come see what she looks like... considering you personally shielded her from harm."

Behind Alexander, Jasper remained still, his face neutral, though his thoughts were clear. ’The Second Prince definitely came to cause trouble.’

Alexander’s brows furrowed. "Since when did you begin to concern yourself with whatever happens to me?"

Zarek didn’t miss a beat. "Since the day you were cursed."

The air changed instantly as Alexander’s annoyance sharpened into something far more dangerous.

But Zarek only continued, his tone light, almost mocking. "You are my elder brother, after all. I should look out for you... lest you harm yourself again."

He extended his hand as if to pat Alexander’s shoulder, but one cold, lethal glance from Alexander made him stop midair. Then he withdrew, as if he had simply changed his mind.

Behind Alexander, Jasper’s gaze flickered briefly. ’He brought her here, then mentions the curse. If this isn’t deliberate, I don’t know what else is."

Alexander unclenched his fists slowly, then spoke, "It seems you are tired of living," he said calmly. "Remember—you are on my turf."

His gaze didn’t waver as he added, "And His Majesty will not question whatever method I choose to end you."

For a brief second, Zarek’s smirk disappeared, but instead of anger, he clicked his tongue.

"I see you are still playing the bloodthirsty monster that kills at will," he said, his tone edged with disdain.

Alexander didn’t respond to him. Instead, his gaze shifted to the guards stationed around the residence.

"If Lord Zarek utters another word," he said evenly, "or takes one more step forward, the lives of your families will be used as compensation."

The words fell heavily.

"Do you hear me?"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

In an instant, the guards moved to encircle Zarek and Julia, their weapons drawn and aimed without hesitation.

The shift was immediate. Zarek’s expression darkened.

"How dare you point those broken metals at me?" he said coldly, his gaze sweeping over them.

The guards hesitated for only a fraction of a second, then steadied their stance. Their loyalty was clear.

Zarek’s anger simmered beneath the surface as his eyes moved from one guard to another. Beside him, Julia stood still with shock flickering across her face. Then unease.

Alexander’s cold voice came again. "And if this woman sets foot in my residence again..." His gaze flicked briefly to Julia. "Bring me your heads."

"Yes, Your Highness!" The response thundered.

Julia’s fingers curled slightly at her sides. ’So this is it? He is permanently banning me from his residence?’ she thought to herself.

The unease in her eyes briefly deepened into something more profound, guilt intertwined with sorrow. But she buried it quickly.

On the other hand, Zarek exhaled sharply, then flung his arm in irritation. "Let’s go."

He turned and strode back toward the carriage without another word. Julia followed immediately, her steps quicker now.

The guards parted just enough to let them pass, but remained close, escorting them out.

Jasper watched their retreating figures with a thoughtful gaze. Then, under his breath, he muttered,

"Seems like another set of innocent wolves are about to lose their lives."