Zaine’s POVThere is a shadow side to running a pack, things an Alpha needs to do for the greater good. If I back down from a challenge or refuse, my title would automatically pass to my challenger, I would have shown myself to be weak and unworthy. That will never happen. As much as I piss and moan about the shit I deal with on the daily, I would never give up my pack. My people depend on me, and I am the only one who can look after them the way I do.I am bound by moon magic, rituals and laws, as all of us are, maybe even more so. Sometimes it benefits me greatly, but with the light comes the dark. I have killed to keep us safe, lied and deceived to gain power and land and turned my back on those who needed me out of ignorance, choosing to focus my effort and attention where I stand to gain the most.I have the power to change only one of those things, and by doing so I am stirring up a pot which has sat undisturbed and calm for far too long. When the shit undoubtedly bubbles to the
Zaine’s POVThe shower washes away the evidence of my weak will, and my legs regain their stability. I wrap a towel around my waist, tuck it in tightly and step into the bedroom with as much nonchalance as I can muster.I didn’t think to take clean clothes in there with me and Sophia looks over as I pull open drawer after drawer and select some jeans, a t-shirt, a pullover hoodie and socks. I feel the heat of her stare boring into the back of my head and her eyes wandering over the ink on my back. She probably knows what I was doing to myself, she isn’t an idiot and our bond may be fragile and frayed but it is there, she must have felt something.I felt It, her climax when she... no... I can’t allow my imagination to go there or I’ll be back in the bathroom, cock in hand, wanking myself into oblivion. Have some fucking restraint Zaine, I yell at myself in my head. My beast rolls around, cracking up with laughter. I’m glad he finds my suffering amusing. I have never been so aroused, no
Zaine’s POV This morning I had planned on taking Sophia to the southern border and showing her what is left of the rogues after they were stupid enough to attempt another breach. My intent was not to scare her, but to show her the very real threat that prowls the forest waiting for any opportunity to strike. I thought if she saw them, she might understand what drove me to that heinous act which solidified her opinion of me. It doesn’t make it right, but she might somehow see it from my side. After hearing the way she spoke of death when she asked about Quincy, I’m glad I thought better of my stupid plan. Even if she wasn’t averse to death, I would likely have made myself even more of a monster in her eyes. I will only show her the good from now on, she has seen enough of the darkness, felt it when her parents died. I had only had my wolf for a few years when they were killed. I don’t remember them specifically, but I do remember that winter. We lost dozens in one of the biggest assa
Zaine’s POV“You, built this.” She gasps as she surveys the open plan kitchen,dining and living area. I don’t know if I should be flattered or offended that she doesn’t believe me capable. To be fair, when I look around this place, I sometimes struggle to believe I built it too.“Do you like it?” I can hear the eagerness for her approval in my own voice. What is happening? I have never sought the approval of anyone other than my parents. I want her to love this place as much as I do. She doesn’t answer but I catch her nodding her head yes out of the corner of my eye and some of the weight lifts off my chest.I can imagine us living here. Would she tend the garden? I dont know what she enjoys, if she has any hobbies or passions. My mother spent every waking hour outside with her herbs and flowers. Each morning there would be a freshly cut bouquet on the breakfast table and I would pretend not to notice as my father whispered sweet nothings in mother’s ear as she cooked breakfast. I was
Sophia’s POVI’m drowning, fighting for every breath as his lips stray ever closer to my marking spot. He could do it. I wouldn’t stand a chance of stopping him or fighting him off. Would I even want to? I know I should but what he is doing right now feels so… so… good.He did keep his promise to free the omegas. He went above and beyond what he had vowed in my room. He said he would wait for me to be ready, that he wouldn’t do anything I didn’t ask for.I did nod my approval when he caught my eye in the mirror. What was I agreeing to? I had no idea. I did feel something deep inside me, a niggling sensation, a shard of trust digging at my better sense. How can he earn my trust if I don’t give him enough rope to hang himself?He has given me all of the control and I have three options. Keep us here in purgatory, neither of us making a move in either direction. Reject him, try to move on and not reopen old wounds. Or, I could accept him and resign myself to whatever the fates have in st
Sophia’s POV“Will they still be together?” I ask, wondering if this is when it all comes crashing down. I hope they will, especially Hattie and Becks. They have been inseparable since they were toddlers and parting them now would be almost as cruel as leaving them in the dilapidated wing. After what I told him, he should know how important they are to me. He did tell Luca not to assign Hattie to George, so maybe he understands.“Mrs Crook, Hattie, Becks and Torrin will all be moving into our wing. There are several rooms which have sat empty ever since I was just a pup. Luca and George have rooms across the corridor from our rooms,” he stalls for a split second. “Your room is usually reserved for visiting Alphas or their representatives.” He tells me what I already knew, and I know he probably wants me to move into his room. I’m not ready for that, so I change the subject just as quickly as he raised it.“Torrin used to live…. where? Does he have a mate who will move with him? Does h
Torrin’s POVThree hours. They have been gone for three hours.I’m meant to be sleeping right now after spending the night standing guard at her door. How can I sleep when I have no idea what they are doing and the pack house is bustling with activity? Zaine has taken her off to his cabin in the woods, the mate bond driving him to act completely out of character if Luca’s crazy arse is to be believed.You only need to watch one horror movie to know that nothing good comes of going to a cabin in the woods with someone slowly taking leave of their senses.Maybe that is a bit dramatic but with all the madness going on with the omegas, it feels like anything is possible here right now. By the way Luca told the story of the notorious Alpha Zaine rolling around on Sophia’s bed, through fits of giggles and doubled over laughter, it sounds like our Alpha has cracked.He wouldn’t hurt her or force her to accept him, would he? Not after spending so long searching. Maybe that is what will tip hi
Torrin’s POV “Hush girls, don’t make a nuisance of yourselves before we even get to our rooms.” Mrs Crook loudly whispers a scolding. Things are certainly going to liven up around here now. I’m not sure that Zaine knew what he was doing when he gave the order for Hattie and Becks to be assigned rooms up here. Sophia will enjoy having her friends so near, and it will definitely help having Mrs Crook so close by although the risk of discovery greatly increases. I couldn’t honestly say what I think Zaine’s reaction would be if he found out about her gifts. He would probably shrug it off as superstition and old wives tales. I have never really given it much thought myself. Aggie and I were thrust into the same arena when Sophia was born, and I took it all in my stride back then. The king and queen trusted their nanny, and I trusted them. I was younger then. Not that I am old now. There is still some life left in this old dog yet. I have known her too long now to start asking questions,