Zoe's POVMy lungs burned as I tried to breathe.I coughed and it hurt. There was a distant sound of someone calling my name. Was someone holding me?I tried to open my eyes and get some oxygen in my lungs. What happened?I looked up and saw Xavier's steel greys looking into mine. He looked worried. Where did he come from? Why was he worried? I tried to look around and noticed Maisie was sitting next to me."It's okay. You are okay. Alpha Shaw saved you." Maisie was saying.Save me from what?And then I realized how dripping wet I was. Xavier's hair still had droplets dripping as well. My jumpsuit felt restrictive to move or breathe in as it clung to my body. Thankfully, it was not see-through."Oh, Goddess! Zoe, you slipped and fell into the pool. So lucky that my Xavier was here to save you." I heard Claire as she came into view. She had discarded the satin cardigan that she had been wearing to cover up her revealing bikini. Her face did not betray a single emotion that she had expr
Zoe's POVI knew going to Claire's was going to blow up in my face. But I had no idea how bad things would go and how quickly out of hand too.Now, Maisie was gone. Xavier had taken Claire to hospital and despite everything, I was praying, hoping, that she was okay. Jacob had gone with them. I was alone in Claire's home, surrounded by all the pool party/engagement party guests of Blood Cresent. Everyone who thought I was a slut and a gold digger."I know you did this." The dark-skinned girl from earlier raised her accusing finger at me as she walked inside and saw me still there.I knew replying would make it worse and there was no way I could protect myself from so many wolves who loved Claire. So, I stayed silent."I saw Claire drinking from the glass that you planted on the table for her." She was glaring at me as more people joined her."Say something, Slut." One of them shouted, "No apology or regret?""So, apart from being a whore by trade, and a gold-digger, you are also a murde
Zoe's POVI felt numb throughout my ride home.It felt like I had lost something very precious. Like I had lost a part of myself. The scene of Xavier's arms carrying Claire as she smirked at me was haunting me. But I did not feel like crying.What was the point of crying? It wouldn't bring back what Xavier and I had shared. I wondered if any of it was real. Or did he really just use me?The cab dropped me near my house as evening enveloped the pack, but I didn't want to go inside yet. Aunt Julie had been so worried about me lately. I couldn't let her see me like that. I had to get a grip on myself. I had to run.I needed to run.I rushed into the darkening woods.I took off my shoes and allowed nature to lead me. I focused on the sounds and smells around me and hoped that, like always, I would be able to run from my thoughts. I never realized when the casual fun runs through the woods as a kid turned into me running from my present.I stopped when I absolutely needed air. I bent on my
Xavier's POVMy phone rang as I entered Silver Moon borders. I chose to ignore it the first few times. I did not need any distractions. Zoe was the only one that mattered and I could not afford to be late. I did not want to imagine that scenario.But when the caller was persistent, I had to attend it and put it on speaker,"This better be good!" I growled."I'm afraid, Alpha, it's not. It is, in fact, quite bad." It was Luca and he sounded worried."Make it quick, Luke." I ordered."Alpha. The detailed report will be ready by-" He started but I interrupted impatiently, "Get to the damn point.""Yes, Alpha. A couple of hours ago, John slipped his tail. His last known location is the woodlands near the ex-beta Simmons' house at the edge of the Silver Moon territory." He told and I suddenly things clicked."Shit!" I banged the steering wheel but refocused. A road accident was not going to help anyone."What are my orders?" He asked."Get that damned report ready. Find that bastard's last
TRIGGER WARNINGS: This chapter has descriptions of attempted sexual assault and rape. Reader discretion is advised. Zoe's POVJohn stepped closer and started unbuttoning my jumpsuit."Stop!" I called out, "Help!" Of course, nobody was coming."John, please. You don't want to do this. Stop!" I begged. "I love it when you beg. Too little too late though. You are mine now. It would've been better if you came willingly. It could've been so much fun." He tried to place a kiss on my lips but I moved my face and it landed on my cheek which enraged him.He held my face roughly in his hands so that I was unable to move as kissed me forcefully. Suddenly the rope I had been working on, snapped. My eyes widened because John had not realized it. I had a brief element of surprise.I removed the rope as he was too busy kissing me forcefully and then kneed him where the sun didn't shine. He doubled over in surprise.I had two choices. Either to hit him harder and keep him down or just rush out an
Xavier’s POVIt took Maisie an hour to get back and I was about to get upset at her that every minute counts. But, when she brought a bag from her car I was confused."Glad you could find time to go shopping when Zoe's life might be on the line." I commented sarcastically.She rolled her eyes, "I needed ingredients for the location spell."It took fifteen minutes for her to assemble all the ingredients which included many weird things. But witches had always been weird. "For a hybrid who keeps a part of herself secret, you sure know your stuff." I commented."I was a teen and curious. When if first got the grimoire. It was by accident. I found it in Dad's things that he had taken after my mom passed away. I never practiced magic as such. Everything I know is theoretical." She explained."Hold on. You are saying we have put all our hopes for finding Zoe on theoretical? Have you ever cast a spell? Are you even able to do magic?" I asked incredulously."I don't know?" She replied making
Maisie was directed by Xavier to take Zoe in her car and follow him. Xavier took John and made sure there was no chance of escape on the way. Not that John was in any shape to escape at all.Xavier had been making calls all the way to the Werewolf Council Head Quarters. The time to wait was gone and finally, the time to act had arrived. It had arrived sooner than anticipated but Xavier hoped that his men pulled through with all the pieces of evidence and John's allies to make sure he was covered from all sides for good.Maisie had called her father to inform him as well as Aunt Julie to ask her to come for Zoe's support, bring her clothes and other necessities. Zoe hadn't spoken a single word since she had been rescued. Maisie had wrapped her in a spare blanket that she used ot carry in her car. Zoe had stopped shaking but with her head on the window, she silently stared at the passing scenery. Maisie was getting worried for her friend but she had no idea how to help someon
It was early morning when Xavier's office door was knocked and Luca entered with a briefcase and a file in his hands.Lucan nodded to Jacob who nodded back briefly and resumed his work. Xavier looked at Luca expectantly and Luca immediately started talking, "Alpha, the witnesses are in separate guarded rooms. They will talk. Here is the report." He placed the file on Xavier's table and resumed debriefing as he opened the briefcase and took out various objects one by one, "This flash drive has the video proofs. This folder has the paper trails. These are the papers with ownership and contracts with John's signatures. These are the files on the witnesses." Xavier looked briefly at the objects and asked, "What about Councilor Peterson?""His son is on the way-" Luca was interrupted by Xavier controlling his rage, "I don't need his son. Get me his father!""Yes, Alpha. Alpha Peterson Junior was found calling an unknown number through an encrypted line. One of our guys is alrea
Xavier's POV I felt Zoe's hand tighten its grip on my arm as Alyssa made way to us, her eyes holding barely controlled rage. "Why was I not made aware of my sister's return?" I asked Jacob curtly through the mind-link. "Alpha, it is as much of a surprise for us as it is for you." He replied. I kn
Zoe's POVI spent hours at the salon. Jacob was insistent that I be taken care of. He had strict orders from Xavier to make sure I was ready for the formal dinner tonight. I got waxed, polished, and painted like a priceless wooden table.By quarter to eight, my hair was shinier and straighter than i
Zoe's POVThe next morning, I woke up alone. Xavier's side of the bed had a note that said, 'Early Meeting. See you at Lunch. Jacok is yours for the day.'I sighed and stretched. This was not how I wanted to wake up the first day in my new home. But I guess it came with being mates with an Alpha. I
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