Chapter Thirty-Six
Zane’s POV
The crimson velvet cuff of my dress shirt felt like a tourniquet around my wrist as I adjusted my cufflinks in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror. Tonight was supposed to be about duty, political survival, and the nauseating spectacle of the Clan Council meeting. The old elders were already gathering in the main hall, eager to grill me about securing the bloodline, pushing forced matches, and demanding an heir to solidify the territory.
It was the absolute last thing I wanted to hear tonight. My skin was still itching from the lingering scent of copper and fresh rain that had vanished down the street hours ago.
The heavy mahogany doors of my study banged open without a knock.
My Beta, Marcus, stepped into the room, his breathing heavy, holding a black t
