ZARAMANNI (BOOK ONE)
PART TWO: CHAPTER FORTY TWO

“What are you doing?” the man with the crushed hand cried from where he was. “Get her!”

The he-wolf’s voice jolted Zaramanni from her deepened thoughts.

She took a quick look around and saw that the other men were charging at her. Her right foot quickly took a step back and settled firmly into the ground, and the knee of her left foot dipped a little.

With a deep line of scowl on her forehead, Zara wiggled her fingers, eager to see what disaster they would bring upon the audacious men.

But before the angry fists of the men could reach her, her feet lifted off the sandy ground within seconds and the unexpected move caused the men to rush their mouths into the depth of the land. Lightly, Zaramanni’s floating body landed on the ground and her sharp sight watched the hefty men spit out soil from the innards of their lips.

“Are you okay?” Zara quickly darted her attention to the sight-deprived man who was now standing straight, dusting off things he was unable to see with eagerness in his motion and slight fear in his silver-like eyes. “You are going to be fine now,” Zaramanni assured him, her feet producing crunchy noises as she stepped on some of the fallen leaves that mixed with stones and dead particles to make up the soil.

“Hey, you!” Before the timid he-wolf could respond, the first man that suffered from her touch spoke, his dark eyes glaring hard as the bright moon peeped past the mountain of trees. “How dare you interfere with our business? That slave is ours to deal with, so why are you…”

“Really? Is that slave yours?” Beta Zoey’s voice startlingly joined the disastrous gathering.

“Beta Zoey,” the man uttered with great distress, his knees kissing the ground as he bowed his head in reverence. The other men did the same, their eyes wearing more fear than usual.

Zaramanni looked at Zoey who casually glanced at each man, his gaze managing to probe their presence without him saying a word. But, when he finally spoke, the men undeniably wore fear all over their bodies. They were shivering in their humble position as his thick, booming voice asked, “Are you talking about owning slaves in my pack?”

“No, Beta Zoey, we-”

Zoey easily cut short the man that attempted to speak. His lashes blinked as his gaze fell on the ruined hand of the man that seemed to be the leader of the small gang. “Do you know what will happen if the Alpha King hears about this?”

“Please, Beta Zoey, spare us,” they all weirdly chorused, their faces kissing the ground. “Please…”

“There is no way I can spare you. You have violated the law that frowns against keeping citizens of Zenrada as slaves. Is this he-wolf not like you? Is he not like the rest of us?”

“H-he is,” replied the leader.

“Then why?” Zara’s heart almost jumped when Zoey hollered in a way that caused distress to the forest. “Why did you attempt to kill him? And why did you attempt to attack my mate? You must have a strong desire to taste the vileness of death.”

The one with the limp hand begged harder, his forehead wearing an intense frown of concern. “Please, Beta Zoey. I didn’t know any better. I must have been stupid to think less of the law.”

Zoey shrugged, his hands now taking off his jacket. “You know you have to be punished. Speak no further and form a straight line. Zaramanni,” his clouded eyes darted toward her, “I need you to look away.”

“Uhm… Zoey?”

“Look away, Zaramanni,” he said calmly as the distressed men followed his earlier command. “Please do as I say.”

Nodding, her eyes briefly trained on the blind he-wolf who was listening patiently to what was going on, Zara did as Zoey asked. Soon, all she could see beyond the cluster of trees was a glimpse of the large river ahead.

Then, growling sounds like the ones she heard when she witnessed King Darren’s transformation, ensued. When muffled screams came from the molesters who scratched the ground like a mother hen searching for a place to lay her eggs, Zara’s troubled gaze scanned the scenery ahead.

She was tempted to turn and see what was happening, but something within her mind stopped her. So, she waited for Zoey to end what he was doing and call her.

When he finally did that, she faced him. Behind Beta Zoey, who was tossing his jacket away for some reason, the men held onto their right arms which were now bleeding profusely thanks to the peculiar teeth marks on their skin surface.

“Wherever you go,” Zoey began to speak authoritatively, his exposed abs calling for Zaramanni’s attention as they flexed without much effort, “when people see that mark, they will know that you are destined for death. No one will help you because they will regard you as a violator of Zenrada’s laws. If you survive, good for you, if you don’t, oh well…” Zoey shrugged. “Just know that you can’t hide the mark forever. You may leave.”

