>I left Xavier’s home in the afternoon. He had work to take care of and I had overstayed my visit. Also, I knew that Aunt Julie would start to get worried. And I had a couple of messages from Maisie asking where I was.After Xavier and I had made the deal about him helping my Dad, I went ahead and blocked John’s number from my phone and on all social media that we used to follow each other. The only way we were going to contact each other was through Xavier, in a formal setting under Werewolf laws. I did not trust him any other way.I returned home to find that Aunt Julie had gone to get some fresh groceries and I was grateful. Because I wanted to get myself dressed up properly before giving her the good news.I chose a beige turtleneck Jumper with a sexy heart cut-out at the perfect place to reveal some skin but not too much that it looks slutty or makes me feel cold. I intended to go to Maisie’s home to deliver the news in person.Even though, we still had paperwork t
>I chose a peach-colored suit with a white lace bra as the top of my attire for the formal lunch that Xavier had invited me to discuss Dad’s case.He sent Jacob to pick me up from my house. I greeted Jacob and asked, “How long have you been working for Xavier, I mean Alpha Councilor Shaw?” I kicked myself for forgetting that our relationship was probably secret. After all, we had not made anything official.“It’s okay, you can call him whatever you want in front of me. I won't tell on you.” He winked sweetly and answered my question, “Since I received my wolf, a decade ago. My brother is his Beta. You might think nepotism got me my job but Alpha doesn’t do favors to anyone.”“I know that, Jacob. I don’t doubt that you earn your job every day.” I smiled at him from the passenger seat.“Your case must be very special.” He commented and I asked confused, “Why would you say that?”“Because the restaurant that I am bringing you to, is one of those rare places that Alpha used t
>When I had asked Zoe to join me for a formal lunch, I had promised myself that I would keep my personal and work life separate.But then she had showed up looking so formal and gorgeous. I was amazed at her dressing sense, she always looked like she had a professional designer and stylist dress her up.She loved showing off her undercut and always had her hair on the opposite side, accentuating the haircut. She was different, she knew it and made sure that no one forgot it. Not that anyone who had met her even once could easily forget someone like her.I kept blaming Spike for everything I did that I had not done for any woman except Claire, my only true love. So, stubbornly I kept believing that it was Spike that made me want to get up to greet her or pull her chair or flirt with her.I had started to imagine a lot of different ways this lunch could go but not the one that actually happened.Alyssa had called out with John on her arm and as much as I loved my sister,
>Once the dessert was over, I paid for everyone, and Zoe was quick to say her goodbyes. I offered to drop her home as I had some business in her pack. We walked towards my car and were about to get inside when I patted my pockets and said, “I forgot my phone on the table, I think. I’ll be right back.”I left as she stood looking around the gorgeous white winter scenery and still was the prettiest thing there.When I returned five minutes later, Zoe was gone. John stood waiting with his hands in his pockets as Alyssa had found some old school friends and was chatting with them.I looked for Zoe but John told offhandedly, “If you are looking for your client, Alpha. She left with your secretary. Said something about regretting the lunch. Such a weird girl, that one. Where did you even find her?” My blood boiled at the way he referred to her. I may not be ready to mate her but I would be damned if I let anyone disrespect her.But before I could put him in his place, Alys
The next morning I woke up fresh and early, ready to visit a few places where I had seen signs about hiring new people. I went from place to place, all day. I was overqualified for some and underqualified for others. I needed more experience for some jobs and some were just not going to pay enough for me to save any worthwhile money. Overall, it was not going as well as I had hoped it would. By the time evening rolled in, I was feeling quite hopeless.I walked into what looked like my final stop for the day. It was a huge hotel and restaurant in need of more serving staff. It was fairly new and was still short on staff. At this point, even a bartending job wouldn’t be bad.I smiled at the receptionist and before he could judge me, immediately said, “Hi, I saw the ad for hiring serving staff. I hope you guys are still hiring.”He looked me up and down and nodded before picking up the landline and calling someone. I waited as he talked and placed the phone back before finally addressi
>My new client, Angelina, was an adorable girl of seventeen from another pack. She was in our territory with her friend, whose elder sister was pregnant.Angelina and I decided to meet at a small cafe to discuss the details of the event. Her friend was also there to make sure that her sister’s surprise baby shower was perfect. As it turned out Angelina’s friend belonged to an elder’s family and was willing to pay a lot for the event to be memorable in a good way. I thanked Maisie in my heart and promised myself to treat her with her favorite foods when I got paid.The meeting had gone smoothly. Thankfully, the young girl from my pack did not keep up with the news and either had no idea about my Dad’s scandal or didn’t care.I still decided to stay away from their home and elder’s eyes as much as I can. I needed this commission and I didn’t want anyone to take it from me simply because they believed in the fake embezzlement case against my Dad.We settled on an indoor eve
