Chapter 27: The Alpha's Claim
The soft rustle of parchment echoed in the quiet confines of Luna Café's back office. Papers lay neatly aligned atop the wooden table, their corners trembling ever so slightly beneath the lazy spin of the ceiling fan. The warm scent of roasted coffee hung in the air, wrapping the room in a strange comfort that contrasted the tension pulsing beneath the surface.
Amber stood beside Bri, her fingers brushing the edge of the desk. Her gaze wandered over the aged walls—the very ones that had once danced with her mother's laughter. This café was her mother's heart. Her soul. And now, it stood on the threshold of something new.
Bri, composed as ever, twirled a fountain pen between his fingers, ready to finalize the last signature.
But the quiet was abruptly shattered.
The front door slammed open with a force that rattled the windows.
"What is the meaning of this?" came a sharp, venom-laced voice.
Heads turned.
Liza Ferrera stormed in, heels clacking loudly against the hardwood floor. Dressed in a pristine beige suit, her icy gaze scanned the room—landing first on Amber with disdain, then on Zach with something far colder.
The entire café fell into a heavy silence.
The staff—those who had endured Liza's harsh reign—froze. Their memories rushed back in chilling waves: withheld pay, cruel insults, threats that turned their safe haven into a prison. Yet no one dared speak.
Not out of fear.
But fury.
Then Bri stepped forward, unflinching. "Since you're here, Liza," he began firmly, "let me be the first to tell you. Today, the Luna Café is being transferred to Mr. Zachary Artesian."
Liza narrowed her eyes. "Who gave you that impression?" she hissed, lifting her chin. "I already have a buyer. The payment's been made. It's finished. Finalized."
She tossed her words like daggers, daring anyone to contradict her.
The staff exited that small room all at once—not out of fear, but out of frustration.
A calm, steel-laced voice rang out from behind.
"And that buyer... is me."
Liza spun around.
Zach stood tall in the doorway, his frame outlined by the soft light spilling from the café's interior. Beside him stood a silver-haired man—calm, composed, emanating a quiet power that made the room shift with unspoken reverence.
Mr. Rob Campbell.
Elder werewolf from the northern territories of Italy. His silver mane glinted beneath the light, and though he appeared serene, there was an unmistakable authority about him. He wasn't just any wolf—he was old blood. Ancient. Respected.
"I've already bought the Luna Café," Zach said plainly.
Mr. Campbell stepped forward, his voice cutting through the stunned silence. "This café now legally belongs to Mr. Zachary Artesian. The payment was rendered in full, and we are here only to finalize signatures. This place has returned to its rightful guardianship."
Amber stood frozen, her eyes locked on Zach. He looked exhausted, worn down by travel and burden—but he still stood tall. Unyielding. He had come back for her. For this place.
Zach caught her gaze. With the softest smile, he offered a wink.
Amber let out a breath—part laughter, part disbelief. Even now, even in this storm, he was still Zach, that she knew, Not ruthless, not cruel, but quietly compelling.
Liza, however, trembled with rage. "This can't be happening!" she shrieked, fists clenched at her sides.
"It's already done," Zach said coldly. "There's nothing to discuss any further and with all due respect... please leave..! Zach Teasing voice
With a strangled sound of fury, Liza turned sharply and stormed toward the door, her heels stabbing the floor with every step. Before she reached the exit, she yanked her phone from her purse.
"Jaguar," she whispered harshly. "Change of plans. It's happening tonight. Midnight. Do it."
She didn't see Zach behind her. She didn't see the way his eyes darkened as he focused, quietly reading every thought that formed in her mind.
So this is it, Zach thought grimly. The reckoning between bloodlines. The Conris have done enough damage. To my parents. To Luna. And now... Amber.
Not again. Never again.
Returning to the office, Zach pulled Bri aside.
He returned to the office and called Bri over. In a hushed tone, he gave her instructions
"Secure everything. Pack all the documents in the leather case. We leave nothing behind," he instructed.
He nodded and began packing all legal documents into a secure leather suitcase. Then suddenly Zach whisper something to Bri.
Bri nodded and immediately got to work. "We hold the ace now," he murmured to Zach. "There's no turning back."
