Xavier’s POVI 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-
She sighed, “Because that’s what I have grown up hearing from everyone. Even the kids at school and some elders in the pack prohibited their kids from interacting with me once they realized I had not gotten my wolf at eighteen.” My grip on her tightened. My hands were itching to beat the shit out of some more people now. But I needed to know one more thing, “Zoe.” “Yes?” She looked up curious at me. “What were you doing in this restaurant, wearing this waitress uniform? Not that I mind it, on the contrary, in fact.” I smirked, making her blush, before resuming, “I thought you were an event manager, no?” “I am. But to be an event manager, one needs events, doesn’t one?” She asked and then spoke, “Winter is usually a slow season, and now that Dad isn’t getting any salary. They’ve even stopped his pension. I need odd jobs to, um.” She stopped and I sat confused for a second before it dawned on me. She was doing this to pay my fee. Spike was getting upset at me for putting the fee
Zoe's POVI had talked to Maisie and Aunt Julie when I returned home. I had told them everything and we had reached the conclusion that it was not right to keep working in the restaurant. I was technically Xavier’s client and even though I was sleeping with him, only we knew that fact and it was better to stay that way. So, I was going to have to let go of that job, even though it had a great pay package, and look for somewhere else. Luckily I didn’t have to look very hard. I had gone to meet Angelina and her friend to further discuss the details of the event and somehow the topic of me looking for odd jobs was brought up. Angelina had excitedly offered, “My brother has a partner here who owns a massive boutique. I can drop by with you and introduce you to the manager. She is very sweet and knows me. I can’t promise a job but we can try. I’m sure the package would be nice.” I had to agree even though I was not sure if I should be taking any favors from people I didn’t even kno
Zoe's POVCould my day get any worse? I should not have asked that. I had just helped Miss Alyssa Shaw get dressed into a possible wedding dress for her wedding with my cheating ex-boyfriend. “Why do you hate me so much?” She suddenly asked, still looking at herself in the full-length mirror. “I don’t-” I started, but she interrupted me. She turned to face me and said seriously, “Just because I may act like I only think and care about myself doesn’t mean that it is the only truth. I have noticed the way you glare at me often, each time we meet anywhere. Your animosity is not as well-hidden as you would like it.” “Miss Shaw, I-” “Just call me Alyssa and be truthful. What have I done to offend you so much?” She was genuinely curious, and for a moment, I contemplated telling her and reminding her of our real first meeting in the parking lot of her hotel. Before I could answer there were screams from downstairs. She looked at me alarmed and I told her trying to stay calm, “Ma’am,
Zoe’s POVI had been working on my ropes for a while now and they had come a bit loose but enough to pull out a hand yet. Alyssa had been crying on and off. I was never great at dealing with emotional stuff. After being taught to ‘suck it up’ for the most part of my life so far. I had no idea what to do or say when a person was crying for such a valid reason as being kidnapped by rogues.Our kidnappers had been gone for a few hours and I only needed around half an hour hopefully to get my hands free. It was going to be easy after that.But lady luck was not on my side. The boss returned with a triumphant grin on his face and I had to slow down and pretend to be crying and hopeless to stall for enough time to take him by surprise. That was the only ball in my court.“I must say I had half expected your guy to not come at all. He has always been a greedy bastard like that.” He told Alyssa and I felt a pain in my chest at the thought that John spent years with me and still left me and w
Xavier’s POVIt had been a slow at work. Jacob had informed me that Zoe had resigned from her job at the restaurant. Despite her financial issues, which I was sure about now, she chose dignity and earned the respect of everyone who knew what had happened. Myself included. Jacob had been gone for most of the day, collecting every possible information about Mister Simmons, Zoe’s father, and John. I had wanted to get deep work done on him since Alyssa had returned from her first trip to the horse races and wouldn’t stop talking about this great guy from the neighboring pack. Her trust in me had stopped me from doing it before. Zoe’s case had given me the perfect opportunity to do so without making Alyssa upset. If John was clean, my subconscious would be able to rest and be truly happy for my sister. And if he had any dirt or skeletons in his closet, It is better that everything comes to light before the wedding and not after. Alyssa was too special for me to allow her to get hurt in
