CHAPTER 205
**WINTER**
"Claire, don’t," I said sharply, my voice low but firm, laced with warning. My eyes locked onto hers, unflinching.
"This isn’t the time, and you know it."
She didn’t soften.
Instead, she stared at me with sharp disbelief.
“Stating facts, Winter,” she said coolly.
“Have you forgotten everything he put you through?” Claire hissed, eyes flashing.
“Now suddenly he’s playing protector? Hell, maybe he’s the one sending those messages. Maybe this whole act—this ‘friendship’—is just another sick prank.”
Ro shot to his feet, the chair scraping violently behind him.
“What the fuck did you just say?” he growled, stalking toward her with fury radiating off him like heat.
“You don’t know a damn thing, Claire. He’s not the same guy anymore. He’s sorry—we all fucking know it. But you? You’re still parading the past around like it’s some badge of honor. Still clinging to it like it’s the only thing that gives you power. Winter forgave him. So maybe you should stop dragging his name through the mud every damn chance you get.”
He jabbed a finger toward her, jaw tight.
“And for the record none of us give a fuck about your opinion.”
Claire’s eyes narrowed, her lips curling into something between a smirk and a snarl.
“Oh, I’m sorry, are we rewriting history now? Forgiveness doesn’t erase what he did. And maybe if any of you had half a spine, you’d remember that instead of falling in line like loyal little sheep—”
Ro let out a dry laugh, eyes cold and unamused.
“Well, Claire, congratulations. Gold star for holding grudges like it’s some kind of trophy. Want to add ‘Champion of Bitter’ to your resume?”
He crossed his arms, tilting his head with a smirk.
“Your friend forgave him. And while she moved on, you’re still acting like you’re the one who got hurt. Newsflash—you didn’t.”
“Maybe it’s time to get down from that high horse before you choke on the fall.”
Zion’s voice cut in, calm but sharp-edged.
“Ro. Enough.”
Ro didn’t back down, but he stopped—barely.
His chest rose and fell in angry bursts, hands curled into fists at his sides as he glared at Claire, the room thick with tension.
I caught Zion’s eyes just as he turned to look at me.
Zion’s eyes blazed as they scanned the room—tense, fierce, barely contained.
He ran a hand through his hair, jaw tight, swallowing hard before his voice finally broke through, low and raw.
“Claire’s right,” he said through clenched teeth, guilt thick in his voice.
“I fucked up. I was so wrapped up in my own damn revenge I didn’t see what it was doing to her—to Snowflake. I hurt her. I know that.”
He took a step forward.
“But don’t stand there and act like I’m the villain in this. I might’ve made mistakes, but I’m not the one hiding behind a screen, threatening her. And right now? I don’t give a fuck what you think of me. Because the only thing that matters is her. She’s the most important person in my life, and I swear to God—I’ll protect her with everything I have.”
His voice dropped, low and cold—danger simmering just beneath the surface.
“Whoever’s behind this... they’ll wish they’d never laid eyes on her. And if you’ve got the guts to say otherwise, I’m right here.”
Claire’s shoulders dropped, the fight leaving her as a tired sigh escaped her lips. Her gaze met Zion’s—steady, vulnerable.
“I know,” she whispered.
“Winter’s my friend… and she’s been through more than anyone should have to since she got here.”
She paused, stealing a quick glance at Zion before continuing.
“These messages—they won’t stop. She can’t seem to catch a break. Maybe… maybe I’ve been taking my fear and frustration out on you. I shouldn’t have.”
The hardness in her eyes softened, the anger fading like a distant storm.
“Knowing someone out there wants to hurt her, and we don’t even know who or why… it’s terrifying. I guess I needed someone to blame. You just happened to be the easiest target.”
Zion’s jaw tightened as he listened, his eyes never leaving Claire’s.
For a moment, he said nothing—just let the weight of his silence speak, breathing through the storm simmering behind his gaze.
“She means everything to me,” he finally said, voice low and steady.
“And this time… I won’t fail her. I promise you that.”
Claire gave a slow, reluctant nod, the tension easing from her shoulders.
Clark, who’d been quiet most of the evening, suddenly piped up from the corner with that trademark half-grin.
