Xavier's POVI wanted to step closer. I was ready to even confront her. I wanted to know why she was there. How did she even know about the place?But before I could, my phone started ringing.It was Claire.I used to love talking to her on the phone. I used to enjoy her attention when she would get worried about me. But seeing the call now, I had to resist a sigh of annoyance as I attended the call,"Hey.""Hey, you. Where are you?" "I told you I was going on a walk.""That was half an hour ago. I expected you to be back by now. I came out of the shower and you still aren't here." I could feel her pouting over the phone."I thought you said you would get ready for dinner.""I am going to. Don't you have to change too?""I'm on my way.""Great! See you on the balcony. Kisses."She waited for me to cut the call and by that time I heard a shower running in the room Zoe had climbed in. So, I decided to wait for things to unfold and go get a shower myself. It had been a long day.In an ho
Zoe's POV The food was served but how could one eat if all appetite was lost? Seeing Xavier with Claire, arm in arm, like they had always belonged together was a new kind of pain. I was angry at Jacob for bringing me here even though he knew that Xavier was going to be here too. I glanced at him to my left as he was busy enjoying the delicate appetizer. He and I were going to have a long conversation about his reasonings and excuses for putting me through this. He knew Claire was the hostess and he still brought me. All I needed was to get through the dinner without any drama or drawing any attention to myself. I held my fork so tightly in my hand that I feared I might break or bend it, and werewolves don't use fragile cutlery. I was about to take a few bites to avoid seeming rude when I nearly jumped out of my seat at the shock of feeling a hand on my right thigh. I looked alarmed to my right and John was eating like nothing was wrong, while his left hand caressed my thigh
Xavier's POV I couldn't help but my eyes kept wandering to Zoe sitting between John and Jacob. Jacob, I could talk to later. But, John, made me wonder if he had straightened up or worsened after Zoe's blocking him. I saw him glare at her right before she dropped her fork. His hand had been under the table. I didn't want to imagine how low he could go but I was not going to give him the benefit of the doubt. I saw him push the wine glass and I nearly got out of my seat to confront the bastard. But I couldn't highlight Zoe in front of Claire. She was already going through enough, Claire was the last person Zoe needed after her. She walked out the door and John followed. 'Go after her!' Spike sounded and I was shocked to hear him after the week of silence. I had to listen. He was my instinct. Neither of us trusted John. I opened a pre-saved audio for similar purposes and placed my phone on the ear, excusing myself for a pretend call that sounded real to the werewolf ears.
Xavier's POVOf course, I couldn't sleep. I was worried for Zoe. She had enveloped my every thought and I would've rushed to her then and there if I wasn't worried about her safety and my sanity.I looked around the room but couldn't find the only thing that would calm me down.'Whiskey won't replace our need for our mate. How long do you intend to keep everyone suffering?' I wish Spike would go back to his silence so that I could suffer alone.I padded barefoot towards the kitchen, I knew the kitchen led to a basement cellar and I needed some strong drink to drown my thoughts about Zoe.My feet halted at her sight, looking around the cabinets like a cat searching for a midnight snack.I smiled to myself and leaned against the doorframe, seeing how long it would take for her to notice that she wasn't alone.Her stomach growled and Spike snarled, 'Help her!'I finally spoke up, "Looking for the fridge?"I scared her. I would've hugged her or laughed maybe, if it wasn't for the expressi
Zoe's POVI sat on my bed, my heart about to beat out of my chest."What just happened?" I was so confused. What was all that about?I thought he broke up with me because of Claire. Then why did he kiss me? If that could even be qualified as such. I placed my muffin aside, my brain was in overdrive."Xavier!" I whined to myself. Why was he doing this? Did he get kicks out of watching me squirm for him? He wasn't that kind of man, was he? I had barely known him for a few months, but they had made me feel like I knew him for years.I sighed but suddenly got cautious when a double-knock sounded on my door. It was past midnight. Who could it be? I was sure Maisie was asleep and if she needed to see me, she'd use the joined balcony. Could it be Mr. Smith? Maybe he found out that I was sneaking around in the kitchen.I slowly walked to the door.With my hand on the handle, I stilled. What if it was John? I was ready to expect the worst from him."Who is it?" I called out, without opening the
