Sandro wasing, the thought permeating Arabe’s mind, refusing to leave. She paced about the room; her forehead creased with worry; she bit her lower lip before letting out a deep breath. Her fingers trembled as her mind swarmed with thoughts of all that could happen if Sandro appeared before her.


    She brought her hands together, interlocking her fingers; she hoped it would stop them from quivering. But it did little to alleviate her anxiety, as they shook uncontrobly, making it impossible for her to keep them still.


    ze observed Arabe with narrowed brows, wondering what was happening in her head. He had hoped Arabe would be more confident by now, considering she was mastering her powers. However, her disy of panic was contrary to his expectations.


    “What do you mean?” he questioned, and Arabe abruptly paused, turning around to face ze.


    “He’sing,” she intended her voice to be firmer, but the fear that had engulfed her turned it into a mere whisper.


    From her punctured voice to the fear glinting in her eyes and the faint traces of tears forming, ze realised she was even more frightened than he had thought.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Stepping forward, he ced his hands on Arabe’s shoulders, holding her in ce. “Calm down, Be,” he said gruffly, but she couldn’t meet his gaze, her eyes averted.


    His index finger gently tilted her chin, making her face him directly in the eye. She searched his eyes for anyfort that could soothe her racing mind but found nothing to ease her worries.


    “Can you keep calm?” he murmured, pulling her closer. “I don’t think it will be as awful as…”


    Arabe snorted, “Keep calm?” Pulling her hand away from ze’s grip, she said. “Sandro ising, and you want me to keep calm…!”


    Arabe tossed her head back and let out a burst of wild, uncontrolledughter that echoed throughout the room. She gripped her hair, yanking hard before emitting a piercing shriek.


    “Arabe,” ze grabbed her hand again as she stumbled across the room, knocking over everything in her path.


    “Arabe,” he tried again but received no response. He sighed, running his hands through his hair. He was just as much in danger if Sandro were to appear before them at that moment. Betraying Sandro and helping Arabe escape was a grave offence, one that could lead to his death without a second thought. However, he understood why Arabe was reacting this way, and he couldn’t me her.


    “Be!” ze’s voice was firm, and this time she heard him, bringing herself to a halt.


    Gazing at him with wide, shimmering blue eyes, she yelled, “You don’t understand, ze!” Her voice croaked, and she sniffled, holding back tears. “It’s not that I’m scared of him; it’s just that I haven’t fully mastered my powers yet, and I need everything I can get to defeat Sandro.” She exined, turning around and averting her gaze from ze, not wanting him to see her crying. She didn’t want him to witness her fear. Damn it!


    She had learned a great deal and thought she could confront Sandro with her limited powers. But now, as she reflected on it, she doubted the possibility.


    Arabe buried her face in her palms and sobbed, “I don’t think I’m ready to face him yet.” She gasped, blinking but failing to stop the tears streaming down her cheeks. She vividly remembered the murderous glint in Sandro’s eyes and all the menacing threats apanying it. She didn’t need a soothsayer to tell her that Sandro would kill her when he got his hands on her.


    ze stepped forward, approaching Arabe, who had her back turned as she sobbed. He reached out from behind, gently grasping her trembling hands.


    “You will defeat Sandro. You are strong, powerful, and determined. Nothing can stop you,” ze’s encouraging words seeped into Arabe, settlingfortably within her and slightly lightening her mood.


    Arabe turned to face him fully. “Do you think so? Or are you just trying to lighten my mood?” she asked.


    ze smiled, his gaze locked with hers, but he remained silent. He pulled her into him, wrapping his arms around her.


    Arabe sighed, hugging him tighter. She didn’t need him to say anything. If she couldn’t defeat Sandro alone, ze would be there to help her.


    ___


    Sandro was abruptly whisked out of the trance he had been in. He blinked repeatedly, trying to readjust to reality.


    It was Arabe. He was sure he had seen her during the trance. They had exchanged words, but now he couldn’t recall what had been said. The memory seemed to have slipped away as soon as the vision ended.


    He tried to remember where he had seen her, but his mind seemed nk as if everything had vanished the moment the vision ceased. The only thing he was confident of was that he had seen her.


    “Hey!”


    Sandro nced around as he heard a shout from one of his pack members. He was still inside Ezra’s pack house, where some members of Ezra’s pack had gathered. Some were mourning, but most appeared relieved that Ezra was dead. And why wouldn’t they be? Ezra was known for his cruelty and ruthlessness-a selfish leader.


    He believed he had done them a favour by killing him. Not only them but himself. Ezra was a piece of shit, and he wished he had made him suffer before killing him.


    “I’m so happy that Alpha Alessandro killed Alpha Ezra. Alpha Ezra was more of an oppressor than a leader,” Sandro’s attention was drawn to two women engaged in conversation as they walked.


    “Yes, he mistreated us and used us for his gain. I’m d he’s gone. I will serve Alpha Alessandro for the rest of my life,” one of the women affirmed, and the other nodded in agreement.


