UNDER THE ROGUE ALPHA'S PROTECTION

CHAPTER 14

The shock of Zero’s statement left me paralyzed, my mind reeling as I stared up at him. "Are you serious?" I finally managed to ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Zero’s sharp blue eyes glinted in the dim light of the alley as he stood to his full height. Without saying a word, he pointed directly at me, a slow and deliberate motion that sent a shiver down my spine. His meaning was clear even before he spoke again, his voice low and unwavering. "I want you, Cassie. Your body. Your loyalty and everything about you that could satisfy me. I want to claim you mine."

The weight of his words crashed down on me like a tidal wave. My breath hitched, and I stumbled back a step, my back brushing against the cold, rough wall of the alley. The realization hit me with brutal clarity: I had only just been freed from the shackles of being mated to my ex-husband, and now I was faced with the possibility of being bound again—this time to a rogue whose reputation was as dark as the blood staining his hands.

If Zero marked me, it would be irreversible. I would be his. The thought made my stomach twist with unease. The freedom I had fought so hard to reclaim would be gone, replaced by a new kind of confinement. And what about my father? Would I ever have the chance to face Licht again if I allowed Zero to claim me?

Yet the desperation of my situation loomed over me like a shadow. I needed Zero’s help. Without him, I would be alone, vulnerable, and unable to save my father. The thought of what might happen to him if I didn’t act was unbearable. My mind raced, torn between the two unbearable options in front of me.

Zero must have noticed the turmoil on my face because he sighed, his expression softening ever so slightly. "I won’t force you," he said, his voice quieter now. "If you don’t want this, if you don’t want me, I’ll walk away."

He took a step back, the distance between us suddenly feeling like an abyss. "But if you change your mind," he added, "you know where to find me."

With that, he turned and walked away, his figure melting into the shadows of the alley. I watched him go, the echo of his footsteps fading into the night. My legs felt like they might give out beneath me, and I sank down onto the ground, my back still pressed against the wall.

The air was heavy with the scent of blood and adrenaline, but it was the storm inside me that threatened to overwhelm me. Could I really agree to this? Could I let Zero claim me, knowing what it meant? The idea of being marked by him, of giving up the last shreds of my autonomy, was terrifying. And yet, the alternative—facing the dangers of the world alone, without his protection—was equally unthinkable.

I buried my face in my hands, a shaky breath escaping my lips. The choice before me felt impossible, and the weight of it pressed down on me like a crushing tide. As the night deepened around me, I was left feeling more confused and uncertain than ever. What should I do?

The next day, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my mind was spinning in a never-ending circle. Zero’s words haunted me, echoing in my head like a constant drumbeat. I kept going over them in my mind, playing the conversation over and over as I stared at the thread of messages I had with Licht. It didn’t help, though—nothing could make the decision any clearer.

I hadn’t told Gwen. I couldn’t. There was no way to explain what had happened without making it sound like I was crazy, or worse, that I was giving in to something dangerous. She’d want to protect me, to pull me away from it all, and that’s the last thing I needed right now. If I told her about Zero’s offer, about the proposition that was impossible to ignore, she’d only tell me to run. But I couldn't run anymore. Not from Zero. Not from everything else.

I needed help, and Zero was the only one who could offer it. But at what cost? I shuddered just thinking about it. Being claimed by him, bound to him forever—it wasn’t something I could take lightly. Yet the idea of walking away, of facing the world alone, terrified me even more. Without him, I was just another victim, vulnerable and powerless.

I couldn’t stand still any longer. My feet carried me before my mind had even caught up with the decision. The moment I found myself standing in front of Zero’s house, it felt like an irreversible moment. My heart raced in my chest as I stared at the door, unsure of what I was about to do. Was I ready for this? For him? For everything that would come with it?

My hand trembled slightly as I reached for the door, but before I could knock, the sound of footsteps inside stopped me in my tracks. I froze, breath caught in my throat. A second later, the door swung open, and there he was—Zero. Standing tall and imposing, his cold blue eyes meeting mine with that unmistakable intensity.

"You came," he said, his voice smooth and deep, laced with an edge of satisfaction. "I knew you would."

I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself. I had to speak, had to say something. "I need your help," I blurted, the words rushing out before I could think. My voice shook slightly, but I pressed on. "But I’m not sure I’m ready for everything else."

There was a brief flicker of something in his eyes, something like understanding mixed with amusement. Without a word, he stepped aside, his presence looming over me as he motioned for me to come in.

"We’ll go at your pace," he said, his voice softer now, though I could still feel the power in his tone. "But you should know, Cassie, you can’t have one without the other. This—whatever this is—will be more than just help. It will be a part of you. A choice that will change everything."

I stood frozen on the doorstep, unsure of what to do next. My breath caught in my chest as the weight of the decision pressed down on me once again. This was it. I had to choose. There was no turning back now.