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.”
Xavier’s POVI sat on the stool and picked up the brush. I glanced at my gorgeous mate lying in the hammock without a single piece of fabric covering her and wanted to paint her instead of the canvas. But my brush refused to touch the paint. I was agitated. How dare John play with my sister’s emotions and then blackmail my mate to cheat with him? I was upset for Alyssa. But more importantly, I was furious for Zoe. Why had she let her ex push her around like this? How long had she suffered like this? Clearly, nothing had happened between them or he wouldn’t be blackmailing like he was. But then what leverage did he have on her? “Xavier?” I jerked to reality when she called my name. “You’ve been staring at the blank canvas for five minutes now.” She softly reminded me, and my heart ached for some reason. Was it the effect of mate bond? But I hadn’t even accepted her as mine yet. I still had hope for Claire to someday return to me from wherever she had gone for whatever reasons. “
Zoe’s POVIt was a simple question. It took him a while to answer it.“My Grams.” He spoke deep in thought as his brush moved across the canvas. I stayed silent allowing him to say more if he intended to. He took a deep breath, glancing at me once in a while.“After my mother died. My Father entrusted me to my trainer. I trained during weekdays. And on weekends, I went to my grandmother’s home.” His voice was full of nostalgia.“Your mother’s mom?” I asked, curiously. He nodded in response.“She was so kind. Sometimes I felt like Mom hadn’t truly left me. During one of those weekends Grams said to me that I needed more hobbies than my Alpha training, school, and politics.” He stopped to pick up a new bottle of color and then resumed, as I listened reverently, “She took me to her art room. I had never felt more at home in a place before that. The colors, the patterns, everything called to me. I had to have a paintbrush in my hands or I would dip my fingers in the paint. She saw that.”
Xavier’s POVI stirred in my sleep and found the hammock empty. My eyes snapped wide open. I was sure I had Zoe’s warm little form snuggled up in my side when I fell asleep. Where was she now? I cranked my neck to check if there was a light coming from the bathroom. Nope! I sat up and checked the time on my phone. It was around dawn. It was too early for anything. Especially considering how late we had fallen asleep. I felt a sudden tightening in my chest. ‘She left us.’ Spike whispered in despair and I scolded him, ‘Why would she do that?’ She wouldn’t do that to me. I thought to myself. I had given her no reason to abandon me in the middle of the night like a thief. ‘Then where is she?’ Spike asked sarcastically. ‘How would I know? I woke up with you.’ I retorted, getting up and finding my slippers. ‘She is so far from her home.’ Spike mused sadly. ‘You were the one gushing about how she is our mate.’ I rolled my eyes, looking for signs of her presence or absence. ‘So?”
Zoe’s POVWhen the sudden sound came, I instinctively clutched at Xavier. Somehow he had made his place in my subconscious as my safe space and when in need, my body reacted without my permission. We turned to see it was only a huge bird that had perched itself on one of the snow-covered branches around us. We shared a glance and almost laughed at our over-dramatic reactions. But he was looking at me with so much intensity. One look in his stormy grey eyes at such closeness always had this effect on me. I couldn’t keep the contact and looked away. Neither of us stepped away from each other. “It is so beautiful here. Like a winter wonderland.” I whispered. The moment felt too delicate. “It is even better in the Summer. I’ll show you when the lake unfreezes.” He offered. “I’d love that.” I smiled up at him. “The water is so clear, you can see the lake bed. It is a lot deeper than it looks. That’s when the swans migrate here from the Northern winter.” He told softly as if reminisci
Zoe’s POVI coughed and went straight to pour myself some water. I gasped at the cough, gulped the glass down, and then breathed heavily, trying to catch my breath. I felt eyes on me and looked at Claire who was staring strangely at me. Feeling uncomfortable due to her gaze, I looked around and saw that the kitchen was in disarray. Several pots and pans littered the whole place. Many vegetables and different types of meat were spread. “So, how did you say, you know Xavier?” Claire asked, walking around the kitchen table. Only then, did I realize the apron tied neatly around her thin waist. She was the one cooking. “Xavier is working on a case for me.” I decided to tell it like that. “Oh, so, you are his client?” She asked. “You can say that.” I did not like to be only his client but that kind of was the reality of us. I felt a pang in my heart and the green goblin of jealousy nudged at me. Why would I be jealous? Xavier had not promised me anything. “Are you looking for som
Zoe’s POV“Oh my God, Zoe, what happened?!” Maisie was so concerned as she picked up the call. I couldn’t stop crying, and I didn’t even know why I was so upset. I couldn’t speak. “Please say something.” She urged, “Did something happen to Mr. Simmons?!” She exclaimed worried. “No, I.” I swallowed. I couldn’t form words due to sniffing. “Are you at home? I’m coming over!” She said decisively. I nodded before realizing she couldn’t see me and mustered, “Yes.” That was all I could manage. “Stay with me, okay? I’m getting in my car.” She said. I could hear her breathlessly opening and closing doors. I was sorry that I had made her worry. But she was the only one I had closest to a sister. “Zoe, sweetie, are you alright?” Aunt Julie knocked on the door. She must’ve heard me rush in and lock myself in my room. I sniffled harder, and she got worried, “Baby, what happened? You said you were going to stay at a friend’s. Who was it? What did they do?” She hit the nail on the head, maki
Zoe's POVMy head was pounding. It was like someone had cracked open my skull and was performing brain surgery without anesthesia. It was torture. I wanted to yell,' Stop it,' and I think I said something, but different words were coming out.I tried to yell. I knew Xavier was holding me, but every
Xavier's POVMy head was fuzzy. I was trying so hard to focus on the conversations around me. It was like I had been underwater and just resurfaced. The light, the sounds, the colors, everything felt weird. I blinked as I tried to focus on the fork in my hand. I whispered to Zoe, "Please get ready
Zoe's POVThat night, I stayed up and waited for Xavier. He took his time coming to the bedroom. He must've thought that I was asleep, and that's exactly what I pretended. But, I had a theory and I was about to test it out.I stayed still, kept my heartbeat calm, and eyes closed. Until Xavier went t
Zoe's POVWhen Xavier and I walked in hand in hand, every jaw in the dining hall dropped, but no one was as shocked as Blondie, who entered after us. She must've been waiting for him when he was walking me to the dining hall. She swallowed her shock and forced herself to sit on the opposite end of t
Zoe's POVFinding friendship with Alyssa was one of the strangest things that happened to me that week. Since then, I saw less and less of Xavier. He came to the room when I was already asleep and often left before I had woken up. We missed that one meal we used to share before the coronation.He sp
Zoe's POVThe conversation with Xavier was the hardest I've ever had with anyone. He was acting like I was just another wolf in his pack that he was responsible for. The only emotion I got from him was regarding the baby but even that was fleeting. I was so bewildered that I ended up asking, "Are y
Zoe's POV"What are you going to say to Alpha? I mean, I know Lady Shaw said that no matter what happens, you are our true Luna, but without your coronation," Olivia didn't complete her question, but I knew what she meant.I placed a reassuring hand over hers, "Don't worry. Xavier might be the Alpha
Xavier's POVThe ringing of the intercom woke me up. I noticed that Zoe had left without me. I felt a pang in my heart. The first obstacle since we got together and we were already fighting. I hated it. I checked the time. It was still early in the morning. Jacob was ringing the intercom. It must'v
Zoe's POVTo say that I was furious was a major understatement.I walked down the driveway and yelled at a chauffeur, "You. Get a car right now!" Usually, I always made sure to be polite to them, but if I stopped, Dahlia would take over. She had been mad at Xavier for two days now, and arresting Oli