Xavier’s POVThe moment I placed my hand on her shoulder she collapsed. It must be the nerves taking a toll on her. I caught her before she could fall to the ground and carried her fragile body in my arms, hugging her close. Spike had been ready to come out and tear everyone in the cabin who even thought anything wrong about her. Nobody threatened our mate and lived to tell the tale. I drove home in a frenzy. I thought about driving her to her home but I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep all night not knowing if she was fine or not. Despite the looks from the staff in the lobby of my building, I went straight to my loft and placed her on the bed. She was still wearing that boutique uniform which in other circumstances would have been great for roleplay but she needed to change. I checked her vitals and made sure she was fine, just blacked-out under stress. I removed the torn uniform from her body as gently as I could, finding it hard to focus on the task at hand when her silky sk
Zoe's POVI woke up groggily to find myself in different yet familiar surroundings. How did I manage to get into Xavier’s bed again? I had no memory of going to his home. Wait, what was the last thing I remembered? I racked my brain and sat up straight. I was kidnapped with Alyssa. John had saved her and left me to the wolves, literally. Xavier had shown up in the nick of time and saved me. Sitting up I felt a sudden cold hit my chest and back. I shivered and looked down to find myself utterly naked. How did I get undressed? I did not feel anything between my legs, so I could assume that nothing of that sort happened. I wrapped the blanket around me and looked around the room. Where was Xavier? I saw a note stuck to the bedside table lamp. It read, ‘Gone to check on Alyssa. Will be back by lunch.’ Impulsively I kissed the paper and folded it. Feeling hungry, I got up and threaded to the kitchen to ransack his fridge. I found half a loaf of bread and some cheese. Thankfully, ne
Zoe's POV"This is good," I complimented, taking another bite of the lobster sandwich."Mr. Malarkey is among the best chefs in this hemisphere. He comes from a long line of chefs loyal to Blood Crescent for generations." The way Xavier spoke about the chef made me feel like he was the kind of Alpha
Zoe's POVXavier and I spent the rest of the day packing up and getting ready to leave the cabin. We took a quick lunch break and then loaded up Xavier's car.The hours we spent on the road going to the pack center where the Shaw Mansion stood in all its glory, felt nostalgic. It hadn't been very lo
Zoe's POVXavier was looking at me expectantly. He was waiting for an answer. And at that moment, I loved him so much that I would follow him anywhere if he held my hands the way he was holding them. He had so many problems and wasn't afraid to make me his knowing how many problems were on my tail.
Xavier's POVI knew I should've told Zone about not keeping Claire in the dungeons. It had been a momentary decision because she was still dear to me and I was so shocked at her betrayal. And then, everything else happened and I couldn't move her or expose her yet. It was not like I was hiding the
Zoe's POVBy the time we reached the cabin, a light sprinkle had started. I liked this light summer rain. It made everything look cleaner and fresher as if breathing new life into nature. I loved the smell of wet soil. I also liked how pleasant the weather became after the rain. It was the thunders
Zoe's POVAfter yesterday's activities, Xavier and I slept in each other's arms. For the first time in a long time, I didn't have any nightmares. I slept like a log and woke up with a smile on my face. And it was all thanks to my mate, my Alpha. Xavier's face was tranquil. I had missed seeing this
Xavier's POVI have no idea how I survived without Zoe's touch for as long as did. Was it possible to die due to starvation of mate's touch? I didn't know and I wasn't going to test it either because I had no intention of ever letting her go.It didn't matter how much I tried to worship her body. It
Zoe's POVNow that it was just me and Xavier in the cabin, neither of us knew what to say. I kept thinking of how to start the conversation. We had a lot to talk about, but where to begin?"How have you been?" Xavier asked, tentatively stepping forward.After being with him for months, I wanted to t
Zoe's POVThe more Xavier talked the more I tried not to panic. I knew things were bad, I hadn't realized they were this bad. A part of me felt guilty because all of it could've been avoided if Xavier hadn't left to support me. As much as I appreciated his presence after Dad's death, I never wanted