>Once in a grand office with polished woodwork, carpeted floors, and a wall-sized window with a perfect view of the territory with the skyline.He was still fuming when Miss Williamson walked in nervously and closed the door behind her, her skirt somehow higher than normal and a button undone on her neckline.“Alpha Councilor. Sir, I will personally see to it that this rude employee doesn't ever get to see another restaurant in this or any territory. She is a new hire and started yesterday. It must’ve been a case of misjudgment by the hiring crew.” She blamed me blatantly for the entire catastrophe that had happened.My jaw dropped and my eyes widened in shock. I was the victim. I was being manhandled and she dared turn it around on me?Xavier’s nose flared at her words as he looked at her sharply, scaring her speechless for a second.He leaned back at the table and crossed his arms, raising a brow, “I thought, you as a manager, were responsible for all the new hires. Wh
>I was furious when I saw the way Zoe was getting treated. I had no idea who the kids were, but they had no right to come to my restaurant and treat my mate like that.Spike had taken over immediately and beaten those kids to a crisp. I am pretty sure I was going to kill the one who had her in her lap if she hadn’t stopped me.One look and I knew who I was going to fire for letting this happen at all.Once in my rarely used office, Williamson had started spewing nonsense oblivious to the fact that she was digging her own grave. I had let her go on and I was proud that Zoe had stood up for herself. I was not sure how long things had been this awful for the employees of my establishment but I was glad that I was not too late,Seeing Zoe in a waitress uniform had surprised me. I was under the impression that she was the ex-Beta’s daughter and an event manager. What was she doing starting a job in my restaurant?Before I could ask her anything, she had asked about my well-
>It took an hour and a lot of emotional blackmail on behalf of Aunt Julie to convince Zoe to let Xavier go with her to Kansas City. And that too only on the condition that nothing would be expected of her and it was only a test for Xavier to see if he can keep to his word.After a lot of persuasion and tales of mates, second chances, belief in the Moon Goddess, and the fact that technically Xavier was the only one left in the world who was hers and on her side for good, Aunt Julie smiled and patted Zoe's back, "I'll go up and tell him that you need to talk. Be nice, okay?"Zoe didn't dare roll her eyes at Aunt Julie, she respected her way too much for that. But she did shake her head slightly knowing how Aunt Julie managed to convince her but she let her do it. If anyone had any right to Zoe, it was Aunt Julie after everything she had done for the Simmons family and how she had been so much more than just a distinct cousin of her Dad and their housekeeper. She was family a
>Zoe climbed up the stairs decisively while Xavier stayed in the garage trying to calm down and make peace with the fact that his forgiveness was going to take some time. He was hopeful that it would come eventually, just a bit late.He wanted to tell Zoe about Claire so she would stop worrying about him going back to her. But, Zoe already had so much on her plate, that she didn't need to be pulled into everything Claire was a part of. Xavier felt like it was pointless to make his worries hers when she hadn't even forgiven him yet.The more important thing was staying by her side. Which meant, he had to persuade her to let him come with her. The world was a much darker place than she knew and he wanted to protect her from it even though physically she didn't need protecting.Plus, he had no idea how idea what awaited them at those coordinates. Since it had been more than a decade since those numbers had been put down on that letter, there was a possibility that they would f
>"Zoe, I cannot relate to your pain or anything you are going through. So, I will not even try to say that I understand. I don't. And I know how many times I have let you down," He started the speech he had been working for hours as they drove to Silver Moon two days ago."Don't, please," Zoe tried to turn away. She wanted the apology. She had spent nights dreaming of the moment Xavier realized what a huge mistake he had made to let her go. But, that was not the moment for it. She was already an emotional mess."Let me, please. You need to hear this and I need to say this." He cautiously stepped closer and held her arms gently to ensure she didn't leave without hearing but could if she wanted to."Why? You didn't care about saying or being heard a few months ago." Zoe looked up at him bitterly, his touch igniting sensations stronger than she had ever felt because of her heightened senses."Believe me or not but I really thought that letting you go to have a new life was th