Zach walked over to Mr. Campbell and offered a firm handshake. "Thank you for being here." Bri will escort you to the Artesian Hotel to rest before your flight tomorrow."
The older wolf gave him a small smile. "You didn't need to buy this café. I could've protected it myself. But I understand why you did it. Luna was someone worth protecting, I deeply respected her."
"I needed people to see that this place wasn't abandoned," Zach replied. "It's not just about ownership. It's about legacy."
Campbell nodded solemnly. "If you ever need us, you know how to reach me. My wolves stand ready to assist you." His gaze shifted to Amber. "So this is her... Luna's daughter. Beautiful and strong. The energy between you two is unmatched. You'll survive what's coming—together."
With a final nod, he turned to Bri. "Escort me to the Artesian Hotel. I'll rest before I return northern Europe."
They exited, leaving Amber alone with Zach.
But something shifted to Amber.
A wave of heat surged through her chest. Her breathing hitched, her knees weakened. Suddenly, a wave of heat surged through her chest. Her breathing faltered.
She grabbed onto the edge of the table, struggling to steady herself.
For five whole minutes, she felt as if fire was searing through her soul.
What... is this? What am I feeling? she whispered under her
Her vision blurred as her pulse raced.
Zach sensed it instantly. In one swift movement, he was beside her, pulling her into his arms.
"You're burning up. Are you okay?" His voice was low, filled with concern. "You must be exhausted. Let's go home."
Amber looked up at him, confused.
Is this truly how Alphas are? So unpredictable in their ways? At times firm and unyielding—then suddenly gentle and caring. What are they, really?
Zach pulled away slightly, catching himself. "You looked pale," he said quickly, masking the truth—that he had read Amber's thoughts a moment before.
She didn't push further. The warmth still coursed through her, but his presence eased it.
At that moment, two familiar voices called from the hall.
"Amber!"
It was Jam and Margaux.
Jam marched in, eyes wide. "Did you really sell Luna Café to that old man?"
Margaux looked heartbroken. "What happens to us now?"
Despite the heat still lingering in her chest, Amber managed a soft smile. She turned to them, her heart aching. "My life. My family," she thought.
In the café's basement lived a group of orphaned young wolves—Jamaica, Margaux, Jonas, Leo, Elmer, Jessie, Cherry, and Jester. Each of them carried a tragic past, and Amber had taken them under her wing, giving them sanctuary.
Their faces now were filled with worry.
Before she could answer, Zach stepped forward.
L
"You're staying," he said firmly. "This café is your home, for as long as you want it."
Tears welled in their eyes, and for the first time in years, the café echoed with cheers. Laughter. Relief.
Amber wiped a tear and smiled through the burning sensation in her chest.
"We're returning north now." she announced. "Watch over this place. And under no circumstances should Liza be allowed back inside. She has no right."
"Yes!" they chorused, joy bursting from their voices.
As Amber turned to leave, Jamaica leaned close and whispered, "Be careful... holding her hand
"there's something I nee to hear about the man beside you l, you owe me one"
Amber smiled faintly, brushing it off.
But Zach had heard it.
He said nothing.
Outside, the night awaited.
In the car, silence settled as they drove through winding roads toward the north. But Zach's sharp senses caught something off. A black SUV was trailing them—not too close, but enough to raise alarm.
He pressed on the accelerator, narrowing the distance between them.
As soon as they were close enough, he reached with his senses—reading the minds inside.
Liza's men.
He cursed under his breath and sped up. The SUV vanished after a sharp turn, but Zach didn't relax. He knew this wasn't over.
Zach was on full alert.
Night had fallen by the time they reached the wooded stretch nearing the Artesian estate. Streetlights were sparse. Shadows loomed from every corner.
And then—
Tires screeched.
Figures darted across the road.
A dozen glowing eyes appeared in the darkness.
Rogue wolves.
The car halted violently. Amber lurched forward but caught herself. Her body tensed. She didn't need a second to recognize the danger.
Danger... her instincts screamed.
Zach's hand reached across her, protective. "Stay here," he ordered.
She looked up at him, fear flickering in her eyes—but also resolve.
Outside, the forest whispered secrets. The wolves were waiting.
And so the storm had begun.
To be continued..
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