CHAPTER 67: TOO OBEDIENT

Zen watched from under hooded eyes as the little Omega moved quietly around the house, sorting through things as though she had lived there for years. She straightened the cushions, arranged the blankets, and even adjusted the cups on the table. It was as if she had decided that her place was here, and she intended to prove it with silent obedience.

A surge of irritation went through him. He had preferred the version of her who schemed in silence, who watched for weaknesses and plotted escape with sharp eyes and hidden defiance. That Emira had spirit, a fire that sparked against his control. But this one- this honest, eager girl who bent herself to every task, who seemed almost desperate to please him, she unsettled him in a different way. And he did not like it.

"Stop." His voice came out low, a growl that broke the quiet.

Emira froze at once, her hands stilling in mid-movement. Slowly, she turned to face him, her eyes uncertain. Zen’s gaze held hers for a long moment before he lifted his hand and gestured for her to come closer.

She obeyed without a word. Crossing the room with light steps, she lowered herself to her knees before him, her head bowed slightly, waiting for what would come next.

"Little fire," Zen said slowly, his tone both curious and mocking. "Are you happy here? Is this truly how you plan to spend the rest of your life?"

He watched as Emira stilled at the question. Her fingers tightened against her lap before she glanced away, her lips parting as if to speak, then closing again. "I..."

"Tell me the truth," Zen pressed, his voice dropping lower, sharp enough to cut through her hesitation.

Emira looked down at her hands, her shoulders rising and falling with a small sigh. "I was hoping you would allow me to learn some hand-to-hand combat from your soldiers. And then... later..."

Zen tilted his head, a smile pulling at his lips as he understood... "Really? That is what you want? You want to go back and ruin the Moonville Pack, still? Don’t you think the Stormhold Pack is beautiful? Tomorrow, you can be accepted into this pack. Why think of the past? Leave it be."

Emira looked up and he narrowed his eyes at her resolve. Good. She was not moved. If the Omega had been swayed by his words, he would... Zen paused in his thoughts as he realized that he would be been disappointed. And that was not good. Why should it matter to him if the Omega lived happily here or still craved revenge?

Not wanting to look too deeply into this, he continued, "And tell me, little Omega, how exactly did you plan on convincing me to teach you to fight? Knowing how stubborn you can be?"

He watched as Emira’s gaze dropped again, her voice softer now. "This... I was trying to please you. I thought if I worked hard and showed myself useful, you would be more agreeable."

For a moment Zen was silent, and then, despite himself, a rough laugh escaped him. The sound echoed in the quiet space, laced with genuine amusement. So, this obedient girl had a purpose after all. She was not bending herself to please him out of meekness, but because she wanted something in return. Clever. Very clever.

"Good," Zen said, his smile widening, though his eyes never lost their sharpness. "So that is your plan. You do all this to soften me, to win my favor. And you think..." His gaze swept over her, lingering on her small frame kneeling before him. "You think making my bed is going to please me?"

Emira shook her head quickly, then lifted her gaze just enough to glance at him from under her lashes. Her voice was soft, almost hesitant, but steady enough to carry her meaning. "Every foe needs to be observed carefully before planning a move..."

The words caught Zen off guard, and then he threw his head back and laughed, the sound rough and unrestrained. Amusement lit his eyes as he leaned forward, closing the space between them. Without warning, he reached down, his hands firm as he caught hold of her and pulled the little Omega off the floor and straight into his lap.

"So," he said, his voice low with a dangerous edge, though still threaded with laughter, "you want to study me, do you? You want to know your enemy before you make a move, hmm?" His breath brushed her ear as he spoke, forcing her to feel every word.

Emira squirmed in his hold, her hands pushing lightly against his chest as if she could slip free, though she did not truly fight him. Her face heated, and her words tumbled out in a rush. "I... That is not what I meant."

Zen only smirked at her protest, tightening his grip around her waist as she squirmed on his lap and pinched her slightly, just enough to remind her she was not going anywhere.

Instead, he leaned forward and rubbed his nose along her neck," I think you are on the right track, though. You really need to get to know me and please me...But, little fire, you need to know... I’d find you more pleasing in my bed, instead of making it."

Zen’s hand slid up her back and then to the nape of her neck, guiding her face downward toward his. His intent was clear, and Emira’s breath caught as her lips hovered dangerously close to his. She pressed her hands against his shoulders, resisting just enough to keep a little distance, her body tense with hesitation.

Zen’s eyes darkened at her defiance, the grip on her waist firming as though he might simply close the gap himself. "Still fighting me? After everything we’ve already done?" he murmured, his voice low, almost amused. "Even when you’ve just admitted you want my favour?"

Emira looked away. She knew all that had happened between them but still, she always felt a certain resistance against giving in so easily. She hated the way her head scrambled when Prince Zen and Prince Kael were close.

Thankfully, before they could kiss, there was a knock on the door and a soft voice called out, "Your Highness. Miss Ramona Vye is requesting an audience."