ZARAMANNI (BOOK ONE)

Ensuring that her slender figure was still covering Isaac, Zaramanni wore a deep scowl in reaction to Lord Elias’s unbelievable words. Then, with a certain thickening in her voice, she asked, “What do you mean by that?”

“Zaramanni, are you questioning me?”

“I think I have to, considering the ridiculous statement you just made.”

Lord Elias’s brows went up a notch. He was about to take a sharp breath that would precede a loud utterance, but he stopped himself. His right hand gave a dismissive wave and he faced the guard on his side who was boldly wearing a wolf-head necklace. “I have no time to deal with her, get her out of the way and bring me the young wolf.”

A curt nod from the long-haired man and he began to strut toward Isaac who Zaramanni was still blocking from prying hands.

“Not a step forward,” Zara ordered the he-wolf who was also wearing arm splints with purple wolf marks, an indication that he was of the gamma rank, one of the elite guards. “Not a single step forward,” she warned again, then faced Lord Elias, fury in her eyes. “Lord Elias, can you explain to me how you can boldly walk into this place and order Isaac’s arrest?”

“I have found him suspicious in my investigations and I need to question him.”

“Why would you need to question someone that is innocent?” Zara retorted. “It has been barely hours since he arrived at the manor, so how can he be a suspect in the Overlord’s demise?”

“Are you seriously questioning my judgement?” Lord Elias couldn’t resist a scoff while he trailed his hands down his sleeveless and lengthy jacket that was misbuttoned. “Zaramanni, don’t dare me.”

“Don’t dare me either, Lord Elias. Unless you decide to make me understand how Isaac could be linked to the Overlord’s death, forget about laying your hands on him, talkless arresting him.”

Lord Elias quickly ran his fingers through his hair. For a second, confusion grazed his face. But not for long. “Zaramanni….” He began to take steps forward. “I understand your concerns, but according to the laws of the land, if a wolf is found suspicious, he has to be questioned. And if there is any soul that objects, he or she has to be jailed as well.”

Zaramanni remained firm with her stance. Even when Lord Elias stood barely inches away from her, towering above her with his height, Zara didn’t flinch. Arms spread widely, eyes wearing a daring look, she replied to him, saying, “Your laws are quite something, Lord Elias. Does your law allow you to find a wolf suspicious even when there is no evidence?”

A smirk tugged on the man-wolf’s lips and his arms crossed over his chest.

“You are quite feisty today, Zaramanni. It is quite admirable to see you well-adjusted to Zenrada. But you can’t stop me from doing this, Zaramanni. No one can because the Alpha King gave me this authority. So…” His twinkling eyes peered into hers. “Stay. Out. Of. This.”

“I…”

“Zaramanni…” Isaac called from behind. “It’s fine.”

“How is it fine? I-” A small pat on her shoulder caused her stretched arms to relax. Perplexity rested on her forehead while she turned to face the blind he-wolf. “Isaac…”

A little smile and he replied, “I will be fine. It’s just a questioning.”

“Can’t you feel it?” Zara asked, her hands reaching for his. “This is more than a questioning. How can you be a suspect if you are just stepping into the manor? It makes no sense.”

Isaac’s smile grew and Zaramanni sighed in disbelief. It was almost as though everyone had fully accepted the ridiculous moment. No one bothered to see the fault in Lord Elias’s attempt to arrest Isaac.

Zara’s gaze was about to fall on Clarissa when she felt manly arms around her waist. She and Isaac were roughly the same height, so the he-wolf was able to place the side of his head against hers.

“It is okay, Zaramanni,” he said, his voice low in a way that teased her hearing only. “I will follow him.”

“But-”

He hugged her tighter and settled his chin on her shoulder. “Do you know what this reminds me of?”

The fury that was about to erupt in her soul began to cool and Zaramanni returned his embrace. Then, she replied to his question, saying, “What?”

“Back in the forest, Beta Zoey spoke about equality. I resisted the urge to scorn at his words, but I am glad this is happening.”

“Huh?”

“This is a perfect example of the ill fate a lot of less privileged wolves face in Zenrada. There is no equality in this land. Omega wolves like Clarissa and I will never be safe no matter where we are.”

“But you can’t just go, Isaac. We both know that you didn’t do anything wrong,” Zaramanni pleaded but the young one was already breaking the hug. “Isaac, wait.”

“It’s fine, Zaramanni. I will be back soon.”

“Listen to the young wolf, Zaramanni. He seems to be smart enough to understand the issue at hand. Take him,” Lord Elias ordered the waiting guard and soon, Isaac was escorted out of the warm room and that was when Zaramanni noticed that the raging downpour had ceased.

