14: MINE TO PROTECT.
1701 Words
Zolani’s POV
“I don’t want to leave, it’s snowing so badly,” I protested, digging my heels into the rug as Aradia shoved me toward the front doors like I was a reluctant puppy.
She’d burst into my room twenty minutes earlier, wild-eyed and grinning like a maniac. “Ronan called! He’s waiting outside. Go! It’s just coffee, not a blood oath. Have fun, virgin queen!”
Now she had me by the shoulders, pushing me across the foyer while I tried to backpedal.
“It’s a blizzard out there!” I hissed, glancing at the windows, snow whipping sideways in thick white sheets, visibility down to almost nothing. “I’ll freeze. Or die. Or both.”
Aradia laughed, ruthless. “You’ll live. The car’s heated. Ronan’s a gentleman. And there are shadow guards tailing you... pack security, invisible but deadly. No one’s touching you unless they want their spine used as a chew toy.” She opened the massive oak doors with one hand, cold air rushing and slapping my face. “Go. Have coffee. Flirt. Feel wanted for once. I’ll cover for you if Daddy asks.”
She gave me one final shove, gentle but firm and slammed the door behind me.
The wind hit me hard, snow stinging my cheeks, but the driveway was already cleared, black asphalt gleaming under the estate lights.
And there, idling like a panther made of chrome and midnight was the most insane car I’d ever seen.
Matte-black Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge, custom everything .. tinted windows dark as sin, red brake calipers peeking through the wheels, low growl of the engine that vibrated in my chest. Price tag? Probably enough to buy a small country. Or at least my entire startup fund million times over.
Ronan stepped out from the driver’s side, coat open over a charcoal sweater, hair dusted with snow, that same easy smile on his face.
He waved, casual, warm.
I walked toward him, sluggish, and heart hammering, boots crunching snow, sapphire dress hidden under a long wool coat Aradia had thrown at me last minute.
“Hey,” he said when I got close, voice cutting through the wind. “You look freezing. Get in before you turn into an ice sculpture.”
I hesitated. “It’s really coming down…”
“Car’s warm. Coffee’s hot. And I promise...no funny business. Just conversation.” He opened the passenger door, held it like a gentleman from another century.
I glanced back at the lodge, lights glowing, Aradia probably watching from a window with popcorn.
Then I slid inside.
The interior smelled like leather, cedar, and quiet money. Heated seats. Soft jazz. Dashboard glowing like a spaceship.
Ronan climbed in, shut the door, and the storm muffled to a distant roar.
“Better?” he asked, turning the heat up.
I nodded, clutching my coat closed. “Much. Thank you.”
He pulled away smoothly, tires silent on the snow. “So… how’s the pack treating you?”
I laughed nervously. “Like I’m made of glass and dynamite at the same time.”
He grinned. “That’s about right. Humans are rare here. You’re a novelty. A pretty one.”
Heat crept up my neck. “I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or a warning.”
“Both,” he said easily. “But mostly compliment.”
We drove in comfortable silence for a minute, snow swirling around the headlights and then he spoke again, softer.
“You’re different, Zolani. Most humans who come here are either terrified or trying too hard to prove they’re not. You… you just exist. Quietly. Boldly. It’s refreshing.”
I looked at him, really looked. Handsome in that effortless way, eyes warm, no pressure.
It felt… safe.
Dangerously safe.
I opened my mouth to say something...thank you, maybe, or deflect but the roar of engines cut through the storm.
Three black SUVs barreled down the road behind us, lights flashing, tires kicking up snow.
They screeched to a stop, blocking the way forward.
My stomach dropped.
The middle SUV’s door flew open, and a figure stepped out and upon closer look, I saw Cassian.
Coat open, snow in his hair, eyes already blood-red at the edges
He didn’t walk, he stalked straight toward Ronan’s car.
Ronan sighed, long-suffering, and amused as if he knew what's coming. “Here we go.”
Cassian ripped the passenger door open without knocking, cold air rushing in.
His gaze landed on me first, sweeping, possessive, and furious, then snapped to Ronan.
“What the f**k are you doing here?” Cassian’s voice was low, and lethal
Ronan didn’t flinch, he just smiled calm, and easy. “Picking up a friend for coffee. No harm intended, Alpha.”
Cassian’s jaw flexed. “No date tonight. Too much snow. Roads are dangerous. I won’t have guests risking their necks.”
I stared at him.
The excuse was so ridiculous it almost made me laugh.
