Chapter 317: Chapter 317 Sneaky Zion

This way, Addison and Zion could focus on what mattered most without carrying the entire burden alone, while the future Alpha of the Golden Hue Pack gained valuable experience in leadership.

“Alright, we’re setting out!” Addison barked the order before urging her horse forward. The caravan rumbled into motion behind her, with Zion walking at her side, ready to react at the first sign of danger and secure her safety.

Guarding the rear was Alpha Hue’s daughter, supported by seasoned warriors from their pack. The teenagers, though already trained, were still inexperienced, so Addison placed them closer to the vanguard under her and Zion’s supervision, where they could both learn and remain protected.

As for Alpha Hue’s daughter, while she held command of the rear, she too was still green. To ensure her safety, the warriors flanked her, carefully controlling the pressure she faced until she gained enough experience to stand and fight on her own.

Addison glanced back one last time to check their formation. Everything seemed to be in order, and with a small nod of satisfaction, she turned her gaze forward. Still, her heart pounded in her chest.

This was their first transport, the true test of whether all their planning and preparation would hold, and the weight of what ifs pressed heavily on her mind. She bit her lower lip, forcing the thoughts down.

Right now, she was the leader of this caravan. If anything went wrong, the blame would fall squarely on her shoulders.

Sensing her wavering resolve, Zion reached out and patted her leg as he walked beside her horse. Positioned a little ahead of the caravan, he leaned closer and whispered, “Addison, don’t worry. I’m here. You don’t have to carry this alone.”

Those words sent a shiver through Addison, but it was not from discomfort, but from the raw sincerity in Zion’s voice. It struck something deep within her, resonating with her very soul, and even her wolf stirred in response.

A delicious knot tightened low in her stomach, a sensation that left her torn between wanting to soothe it and craving for it to grow stronger.

Snapping herself out of those thoughts, she realized with alarm that her worry had somehow shifted into desire. Heat pulsed at her core, and for a heartbeat, she swore her heart stopped.

Panic flickered inside her. What if Zion caught her scent? But to her relief, it was faint, subtle enough to go unnoticed.

But faint as it was, Zion caught it. His gaze lifted to her, eyes darkening with a dangerous glint that was filled with longing and hunger simmering just beneath the surface. His lips parted as if to speak, yet no words came.

Instead, he looked away toward the caravan behind them, choosing silence, though his eyes betrayed everything. If he could, Addison knew, he would devour her whole, here and now.

Then, with deliberate ease, Zion drew in a slow breath, sniffing the air in her direction. Addison’s back stiffened instantly, her pulse racing as her heart lodged in her throat.

“Zion!” Addison nearly yelped, squeezing her knees against her horse to steady herself. She didn’t want him to keep sniffing; every breath he took seemed to make her wetter, and they were riding in front of everyone. “Ugh! You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?” she accused, lips pouting despite wanting to bolt somewhere in embarrassment.

Still, the playful irritation pulled her thoughts away from her worries. Instead of fretting over the caravan, all she could think about was Zion’s nearness, his presence, his body.

’Dang, this mate bond is really something,’ Addison thought as she faced forward, her heart hammering against her ribs.

“Addie, you’re nervous…” Zion whispered, his voice low enough that only she could hear. It wasn’t a question; it was a statement, as if he already knew her nervousness now wasn’t about the transport but about him.

His eyes crinkled with quiet amusement, those crescent-shaped smiles making his already handsome face even more striking.

Addison felt a strange flutter in her stomach, like a restless worm dancing inside her, leaving her both unsettled and breathless.

Seeing Addison so flustered, with the tips of her ears turning red, Zion felt his heart race out of control. She looked so irresistibly adorable that he had to fight the urge to pounce on her right then and there.

He never realized Addison could be this cute, and he had no one to blame but himself. If only he had paid her more attention, given them both a chance, maybe by now they’d already be acting like a young couple… maybe even have children of their own.

The thought made him sigh in defeat. Of course, Shura had no mercy and chose that moment to kick him while he was down.

“Serves you right! And you’re dragging me down with you. If you’d just listened to me, we could already have a litter of pups running around. But no, you ignored me. Now look at us, crawling back to her like a desperate dog. You’d better win her over, or I swear I won’t let you live in peace.”

His wolf’s low growl rumbled in his mind, as though the very idea of Addison refusing to forgive them was a death sentence.

“I know, buddy,”

Zion murmured, too drained to argue with Shura. He understood all too well; he really did need to grovel like a mutt before Addison, tending to her with the utmost care to prove how much he wanted her this time, how deeply he regretted his past stupidity.

And yet, beneath the weight of his regret, a flicker of happiness stirred in him. He could see it, the tiniest signs of progress. Addison hadn’t forgiven him yet, nor forgotten what he’d done or what had happened in his pack.

But she no longer fought the mate bond with the same ferocity as before. Now, she even reacted to him, her body betraying her as desire crept into her thoughts.

Even if that desire was all he had for now, Zion didn’t mind. After all, there was truth in the saying: proximity breeds familiarity, and familiarity breeds love. If he just stayed close, patient and steady, maybe, just maybe, Addison would begin to soften toward him, little by little.

Zion saw this rare chance, being alone with Addison, as his ticket to slowly worm his way into her heart. How he would do that, he wasn’t sure. All he knew was that luck had fallen in his lap, and he had to make the most of it, proving his sincerity every step of the way.

While Zion basked in his quiet happiness, Lance was left behind at the border with a face so sour it looked like he’d swallowed a whole lemon. He had thought this would finally be his turn, his chance to accompany Addison and spend time with her without her fated mates hovering around.

But instead, Zion had swooped in, hiding behind the convenient excuse of being the one who had scouted their path and mapped out the safest route.

And Lance knew he couldn’t argue. He couldn’t demand to come along at the last minute, nor could he abandon his post. Two central figures leaving the border at the same time would only create openings in their defenses, openings their enemies would exploit.

If Addison returned to find the Golden Hue Pack in chaos, or worse, ravaged by rogues, it would break her heart. Lance couldn’t let that happen.

Still, bitterness burned in his chest as he clenched his jaw. ’Schemer,’ he growled inwardly, thinking of Zion.

Zion, on the other hand, didn’t care what others might think. He kept lightly flirting with Addison, amused at how she squirmed whenever he teased her. What he enjoyed most was the faint trace of her arousal drifting in the air, something his sharpened senses greedily drank in.

His pupils dilated with want, but he held himself back. He knew Addison wouldn’t tolerate him losing control in the middle of such an important mission. For now, he had to content himself with her scent and the delicious way she reacted to him.

Still, his thoughts betrayed him. In his mind, he traced every curve of her body, imagining how perfectly she would fit into his hands. ’Fuck, Addie… I’m so hard it’s stifling. You’re like a poppy flower I can’t stop craving. I want to bury myself deep inside you right now.’

He stole a glance at her, the images in his head only growing filthier, her breasts bouncing as she rode him, her flushed face above him. The more his thoughts wandered in unholy territory, the hotter his body burned.

His breathing grew ragged, and without realizing it, his hand drifted to the bulge straining against his pants, stroking himself in absent restraint.

Addison’s gaze flicked to him, catching him in the act. Her breath hitched, caught in her throat at the sight of him trying to discreetly touch himself while walking beside her.

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