Fangless: The Alpha's Vampire Mate
Chapter 53: Falling for Trouble

Chapter 53: Falling for Trouble

"Care to explain?" Puck stood in front of the Alpha werewolf with his arms crossed.

Thorin exhaled loudly and put his arm on top of his eyes, reclining on the sofa.

Alright, I gotta admit that I was acting weird. Why did it piss me off so badly? I just couldn’t shake this feeling.

"I don’t know," he said, lying. Thorin had an idea of what that feeling might be, but he didn’t dare to entertain it.

No way. There’s just no freakin’ way that I lo—nah, it can’t be.

"Did you fall for her or something?" Puck’s straightforwardness made Thorin choke on nothing.

Thorin jerked up, coughing violently and smacking his chest to clear his throat. "Are you mad?"

"No. You are." Puck glared at him. "I thought you hated her. I know how much you care about what people think about you, despite how frivolous you act. And she’s exactly the type of girl who would ruin your hard-earned reputation."

Thorin shifted uncomfortably. "She’s... difficult, sure. But that doesn’t mean anything."

Puck’s eyes narrowed. "Thorin, she’s just a tool for you to gain power. You can’t let yourself get attached."

That’s right. Thorin’s only reason for coming to the Kingdom of Eira was to find the Blood Moon child and gain power from that child—whatever that meant. He had found her now, although he still didn’t know how Riona would give him power.

She was merely a tool like Puck said. So why was he starting to have these feelings? It was becoming harder for him to ignore her.

At first, everything he had done was for the purpose of gaining Riona’s trust. At the same time, he had to protect her until she gave him the ultimate power he was chasing.

"I’m not getting attached," Thorin snapped. "I know what she is."

"Good, because she’s ill-tempered and reckless. She’s not worth the trouble."

"She’s not as bad as you make her out to be," Thorin retorted. "She has her moments, but she’s got a good heart."

Good heart? Are you serious, Thorin? Why did I have to say that?

As soon as the words rolled out of his mouth, Thorin surprised himself. He didn’t expect to become so defensive. What was worse was that Puck was actually right.

Riona was synonymous with trouble. In the brief time they had known each other, how many times had she already been in trouble? Thorin lost count.

Puck’s eyebrows shot up. "A good heart? Thorin, she’s a liability."

Yes, he knew she was trouble. However, deep down, Thorin couldn’t help but feel bad for her.

Didn’t she lose her parents when she was still young? Did she have time to grieve at all? Or did she have to become her parents’ substitute for Florian right away?

"She’s been through a lot," Thorin said softly.

"You’re getting too close. She’s supposed to be a means to an end, not someone you defend," Puck said coldly.

Thorin didn’t respond. He kept his head low, clenching his fists.

Puck sighed, shaking his head. "You’re playing a dangerous game, Thorin. Don’t let your feelings cloud your judgment."

"My judgment is fine," Thorin insisted. "I know what I’m doing."

Puck’s expression softened slightly. "I hope you do. Just remember what’s at stake."

Thorin looked away, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. "I know what’s at stake," he muttered.

Puck was about to have the last word when someone knocked on the door. He opened it and received a message from a servant. A letter had arrived for Thorin, which was strange.

How important was this message that the sender had to deliver it to the Kingdom of Eira instead of waiting until Thorin returned to Wintertooth?

"What is it?" Thorin craned his neck to see behind Puck’s large frame.

The Howl turned around and handed the letter to the Alpha before taking a seat on the smaller sofa next to Thorin. "A letter."

Thorin took the letter and upon laying his eyes on it, he froze. "This is..."

The envelope was beige, darker than any other, with intricate golden decorations at each edge, adding to its fancy appearance.

Thorin turned the envelope around and saw the seal: wax with a shield-like form and round edges in shades of gray. There was no mistaking it. This was the Zacharia clan’s official seal.

The Alpha took a nervous breath, glancing at Puck, who seemed to hold his breath. He quietly tore open the envelope and read the content.

Thorin,

We have heard unsettling rumors of your intent to ally with the leeches of the north. Let us be clear: we do not condone such actions.

Their treachery and thirst for power are well-known to us, and any association with them threatens our kind’s safety and honor.

Cease this madness immediately. Our loyalty to our bloodline demands it, and we will not tolerate any compromise that endangers our community.

We expect your swift reconsideration of this course. The consequences of your actions will not be taken lightly.

Under the full moon’s watch,

Nina Zacharia

Thorin let out a long breath. "It’s Aunt Nina," he muttered, frustrated.

"Did she know?"

"Yeah."

"We’re screwed!" Puck buried his face in his palms, sliding down in his seat.

The atmosphere turned gloomy all of a sudden. Their plan might have to be scrapped before it even came into motion.

Nina Zacharia was the youngest daughter of the Zacharia family, with Thorin’s mother as the eldest and two brothers in between. Despite being the youngest sister, Nina was the most powerful and respected.

When Thorin’s mother left the pack, Nina ascended to the position of Luna. She was known for her strength and defiance of norms, particularly her refusal to marry.

Her condition for marriage stipulated that any Alpha wishing to wed her must come to her pack, not the other way around.

Alphas, with their high egos regardless of pack size, viewed being required to relocate to their mate’s pack as an insult.

"Among all of my mother’s siblings, why must it be her..." Thorin muttered.

Nina Zacharia was the relative that he couldn’t handle the most. She was overbearing and imposing. If she said one thing, everyone had to follow it exactly as she wanted.

Thorin had planned to gain power before this year’s Eclipse Ceremony. During this event, he needed to prove his strength and earn recognition from the Zacharias.

He knew his mother’s family wouldn’t approve of his decision to pursue the Blood Moon child in the Kingdom of Eira. The Zacharias believed werewolves, especially Alphas and Lunas, could gain strength without relying on the Blood Moon.

Yet, even after Thorin displayed his power, the Zacharias weren’t satisfied. Being the youngest Alpha hadn’t earned him their approval. What else did Thorin need to do?

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