Chapter 185 – Powerful
–LIA’S POV–
4 min left
I stared at him, feeling soft heat rising through me, all the way to my eyes.
I pictured him backing away, and with all the conviction I could gather commanded, “Step back.”
This time he took multiple steps back, face going completely blank.
My stomach turned, heart jumping in my chest.
“That’s enough,” I said, pulling back.
Zane blinked, shaking his head like he was clearing it.
“What happened? That was weird,” he muttered.
“You okay?”
He nodded slowly. “Yeah. Try again.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Lia–”
“No. It felt… wrong. Like I was taking something from you.”
1/8
11:58
Chapter 185 Powerful
–
4 min left
“Because you were,” Sheila said quietly. “That’s how compulsion. works.”
“I’m fine,” Zane said. “We need to keep going.”
I turned away from him.
I hated this. I didn’t like doing this to him.
The idea of having so much power was maddening.
But not over him.
Not over Zane.
“Lia,” he said softly.
I sighed, turning back.
“Fine. What now?”
“Try a verbal command. Something harmless. Funny.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Say… you like pineapple on pizza.”
“No,” he stated.
The Hounds chuckled.
2/8
11:58
Chapter 15–Powerful
4 min loft
I looked him in the eye and stepped closer, letting myself feel that heat again. That heavy, almost tangible aura. “Say it.”
Zane’s mouth twitched. Then he said flatly, “I like pineapple on pizza.”
Ajax laughed. “She’s horrifying.”
“She barely even tried,” Sheila whispered.
But Zane didn’t laugh. His fists were clenched.
“I didn’t want to say that,” he muttered. “It was like it got pulled out of me.”
“You’re okay though, right?”
“I think so.”
I stared at him, my eyebrows furrowed. All I could think of was crashing my lips against his and apologising a million times. I hated this. I hated this so much.
Then suddenly, Zane stepped forward—and kissed me.
Hard.
My eyes flew wide open. I shoved at his chest, but he was already pulling back, blinking fast.
4 min left
“Did you do that?” he asked, breathless.
“What? No!”
Everyone was staring.
“I didn’t tell you to kiss me,” I said.
“I know. But I felt like I had
“I swear I didn’t–”
“I know, Lia.”
He ran a hand through his hair, backing away.
And just like that, a chill took over.
I looked at the mirror again. My reflection stared back, eyes glowing faintly purple.
“I can’t do this,” I whispered.
Zane turned to me. “Lia–”
“No. This power… it’s not right. It’s like I’m reaching into someone and forcing them to obey. That’s not who I am. I don’t want to be someone who makes people act against their will.”
“You’re not,” he said softly.
Chapter 185- Powerful
“I made you kiss me, Zane.”
3 min left
“No, you didn’t. Maybe it pushed me, but I’ve wanted to kiss you every second since the day we met.”
“That’s not the point,” I said, stepping back. “What if next time. it’s something worse? What if I hurt you? Or someone else? What if I can’t stop it in time?”
Zane looked over his shoulder. “Everyone out.”
The Hounds didn’t argue. They left in silence. Ajax gave me a weird look as he walked out, but didn’t say anything. Warner muttered something to Aaron on the way out, but even that faded quickly behind the heavy door.
Zane turned back to me. He stepped in close.
“Look at me.”
I did.
“You stopped it. You didn’t mean to do it, and when it happened, you pulled back. That’s what matters. That’s control.”
I shook my head, my throat burning. “Barely. What if this is just the start? What if it gets worse when the Blood Moon comes?”
“Then we keep training until it doesn’t.”
5/8
12:00
Chapter 185 – Powerful
2 min left
My hands were shaking. I sat down on one of the mats, curling. my knees to my chest.
“I feel like I’m changing, Zane. Like something inside me is breaking open. And I don’t know who I’m going to be after.”
He knelt beside me. “You’re going to be Lia. Just stronger.”
“What if I don’t like her?”
“Then I’ll remind you who she is. Every time.”
I looked at him. His expression wasn’t just serious—it was certain. Like he’d already made peace with whatever I’d become.
“You really think I can do this?”
“I know you can.”
I reached for his hand, and he gave it to me right away. Our fingers locked together.
“I don’t want to use this on you again,” I said.
“Then don’t. But if it slips out, I won’t run.‘
“You should.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Lia.”
6/8
12:00
Chapter 185 – Powerful
&
2 min left
He leaned in to kiss me, and I quickly backed away, gasping.
“Hey,” Zane whispered, cupping my cheek. “That was me. Relax. I love you.”
My lips trembled.
Zane clicked his tongue and pulled me closer, holding me to his chest. “It’s okay, Lia. I love you.”
“I’m scared,” I whispered, sniffing.
“Do you trust me?” he asked softly.
I glanced up at him. “More than myself.”
“Then trust that I will not let you cross a line. Ever. That’s the purpose of mates, love. You keep me in line, and I’ll keep you in check.”
We sat in silence for a while, breathing in each other’s scents, letting his gentle, comforting words linger in the air.
Finally, I said, “I need to master this before the Blood Moon. I need to be able to use it when it matters—not just freeze or panic.”
“We’ll figure it out.”
7/8
12:00
Chapter 185 – Powerful
“And if I can’t?”
+3
2 min left
He looked me straight in the eye. “Then we fight without it. I’d rather have you by my side than some powerful version of you who doesn’t know how to stop.”
I smiled faintly. “That’s really romantic.”
“Give me time. I’m just getting started.”
I leaned against his shoulder, and he wrapped an arm around
- me.
We were quiet again, but it felt different this time.
This power was a part of me now.
And I was going to control it.
Not the other way around.
The Goddess—whether she was my mom or not—she’d gifted me something.
And I was going to use it correctly.
B
