She looked at me like I was the only thing that mattered to her. Did she even realize that she was doing it, or was it the mate bond making it happen? “About what?” She asked and I raised my brows confused, so she repeated herself, “You were about to say something when I said I’ll ask Auntie Julie to bring homecooked dinner.” “Yes, yes.” I mentally facepalmed, what was happening to me? “Jacob and I got this. You have been here since morning. Thank you for your help, but you should go home and get some rest. If I’ll need you I’ll call, or send Jacob to pick you up. Take my keys. You don’t have to drive all the way back to Silver Moon in this weather.” It was February and still snowing. I was not going to allow her to travel in this weather alone. She wanted to refuse or argue but I dangled my keys in front of her, and she quickly got them. Everyone who had been to the loft loved it. Except for my father who did not approve of my methods. But he did not matter anymore. Once Zoe
Xavier’s POVAfter dinner, we had smoothly transitioned back to work. Zoe proved to be a great work partner. She was just as focused and refused to lie down or rest for even an hour despite my insisting she do so. I understood how personal it was, and I admired her resilience. She was ready to go to any lengths to save her father. She had taken on Jacob’s role in his absence and it made work go on quite fast despite the fact that there was a lot of data to sort through and I preferred doing everything manually in hardware. Due to personal experiences, I had learned that big heavy files were harder to steal than a tiny USB with terabytes of classified data. Also, paper was unhackable and once burnt could never be retrieved thus, saving it from ever being recovered by the wrong people. Either she would read out some stuff and I would note down whatever I believed to be useful or I would read and dictate to her what to note down for me. We had been so busy sifting through piles of da
I waited for her to fall asleep before slipping out from behind her, tucking her in properly, and getting in my working chair to resume on the case. Jacob joined me with breakfast for three and some good news. I shushed him so he did not wake Zoe up. Jacob and I sorted through the new data that he had brought, a plan started to form in my head. But I needed more details before I could confirm or set anything in motion. A premature plan is more dangerous than no plan. It was clear that John had played the long game. I had to do the same. I just didn’t want it to be too late. Alyssa had chosen a spring wedding, which meant that we had roughly two more months to free Zoe’s father and confirm if John was truly an awful person beyond redemption or not. Jacob had gone to attend a call on my behalf as Zoe stirred and sat up, rubbing her eyes adorably. I had seen her wake up before, but not like this. It did not make her less cute. Quite the opposite. “What time is it? How long was I aslee
Zoe’s POVWhile Jacob excused himself to take care of an appointment on behalf of the Alpha Councilor and Xavier left for his business. I chose to go to Xavier’s place to rest for a while. I knew my father’s case was sensitive and I wanted to be close enough to reach the office within a few minutes instead of a couple of hours’ drive from my pack. After having slept a while, I decided to explore the territory of Blood Crescent, Xavier’s pack. Before I had never had the chance to travel much. But now that I was here and feeling restless because I had nothing to do as I waited for Xavier to finish his business and return home or office. I drove around for a while, going out of the elite areas where Xavier’s office and the building housing his loft were. I moved towards the middle class and poorer neighborhoods and was surprised to find the difference from my own pack’s such neighborhoods. There were no beggars or homeless as far as I had seen. So consumed by my adventure I forgot to
Zoe's POVXavier did not get to say anything on the topic because as soon as we started chopping onions, we were surrounded by people who were also chopping vegetables for ‘the stew’ and I was shocked to find Xavier actually smiling like this was his home and not the loft. He joked with the people around him and popped some cut carrots in his mouth now and then. There were no traces of the scary Alpha Councilor that the rest of the world knew. “Alpha, it’s time.” A huge man came from behind Xavier and nodded from where he had come. Xavier quickly dropped the knife and dried his hands on a white scarf with a golden print that he had dangling from his belt. I had seen this scarf in his loft a few times, too. “Time for what?” I asked. “To set up the outdoor oven.” Eva, a woman sitting beside me, answered on his behalf, as he had already gone after the man. “Outdoor oven?” I asked, intrigued. “There are too many of us to cook in the regular ovens inside. So, Alpha helps make a huge o
Zoe’s POV“Don’t worry. I won’t tell him.” I assured her as she hugged me again and with a final goodbye left. I stood with more questions than before but I did not want to let it ruin my wonderful evening. Xavier walked towards me and I spoke as soon as he was close enough, “I would drop you home but my car still doesn’t have the fuel.” “We’ll manage.” He replied, the easy smile had not left him yet, which I was grateful for. “Say cheese!” Someone yelled from behind us as a group of teenagers from before suddenly lunged at us from all sides. Xavier’s arm was suddenly around my waist as he pulled me towards him and many pairs of hands went around our necks as someone took a flash photograph. I blinked surprised at the laughter that ensued. “You children, leave them alone!” Eva yelled from under the shed where everything was being kept for the night. “It’s fine, Eva!” Xavier called back as he smiled and she shook her head. One of the teens handed me something as they all rushed
Xavier’s POVIt had been an eventful couple of days. I was getting closer and closer to digging enough dirt on John to make sure I could save my little sister from making the worst mistake of her life by choosing that scumbag as her life partner and chosen mate. Jacob had been going on various assignments underground and hiring anonymous people to make sure nobody knew that I was looking for something. That is how I have always worked. In silence, until it was time to reveal what I had been working on. It always helped to catch everyone off-guard. John was going to be no exception. I had a feeling there was more to him than he let on for Zoe’s case. He had ruined her life and family. But I remembered him contacting her during his engagement afterparty. And he had something to Zoe at the parking lot after our lunch together. Yes, he was her ex but my gut was telling me that there was something else brewing. Something that I would not like at all. I could not ask Zoe, I had a feel
Zoe's POVI don’t know what came over me when I requested to be painted but I had not expected Xavier to agree as readily as he did. “Kitten, I’m waiting.” I snapped out of my thoughts as I heard Xavier place his hands on my hips from behind and whisper in my ear, “I volunteer to undress you if you need help.” I felt tingles run down my spine as I nodded silently. If this were how it was about to go down, I’d rather have the full experience, right? At least, that’s what I told myself when Xavier started to remove all the fabric covering my body gently. He had agreed to paint me but on the condition that he would paint me naked. He reasoned that I was a masterpiece that did not need covering. I was skeptical but the way he was looking at me, he could’ve asked anything and I would’ve given it to him. As the snow fell silently outside, I stood naked surrounded by the heat from the fireplace and Xavier’s scent that had overpowered everything in the cabin. “Lay down, get comfortable.”
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