While her entire body shivered with great distress, all her gaze stayed fixed on was the window in her focus. She watched as the evidence of rainfall rolled down the girded pane, one streak following the other as though in a slow race.

Nothing but pin-drop silence filled the room and that silence soon pushed the girl out of her thoughts and she decided to gather herself.

After rushing toward Clarissa who was staring at the door as if anticipating something, Zaramanni grabbed her slender shoulders and said, “Clarissa we must do something.”

Clarissa tore her sight off the entrance and faced Zaramanni. Then, she asked, “Why? Isn’t it just an investigation of some sort? Isaac will be fine.”

Zaramanni had no chance to show how bothered she was by Clarissa’s nonchalant response. Her fingers were almost digging into the she-wolf’s skin as she said, “Isaac will not be fine.” The bulge in Zara’s eyes communicated her fear. “Don’t you see that something unusual is happening here? How can Isaac be a suspect in the death of someone he has never met before.”

A quick tsk sound from the she-wolf and Zaramanni saw how unconcerned the woman was. Before the half-fairy could say a word, Clarissa pulled her in for a hug and said, “Isaac will be fine, Zaramanni. He is not guilty of the crime, you know that. We both know that.”

The flowery scent that came with Clarissa’s luscious hair tickled Zaramanni’s sense of smell and miraculously, she began to feel relaxed. In addition, the small pats the she-wolf gave her back were soothing enough to get rid of the fury in her soul.

“Are you sure he will be fine?” Zara asked quietly.

“Of course.” Clarissa chuckled. “Let’s go to your room and talk about preparations for the party.”

“Am I going as well?”

Clarissa nodded as she dissolved their hug, her face wearing a huge smile. “I have arranged for a very beautiful gown. The colour will make your blueish skin shine so much that you’d be the envy of every she-wolf in the party hall.”

Zaramanni scoffed. “How can that be? I am just an ordinary human.” Calling herself human sounded strange to Zaramanni.

“Are you forgetting that you are Beta Zoey’s mate? Do you know how many wolves wish to be mated to him? Even some he-wolves find him manly in a sexy way.”

“Really?” Zara was amused. “My Zoey is really handsome, there’s no doubt about that.”

Clarissa smiled. “Don’t worry about Isaac. He will be fine.”

“If you say so.”

“Can we go to your room now?”

“Uh…” Zara glanced at the fireplace. Being so close to the heated space gave her a view of the ravaging fire and for some reason, she loved the way the flames engulfed the pieces of wood that rested within the burning space. When she pried her eyes off the fireplace, Zaramanni replied to Clarissa, “I will meet you later. I need to meet Beta Zoey.”

“That’s true. Things looked a little strained between your two earlier. You need to make up.” Clarissa’s brows lifted suggestively. “I am sure you know what I mean.”

“Please…” Zara tried to hide her smile as she began to approach the entrance. “What could you possibly mean?”

“I hear your moans at night if you care to know.”

“I didn’t ask you to tell me that!” Zara retorted, hiding her face before the she-wolf could spew more words about her intimacy with the Beta.

“It’s not like I am lying. But then, it is no news that the Beta is quite huge and-”

“Bye!” Zaramanni raced out of the room and the she-wolf’s teasing words followed her until she couldn’t hear them anymore.

When her hurried steps became slower and firmer, Zaramanni got rid of the smile on her face. She became more serious and recalled her real reason for wanting to meet Zoey.

Using the wall lamps and returning daylight as guides, Zaramanni found her way to the main lobby. She walked past the grand, carpeted stairs and made for Zoey’s room, her brain hoping she wouldn’t miss her way because of the numerous turns, corridors, and small stairs.

Thankfully, Zaramanni was soon in front of Zoey’s doors. As she took in the grandness of the entrance, Zara found herself recalling the first day she ended up in Zoey’s room.

That was the first time she got to have a taste of his lips.

Recreating that day sounded great, but she had a more urgent issue to discuss.

Zaramanni pushed the doors open. She had no time to take in the subtle gloominess in his room. She quickly searched for him in the room and found him staring out of one of the windows on the right side of the grand space.

As she stared at his standing figure, she noted that something was different about him. That firm, demanding presence that always preceded him was missing and the Beta almost seemed… pitiful.

With quiet steps, Zaramanni approached her mate. And as her steps advanced, she wondered about The Red Thread, causing her to steal a glance at her little finger. The thread was not visible in the daylight, but she could feel a little tug on her finger while her feet walked closer and closer to her mate.