    “Me too. My family and I will serve Alpha Allesandro for delivering us from the hell Alpha Ezra put us in,” the first added. They approached the spot where Sandro stood and immediately noticed his presence. With reverence, they bowed before him.


    “Long live the Alpha!” they greeted, then straightened up.


    Sandro gave a slight nod of acknowledgement as the women passed by, continuing their discussion while walking away.


    He listened to more discussions about the deeds of Ezra before he decided to leave therge hall as the onught of greetings and well-wishes had be tiring. Yet, he endured all until he was out of sight.


    He chose the closest door and exited, going down the hallway to the third room on the left. That was where she was.


    Thalia.


    The coven had helped her, and they told him she would live. Although Sandro didn’t know when it would be, he only hoped she would as soon as he stepped into the room.


    Upon entering the room, he switched on the lights, hoping to see her awake and smiling this time. However, he was met with disappointment.


    Thalia remained unconscious on the bed, a saline drip towering over her on a stand. The liquid content dripped in droplets, flowing through the tube connected to Thalia’s wrist.


    Sandro’s fists clenched at his sides, anger resurfacing as he observed Thalia in this state.


    She was a delicate woman, and Sandro believed she had suffered far more damage than him. He, being an Alpha, was trained to endure countless obstacles without crumbling. But she wasn’t. He had let her take more than she could handle, and she had been crushed.


    A surge of fiery anger coursed through him, and he wished he could kill Ezra again, subjecting him to death a thousand times. Even that wouldn’t be enough to quell the burning rage within him.


    The anger surged within him with an unusual force, overwhelming him as it ravaged his nerves and ignited his rage. Sandro recognised this as the onset of his bloodlust phase, which exined the intensity of his anger and the strong urge to consume.


    Furthermore, it likely ounted for his earlier trance-like state. He convinced himself that it was mere delirium and forced the thought out of his head, desperately clinging to the belief.


    About to walk out, Sandro halted as he heard her mumbling, “ze…”


    Sandro swiftly turned to face her. He noticed a slight cringe on her face, and her pinky finger briefly lifted. Almost immediately, the cringe eased, and her finger fell, sparking a glimmer of hope within him. Thalia was fighting to regain consciousness.


    But then he recalled what she had just said-ze. His brows furrowed in confusion. Was he experiencing another delusion? Shaking his head in denial, he was sure he had heard her utter that name.


    “ze…” she called again, her voice less audible than before but still clear enough for Sandro to verify that it wasn’t a figment of his imagination.


    She twisted slightly on the bed, her eyes squeezing shut tighter as she repeated the name. He narrowed his eyes at her, an intense re directed her way as a wave of new anger welled within him. He wondered why on earth she was uttering another man’s name while unconscious.


    “Wake up, Thalia!” His hands instinctively moved, gripping her body as he vigorously shook her, his anger seeping into his actions.


    Suddenly, she jolted awake. “ze!” Thalia gasped, her eyes wide with fear.


    Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she sat upright on the bed. She was trapped in a nightmare, witnessing everything vividly-she had seen ze die. Trembling with fear, she relived the terrifying dream once more. She noticed ze attempting to save Arabe from an attack she couldn’t discern the origin of. He leapt in front of her and took the blow.


    The dream felt hauntingly real as if it were happening in the present, with a raw and tangible intensity. Thalia couldn’t shake the feeling that it might be a reality if ze didn’t distance himself from Arabe. She vividly recalled warning him to stay away from her, but he was stubborn and refused to listen.


    She wondered about their current whereabouts and what was happening to them. She fervently hoped he was safe wherever he was, praying that he remained far from her. Being with her would only endanger his life and lead to his downfall.


    “Why the fuck were you thinking about ze? Did he fuck you in your dream?!” Sandro’s angry outburst startled Thalia, causing her eyes to widen as her whole body flinched.


    His sudden presence in the room had caught her off guard. Though she heard his question loud and clear, she couldn’t possibly admit to the truth.


    Attempting a smile to appease his anger, she mumbled, “Sandro…” but quickly abandoned the pretence of lying to him. The smile transformed into a grimace as she turned away, avoiding his gaze. He had a way of seeing through falsehoods, and she didn’t want him to delve deep into her heart, fearing he would discover the truth.


    “I repeat, why the fuck were you thinking about him?!” The gravity in his voicepelled her to meet his gaze again, confronting the fury in his eyes and the scowl of anger etched on his face.


    The intensity of his gaze was consuming, overwhelming her, and she couldn’t hold his piercing stare any longer. “I-I…” she stammered, struggling to find the right words.


    “Fucking look at me when I speak!” Sandro shouted, causing her to flinch once again.


    Sandro’s anger red, his impatience mounting. He not only wanted to know the nature of the rtionship between Thalia and ze but also why ze’s name was the only one she mentioned. Why not his?


    “You’re hiding something from me, Thalia. I swear by the goddess, if I have to discover it myself, I won’t hesitate to tear out your heart, then find ze and do the same to him. I will brutally-”


    “He’s my brother!” she cried out, her voice filled with desperation. “Leave him alone; he did nothing wrong!”