Zoe's POVIt only took two days and I was already on my first day on a new job. Thanks to the way John had destroyed my Dad's reputation, almost no one in the pack was willing to give me any kind of job. It also didn't help that everyone knew while growing up and was aware that I had no wolf.Maisie had to convince the owners of a huge catering company to let me work for them. The upside was it was a multi-national company so they had promised to let me at a different location than our pack for the sake of their reputation.The downside, as I found it too late, was that the different location was Blood Crescent Pack. I cursed my luck. What were the chances that I could cater unnoticed in the same pack where no one but Jacob did not hate me?"Earth to Zoe." A fellow waitress snapped her finger in front of me and snapped me out of my overthinking daydream, "You know if one of those wine glasses as much as gets the tiniest chip, it is coming off of your salary. So, be careful with those"
Zoe's POVI placed the final tray of entrees on the bench for the waiters to begin serving and nearly jumped out of my skin to find Xavier staring at me from the door of the back room where we were operating for the event."You are not supposed to be here." I breathed."Neither are you." He replied in the same tone. "Yes, I am. I am working-" I started but stopped midsentence when he started walking towards me."I can see that." He commented glancing behind me and then refocused his attention on me."I should get back to work." I tried to bring myself back to my senses and failed as he stopped so close to me that if either of us breathed hard, our bodies would brush."You should." He placed a finger on my chin like he always used to and I felt my resolve crumble. I wanted to ask him what he was trying to do but I needed him to continue. I feared that if I asked, he would stop."But you won't." He leaned in."I won't?" I repeated in a haze."Umhm." And my eyes were closed before his l
Zoe's POVI had been working with the rest of the staff to move everything from our workplace to the event location which was revealed as the great Shaw Mansion. Even though the building was in the center of the city, it was walled in like a fortress. The vast grounds surrounded the main building in the middle. It was majestic. The architecture, the artwork, the designs, everything was so immaculately done that it was overwhelmingly intimidating.Silver Moon Packhouse was a hut compared to this ginormous beauty. "Stop drooling and get work ladies." Alan, a fellow waiter nudged us as we all followed the staff member of the Mansion to lead us from where we would be working for the night.The bus that had taken us to the back of the mansion was parked close to our work stations. We started unpacking the materials. The whole place was abuzz with people coming in and out with things, decorations, and whatnot.This was Xavier's home. His real home. Not the loft in uptown, where he took me
Zoe's POV"But I am not a waitress." I simply said.I was hired to be a part of the prep team. That's all I did. Clean pots and pans, and keep the stations of the chefs clean. I was the help of the help."That's what I told her." He was infuriated. I understood him because I, too, had no idea what she was hoping to achieve, "That you are not trained to wait on people.""And?" I asked helplessly."And she didn't care. She wants you in there. She will get you in there." He decided against his will.Before I could protest or try to reason with him, another staff member joined us, "You called for me, Sir.""Yes. You will teach this one to wait for the guests at this party in the next two hours." The manager shocked the poor fellow."Next two hours? Sir, she is from the prep team." The guy protested and I nodded in agreement."I know!" The manager nearly screamed."You!" He called me, "Take the damn apron and scarf off. You will learn to wait the way we do in our company.""It is impossible
Xavier's POV"Your father will see you now." My father's young assistant formally announced.I stood up and gulped the glass of whiskey in my hand in a single sip before placing it on the table and doing the button of my tuxedo coat."Just you, Alpha." Jacob was stopped at the entrance of my father's study room which he had turned into his office the moment he had returned from the King's court. I nodded to Jacob and he obediently took his place at outside the door."Father." I addressed him. I hadn't seen him for five years since he had gone to the King's court on his Majesty's orders and I had taken the command of the pack as the official Alpha."I thought I taught you better than to allow rogue attacks on our borders. Clearly, not." He spoke without facing me.Of course, it was too much to expect any fatherly notion from a man who hadn't called me his son since the day my mother died."The rogues were collaborating-" I started but he interrupted me. He turned to face me and placed t
Zoe's POVI wanted to encourage myself and focus on the fact that my Dad needed me. But my feet wouldn't move the moment I re-entered the party and noticed Xavier with his grandmother on his arm and an intimidating-looking man who looked like Xavier would when old.They were approached by Claire who was holding on to the arm of an older man, whom I guessed to be her father. Pleasantries were being exchanged as I looked at how close yet far the man I had fallen in love with was.Why was the Goddess punishing me like this? What sin had I committed to deserve this fate?"Serve the VIPs, Zoe. The manager is glaring at you." Sara passed me by swiftly and whispered in my ear, bringing me back to my awful reality.I gathered as much courage as I could and walked straight to the VIPs, promising myself to look at no one, unless absolutely necessary.As I reached their vicinity, I brought the tray to the center, where it was easily available for everyone to reach for the entrees."Ah, the entre
Zoe's POVI needed air.I didn't care about the job. I was about to suffocate if I didn't take a breather.I managed to slip past the manager and the rest of the employees without being asked why I was headed in the opposite way from the party.The moment I was out in the open, the doors to the backroom closed, I sighed.It was so calm and peaceful outside. The evening had overtaken the daylight and the whole mansion looked ethereal with light, shadows, and light music wafting from inside.Why was it so impossible to ask for a simple job? All I wanted was to earn some money, pay for Dad's case, get him out, and leave these damned packs.I walked away.What was the worst that could happen if I did not go back inside at all? Apart from getting fired? I doubted anyone would miss me. I was sure that the staff now hated me because it looked like I had been taking favors from high up. How wrong they were? To be jealous of my plight.I heard someone shouting profanities and walked closer out
Zoe's POVThe moment I was out, I contemplated returning to the kitchen but decided I was ruined anyway. I was so angry.I heard footsteps after me and I turned enraged, "You promised the platform wouldn't rotate!" But stopped short when I saw that it was not only the blonde guy I had chosen to trust earlier but also my manager fuming at me."So, this is what you have been up to? Ditching service and playing piano? You over-reaching slut!" A vein in his forehead was about to pop as his eyes turned yellow. His wolf was about to tear me to shreds for ruining such a huge event for his company."Tell him! You made me do it!" I glared at the blonde guy who mouthed, 'Sorrry.' And he was gone before I knew it.'Fuck.'"I don't know whom you had to spread your legs for but you are messing up with my company." The manager took a step towards me and I looked around hoping to find a way to either defend myself or a chance to run."Sir, there has been an accident in the kitchen, we are trying to
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