“Well technically, if we’re talking stalkers and mystery messages, maybe we should set up a dozen cameras, hire a private eye, or hell, install a freakin’ Bat-Signal.”
Claire shot him a glare sharp enough to slice through steel.
“Save the Batman jokes for later, Clark. We’re dealing with something serious here.”
Clark shrugged, unfazed.
“I’m just saying—if we’re going full detective mode, might as well go all in.”
Harry leaned forward, eyebrows knit in thought.
“We could track any suspicious calls or texts through the network. Maybe someone’s using burner phones.”
Ro nodded, adding,
“Or maybe there’s a pattern—like someone watching our routines, figuring out when Winter’s alone.”
Ariel sat close beside me, her fingers gently curling around mine and giving a reassuring squeeze.
Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper.
“I know a guy who’s really good with tech… maybe he can help trace those messages.”
Zion’s jaw clenched at the suggestion, but he gave a curt nod.
“Good. He’ll work with Eric. Together, they’ll track this down fast. Whoever this bastard is, they’re crossing a line they won’t live to regret.”
His voice dropped low, deadly serious as he locked eyes with me.
“Snowflake, no more taking this lightly. If you think this is just some prank, you’re wrong. My instincts tell me this is only the beginning. But it stops here. Or I’ll make damn sure it doesn’t just stop—it ends.”
The room grew heavier. The weight of his promise pressed down on me.
I swallowed hard, fatigue and fear coiling tight inside my chest.
“I just want this to stop,” I whispered, barely holding myself together.
Zion didn’t hesitate.
He stepped forward and gently pulled me up from the couch, his hand closing over mine—firm, warm, solid.
Then his other hand slid to the small of my back, drawing me closer like he couldn’t stand the distance anymore.
“It will,” he murmured, voice low and fierce.
“I promise you, Snowflake. I’ll make it stop. No matter what it takes.”
His forehead dipped, touching mine lightly, breath mingling with mine. My eyes fluttered shut for a second, heart thundering in my chest.
His thumb traced a soothing arc over my knuckles, and I hated how much I needed that tiny comfort.
Claire’s voice cut through the quiet moment between Zion and me, sharp and amused.
“Okay, wait—am I the only one seeing this?”
Her eyes flicked between us like she was watching a tennis match.
Her brows knitted in a mix of disbelief and something that could’ve been concern… or maybe suspicion.
She crossed her arms, tilting her head.
“You two seem awfully… lovey-dovey.”
Then, with a slow, deliberate roll of her fingers, she added air quotes.
Before I could say anything, Ro smirked from the side.
“Yeah, we kinda interrupted something earlier in the bedroom,” he teased, nudging Claire.
“And I’m pretty sure they weren’t discussing the weather.”
Claire’s eyes gleamed, and I caught the knowing look Ro gave her—the silent agreement that there was definitely more-than-just-friends shit going on between Zion and me.
I tried to keep my face neutral, but inside, my cheeks flamed.
The air crackled around us, Zion’s grip on my waist tightening just a fraction—as if daring anyone to question it further.
Clark leaned against the wall, smirking like he’d just been waiting to stir the pot.
“Oh...New couple alert? Should I start tossing imaginary confetti or…?”
Ro rolled his eyes and elbowed Harry, who grinned widely.
“Love is definitely in the air,”
Harry glanced at Ariel, a crooked grin tugging at his lips as he leaned closer and nudged her gently with his elbow.
“Yeah… love is definitely in the air,”
His jaw flexed, eyes blazing with something primal—a silent warning that cut through the teasing like a blade.
Then his arm slid tighter around my waist, pulling me flush against his chest, his body a shield and a claim all at once.
“Yes,” he said, voice low and rough like gravel burning with fire.
“Snowflake’s my girl.”
His gaze swept the room, cold and sharp as a blade.
“Anyone got a fucking problem with that?”
His grip on me tightened, daring anyone to say otherwise.
“Because if you do… I don’t give a fuck.”
Clark chuckled, shaking his head.
“No problem at all Z. You've got my blessings—just don’t screw it up, yeah?”
Ro and Harry exchanged a quick high five.
“Z—the man.”
Claire shrugged with a casual,
“Whatever,” but I caught the faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
The message had been delivered loud and clear.
Mine.
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