The night began as music wafted in all directions from the live orchestra. All the important people from around the world were present and Xavier decided it was showtime. He stepped forward to meet and greet the people while Eva slowly slipped from the shadows and moved towards the center of the packhouse where the secrets were expected to be held in Peterson office.Richard entered with his sister and they went straight to greet the groom who was the Alpha of a smaller territory at the edge of the Golden Eclipse pack. Anyone who noticed could understand that love had nothing to do with this political marriage and the groom was way happier than the bride.Rory made sure Zoe stayed backstage through most of the event and Zoe didn't mind. She had no intention of catching any attention at an event of such a signficance.An hour after dinner was over and the guests were enjoying the music on the temporarily built dancefloor, Angelina tugged at Zoe's dress with a mischievous gl
Eva had slipped from the crowd and it had taken her a while to get inside the pack house since it was crawling with guards.She knew she needed to get to the second floor because that was where Alpha's study and office were. These two were the only rooms in the place with more security than the whole pack house. Which meant that there was bound to be something in there that needed such security.Having Lawrence as an inside man helped them formulate the plan. He couldn't carry on the mission himself because he had to stay close to Peterson as well as keep an eye on Zoe. Which is why he gave every information that he could find to Eva.One of the men in Xavier's entourage was a hacker who had cut down through the digital security of the pack house like a cake without being detected. This made sure that Eva could walk through the hallways without being captured by the security camera reels.When Eva reached the elevator that she needed to use, she yelled at Lawrence through he
Zoe's POVI needed some fresh air after what had just happened on the dancefloor. For some reason, dancing with the Alpha of the pack in front of the world's most important people came secondary to having seen Xavier watching me dance with the Alpha of the pack at such an important event.Seeing him there brought feelings that I was not ready to face yet. It was too soon. I wanted to stay out there in the dark garden as long as I could. Everything was going wrong. Richard's proposal, the dress, the dance, Rory. And now, Xavier was here. Was it too much to ask for a break? What was next? Everyone to know that I was wolfless omega running from my past?I sighed.I could hear the orchestra playing and I knew Rory was not going to give me a break. She was already upset at me getting a dress from Richard and him making sure that I wore it. It wouldn't take long for her to know what happened at the dancefloor and I have no iea how she is going to take that.I took a few deep breaths to cal
"They are great. Little one started school." I could see that she was not convinced by my smile but I was grateful that she didn't ask more."That's good." I said and we both sighed simultaneously."I gotta get back to work." I said despite not wanting to get back to the party."What work?" She asked."I work for the Golden Bells event management company. They are the ones who organized this event. I am still an intern but it was my team that helped set up most of the party tonight." I said feeling proud of this one little accomplishment in my life."Wow. Congratulations. That is big." She hugged me again and I hugged back. Other than Maisie and Dad I had not hugged anyone in a while. It was a lonely feeling. So, getting hugs from Eva was sweet."Thank you.""I gotta get back to the party too, before they realize I've slipped." She joked and I smiled, "Of course.""But, let's stay in touch." Eva suddenly offered and gave me her phone to put my new number in."Thanks. I'll call when I c
Xavier's POVI didn't see Zoe again after that dance.But I knew that the image of her in that gorgeous gown twirling in the arms of another man was going to haunt me for long. It didn't help that the man was none other than Alpha Richard Peterson, only son of the Councilor Peterson who was notorious for his suspicious behaviors. Not to mention, the way he defended John even after all of John's atrocities were brought to light.I was still confused how did Zoe get to this pack of all the packs in North America. I had wanted her to be safe and then I had handed her the papers to the one pack that was probably going to be worse than her original one. How had that happened? My mistake was not checking the papers, but who made the original mistake of making those papers?Eva had returned later and the look on her face told nothing if she had found anything or not. I had ordered everyone not to mind-link at the party. So, that no one could be any more suspicious of our reason to accept the
