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
Zoe's POVIt took me a few minutes to gather my bearings and decide that Claire Devereux was indeed right. It hurt but it was the truth. It had been glaring at me from the start. Xavier and I didn't belong with each other, not like Claire and he did. It was better if I just focused on getting my Dad free and making sure that John paid for everything. I marked the spot where I had to reach on the map to find a road that could hopefully provide me with a hitchhiking possibility."I will call Maisie later. She'll apologize to Jacob on my behalf." I told myself as I walked through the winding non-existent paths in the woods. 'Should've brought some water.' I told myself as I panted due to my human-like weaknesses. I loathed how weak I was without a wolf. Why did I not deserve a wolf? Maybe if I had one, I would try and be worthy of Xavier. Be a true Beta.I hated how pathetic I was to love and give up on it. But I never stood a chance in front of Claire Devereux. I sighed and kept going
Xavier's POV"Maybe it's better if we split up. We can cover more ground." Maisie suggested and I agreed."You take left, I'll take right." I nodded and we both rushed in opposite directions.I was hoping to find them before Claire said or did something irreversible. I knew she was prone to overreactions when it came to things that mattered to her.I still remember what she had done to the poor kid in school who had found her misplaced favorite pen and had refused to return it. Poor girl never spoke or did anything else in school except sit obediently in class and do classwork. Even as a young teen, even without her wolf. She had always been vicious like that.The same had been repeated when we went to college. Only it was worse because she had her wolf. Not that she needed her wolf to ruin someone psychologically. It was something that I had once admired in her. How cold she was towards her enemies. Dad had called her an asset to the pack. He was proud when I had wished to choose her
Zoe's POVAfter the way he blamed me for almost being murdered, I refused to say another word to him as we trekked back to the Hill House.I wanted to tell him why I was there in the first place. I wanted to show him how unfair his trust in Claire was. I wanted him to know that he won and I had given up on us. But the way he defended her while blaming me, made everything pointless. Why did he save me if I was such a liability? Or maybe he would've done the same for anyone in that situation. I guess we would never know. I imagined what my wolf would say to me in this situation if I had one. I had heard that the wolves share a part of our psyche, are versions of ourselves, and are our only friends in tough times. Would my wolf blame me for letting myself cornered too?As we exited the woods, I was behind Xavier and nobody saw me at first.Claire rushed to him and hugged him tightly, "Xavy, where were you? I won! I found the treasure. Wanna know what it is?"But as they parted she notice
Xavier's POVI walked into my room and took off the bloody shirt. I quickly washed some blood off of my hands and face before stepping out of the bathroom and seeing the three people whom I had called."Alpha, what exactly happened out there?" Micheal asked professionally while Jacob handed me another shirt to wear."I would like to know that too." I replied, barely holding in my anger."Should I call the Delta and ask where the border patrol was?" Micheal offered."You do that." I ordered and then looked at Claire.She looked as perfect as I had last seen her a few hours ago."Jacob, ask Mr. Smith to make sure that the Devereux house security measures are all in line.Once we were alone I asked, "How are you?" She looked tense but my question eased her instantly."I'm fine now that I know you are alright." She stepped closer, pressed a hand to my chest, and looked up at me with her beautiful eyes. Eyes that, once, I could stare at them forever and not get tired.But now, I was worried
Zoe's POVI had been in my room for the rest of the day. Maisie was with me."Why didn't you tell me any of this before?" She massaged her temples.I had told her everything. The whole truth from the start. I was in a vulnerable state and when she started asking questions, I broke. I needed someone to trust. Besides Dad, she was the only one I had. I told her about Xavier, my contract with him to save Dad, and to gather evidence to put John in front of the Werewolf Council. He had to pay for his sins."What was I supposed to say? And honestly, I was hoping for it all to be over sooner. And I definitely didn't expect for Claire to return." I shrugged."Well, better late than never." She looked at me determined."What do you mean?" I asked confused."I mean, I am with you. All in. You are right. John needs to pay and I will help you however I can." She was the reason I had stayed sane for as long as I had.Her conviction made me smile in irony as I asked, "And what do you have in mind?"
Zoe's POVA helpless tear slipped from my eye as John tried to force the kiss on me. He was taller, stronger, and with his wolf, unbeatable.But I was not going to go down without a fight. I let him think he had won and as his lips touched my cheek, his grip loosened slightly, I brought my hands to his face and scratched at his eyes as hard as I could.He cursed and let me go, just as we heard Jacob call from the other side of the door, "Zoe, you have a minute?""Bitch." John whispered not wanting Jacob to know of his presence and immediately opened the door to the balcony before jumping out."Zoe?" Jacob called as I tried to get myself under control."Coming." I replied.I opened the door and he immediately noticed my appearance."May I come in?" He asked politely and I let him."Was John here?" Was his first question as soon as I closed the door. It was pointless to lie to him. His wolf must've already sniffed out the fresh scent. So, I nodded, hugging myself."Alpha knew it was a ba
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