The leader of the group 295

Chapter 295 – Cooler

–ZANE’S POV–

I twirled her around, pulling her back to myself, watching her glow.

She wasn’t actually glowing–in the Moon’s Daughter way–but she was radiant with happiness, and that was so much better.

She beamed up at me, throwing her arms around my neck, gently swaying with me to the music I’d put on.

“I’m so happy, Zane,” she said softly. “Sheila and Aaron got married. Christy and Nathan are engaged. We’re engaged. Everything feels too perfect.”

“Shh.” I scolded. “Don’t jinx it.”

She chuckled. “Sorry. It’s just… I never thought we’d make it. All of us. It’s like a fairytale, Zane.”

“I know, love. I actually did die for a bit.”

“Shut up,” she scolded, punching my chest. “Don’t remind me of that, please.”

“Sorry,” I smiled, leaning in and kissing her forehead.

Her eyes fluttered closed, and I leaned my forehead against hers, pulling her even closer to myself.

“You know,” I said, “sometimes, even this doesn’t feel enough.”

“What do you mean?” She frowned, but didn’t open her eyes, too relaxed in my hold.

“I mean holding you. Sleeping with you. Kissing you. I think I need a way I could be in your skin.”

Now her eyes shot open, a laugh leaving her lips. “You’re an idiot. No, you’re not living in my skin.”

“Why not?” I grumbled.

“Because you’re too big. You won’t fit.”

My lips curled into a smirk, and I opened my mouth to say it, but she clasped a hand over my lips.

“Don’t ruin the moment, Zane.”

I laughed, then kissed her hand until she removed it from my mouth.

“You’re–”

“No fun. I know,” she cut in.

“My life,” I said, leaning in and pressing my lips against hers.

She kissed me back, and for a moment, I felt like I would melt. The rightful source is findnovel.net

I lifted her up into my arms and carried her to the bed, gently laying her down.

“Lia,” I said, climbing in with her. “How do you feel about getting married?”

Her entire face lit up, a smile taking over her lips. “Yes.”

I laughed. “Yes?”

“Yes.” She nodded. “Zane, I was about to ask you. I think we’ve been engaged for long enough. You’ve perfected yourself as an Alpha. We have enough money. I have managed to do a lot for my parents, and John, and I don’t think I want to wait any longer. When I walked down the aisle today, staring at you, all I wanted–”

“Was for it to be our wedding,” we said in unison.

She laughed, nodding. “Yeah,” she said softly. “I wanted to be your bride so bad. Not just the maid of honour. I wanna be yours now, Zane. I don’t want anything to be left. I want you completely.”

ـلمـ

“You have me, my love,” I said, cupping her cheek. “Already. Since the moment we both turned sixteen.”

She smiled wider. “What do you think… about the end of the week?”

Now my eyes widened. “What?”

“I know,” she cried, “it’s way too soon, but… please? Can you make it happen?”

I stared at her, my thumb gently caressing her cheek.

If she asked me like that, I don’t think there was anything in the world I could deny her.

“Alright,” she sighed before I could say anything. “I know it was a stupid thing to ask. I know you want to make it perfect and perfection takes time, so I under–”

I silenced her with another kiss.

It was so cool how I could just kiss her whenever I wanted.

“I can make it happen,” I said against her lips, slipping my hand into her hair. “I can make anything happen for you, love. Anything at all.”

She smiled, kissing me back, throwing her arms around me. She

pulled away from the kiss to bury her face in my neck, nuzzling into my skin. “I love you, Zane. I love you so, so, so much.”

“I love you too, baby. Next week it is, then.”

–AJAX’S POV–

I took a deep breath before knocking on the little cottage door. My knuckles barely made a sound on the wood, but I knew she’d hear it anyway.

She probably knew I was coming before I even got here.

Witches were psychic like that.

Just a moment later, the door creaked open and there she was–Tina. Long red hair spilling over her shoulders, green eyes giving me that look like I was in trouble for even showing up.

My heart raced, every instinct within me begging me to grab her and kiss her.

But of course, I didn’t really like the idea of being turned into a frog.

Maybe she’d kiss me herself then.

“Ajax,” she said, pulling me out of my inner monologue.

I smiled at her, trying to look less nervous than I felt. “Hi.”

She stepped aside without much fuss, letting me in.

The air hit me straight away–that witchy smell, sharp herbs, smoke, and something sweet underneath that I couldn’t quite place. The place was cluttered but cosy, shelves stacked with jars, books piled everywhere. I sat down where she pointed, on a ⚫ little wooden chair that squeaked with my weight.

“Don’t worry, it can hold you.”

I gave her a sheepish grin.

“So,” she started, crossing her arms, “why are you here again?”

I leaned forward, elbows on my knees. “Same reason as last time.”

Her mouth twisted like she was trying not to laugh. “You know, you’re not Sapphire and I’m not Warner. You can’t just keep pestering me until I give in.”

“Not pestering,” I said quickly. “I’m just asking. There’s a difference.”

She laughed. “Is there?”

“Yes. Look, make a deal with me. You witches love deals, right? I’ll give you something–anything–in return for a hundred days with you. Just a hundred. If at the end you still feel nothing–”

“You’ll keep trying,” she said. “I know you werewolf lot, love. You think you can just claim anyone.”

“Not anyone,” I clarified. “The one who is best for us. The one made to–”

“Don’t,” she hissed, making me freeze. “Don’t try to define the purpose of my life, Ajax.”

I sighed. “Sorry. I’m terrible at words. Everyone tells me that. I am more of an action person. All I mean, is that you and I are meant to be. And I’m not a bad person, I promise. Give me a chance? Look how happy your sister is with my twin.”

She tilted her head, studying me in that witchy way like she was reading me. Then she smiled, but it wasn’t soft at all.

“That’s not how this will work,” she said. “If you’re brave, make a dangerous deal. Give yourself up as my apprentice. You’ll stick by me, fetch what I need, protect me when I need it. In a hundred days, if I love you, I’ll move into your precious pack house like Sapphire did. If not, you’ll never mention the word ‘mate’ again. I will take away your physical ability to say it.”

I stared at her, heartbeat picking up.

Wow. That was risky–way riskier than I’d planned. But it was also the only chance she was going to give me.

“Fine,” I said, after a beat. “Deal.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Just like that?”

“Just like that,” I repeated, shrugging. “But… one thing. A kiss to

That actually made her laugh, this bright sound that filled the little cottage. “You’re ridiculous,” she muttered, but she leaned down anyway. Her lips brushed mine, soft and warm, gone too fast but enough to make my stomach flip.

I grinned at her when she pulled back. “Guess we’re official

now.”

She rolled her eyes and shook her head, but there was still that smile tugging at her lips.

I could do this.

I knew I could.

She was going to accept me just like her sister did.

I was way cooler than Warner anyway.