CHAPTER 480: MELVIN DEVEREAUX’S RETURN

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Chapter 480

~Zara’s POV~

"Then would you have me take back my scale?"

I swallowed hard.

I did not like the words I was hearing from Davion’s lips. What did he mean by that?

He had given me trials, and I had won each one fair and square.

My brows creased as I focused my gaze on him. "That would be going against your word, Dragon prince."

Davion smirked like he hadn’t just threatened Snow’s life in the slightest, even if it was indirectly.

He reached into his coat and pulled out a letter, sealed with the royal crest of the Draco line.

"An invitation," he said. "To the upcoming Summit. You will be expected there, as the acting head of your company and friend to the Alpha."

I didn’t take it. But I didn’t stop him from placing it on the edge of my desk either.

Davion leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping. "I’ll be waiting, Zara. My second in command, Vanice, always said I didn’t fight hard enough for you."

He straightened and turned toward the door. "This time, I will." He walked three steps and half turned, tucking his hands in his trousers pockets. "Tell Snow, the bond just got closer. He will feel every emotion I feel for you, his mate."

My shock must have flashed in my eyes and face as Davion smirked and with that, he left the room, leaving behind silence, tension... and the unmistakable loud sound of my heartbeat.

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~Melvin’s POV~

I should’ve killed her when I had the chance. I should have killed Zara Gold.

Even now, just thinking her name made something inside me snarl. I missed my twin, though he was a hairhead for falling into Snow’s death trap.

I clenched my jaw as the city skyline blurred past the window of my limousine. The roads were the same. The people were the same. But everything else had changed since the council interfered.

I had been so close.

I could still see her bleeding, helpless, when I had Ivan trap her. But they had stopped me. The so-called Dark Allied Council, with their iron-tongued diplomats from the Thorned Crescent, had declared her untouchable—unkillable until they got what they want from me.

"Deliver her to us, unharmed, if she falls into your custody. Do not engage otherwise."

Their order had been final. And for months, I’d obeyed it.

It wasn’t because I feared them but because I was waiting—waiting for my moment.

I’d left the city for a while, handled other matters—territorial squabbles, debts owed, and one particular bastard who thought he could swindle me. His blood was still on my boots when I landed back this morning.

And I hadn’t even had time to enjoy being home again when the special phone rang.

Only a few people had the number. Even fewer dared use it.

I glanced at the glowing screen and hit the button beside me. The soundproof glass between me and the driver slid up instantly, sealing me in silence.

Then I pressed accept.

Alpha Wayne’s face filled the small screen. Sharp cheekbones, cruel eyes, and that same smug look he always wore like a badge.

"Melvin Devereaux," he said in that gravel-coated voice of his. "I see you are back. Welcome back."

"What do you want?" I asked in a calm voice, but with a warning laced in it.

"We need to talk," he said. "The Dark Circle’s hosting a meet—only inner forces invited. You’re one of them."

I leaned back, not even trying to hide my disinterest. "I’ve just returned. The last thing I want is to sit around a table with a bunch of leeches throwing shadows and strategies."

Wayne didn’t flinch. "You signed up for this. Don’t forget the reason you joined."

That made my jaw tighten.

He didn’t wait. "You want Snow dead. You want Zara begging before you kill her. Then you’ll show up and play the part. This isn’t a request."

I said nothing. Just stared at the screen.

He leaned in slightly, his tone sharpening. "Either you’re with us, or you’re out. And if you’re out, then you’re in our way and you will be removed."

I forced a smile. "I’ll be there."

"Good," Wayne said, the smirk returning to his face. "We’re finalising the next move. The allies are shifting. And we need to act too, we need to strike soon."

The call ended.

And the moment the screen went black, my anger coursed through me. I was a man of myself, an independent man. I hated that anyone undermined me.

I let my anger through, allowed my wolf claw on the inside of my mind, yearning to come out. And before I knew what was happening, I clenched the phone and crushed in my hand.

The metal groaned. Glass cracked. Then shattered completely as I dropped the useless device to the floor of the car.

For a few minutes, I sat there, breathing hard not from fear but from rage.

Because even now, after all the power I’d accumulated, I was still forced to play by someone else’s rules and still forced to wait, to obey, to kneel to councils and alliances that meant nothing to me.

All because I had let Zara Gold live too long.

I slammed my fist against the side panel, the thud echoing through the padded interior.

The limousine rolled forward, smoothly and slowly.

I pressed the intercom button. The soundproof glass slid back down.

"Drive faster," I ordered. "Take me to the club."

"Yes, sir," the driver replied immediately, adjusting the speed.

I needed to burn this fury out of my system before I did something reckless that might jeopardise everything I’d built. For now.

I pulled out my second phone—the less private one and dialed a number I knew by heart.

A familiar voice answered before the second ring. "Yes, boss?"

"Arrange the girls," I said flatly. "I’m coming to the club. I need to let off some steam."

"Understood, sir."

I ended the call and leaned back, eyes on the ceiling of the limo, breath shallow and bitter.

They could stop me from attacking her now.

They could make me wait.

But they wouldn’t protect her forever. My patience ran thin easily.

Snow would fall and Zara would break. And when she did... she’d remember the day she crossed me. And regret every breath she dared to keep drawing.