I could barely keep my balance as we walked. We were both exhausted. We needed to make sure the cabin wasn’t a trap before we let our guard down. As much as I wanted to drink from the stream, we had to be careful."Keep watch," Xavier said. He approached the cabin and peered through the windows, but the curtains blocked his view. He knocked on the door and waited. No smoke came from the chimney. That probably meant the place was empty.After a few more knocks, Xavier mind-linked me. I’m going in. No one’s here."Wait, what if it’s a trap?" I asked, rushing to stop him."It’s too late. I’m already inside," Xavier replied. "It’s empty.""Xavier!" I scolded him. "We can’t afford to be reckless!""There’s no one here. I would’ve sensed them," Xavier said, walking inside like it was no big deal. I followed, shaking my head.The cabin was simple. A couch, a hammock near the window, and a small kitchen with a fridge and oven. A fireplace looked like it worked.I searched the cabinets for a f
Narrator's POVXavier and Zoe had a choice. They could either walk out of the cabin before the owner returned and spend the cold night in the woods. Or, lock themselves in for the night, hoping that the owner either returned by the day and could be reasoned with or didn't come at all until they were ready to leave. After all, they weren't going to stay there forever. They just needed a place to lie low for a while and let their torn-up bodies heal as their animals felt better too.One look at the cold, dark woods and they instantly chose the second option, praying to the Moon Goddess that the owner wouldn't come during the night at least. They were tired of sleeping in random places during their time on the road. For once, they wanted a real bed without worrying about what the next morning might bring.After the warm, hearty dinner, the two glanced at the hammock and the night spent at Xavier's cabin flashed in both their heads. Zoe closed her mind space before Xavier got any ideas.
Zoe's POVI glanced at Xavier, alarmed. Did he smell that too?Xavier was already scanning the area, his eyes darting around nervously. He quickly got out of the water and started dressing. "I think the cabin owner’s back," I said, rushing toward him.But Xavier didn’t listen. He was already heading toward the source of the scent, moving faster. I worried and linked to him, "What are you doing? We can be seen."Despite my doubts, I grabbed the backpack Xavier had left and jogged after him.“Luca, please tell me it’s you, man,” Xavier called out, his voice carrying into the woods at the edge of the clearing.At first, nothing happened. The usual sounds of the forest echoed back, but no answer.I caught up with Xavier. “Xavier, what’s going on?”“Alpha?!” A voice from the trees responded, uncertain. A man with a big beard and long hair dropped from a tree. He must’ve been watching us from up there for a while.Xavier froze. I could see the recognition in his eyes. This was his beta. But
Luca's POVAs Maisie and I stopped at the safe house, I knew I had to follow protocol and sweep the area.My mistake was not arming Maisie before I left. But, by the time I found myself surrounded by werewolves more powerful than Alphas, I knew it was too late. I had a choice to fight or to flee. It was one against two dozen. I chose to fight. If I fled, who would protect Masie? I had to make sure nobody got to her.The way they were standing, it was clear that they knew the bare minimum of combat. They were all muscle and no technique. So, I fought. But damn those muscles. I am sure now that those werewolf thugs were magically enhanced. There is no other way that a common werewolf would be able to uproot a full-grown tree on a mountain terrain.Before they could kill me off, I decided to run hoping that they would follow me to finish me off and give Maisie time to realize that something was wrong and run away to save herself.But I was only partially right.Those men split up. Some ca
Luca's POVNeil straightened up when the door handle twisted and I could feel his respect and fear for the incoming doctor emanate from him. I still couldn't move a single muscle below my neck and that was reason enough to panic but I had to continue my acting of an amnesic patient. The doctor walked in with a file under her arm as she unwrapped a bright yellow candy, popped it in her mouth, and gave the wrapper to Neil who took it like it was his honor to be her trash can. The woman did not look a day over thirty human years, but since they hadn't freaked out over my healing I knew they were just as supernatural as I. The doctor walked with an air of authority added with a perfect mixture of nonchalance. But, the way her green eyes swept the room and took me in, I knew she was reading the details the way our military training had taught us to. No commoner would be able to know what had happened but I did.I knew I'd have to pretend harder to convince her of my amnesia than Neil. But
Luca's POV "Trich, prep patient 201," Doctor Candy ordered before walking over to a working desk full of papers, files, folders, and a laptop.It took me a moment to register that I was patient 201 who needed to be prepped when a young man in a lab coat with his short hair dyed green, approached me with, "This way, Sir.""What am I being prepped for?" I asked but instead, I overheard Doctor Candy tell Neil, "Make sure he doesn't make a mess," and Neil was beside me the next instant with the fakest smile I had ever seen. And I had been Claire Devereux's friend once.Now what would make me want to cause a mess?I was led towards an ordinary chair as Trich pulled my sleeve up before getting an injection ready."What's that? What are you injecting in me?" I asked expressing some of my suspicion. It wasn't out of character, anyone who had lost their memories would be suspicious of people who claimed to be helping but never allowed a moment of privacy."I thought you said you trusted us, Bo
Narrator's POV Zoe and Xavier had been listening to Luca's experience and Zoe could feel Xavier wanting to get up and punch someone for what Luca had gone through. But, having heard Maisie's tale, she knew there was more to Luca's tale. "Do you have any missing memories?" Zoe asked Luca as she placed a comforting hand on Xavier's thigh to keep him calm enough for Luca to continue. Goddess knew how long he must've wanted to share that stuff and get the burden off his chest. Luca did not respond. Instead, he focused on dishing out the meal he had been preparing simultaneously to keep his hands occupied. Only he knew what was going through his head. Luca did not speak until he had dished out the steaming meal and set up a makeshift dining table with the three of them sitting around it. As he served Xavier and Zoe, he only poured a glass of water for himself. Once he had gulped it down, he resumed, #### Luca's POV Waking up after that first operation, I thought the wor
Zoe's POVXavier and I exchanged glances."Wait, you went back?" Xavier's voice was sharp with disbelief. "When? Why would they send you there? How am I only finding out about this now? I asked Jacob about you every time I could." He looked torn. His heart sank as he realized one of his most trusted friends had gone through brainwashing and who knows what else—while he had no idea. He felt like he’d failed Luca, just like he had failed to protect Maisie.Luca’s voice was steady, but his words hit hard. "Jacob didn't know I was there. They sent me as a spy, remember? I didn’t exactly walk in announcing my return. I might’ve forgotten, but my handler knew I was on the run from the council after helping Maisie escape. There wasn’t going to be a warm welcome for me.""So, how did you get into their territory if everyone was after you?" I asked, trying to piece things together.Luca took another long drink of water before answering. "I used the underground tunnels from wartime. I had no ide
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
Xavier's POVI have no idea how I survived without Zoe's touch for as long as did. Was it possible to die due to starvation of mate's touch? I didn't know and I wasn't going to test it either because I had no intention of ever letting her go.It didn't matter how much I tried to worship her body. It
Zoe's POVNow that it was just me and Xavier in the cabin, neither of us knew what to say. I kept thinking of how to start the conversation. We had a lot to talk about, but where to begin?"How have you been?" Xavier asked, tentatively stepping forward.After being with him for months, I wanted to t
Zoe's POVThe more Xavier talked the more I tried not to panic. I knew things were bad, I hadn't realized they were this bad. A part of me felt guilty because all of it could've been avoided if Xavier hadn't left to support me. As much as I appreciated his presence after Dad's death, I never wanted