Zoe's POVXavier stopped in front of us and looked at where Jacob was holding my hand to lead me back through the woods without tripping. His eyes went from Jacob to me and back.Jacob immediately let go of my hand and stuttered an explanation without Xavier having to word it out."Zoe needed fresh air so I offered to walk in the woods before games.""You offered to walk in the woods before games?" Xavier's look was predatory like he was about to pounce on Jaocb and tear him to shreds."Yes, and I asked him to be with me so I wouldn't slip on the mossy roots." I had to cover for the poor secretary.Xavier's eyes found mine and there was a question that I failed to understand. Before either of us could say anything else, Claire walked over in her perfect model-like gait in stilettoes. Who wears stilettoes at eleven in the morning at home? Apparently, Miss Claire Deveroux does. And damn do her legs look gorgeous because of it."Xavier, honey, there you are. Let's start the games already
Zoe's POVClaire took her time blindfolding Xavier.Then, she put me, Alyssa, Herself, and Maisie in line. I wanted to refuse but that would've been suspicious, so I stood silently as Xavier started from Maisie. It didn't take him long to recognize her. I don't know how he did it, but I was in no place to question it.Next was Claire and the moment he touched her face, her name escaped his lips. She smiled wide in triumph at being recognized so quickly. I felt another stab in my heart, along with a doubt. Maisie and Jacob wanted me to fight for Xavier but seeing him Claire, I didn't know how was I supposed to compete with their relationship. They had known each other for the most part of their lives. How could the few months that I had would compare to all those years and memories that they had? But then, why did the thought of giving him up hurt so much? Why did I feel like I couldn't breathe if I wasn't around him? Why did I feel like strangling her perfect neck every time she blink
Zoe's POVMy heart skipped a beat.Did she suspect something or did she come to know something? What was I supposed to say to that?"I don't-" I started but she grew furious."Don't lie to me! I can see through your little plan. I won't let it work." She straightened up in pride, "Maybe Xavier played with you while I was gone. But I am here now. He doesn't need his toys anymore.""It's not what you think-" She wouldn't let me speak."Oh, I don't think, I know." She stepped closer, trying to intimidate me, "You think I can't see the way you look at him? The way you touched him while blindfolded?""I didn't know who-" I tried and failed as she glared at me."I said, Don't Lie To Me!" "Claire. There has been a misunderstanding." I raised my hands in surrender. I knew no one was going to come in between us if things started to get ugly. She may be able to defeat me physically, but I wasn't going to go down without a fight. I was a beta's daughter. But I knew, Xavier wouldn't want this.D
It took an hour and a lot of emotional blackmail from Aunt Julie to convince me to let Xavier come to Kansas City. The only reason I agreed was to test if he could keep his word. Nothing more, nothing less.After endless talk about mates, second chances, and the Moon Goddess, Aunt Julie smiled and patted my back. "I'll go tell him you need to talk. Be nice, okay?"I didn’t roll my eyes, though I wanted to. I respected her too much for that. Instead, I shook my head, knowing she had played me perfectly. She always did.If anyone had a right to push me, it was Aunt Julie. She had done more for my family than anyone. More than just a distant cousin of my dad or a housekeeper—she was family. The closest thing I had to a mother."Be nice, Princess." She gave me one last sweet smile before heading inside.I sighed, leaning against the hood of my car and fidgeting with my keychain. My fingers itched for something that wasn’t there—my father’s necklace. The one I had given him in the prison.