The sullen faces of the men were the last thing Zaramanni noticed before they turned in their heels and began to walk into the depths of the forest, their heads hung in shame and devastation.

“Good riddance,” spat Zoey who took a few steps closer to Zara.

“What just happened?” Zaramanni asked him, her eyes trying hard to stay focused on his face.

“As the representative of the Alpha King and Beta of The Crown Blood Pack, I have the power and responsibility to punish criminals who exercise their strength in a devious way.” After she watched him take a sharp exhale, Zoey gestured toward the men whose feet were long gone. “You heard those men call this he-wolf their slave. Slavery is a practice that is frowned upon in Zenrada. We may have ranks that subject our wolves to meaningless categories, but we still believe strongly in equality. Beyond the duties of each rank, everyone in Zenrada is considered equal.”

“Why do you look so sexy while talking about equality?” Zaramanni instantly blurted and her response received a grin.

“I am glad you think I am sexy,” Zoey’s voice croaked, his long legs taking a step closer… a provocative step closer. What was more dangerous was the twinkle in his eyes… the one that told her that he wished to make love to her again.

Zaramanni felt her cheeks grow warm. Almost shyly, while her mind appreciated the fact that equality was a considered topic in that universe, her hands slowly made their way to the hardness of his lower abdomen and her fingers traced the sculptured abs. She could feel her legs moving closer as well when a throat-clearing sound filled the space.

“Oh!” Zara softly exclaimed and her sight landed on the blind he-wolf who was looking less rattled. “Hello, there,” she greeted with a smile as her careful steps led her to the tall figure who was dressed in a two-piece attire that looked like it needed a great wash. “Can I know your name?”

“Uhm…” The grey-coloured hair of the man danced with the soft wind as he moved his head in the direction he thought Zaramanni to be. “Th-thank you for helping me. Beta Zoey, thank you.”

“Sure,” Zoey replied from where he was. “Can we…”

The Beta could not finish his words. The young one rushed his steps in the opposite direction. He fell a couple of times but he surprisingly got up and continued to run as though he could indeed see the path ahead.

“Such an unusual fellow,” Zaramanni muttered to herself. She faced the Beta and asked, “He is going to be fine, right?”

The Beta nodded, his reddish eyes wearing a glint as he stared at the long, crooked path the blind individual had taken. “He has his wolf to guide him.”

“That’s a relief then.” Their hands met again and Zoey led them out of the woods and toward the large river. Then, her head darted sharply in Zoey’s direction. “If he has his wolf, why didn’t his wolf appear and fight those men?”

“He would still have lost. Those men look like they have stronger wolves. They would have easily torn him apart.”

“Oh.” Glancing behind once more, Zara said, “I hope he will be fine.”

“He will be. I had to give up my search for something to eat because I sensed that you were in danger.”

Zaramanni was amused that he could sense such a thing, but she soon recalled that Alpha Darren could sense her being in danger as well because of the connection between them.

“We can eat when we get back to the manor. Clarissa is coming back from her trip today and she promised to make me something special,” Zara replied, her smile growing bigger as the beautiful river came into sight again.

“I can make you something special as well.”

“Really?” Zaramanni’s face lighted up instantly, her feet almost floating.

“But first,” Zoey pulled her closer to his chest, his hands on her waist, “how about I make you feel special?”

“Yeah?” Zaramanni felt her heart fly when her forehead met Zoey’s. Their feet then began to dance as though music had suddenly filled the atmosphere. As they slowly moved, Zara could feel Zoey’s touch working its way up her thighs.

“I love how you never put on panties,” he murmured with his deep voice as his large palms cupped her butt cheeks to her delight. “But this gown of yours…” His eyes feasted on the gems that decorated the upper part of her short, flared gown. “… it makes me love this moment more.”

“Don’t tear this one, Zoey,” Zara quickly warned him.

“If you say so, my beautiful mate,” he replied, his lips smiling brighter than usual. “Zaramanni…”

“Hmm?” Her eyes were tempted to clamp shut as that moment caused her heart to thump with desire. She could already feel their lower bodies meeting and the growing contact was making her needy for his touch.

“How about you strip for me?”

