Chapter4 THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US

Zara’s POV “Come to my office, princess,” Dy mindlinked, and I was there in seconds, my vampire speed slicing through the corridors. “Dy!” I beamed, throwing myself into his arms. My Alpha-daddy was always warm and reassuring when he wasn't in Alpha mode. Dad teased him constantly, and I adored their banter—it made me yearn for something that felt just as safe and true. A real mate bond. A love like theirs. “I’ve got a mission for you,” Dy said, voice serious now. “Tomorrow night. Northern frontier.” My smile faltered. “That’s rogue territory, isn’t it?” “Worse,” he said grimly. “Illegal activity. Arms, wolfsbane, drugs. Possibly a trap. The cave behind the waterfall is a suspected hideout. But the lack of movement has me uneasy.” “So… shoot at sight?” I asked, my tone sharpening. He nodded. “Eliminate anything that endangers innocents.” We walked to the dining hall, but I froze when I saw him. Jax. He sat at the far end, laughing with Ty and Kai, looking devastatingly good—and then hi