Chapter 158
Nyssa pov
As we made our way down the path to the dungeon, my gaze kept flicking to Zayn, who walked casually beside me with a small grin etched on his face. His steps were so silent you could barely hear them, and his posture was completely relaxed, like he wasn’t the least bit worried about being caught by the guards. If anything, he looked as though he was simply taking a midnight stroll.
Zayn had volunteered to guide me to the dungeon, claiming that even with Isabella’s directions, I might still end up lost since the route was complicated. And now, walking with him, I realized he was right. The path twisted and turned so much that, even after Isabella’s explanation, I probably would have ended up wandering in circles.
That was why I felt both grateful and slightly guilty toward this man. Grateful because he had helped me so many times already… and guilty because I had unknowingly built a wall between us. I wasn’t sure why, but at first, being around Zayn made me feel calm and at peace, yet now, there was a strange, unshakable feeling whenever I was near him.
It seemed to have started when I came to this pack, when the dreams and visions began. Even now, as we walked, that faint shiver along my spine lingered, making me uneasy. Still, instead of showing it, I pushed the feeling aside and tried to make small talk along the way.
“So, Zayn… I heard you’re not from here. What were you doing before you came to the Lycan King’s pack?” I asked, keeping my voice light but low enough not to catch the guards‘ attention.
Zayn’s steps didn’t falter at the unexpected question. He didn’t react outwardly, just smiled a little wider before answering.
“Nothing much, I was here and there. I didn’t really belong to any pack, just roamed freely, treating people and curing illnesses. It was easy, since people seemed to know me. Then I met the King’s Beta, Cassian and he asked if I wanted to work here.”
I watched him as he spoke, hands casually tucked into his pockets, his voice low and almost nonchalant.
“And since I’d already been to most of the packs and had nothing better to do, I agreed. After all, the Lunaris Dominion is the strongest pack, and it’s been closed off for centuries. All I’d ever heard were rumors… so I thought, why not give it a try? And here I am.”
He explained, and I nodded, understanding why Cassian had invited him to stay in the Lunaris Dominion pack. Zayn was that skilled of a doctor. Even back in my pack, there were rumors claiming he was so good he could bring a dead person back to life but of course, that was just an exaggerated tale. No one could bring someone back from the dead except the goddess herself, no matter how talented they were in medicine.
“Since you asked me a question, can I ask you something too?” he said, suddenly stopping, causing me to pause as well.
I frowned in slight confusion, but then my eyes drifted past him to a tall, imposing building that, at first glance, looked truly frightening, radiating an ominous energy that sent a shiver down my spine. Two guards stood rigidly at its entrance, their faces blank and unreadable as they kept watch.
I instantly knew that it was the dungeon.
We had arrived at the place where Serena was being kept. My frown deepened as I stared at the building, thinking about how scared she must be right now. Despite the fact that she appeared tough on the surface, Serena was actually soft–hearted and couldn’t handle harsh environments.
I had to get her out quickly.
“Miss, do you love the Lycan King?”
I stiffened at Zayn’s sudden question, my attention instantly flicking back to him. I stared at him in confusion as he grinned at me with a knowing smile that made every hair on my body stand on end.
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Chapter 158
I thought I must have misheard him, but when he stayed silent and simply waited for me to respond, I could only ask again,
“What did you say?” I asked, watching as Zayn repeated the question without hesitation.
“I apologize if this sounds strange, but… do you love the Lycan King? I’m just curious. You are his second–chance mate, and it seems your relationship with him has been improving lately, so I wondered if you’ve started to fall for him.”
My frown deepened instinctively, my gaze narrowing at him in suspicion.
Hm… why was he asking me this? He claimed it was curiosity, but there had to be more to it.
Wait… could it be because-
“Zayn, do you-” I lowered my voice to a whisper, glancing around to make sure we were well out of earshot before pointing to myself with a raised brow. “Zayn… you don’t like me, right? Is that why you’re asking…?”
For the briefest moment, Zayn looked genuinely confused, as if trying to make sense of what I’d just said. Then the amused glint in his eyes twinkled, and he shook his head.
“Oh, of course not, miss. It’s not like that. Haha, it could never be like that.”
As soon as I heard his words, a pout formed on my lips, and I couldn’t help but glare at him. I wasn’t sure whether to be relieved that he didn’t like me or offended by his reaction.
But then another thought struck me, and my eyes widened.
“Wait… then is it the Lycan King you like-
The disgust that crossed his face was so immediate and obvious that I stopped mid–sentence. As if the very thought was unbearable, he shook his head again and sighed.
“Maybe we can talk about this later, but I’d advise you to save your servant before the next guard rotation begins,” he said.
I blinked, finally realizing I didn’t have time for this. I gave a quick nod, about to thank him for his help but before I could, he stepped back, tilting his head slightly with a grin.
“I’ll distract the guards for you, don’t worry,” he said, not giving me a second to process his words before pulling a small black cloth from his pocket and using it to cover half of his face. In the blink of an eye, he moved–so fast his figure blurred.
I watched as he appeared in front of the guards. The moment they saw him, they stiffened, instantly on alert. Before they could even speak or demand his identity, Zayn had already darted in the opposite direction, away from them.
Almost instantly, the two guards snapped out of their shock and shouted.
“Hey! You! Who are you?!” they yelled, sprinting after him and abandoning their posts.
My eyes widened at the sight, but I didn’t waste a second. This was my chance.
I turned sharply toward the dungeon and bolted for it, muttering under my breath,
“Thank you, Zayn. I owe you big time for this.”
**
