Vayne's POV
When the crowd gradually dispersed, Zed and I walked side by side along the road. The bright moonlight spilled onto the pavement, casting long shadows of both of us.
"Vayne, please believe me. I truly didn't know beforehand that this would happen," Zed said, hesitating for a moment. He stopped and twisted his head to look at me.
"Well, I know," I nodded softly. Judging from Zed's reaction this afternoon, he appeared extraordinarily surprised as well. Even if he did think that, he wouldn't go to such lengths. As the Alpha of the pack, everything he did was considered the right and irrefutable decision.
"Vayne, don't worry about it. I'll talk to Azir tomorrow and provide you with a reasonable explanation," Zed said, looking at my face seriously. The bright moonlight reflected on his handsome profile.
Despite Zed's condition and looks, it seemed like any other girl would be glad to bond with him as a Mate. But whenever I thought about that, the werewolf who stood up to me with a determined face always came to my mind—Talon.
"Ugh," my chest tightened a little at the thought, and I sighed softly, shaking my head.
"I am by no means the kind of person you imagine. It's just that Azir is a bit old and confused. In his heart, it's all for the future of the pack. Don't take it to heart. I won't let this kind of thing happen again."
Seeing that I looked a bit bad, Zed hurriedly explained to me.
"Alpha, it's not because of that." I interrupted Zed with my voice, and my title made him visibly freeze. Zed seemed to sense my internal struggle but didn't move to keep a distance from me.
"It's getting late, and after all this time, I'm sure you're tired by now. So get some rest." Zed and I walked slowly for a while longer until we reached my floor. Zed waved towards me with a smile on his face.
"What about Kyan?" I pursed my lips for a moment and wrestled with the question that was on my mind.
Kayn had been trying to take Alpha's position from Zed for as long as I could remember, and that was why he had meticulously planned all of this. However, now that his plan had been thwarted by me, he had been unequivocally labeled as a traitor. If left unpunished, it was evident that he would attempt a comeback, something no one wanted to witness.
"I've pondered your words extensively, and logic dictates that I should banish him. Nevertheless, he's a part of the Fullmoon Pack, and his sole objective is to strengthen it," Zed spoke softly, his eyes emitting a bright light as if fixed on a full moon.
"I must admit that since becoming the Alpha, the pack has not grown stronger under my leadership. Instead, its power has somewhat receded, and that is something I need to contemplate. Previously, Kyan prevented us werewolves from bonding with humans, fearing it would dilute our bloodline and undermine our dominance in the werewolf world. But then you came along..."
Zed looked up at me once again, appearing a bit agitated, and the volume of his speech subconsciously increased. "Your presence changed everything, Vayne. Whether it's Kayn or me, or even the entire Fullmoon Pack, you mean a lot to all of us!"
Zed said as he patted my shoulder. His eyes displayed a mixture of relief, happiness, and even a hint of guilt.
"Alpha... you..." I took two gentle steps back, feeling a bit uncomfortable with the distance.
"I'm sorry, Vayne. I just..." Realizing his outburst, Zed scratched his head with an embarrassed hand and waved towards me with a small smile.
"You don't need to take Azir's words to heart. Although I don't know if I'm right or wrong in feeling this way, I know that no one should interfere with your happiness."
Zed said something that puzzled me a bit before turning around and getting ready to leave.
"I agreed," I took a deep breath and whispered.
"What?"
Zed was a little taken aback, unsure whether he hadn't heard what I said or couldn't believe it.
"I agreed to Azir's decision this afternoon, that I could be your mate," I stated.
I honestly didn't know where I got the courage to say that, but my gut told me it was the best answer at the moment.
"Vayne, you don't have to do this. You've already done so much for the pack; you don't need to sacrifice your happiness anymore."
Zed's face didn't show elation. Instead, his expression looked extraordinarily serious, with a hint of admonishment as he spoke to me.
"No, that's the answer I've been contemplating for a long time. It's always been you taking care of me, encouraging me, even thinking I can when I'm barely capable. This feeling of being trusted is something I've never experienced before."
I could feel my heart racing, and my pupils slowly glowed a shade of purple.
"Putting all that aside, I'm equally a part of the Fullmoon Pack, still the Gamma of this pack. I'm more than obligated to work for the pack's future prosperity, and it's not just the Alpha's responsibility."
"No, Vayne, I never thought of it that way. It's not possible!" Zed frowned softly and waved his hand at me.
"But I've thought about it. I've always felt as if there was something I hadn't accomplished, lived every day in a muddled way, and my heart has always been empty. I've never known the point of my existence until today, standing on the stage and seeing the eyes of the members looking up to me. I realized exactly what I've been chasing after all along. I'm going to use my life to properly guard my pack."
I raised my head to look at Zed righteously, my entire body trembling with excitement.
"Then, do you love me?" Zed asked a question that definitely didn't fit his status, with a cold smile at the corner of his mouth.
Looking into Zed's eyes, for some reason, the figure of that man once again surfaced in my heart while pondering this answer.