Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Honey And Vanilla
Third POV
“Zayne...”
Zayne stiffened when he heard his name fall from her lips. His throat went dry, and he schooled his expression before making his way straight to the car.
Mason rushed over quickly, slipping into the driver’s seat while Zayne helped Estelle into the backseat before entering himself.
The drive had been quiet except for the soft hum of the engine and Estelle’s steady breathing. She had slept soundly for the entire car ride, curled up in the passenger seat with her head on his chest.
Even after they had arrived at one of Zayne’s bachelor pads in neutral territory, she didn’t stir. Zayne leaned down and carefully lifted her into his arms again. Her body was warm against his chest, and he could smell the alcohol still clinging to her skin.
As he straightened up and adjusted his hold on her, Estelle shifted slightly. Her eyes fluttered open just a fraction, not fully conscious but not completely asleep either.
Instead of pulling away or startling awake, she snuggled deeper into his embrace. Her face pressed against his shoulder, and her hand curled loosely in his shirt.
Zayne paused, looking down at her with a mixture of amusement and concern.
“You’re sleeping so soundly,” he muttered, more to himself than to her. His voice was low and rough. “Don’t you worry about danger? How can you be so careless?”
He expected no response. She was clearly still mostly unconscious from the alcohol.
But then Estelle’s lips moved against his shoulder, her words slightly slurred but audible.
“I know it’s safe when you’re around,” she mumbled dreamily.
Zayne stopped walking entirely. His heart skipped a beat at her unexpected response.
He stared down at her, trying to process what she had just said. Did she really mean that? Or was it just the alcohol talking?
“Estelle?” he said quietly, hoping to get another word out of her.
But her breathing had already evened out again. She was fast asleep, completely unaware of what she had just admitted.
Zayne shook his head and allowed himself a small smile. Even unconscious, she managed to surprise him.
He resumed walking toward the house, Mason falling into step beside him.
“Mason,” Zayne said without looking at his beta. “I need you to investigate the situation Caleb mentioned. Look into Gamma Hayden’s background; the man wanted revenge on Estelle for his sister.”
“Of course,” Mason replied immediately. “I’ll look into it right away.”
“And I want to know more about the deal she made with Silverclaw Pack,” Zayne continued. “The terms, the timeline, everything.”
Mason nodded. “I’ll have a full report for you by tomorrow morning.”
“Good. You can leave once we’re inside.”
Mason held the front door open as Zayne carried Estelle into the house. The bachelor pad was modest but comfortable, decorated in neutral tones with minimal furniture. It was one of several properties Zayne maintained in various territories for situations exactly like this.
As Mason left to complete his tasks, Zayne carried Estelle up the narrow staircase to the second floor.
The scent of alcohol wafted from her body, mixing with her natural scent, along with the mild perfume she wore. It was intoxicating, and Zayne quickly found his throat dry and parched.
He found himself wondering if she had always been like this—so reckless and seemingly unafraid of the world around her.
Was this confidence something she had developed during her years in Moonveil? Had she been forced to become fearless because she didn’t have her parents’ support growing up?
Or was this just who Estelle naturally was underneath all the careful composure she usually maintained?
The bachelor pad only had one bedroom, so Zayne headed there without hesitation. The room was simple but clean, with a large bed dominating the space and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the forest beyond.
He approached the bed and carefully lowered Estelle onto the mattress. She sank into the soft comforter, her dark hair spreading across the white pillows.
Zayne made sure she was positioned safely on her side in case the alcohol made her sick during the night. He pulled off her shoes and set them neatly beside the bed.
For a moment, he just stood there watching her sleep. Her face was still flushed from drinking, but she looked peaceful. The stress lines that usually creased her forehead had smoothed out.
This was probably the most relaxed he had ever seen her.
He reached over to pull the blanket up to her shoulders, then straightened up to leave. She would be more comfortable if he wasn’t hovering over her while she slept off the alcohol.
But the moment Zayne rose to his full height and took a step back from the bed, Estelle moved.
Before he could react, she sat up with surprising speed for someone who had been dead asleep just seconds ago.
Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him back toward her in a tight embrace that caught him completely off guard.
Zayne froze, his body going rigid with shock.
“Estelle?” he said carefully, unsure if she was actually awake or still acting on some unconscious impulse.
But she didn’t respond. Her arms just tightened around his neck, her face buried against his shoulder exactly like it had been when he carried her from the car.
Her grip was surprisingly strong for someone who could barely walk an hour ago.
Zayne’s hands hovered uncertainly in the air, not sure whether he should pull away or return the embrace. His heart was racing, and every instinct told him to wrap his arms around her and hold her close.
But she was drunk and vulnerable. He couldn’t take advantage of her in this state, no matter how much he wanted to.
“Estelle,” he said again, his voice slightly hoarse. “You need to let go.”
Still no response.
He could feel her warm breath against his neck, and the scent of her hair filled his senses. She smelled like vanilla and honey, underneath the lingering alcohol.
Zayne closed his eyes and tried to steady his breathing.
What was he supposed to do now?
