Chapter 78 - 078: The offer

The room had finally become quiet.

Zane sat on the edge of the damaged wooden platform while Anaria remained a few steps away, keeping the baby close against her chest.

Outside, Kenai and Kai were still waiting.

Zane looked at Anaria for a moment before speaking "What brought you to Wolverine?"

Anaria’s fingers moved gently over the baby’s back.

"I came here looking for someone."

"Who?"

"My husband."

Zane’s eyes narrowed slightly "Your husband?"

Anaria nodded "Yes."

She knew better than to mention Rylan’s name.

She had only just met Zane, and she still did not know whether he could be trusted.

"What does he look like?" Zane asked.

Anaria hesitated briefly before answering.

"He’s part of your clan. Tall, with dark hair and grey eyes. He’s strong, and he has a scar near his shoulder."

Zane studied her carefully "Have you lost him?"

"Yes."

Anaria lowered her eyes to the baby.

"We were separated some time ago."

Zane leaned forward slightly.

"And you came all the way to Wolverine because you believe he is here?"

"He is a wolf, so this was the place to start the search"

She looked back at him "That’s why I came here"

Zane remained quiet.

Then his expression changed.

"And what makes you think he might be here, there are other wolf clan he can go to?"

Anaria looked at him, probably she was too direct with the whole thing, she offered him a small apologetic smile.

"Your clan seems big and accommodating, so that’s why I thought I should begin here" Ananria smiled again "Have you perhap seen someone strange here?"

Zane did not respond,he just keep on looking at her

Anaria continued calmly.

"I only asked because you’re the Lord of Wolverine. I thought you might have seen someone like him or heard something about travelers coming into the settlement."

Zane leaned back "I haven’t seen nor heard of anything."

He believed her explanation was enough not to press further, but his suspicion did not completely disappear.

Anaria watched him carefully. She still could not tell what kind of man he was.

The fact that he was calm now did not erase what she had seen earlier.

He had nearly destroyed the room while under the corruption’s influence.

Zane glanced toward the baby "You have a child."

"Yes."

"And you travel with your other husband?"

Anaria shook her head "Yes, we are looking for him together."

"And they are here, I mean inside this place "

"Yes." Ananria said while pointing towards the door

Zane looked toward the door "Hmmm, okay"

Anaria’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Zane studied her again. "You entered this room carrying your child even though you knew I was dangerous."

Anaria shrugged lightly "You needed help."

"You weren’t afraid?"

"I was, who won’t be" That answer seemed to surprise him.

Anaria continued before he could misunderstand. "But being afraid doesn’t mean I should leave someone suffering when I can help."

Zane stared at her.

Her soothing ability was unusual. He had never seen anyone calm him so quickly after the corruption took hold of him.

It was clear that her ability was not ordinary.

"You have a rare gift," he said.

Anaria remained cautious. "I suppose I do."

"If the corruption returns, can you soothe me again?"

"I can try."

Zane nodded slowly then he looked at her.

"You said you’re searching for your husband."

"Yes."

"Then stay in Wolverine."

Anaria blinked. "What?"

"I can give you protection while you search."

Zane gestured toward the residence.

"You, your mates, and your child can stay here."

Anaria was silent. She had not expected the offer.

Zane continued. "You will have food and a safe place to stay. You can search Wolverine without worrying about anyone bothering you."

Anaria looked toward the door.

Kenai and Kai were outside.

This could be useful... Very useful.

If she stayed close to Zane, she might gain access to information that ordinary travelers could never find.

But accepting his offer also meant placing herself and her family under the protection of a man she barely knew.

She had to be careful.

Anaria looked back at Zane "Why are you offering this to me?"

Zane answered without hesitation.

"Think of it as payment for calming my corruption"

"That doesn’t mean you owe me a place to stay."

"I know."

He rested his arms against his knees "But I have another reason."

Anaria waited.

"Your ability is valuable," Zane said. "If someone else in Wolverine becomes affected, I may need your help."

Anaria understood.

So that was part of it.

He wanted to keep someone with her ability close.

She could not blame him for thinking that way, but it made her even more cautious "I understand," she said.

Zane looked at her. "So?"

Anaria glanced down at the baby.

The child had begun moving restlessly again, rubbing her little face against Anaria’s chest.

Anaria gently adjusted her position.

"We’ll stay."

Zane nodded.

"For now," Anaria added.

His lips curved slightly.

"Alright, till you find your missing mate."

The door opened, and Kenai stepped inside.

His eyes immediately moved to Zane "Anaria?"

"I’m fine," Anaria replied.

Kai entered behind him "Is everything settled?"

Anaria nodded.

"Lord Zane has offered us a place to stay while we search for my husband."

Kenai’s expression became cautious.

"You accepted?"

"Yes."

Kai looked at Zane.

"Why?"

Zane answered calmly "Because she saved me, and I want her nearby in case the corruption affects me again."

Kai did not look convinced neither did Kenai.

Anaria understood their concern.

She gave them a small look "We’ll be careful."

Kenai nodded reluctantly "Alright."

Zane looked at the three of them "You will have a room prepared."

"Thank you," Anaria said.

She turned toward the door.

As they walked out, Kenai moved closer to her.

"Do you trust him?"

Anaria shook her head "No."

Kai glanced back toward the room.

"But you still accepted his offer."

"Because it gives us somewhere safe to stay."

She lowered her voice.

"And because he’s the Lord of Wolverine."

Kenai understood immediately.

Anaria had been searching for Rylan without knowing where to look.

Now she had access to someone who knew the settlement better than almost anyone else.

If Rylan had been here, Zane might know something.

Even if he did not, staying close to him could lead them to the people who did.

They were shown to a room shortly afterward.

It was larger than the one they had rented before, with a proper sleeping platform and enough space for all of them.

Anaria settled the baby down before sitting beside her.

Kenai placed their bags against the wall while Kai checked the entrance.

Anaria looked around the room.

They had found shelter.

They had gained access to Wolfrine’s Lord.

But she still had no idea where Rylan was.

And something about Zane made her instincts uneasy.

She had accepted his protection because it was useful.

That did not mean she trusted him.

For now, she would stay close, search quietly, and watch him carefully.

If Zane could help her find Rylan, she would use that opportunity.

But she would not forget that the man behind that calm expression had nearly torn the room apart only moments earlier.