“Well, as long as it means that this outfit won’t be ruined by your touch,” she said quite indifferently when she was actually excited by his request. But before she could take a step back and do as he wished, Zoey gently captured her lips, nibbling at her flesh with his luscious lips in a way that made her want even more.

Soon, the kiss came to an end. With her gaze locked with Zoey’s watchful ones, she reached for the zipper of her gown. The material slipped off easily and she was instantly exposed… all of her.

As though seeing her for the first time, Zoey let out a shuddering breath, his folded arms failing.

“Well…” While she shook off her flat shoes, Zara’s heavy breath interfered with her utterance. But, after she spoke, Zoey quickly got rid of the clothes on his lower body and he was soon naked, his thick manhood causing her eyes to twitch with a growing desire.

Zoey’s eyes still roaming the entirety of her body, he closed the gap between them. He intensely resumed the earlier kiss, and Zara responded, her feet tipped as her hands cupped the sides of his jaw with eagerness. Their bare chests brushed against each other so many times, and an ignition of pleasure existed between them.

“You are so fucking beautiful, my mate,” Zoey growled into her ear as he broke their kiss. Before she could reply, her feet left the ground. Zoey carried her bridal style with a certain excitement. “How about we make this moment more special?” he asked and his feet rushed toward the river.

“Oh my goodness! Zoey!” Zaramanni could not help her loud laughter as he ran, the both of them now oblivious to the fact that they were naked in that large, exposed space. A large splash followed and Zara immediately wrapped her legs around Zoey as the chilliness of the pond pierced her bones. “I-its so cold, Zoey,” she managed to say, her arms wrapped around his neck.

Their bodies bounced as the water silently flowed.

“Just hold on to me, Zaramanni,” Zoey whispered. “Leave it all to me and I will take good care of you.”

Zaramanni felt her heart thump even harder.

There was no doubt, she was falling more and more in love with the man that held her in a way that made her feel safe.

Holding his face with both hands, Zara sank her lower body until it was in contact with Zoey’s growing erection. With a serious look on her face, she began to move seductively, her vulva rubbing against his girth. Soon, without uttering a word, the two shared a kiss as they allowed the water between and around them to flow with their entwined bodies.

“Damn… Zara…” Zoey groaned when the tip of his cock found a way to tease the entry of her vagina.

Zara, who was now feeling the effect of her provocative motion, had the intention to feel him inside her again. But Zoey seemed to have a different thought.

Putting a pause to the intense contact of their lips, Zoey smiled at her before his head instantly dipped into the river.

Zara was about to wear worry on her forehead when she felt his hands grip her buttocks from underneath. Then, without a warning, his lips began to swirl over her pussy, his focus on her clitoris which reacted instantly to his heated touch.

Zaramanni soon began to wiggle with desire coursing in her veins. The things she felt as his lips and tongue teased her made her lose all her sense of being. Her legs danced recklessly, her back arched, and her sight landed on the sky as the sky watched her wear a look of pleasure.

While her feet curled in the depth of the river, Zoey intensified his touching, blowing onto her clit rigorously until she released a loud cry.

The next minute, his head reappeared, a large grin on his face as the fingers on his right hand reached for her clit and continued what he had started.

“I knew you would have this look on your face,” he said and Zara flung her head to the side. The heat she felt as he flickered his fingers repeatedly over her bud made things erupt inside her. “Do you love it when I touch you?”

“Y-yes,” her response was weak.

“Do you?”

“Fuck, yes!”

“By the goddess,” his lips latched onto one of her nipples and she screamed delightfully in response, “you are so fucking gorgeous.”

Even his words made things erupt inside her. Minutes passed and that was all that happened.

The more he touched her, the more ragged her breath became. Her pussy felt heated, her entire body exploded with desire and sensual sounds filled the atmosphere.

And, thanks to the water surrounding them, when her release arrived and took over every nerve inside her, the chilliness of the water soothed her sensitive body which rested against Zoey’s.

When she felt more relaxed, Zaramanni recalled a question she wished to ask Zoey. With her hands on his broad shoulders, she asked, “Zoey, is the Overlord dead?”

“Yes.” Zara’s breath hitched instantly, the smile on Zoey’s face turned to a frown and he asked sternly, “How do you know about that?”