Chapter 10

Alexi"s mind races as he strides through the halls of the Zampieri Estate, the vision and the confirmation of his bond with Zara weighing heavily on his thoughts, urging him forward with a sense of urgency.

As he reaches Aziel"s study, Alexi takes a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation to come. With a firm knock on the door, he enters the room, his presence commanding immediate attention. Aziel looks up from his desk, his sharp eyes taking in Alexi"s tense posture.

"Alexi," Aziel greets him, setting aside the papers he"d been reviewing. "What brings you here at this hour?"

Alexi wastes no time with pleasantries. "We need to talk, Aziel. It"s about the Ghaurs."

Aziel leans back in his chair, his brow furrowing. "Go on," he prompts.

"We…there was an attack at the tunnels." Alexi pauses, collecting his thoughts. "And I think Marius might be involved somehow."

Aziel"s expression shifts, a flicker of doubt and unease in his eyes. "You think Marius is behind the Ghaur attacks?" he asks, his voice low and serious. "That"s a heavy accusation, Alexi. What proof do you have?"

Alexi runs a hand through his hair. "I don"t have concrete evidence yet," he admits, "but Zara and I think-"

"Wait, Zara?" Aziel interjects. "Are you talking about Donovan"s daughter? The future alpha of the Silvercrest Pack?"

Alexi nods. "Yes, Zara Knight. We"ve were…working together, trying to uncover the truth behind these attacks. And that"s where Marius comes in. He"s always been a staunch traditionalist, opposed to any kind of change or cooperation between our species. I think he might be responsible for the attacks, trying to drive a wedge between us and the werewolves, to maintain the status quo."

Aziel nods slowly, his expression thoughtful. "I can"t deny that Marius has been vocal about his views, but to go as far as unleashing Ghaurs on our city? That"s a serious allegation, Alexi."

Alexi"s eyes flash red. "Aziel, I understand your loyalty to Marius, but we can"t ignore the signs. The Ghaurs, the attacks - it all points to someone trying to destabilize the balance we"ve worked so hard to maintain."

Aziel shakes his head, his own eyes taking on a crimson hue. "Marius has been a trusted friend and ally for centuries, Alexi. I can"t believe he would betray us like this, not without solid proof."

Alexi paces the room, his movements agitated. "We can"t afford to wait for proof, Aziel. Every moment we hesitate, Marius grows stronger, more emboldened."

"And what would you have me do?" Aziel snaps. "Accuse one of our own without evidence? Turn against a brother based on nothing more than suspicion and conjecture?"

The tension in the room is palpable. Alexi meets Aziel"s gaze, his expression fierce and unyielding. "I"m not asking you to turn against anyone, Aziel. I"m asking you to open your eyes, to see the threat that"s right in front of us."

"There"s something else," Alexi interrupts, his voice dropping to a whisper. "It"s about Zara. She…she"s my mate, Aziel."

A myriad of emotions plays across Aziel"s face - shock, disbelief, and finally, a flicker of understanding. Aziel leans back in his chair, his fingers steepled under his chin. "A fated bond," he murmurs. "And you"re certain of this?"

Alexi nods, his expression grave. "I"ve never been more certain of anything in my life, Aziel. The connection between us, it"s unlike anything I"ve ever experienced. And the visions we"ve shared, they point to something bigger, something that could change everything."

Aziel"s eyes narrow. "You shared a vision with a werewolf? If what you"re saying is true, Alexi, this could have far-reaching implications for our kind, for the entire supernatural community."

"I know," Alexi admits. "But we can"t ignore it, Aziel. The vision - it"s all connected to the attacks, to Marius, and to the future of our species."

Aziel rises from his chair, pacing the length of the room. "If Marius is truly behind this, if he"s willing to go to such lengths to maintain the status quo... then we have no choice but to stop him."

"So, you"ll help me?" Alexi asks, hope and determination mingling in his voice.

Aziel nods. "I will investigate Marius further. If there is truth to your suspicions, Alexi, I will find it, and we will act accordingly."

Alexi"s mind churns with the weight of Aziel"s words as he strides through the opulent halls of the Zampieri Estate. The confirmation of his suspicions about Marius, coupled with the revelation of his fated bond with Zara, sits heavily on his shoulders.

As he steps out into the night, the cool air does little to soothe the tension that coils within him. Alexi"s mind races as he tries to process the whirlwind of emotions that threaten to overwhelm him. Zara... Just thinking her name makes his pulse quicken and his chest tighten with a potent mix of longing and dread.

We"re in this together now, whether we like it or not,he thinks, jaw clenching with resolve. And if we want to make it out alive, we"ll have to have each other"s backs every step of the way.

He knows the road ahead won"t be easy. Danger lurks around every corner, and their enemies grow bolder by the day. But giving up isn"t an option.

With each step, Alexi"s resolve hardens, his jaw set with grim determination as he makes his way through the city streets. As he rounds a corner, Alexi"s senses sharpen, his instincts on high alert as he scans the shadows for any sign of danger. The night seems to close in around him, a tangible presence that threatens to swallow him whole.