>"What are you so happy about?" I asked Aunt Julie whose excitement was confusing me.Instead of answering me straight away she sat me down on a couch with a nostalgic look and held my hands motherly before finally speaking."Did your Dad ever tell you that you have your mother's eyes?" She asked with a soft sad smile.She didn't wait for me to answer, probably because she knew the answer to her question. She resumed, "Of course not. He did his best to remove any mention of her from his life. That was his way of dealing with his grief."What about my grief? I wanted to ask but I chose to listen.She was right, no one was allowed to talk about Mom in our house. I was never allowed to ask any questions. Aunt Julie tried her best to fill that hole in my life but for a ten-year-old girl, no one could replace her mother. I barely had any memories of her either. The psychiatrist had told Dad that it was a form of PTSD. I don't remember what the trauma exactly was, but apparentl
>Zoe ran to her room and gathered the contents of the box. She got her old laptop and searched up the location. She rushed back down and went outside to the broken car.Xavier and Aunt Julie followed her as Zoe opened the backseat door."You can't go in that. I doubt it's even going to start." Xavier commented."It better. The coordinates are a two-day drive away." Zoe replied without looking at him. Then, she suddenly turned to him, "Key?" She brought her hand forward expectantly."Zoe," He started but she was getting impatient, "Key, now."He sighed, fetched the key from his pants pocket, and placed it on her open palm. She grabbed it and turned without a thank you. Aunt Julie tried to protest, "You can't let her go alone,""I'm not. Don't worry, " he said and waited for Zoe to try starting the car. He crossed his arms and waited as she turned the key in the ignition, but the car didn't start. Zoe stubbornly tried to keep trying instead of admitting that he was right. T
>"What are these?" Zoe put the envelope on the coffee table between herself and Xavier.Glad that she was finally talking to him, he leaned, his brows furrowed in confusion and concentration, "Letter to you?" He said."The number, what are those?" Zoe resisted the urge to roll her eyes or go over and kiss his confused expression. She knew he was trying not to upset her further. She didn't know why he suddenly cared but a small part of her was relieved that he hadn't mentioned his chosen mate yet or gone back to her. By the looks of it, he was only worried about Zoe. She didn't want to let him in her heart and get it broken again but she wasn't sure if he had left entirely the first time either."Looks like coordinates." He thought out loud."I knew it." Zoe snatched the envelope back, their fingers brushing for a moment and both tried to not show how the touch affected them."I can get the location checked. That is, if you want.." Xavier offered softly.Zoe didn't answer b
>"Weren't you informed not to call? The lines can be intercepted!" I whisper-yelled into the phone as soon as I was sure neither Aunt Julie nor Zoe could overhear."This one's fine, Sir. I made sure. And this is urgent." Jacob spoke in a hushed tone like he was afraid."Well?" I said expectantly, urging Jacob to resume."We were found. Some of our men work for your father and call him Alpha. I don't know how they found out." Jacob informed."Did they take Claire?" I asked expecting the worst."No. They tripped off an alarm I had planted around the area and I got a fifteen-minute headstart. I drugged Claire and took her before they could get us. They knew about the underground room." He told."Where are you now?""At the Shaw Safehouse. I cleaned up any evidence of the underground room being in use before we left. They won't know Claire was there." Jacob reassured me and then said, "But the bad news is, the cleanup team at Golden Eclipse didn't do as great of a job.""W
>The next morning, Zoe was up and out of the house just as the dawn broke through the sky.She had a restless night, the same nightmare burning her mind whenever she closed her eyes. She had waited for her wolf for so long. And then, she had taken even longer to accept that, unlike her fellows, she would never be able to transform into one because she was wolfless.Now, she had a beast. Granted it was not a regular wolf but an animal nonetheless and she wanted to transform. Her mind focused on her need to feel herself shift consciously just to be sure that it had actually happened. Also, this newfound focus helped distract her from the grief of her father.She called out to Dahlia and fell to her knees, trying to force her bones to move, for her skin to get covered with thin grey fur and for her canines to elongate and sharpen. Nothing happened.Dahlia did her best to aid her human but it proved futile as no matter how hard either of them tried, Zoe's body refused to trans
[WARNING: This chapter contains details of gore and death. Proceed with caution.]>That night Zoe slept in her old bed. Apparently, no one had known about their departure from Golden Ecplise or their arrival at the Silver Moon.Xavier chose to stay and Aunt Julie asked him to stay in Joe Simmons room but he refused knowing that when Zoe found out, she would be furious. She blamed Xavier for her father's death, and truthfully, so did he.Aunt Julie wanted to ask about Xavier about his pack but he had been so quiet that she decided otherwise.Zoe sat on her bed looking at the contents of the wooden box. She stared at the pictures. This time with more attention to detail than she had earlier in the day. She read the notes behind each. Some were normal comments about the picture while some were in the same language as the bundle of paper and needed to be decipered. It was just all too much information to be digested at once. The only good thing that came out of opening that