Chapter 119: Wine
"What are you doing here?" Zen asked sharply as he noticed Ramona standing in the doorway. But even as he spoke, he already knew the answer.
"You’re going away for a few days," she said softly, stepping inside as if the room belonged to her. "I just came to accompany you tonight."
"I don’t need you to accompany me, Ramona. Go home."
But Ramona only shook her head. "No. It’s tradition," she insisted quietly. "When a pack member is going away for a few days, they spend the night with their mate before leaving. So, I’ve come to accompany you."
Zen paused in the middle of folding his clothes and gave her a look that could have cut through metal, "Really? You remember I was away for three years, don’t you? I don’t seem to recall you coming to accompany your ’mate’ back then."
Her eyes flickered, and she looked away, the guilt on her face evident. "I was young and foolish then, Zen," she murmured. "How many times do I have to say that I’ve changed? You don’t believe me no matter what I say. So tell me, how do I prove it? How do I show you that I’m not the same person anymore? Especially when you refuse to spend time with me or come close to me. Now, our mating ceremony date is already fixed for when you come back. Will you still continue to ignore me?"
Zen didn’t answer right away. He watched her for a long moment with an unreadable expression, before returning to his packing.
"I can only prove it if you give me a chance," Ramona continued, her voice trembling slightly now. "If you spend time with me. If you let me stay. I won’t leave tonight, come what may."
Zen finally smiled-a slow, faint curve of his lips that held no warmth. He glanced up at her again, the look in his eyes unreadable. "You won’t leave tonight?" he repeated softly. "Hmm."
His tone wasn’t mocking, but there was something in it that made Ramona hesitate. Yet she lifted her chin, refusing to back down, while Zen turned away again.
"Fine, then. You can stay here."
With that, Zen zipped up his bag and was about to stop out when his hand was caught by Ramona," Zen..."
He watched as her lips quivered and his heart ached. This was the girl he’d watched grow up. The one with thesoftest heart. Why did she become so heartless to Kael then.
"Zen. Don’t go."
With that, she threw herself in to his arms, hugging his close.
Zen closed his eyes and leaned back his head, as he felt his heart soften. No. He needed to get away from her before he forgot what was important.
Hishands tightened at his sides as he forced himself to breathe. For a fleeting second, her warmth, her trembling hands clutching at him, almost made him forget everything. Almost.
Then his eyes snapped open.
He caught her shoulders and pushed her away," Fine. You can stay here if that is what you want."
Ramona’s eyes brightened the moment he said it. She smiled quickly and happily. "Wait here, Zen. I’ll bring us some wine," she said, her voice lighter now, as if nothing had just happened. "We can share a drink before sleeping.
Zen didn’t reply.
Ramona stepped out of the room and walked down the small hallway toward the adjoining kitchen. Her heart was pounding fast. As soon as she was out of sight, she fished out a small vial from her pocket.
The aphrodisiac.
Her father had given it to her just now and she knew what he meant. This was her chance. Only if Zen’s coldness towards her melted would she be able to rest easy and make preparations for the ceremony.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she uncorked the vial. She felt a moment of hesitation but then shook her head. This is the only way, she told herself. Once he’s close to me again, everything will change.
She hurried to the cupboard and took out two glasses. Then, from the rack, she picked up a bottle of red wine. She held it for a moment, her gaze softening as memories came rushing back.
This was the same wine they’d shared on their first date. She could still remember how she’d said that she liked it, and he’d promised her that he would always keep it in stock for her. He remembered it...
A small smile tugged at her lips. "Just like old times," she whispered.
Then, with a deep breath, she poured the wine into both glasses. When she lifted one of them, her hand hesitated once more, only for a heartbeat before she tilted the vial and let the colourless liquid mix silently into Zen’s glass.
Carefully, she brought it to her nose and sniffed.
The scent didn’t change. The colour didn’t shift. It was perfect.
She placed the vial back into her pocket, straightened her dress, took both glasses in her hands and walked out.
"I brought our wine. I’m so happ that you still have it." she said, her tone cheerful as she extended one of the glasses toward him. "Just one drink and then we will sleep.
Zen glanced at the glass, then at her, as he gave her a deep look. He looked at the glass in her hand and then at her," Are you sure you want to do this?"
Ramona frowned. Why did it feel as if he was asking her about the drug... She gave him an uneasy smile and nodded. No. He wouldn’t know this.
"Let’s do a love shot, like we used to, Zen."
Zen stared at her for a long moment. She looked so hopeful, so eager, almost like the girl she used to be the one who’d once laughed too easily and followed him everywhere.
He finally sighed and reached for the glass. "A love shot?"
Ramona’s eyes sparkled, and she nodded.
Zen shook his head faintly. "Never mind."
He held out his arm, and she mirrored the gesture. Slowly, their arms intertwined, the delicate stems of the glasses brushing as they lifted them between them. Their gazes locked for a heartbeat, and Ramona smiled up at him. But she failed to see that he did not smile back as he raised the glass to his lips and drank.
Once finished, she took the glass from his hand and placed both the glasses aside, hugging him tightly," See. That was not so bad was it. Just a glass of wine."
He patted her back slightly and nodded," You are right. It was just wine. You are my mate. I would even be willing to take poison from you..."
Ramona moved back and looked up at him with a frown," Zen! Why would you say something like that? I would never give you..."
Before she could finish, however, there was a knock on the door and someone called out," Prince Zen. Prince Lance is looking for you."
Ramona sighed and stepped back. "Go. I’ll wait here for you."
Without a word, Zen nodded and stepped away from her, walking out of the room without a backward glance.
But, unknown to her, the moment he stepped out, he told the messenger," Tell Lance, I am at Kael’s house. He can come there if he has something to say."