That little tug reached her heart and Zara thought about the tense moment they shared in the river. Then, she inaudibly called the man-wolf who was now running his hand through his shortened hair. After he took a deep sigh that moved his shoulders, Beta Zoey turned but his intention to make for his bed was ruined when his eyes met Zara’s.

Those soulless eyes of his wore surprise while his lips rolled out her name in a small whisper that barely caressed the air.

“What are you doing here?” he asked further, his sculptured abdomen pulsing with each gentle inhale and exhale.

“Uh…” Zaramanni got rid of the little crease of concern on her forehead, but she still asked the question in her mind. “Are you okay?”

“Of course.” The smile he only showed her returned and Beta Zoey enveloped her with his warmth. Pushing her hair to the back, he asked, “Did something happen?”

“Uh…” Zara placed her chin on the skin just below his teasing breasts. “Lord Elias just did something insane. He arrested Isaac for being a suspect in the Overlord’s death.”

“Clarissa’s nephew?”

Zara nodded quickly. “Isn’t it absurd? How can that be?”

“I am sure it is for a quick questioning. Isaac is not going to be found guilty for whatever reason.”

“What if he is?”

“Is there something going on, Zaramanni?” Beta Zoey asked sternly. “Why do you think an innocent soul will be found guilty?”

“Are you certain that he will be fine? Nothing will happen to him?”

His thumb reached to graze her cheek while his other arm pulled her closer, as though he was willing to melt their skins into each other. Zoey searched her eyes and answered, saying, “I will make sure nothing happens to him. I am sure Lord Elias is just being careful and overdramatic.”

“I hope so.” For a moment, after her response, Zaramanni entertained a crazy thought.

She wondered if Lord Elias was an enemy the Alpha King was yet to discover.

The Overlord’s death and the circumstances planted around his demise were clearly a result of an insider’s job.

If there was a slim chance that the insider could be Lord Elias, who was quick to arrest Isaac, Zara knew that she had to wear caution as a second garment.

And, she quickly decided to put off telling Lord Elias about the impending war. When the time for her to speak about the coming war arrives, Beta Zoey will be the first person she tells.

And, that time was closer than it seemed.

While Zaramanni listened to Clarissa excitedly talk about the party that was to be held at the palace, she decided that it would be the perfect opportunity to warn a few powerful wolves of the danger.

With Beta Zoey’s help, she’ll make them listen. And, they’ll have to, if at all Zenrada means something to them.

~

“Do you have to do this?” Zara settled on the low stool as she watched her image in the mirror. Then, Clarissa came into view with a huge object in her grasp. Gasping with great surprise at the sight of the item which would be insulted if called a pair of scissors, Zara wore a wary look and asked, “What is that?”

“Hair blades.” Clarissa held the tool in the air and made the large, enjoined blades snip the air. “They will cut a great deal of your hair without causing a fuss.”

Zara’s face deepened with worry. Through the standing mirror, she studied the deep brownness of the blades and decided to call them scissors either way.

“Those look dangerous. Are you certain my hair will be fine?”

“Are you happy with the way it keeps growing?” Clarissa questioned the girl with a slight raise of her brow.

“I have never cut it, actually.”

“Well, today’s the day that happens. The party is two days away and your dress requires you to have a new look.”

“Will I even get to see this dress?”

“Soon. Be patient.” Clarissa began to scan Zaramanni’s deep blueish hair with her sharp gaze, moving sleekly as she gauged where and where to start the cutting. Then, she began to comb through the length, pushing out the full hair to rest peacefully on the girl’s back.

The hair sure bounced a lot and Clarissa appeared to be having fun with what she was doing.

Zaramanni watched Clarissa’s drama through the mirror with a small smile, then she asked, “How is Isaac doing?”

“He is fine. He asks of you every time.” Clarissa picked up the humongous scissors and placed the head of the blades at the mid of her hair, just around the shoulder length. Before she proceeded with the cutting, she inquired, “Why have you refused to visit him?”

“Why is he still there? What kind of questioning takes so many days? I smell something fishy.”

“There you go again. It is almost as though you are indirectly terming Lord Elias as a wolf with bad intent.” Before Zaramanni could ask a question regarding Lord Elias, Clarissa said, “Isaac will be fine. Focus on yourself for now. How about you close your eyes for now?”

“This is getting ridiculous.”

A quick slap to her back and Zaramanni yelped, her back arching while she scrunched her lips.

“Do as I say. Close your eyes.” The sternness in Clarissa’s voice vanished and the tone caressed the air as she said, “When you open your eyes, you will be looking at a new you.”

That sounded nice…

A new Zaramanni…

The half-fairy did as the she-wolf requested.

She closed her eyes and waited for that transformative image. She waited to see the new Zaramanni.