It had been a busy few days. Rory had been indirectly punishing Zoe for the stunt pulled at the reception event, with more work.Xavier's team had no success finding a way to the rooms again or to get through the retinal scanners.Zoe and Xavier couldn't get each other out of their heads oblivious to the plight of the other.Xavier wanted to go see Joe Simmons but didn't want to let it known to his hosts that he knew Simmons. During a couple of events that happened after the reception, like Miranda Peterson's bridal shower and her groom's roast party. Since the events were gender-specific, Xavier couldn't even catch a glimpse of Zoe. Not that it would help. He had no idea what she felt. In his mind, she was probably better off without him. After all, she had moved on so quickly to dance with her new Alpha.He wanted to save her from this pack but he needed sold proof before he got to her. He felt like she wouldn't even want to talk to him after the way they parted. He ofte
Zoe's POVAfter the disaster that the bachelor and bachelorette parties had been, I was sure that the wedding was canceled.So, when Misha called grumbling and panicking at once about how he was traumatized and still being called in to work, I was shocked.But I got ready and reached the meeting where Rory was leading with Richard and the to-be-wedded couple. The venue had changed but since so many important people had taken time out of their busy schedules to attend the wedding. The wedding was going to happen.Miranda looked like she had been crying. Her groom was more interested in his phone than literally anything around him. Rory just wanted to make Richard happy, who was in a very sour mood. Fair enough, if my house caught fire during a party, I'd be worried too. Misha was sipping his coffee like it was medicine. Laura was the only one actually taking notes and providing input when asked.I had a new problem. Last night at the hotel, I was in charge of junior staff, making sure t
Xavier's POVWhen we wre dropped back to the hotel last night, we did what we had been doing for the last few days. We got ready to meet at the warehouse for mission debriefing.My guy was gone. The plan had not worked the way we had imagined it to. But that was a part of the job. We were all aware of the risks before we got into it, especially without my cloaking ring which Eva had lost on Peterson's pack house grounds.Lawrence showed the phone and flash drive that our guy had given him before running. We spent the rest of the night working out what the numbers and lists in the photoes meant. Trying to decrypt the flash drive without our guy was hard. Peterson knew how to keep secrets. I'd give him that.But I was going to keep no stone unturned from finding out what he was hiding.Lawrence had to return to his undercover job. I ordered most of my entourage to get back to the hotel undetected and cover for the ones staying behind to keep researching. We needed to have found somethi
Xavier's POVOkay, Zoe was mad. She was so mad she hadn't just confronted Fiona, she had worn my shirt for it, and hadn't even glanced my way before walking out of the room.The only part that made my heart flutter was my shirt. She was marking her territory, and it was so attractive. She had accept
Zoe's POVI stood gawking speechlessly for a moment. All my rage dissipating into disbelief. She had made herself at home already."Would you like to come in?" Her soft, calm voice brought me out of my trance, and my brows furrowed.I walked in with my head held high, "I will do whatever I want in M
Zoe's POVI couldn't sleep. How could I? How could anyone after being humiliated in public with the news of a promised wife of my mate right before my vows of coronation? I had controlled my tears when the ceremony was interrupted. I couldn't lose it in front of a hall full of strangers for whom I
Xavier's POVMy cuffs are rolled. My top button is undone. My hair is messy from all the times I have run my hands through it. I have no idea where my coat is. My feet are more sore from all the pacing than when I was tortured in Riverwoods. It's looking terrible. Zoe hasn't come out of her room. O
Xavier's POVI paced around the room. Lady Aroosa and Fiona were sitting calmly with their backs straight and serene expressions.Pack lawyers, related officials, pack elders, and Lady Aroosa's whole entourage were all gathered in the same meeting room where I had sentenced my father and his allies
Xavier's POVEverything was going great. Zoe had memorized each bow and each step beautifully. She was graceful, gorgeous, and simply perfect. After signing the papers, she was officially a member of Blood Crescent. I was elated by the way the ceremony progressed.It was hard to keep the smile from
Zoe's POVThe day was here. It was the big day. How did it creep up on me so soon?Taking deep breaths to calm myself down, I waited in my room for Olivia. Xavier had been overseeing all the preparations. Everyone who was everyone in Blood Crescent and the neighboring packs was going to be present.
Zoe's POVThe next couple of days passed in a blur of learning loads of new information, meeting new people, and adding input about the coronation. It was a little overwhelming, but I tried to keep it all together. I was not going to be ungrateful for the one good thing going on in my life. Blood C
Zoe's POVI was standing in front of the mirror, still unable to believe that the gorgeous girl staring back at me was me. I kept thinking how my life was changing once again. I was never the ambitious one. My only hope used to be to awaken my wolf and become a patrol guard to my old pack. Those da