Zoe's POVI climbed the stairs, leaving Xavier in the garage. He needed time to calm down. My forgiveness—if it ever came—wouldn’t be immediate. That was his problem, not mine.He wanted to tell me something about Claire, probably to convince me I had nothing to worry about. But I didn’t care about her. I was done caring about him. His past didn’t matter to me anymore.The only thing that mattered was getting to those coordinates. I had no idea what I would find there, but it was my only lead. My mother left me that clue for a reason. I wouldn’t ignore it. A decade had passed. Anything could have changed. But I needed answers.I rushed through the house, grabbing only the essentials. Clothes, water, a flashlight, a knife. I packed quickly, like I had done this before. Because I had. Running was second nature now."She’s really doing this," Aunt Julie muttered from the kitchen doorway.I ignored her. Nothing to say.Xavier, however, had other plans. By the time I reached the garage, my
Zoe's POVI barely heard Xavier start talking. I knew he had been planning this speech since we got in the car two days ago."Zoe, I won’t pretend to understand your pain. I won’t insult you by saying I do. But I know how many times I’ve let you down." His voice was careful, like he was walking on thin ice."Don’t. Please." I turned away. I had dreamed of this moment so many times—Xavier realizing what a huge mistake he had made. But not like this. Not when I was barely holding myself together."Let me say this. You need to hear it, and I need to say it." He stepped closer, his hands resting lightly on my arms. Not trapping me. Just asking me to stay."Why?" My voice was bitter. My body tensed under his touch. I hated how my senses reacted to him now—too sharp, too raw. "You didn’t care about talking months ago.""Believe me or don’t, but I thought letting you go was the right choice. I wanted you to have a fresh start." Regret thickened his voice, but I didn’t care.I let out a short
Zoe's POV"What are you so happy about?" I asked Aunt Julie whose excitement was confusing me.Instead of answering right away, she gave me a nostalgic look, sat me down on the couch, and took my hands gently, like a mother would."Did your dad ever tell you that you have your mother's eyes?" she asked, her smile soft but sad.She didn’t wait for me to respond—probably because she already knew the answer, "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 apparently, it was deep enough for
Zoe's POVI ran to my room, grabbing everything from the box. My old laptop barely held together, but I powered it up and searched the coordinates. Then, I rushed outside to my broken car.Xavier and Aunt Julie followed as I yanked open the backseat door."You can't take that. It won’t even start," Xavier commented."It better. The coordinates are a two-day drive away," I muttered, then turned to him. "Key?" I held out my hand."Zoe—""Key. Now."He sighed, pulled the key from his pocket, and placed it in my palm. I grabbed it and turned without a thank you."You can't let her go alone," Aunt Julie protested."I'm not," Xavier assured, arms crossed as I tried to start the car. It didn’t even sputter.I kept turning the key, refusing to admit he was right. The car had been through too much. It wasn’t taking me anywhere.Aunt Julie whispered to Xavier, "How long do we wait?""You can wait inside. She won’t last long," he replied, knowing full well I could hear him."I heard that!" I sna
Zoe's POVI placed the envelope on the coffee table between us, staring at Xavier. "What are these?"His brows furrowed as he leaned forward, confusion flickering across his face. "A letter to you?""The numbers. What do they mean?" I resisted the urge to roll my eyes—or worse, to kiss the perplexed look off his face. He was trying not to upset me. I didn't know why he suddenly cared, but a small part of me was relieved he hadn’t mentioned his so-called chosen mate. Right now, it seemed like he only cared about me. I didn't want to let him in again, but deep down, I wasn’t sure if I had ever truly let him go."Looks like coordinates," he murmured, thinking out loud.I knew it. Snatching the envelope back, my fingers brushed against his, and for a brief moment, we both pretended not to feel anything."I can have the location checked. If you want," Xavier offered softly.I didn’t answer. Dahlia, my beast, was already debating with me.'Say yes,' she urged, practically purring."I won’t.
Xavier's POV"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.""What d
The next morning, I was up and out of the house just as the dawn broke through the sky.I barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, the same nightmare burned through my mind. I had waited for my wolf for so long, only to realize I would never transform like the others because I was wolfless.But now, I had a beast. Not a regular wolf, but an animal nonetheless. And I wanted to transform. I needed to know it had actually happened, that I wasn’t imagining it. Focusing on that need kept me distracted from my grief, kept me from falling apart over the loss of my father."Dahlia," I called out, dropping to my knees. I willed my bones to shift, for my skin to be covered in thin gray fur, for my canines to elongate and sharpen. But nothing happened.Dahlia tried to help me, pushing her strength into me, but it was useless. No matter how hard we tried, my body refused to transform.“UGH!” I screamed in frustration.I could talk to her. That was proof enough that I wasn’t wolfless anymore. Bu
[WARNING: This chapter contains details of gore and death. Proceed with caution.]Zoe's POVThat night, I slept in my old bed. Apparently, no one had known about our departure from Golden Eclipse or our arrival at Silver Moon. Xavier chose to stay, and Aunt Julie offered him my father’s room, but he refused. He knew I’d be furious if he stayed there. I blamed him for my father’s death, and honestly, so did he.Aunt Julie wanted to ask Xavier about his pack, but he’d been so quiet that she decided against it.I sat on my bed, staring at the contents of the wooden box. I looked at the pictures again, this time paying more attention to the details. I read the notes on the back of each one. Some were simple comments about the photo, while others were written in the same unfamiliar language as the bundle of papers and needed to be deciphered.It was all too much to process at once. The only good thing about opening the box so far was that it had distracted me from my grief, even if just for