It was snowing, yes.
But the roads were plowed and easy, black ribbons cutting through the white, salted and clear. The SUVs behind Cassian were armored tanks, built to eat blizzards for breakfast, and Ronan’s Cullinan wasn’t exactly a snowmobile either.
He was lying.
And he was angry.
At Ronan?
At me?
For what...coffee?
Or maybe for daring to leave the lodge after dark without his permission, like I was some prized pet who’d slipped her collar?
Cassian’s hand shot out, wrapping around my wrist. It wasn’t hard enough to bruise, but it was firm, and possessive, his fingers was like warm iron bands that said 'mine' without needing words or maybe I was over thinking again
“Get out,” he said, voice dropping to a growl only I could hear. “Now.”
I didn’t argue.
I slid out of the car, legs shaky, coat flapping in the wind like a flag of surrender. Snow stung my cheeks, wind whipping my hair or wig around my face.
Ronan chuckled, low and, unbothered, calling after us as Cassian pulled me away.
“See you tomorrow, Zolani.”
Cassian’s grip tightened, just enough to make my pulse spike.
He leaned back toward the open door, voice deadly calm, every syllable cutting deep “Leave before I put a kill order on you, Ronan. And next time? Ask permission. You’re in my territory. Do not forget it.”
Ronan raised his hands, still smiling. “Message received.”
Cassian slammed the door so hard the Cullinan rocked.
Then he turned, pulling me with him, toward the waiting convoy of SUVs. The lead vehicle’s door was already open, engine rumbling
I wanted to protest, mumble that I could walk, that I wasn’t some helpless doll to be dragged but the words died when he looked at me.
“Get inside,” he said, voice low and final. “Or should I pick you up?”
I wanted to say 'go on'... the insane, reckless part of me that craved his hands on me, his strength, his control but I shook off the madness and climbed in.
He followed, sliding in beside me, shutting the door with a heavy thud that sealed us in together.
The car started moving almost immediately, smooth, silent, and cutting back toward the lodge like we’d never left.
Well, I guess I was going home after all.
Not a bad idea, actually.
I never really wanted to go on that date in the first place.
The silence in the car was awkward as f**k.
His scent wrapped around me, pine, smoke, blood, and power. I kept my eyes fixed on my lap, fingers twisting in the coat fabric, trying to breathe normally. I could feel his gaze on me, burning, unblinking, and heavy.
“Zolani…”
He said my name.
Not little human or guest.
My real name.
My whole body froze.
Was this car ride safe?
Was he safe?
“Look at me.”
It wasn’t a request but an order.
I took in a deep breath, steeling myself, and slowly lifted my eyes to his.
Big mistake.
His storm-grey gaze was darker than I’d ever seen it, red bleeding at the edges, wolf riding high, fury and something hotter, hungrier, swirling behind it.
Snow melted in his hair, droplets sliding down his temples, catching the dashboard glow. He looked like a predator who’d just finished a hunt and found new prey.
“Hi…” I forced out, a nervous smile cracking across my face. “Um… welcome back.”
He didn’t smile back.
“What did you think you were doing?”
The question landed hard
I swallowed. “Going on a date.”
Wrong answer.
His jaw flexed so hard I heard the muscle pop. He shifted closer, slow, and deliberate, his thigh brushing mine, heat seeping through my coat.
“Do you know where you are?” he asked, voice dropping to something dangerous and quiet. “Do you understand whose territory you’re standing on? Whose protection you’re under?”
I blinked. “I… Aradia said...”
“Aradia is my daughter,” he cut in, tone ice-cold. “Not your keeper. Not your Alpha. I am.”
The words landed heavy and I felt small, exposed and...God help me, I was thrilled.
He leaned in, close enough that I could see the snowflakes caught in his lashes, smelling the faint copper of blood still clinging to him.
“You do not leave my house without my knowledge. You do not get into cars with unmated males without my permission. You do not put yourself at risk because my daughter thinks it’s cute.”
His hand lifted slowly, fingers brushing the ruby at my throat, Aradia said it was a family thing and made me wear it. The touch was feather-light, but it burned.
“This...” he tapped the stone once, eyes never leaving mine... “means something here. It means you’re under my protection. My care. My rules and you're MINE....” he paused and his eyes flashed. "To protect"
My breath caught and the ruby suddenly felt heavier and hotter.
“I didn’t know,” I whispered.
“You do now, little human.”
- Writer
