Zara's POVLevi flew through the forest like a bat out of hell. He was obviously excited, but he also seemed rushed, and I could not help but be curious as to what was causing him such excitement.I trailed after him, playfully nipping at his wolf's tail."I am still faster than you, Beta," I mused over the mind-linked as Kaya ran past him. She hasn't even reached her full speeding potential, giving Louis a run for his money.I smiled as I imagined what an observer would see if they witnessed us playing and running in this manner.Would all they see go past them be a silver line?"I am not trying to win," Levi mind-linked me."So, what are you doing?" I asked, coming to a stop."You will see," he said, running past me.A few yards away, I could hear the roar of the water, and the edge of the forest was marked by sunlight peeping through the dense canopy of trees. We were close.I caught up with Levi when I reached the end of the forest. He was patiently waiting for me, looking a bit m
Zara's POV"Alpha Nicholas, is there a reason you came to see me?" I inquired when I had recovered from my shock.I took a deep breath, feeling my heart thump against my chest."Call me Nic," he grinned.I felt my heart skip a beat when I saw his stunning yet commanding smile. When he smiled sincerely, he appeared considerably younger."Very well," I said, trying again. "Alpha Nic, what made you...?""For the love of the goddess," he growled, irritated, and wrinkled his nose as though he could smell something foul. "Ignore the formalities; we are not with other pack members; we are in a cave. I do not see why you and your beta have to refer to me by my Alpha title while here."I rolled my eyes and sighed.I was brought up to address an Alpha by his title when we were in the company of other people.Was he trying to sidetrack the conversation?Nic fixed me with his gaze, and for a few moments, I felt forced to follow his instructions."All right," I muttered, lowering my head in surren
Zara's POVNicolas stayed with us just before dusk, promising to see me soon. He went back through the tunnels in the same way he came. Our farewell was tearful, and as I watched him go, I felt both heartbroken and cold."Cheer up, old girl," Levi linked, as we made our way back to the pack house.It was time for us to get ready for dinner."It is really difficult," I said sadly. "It feels as though my heart would burst into two pieces at any moment. I am starting to miss him already. And Kaya's adding to the pain. All she wants to do is follow Nic back to his pack.""I think I understand," Levi said. "The bond is making it unbearable to be apart.""Yes," I replied. "And it is even more difficult to accept the fact that he visited me in these conditions. It would have been just as simple for him to ignore and reject me."Nic and I have not formally accepted each other as mates yet, but based on our behavior, it appeared that he was interested and would make the move shortly."He is a
Nicolas POV"You are running late!" Ronan lashed out when he saw Ray come out of the tunnel and into the cave. "Someone seems really nervous," Ray remarked, as I shifted back to being human.I looked back at Ronan and watched him briskly as he paced up and down.Has anything occurred during my absence?"Your father is furious at you," Ronan hissed. "He is waiting on you in his office,"I cocked my head to one side and squinted. It has been a while since I have seen Ronan behave like this."Tell him I will be there shortly," I said composedly as I picked up my pants off the ground."He is itching to see you now," Ronan growled. "He is so angry that he is threatening to take control of the pack.""Your father rocked Ronan's boat again," Ray chirped. "No wonder he isn't a happy camper."My father had the ability to get under Ronan's skin and rattle his little world. I never understood why he took everything my father said personally. I was given the Alpha position by the old wolf eight
Nicolas POV"Concentrate harder!" Ray snarled, getting angry at me. "I have faith in your ability to succeed!""Oh my goddess," I let out a growl. "I am doing the best I can!"Zara's face kept appearing in front of my eyes, and I could not even begin to imagine anything else."You are not!" he exclaimed. "Avoid thinking about Zara! Concentrate!""It is useless!" I sighed, frustrated. "The bond is keeping me from thinking of anything else!""Well you better do something," Ray remarked. "You can't leave your room... not in your current situation!"I still had my cock hard and raised like a warrior heading into combat.I kept my eyes closed, clamped down on my jaw, and visualized myself in the forest."Let me try and help you," Ray said, bringing a forest picture to mind. "Do you see the forest?""Yes," I answered. "How are you doing that?""I am just playing with some old memories from your subconscious," he answered. "You will have to provide the remaining portion.""Like what?" I inqu
Nicolas POV"I think you should reconsider," my father said, bringing up the main topic of our meeting.I was surprised by his words.I never thought he would counsel me against forming an alliance with a silver-blessed pack. Among the blessed packs, the Silverado Pack is one of the most reputable. It would be certain that we would defeat the Red Howl Pack if we signed a treaty and joined forces."Why should I?" I asked, shifting my head to the side. "The meeting is already scheduled, and Ronan has already begun working on the paperwork.""Cease the scheduled meeting immediately!" My father roared."I refuse to withdraw my proposal!" I said, surprised by his sudden outburst. "I will do everything in my power to help them, as they require our support!""You have no idea what you are doing, boy!" He hissed through his teeth."And you are not offering me any convincing reason as to why I should not sign a treaty with them!" I shot back with a growl. "Any issues you may have with Alpha Ri
Zara's POV"Ah, Zara," my father's voice chimed in my ears, and my gaze turned to where he and Beta John came closer. "Have you finished eating?" "I have, thanks," I replied as I stood up from the dinner table. Levi got up from his chair beside me, holding my hand in his.Beta John stopped my father, and he turned to face him."I will talk about the specifics right now," my dad answered the silent question."And that other problem?" Beta John inquired with a worried tone."It is not up to you to decide," my father replied. "I will talk about it when the time is appropriate."Beta John attempted to countermand, but my father stopped him with a raised hand."Beta, we already have enough problems on our hands," my dad remarked. "I can't add more. Furthermore, how would it alter our lives right now?"Beta John let out a sigh."I honor your desires, Alpha," he said, glancing sideways at me before moving away from my father's side."What the heck was that about?" Kaya yapped from the back
Zara's POVThe Golden Gate Hotel was among the priciest and most opulent establishments I have ever visited.Thick, pricey off-white curtains draped the tall windows, and the reception desk, walls, and floors were all constructed and covered in expensive white marble. Signature paintings by well-known painters lined the walls, and a massive fountain screamed wealth and prestige in the middle of the reception area."I am a little surprised, but that seems like a picture of a famous football player," Kaya gasped."And it is signed," I remarked, looking over the various objects hanging on the walls in astonishment. "What is the reason behind Nic showcasing such a costly item throughout the reception area?""Maybe Nicholas does not really care about expensive things," Kaya remarked. "Or he keeps excellent security," I said, heading toward the reception desk.I was hoping that someone at the front desk would be able to assist me and let me know where in this enormous hotel I could find Ni
Nicolas POV"This is absolutely absurd! How do you expect us to just hand over our Luna?" Ronan asked angrily. "He injected her with wolfsbane, leaving her in excruciating pain. What kind of animal would do that to another being? And he claims to be her mate? He would hurt her more if we gave her to him!"Noah decided it was safer for him to leave Zara there in the hallway of the restaurant. There were too many humans around to put up a proper fight. He left through the back door of the kitchen, followed by Levi, who vanished as quickly as he had appeared.Zara was completely unconscious when I attended to her. Her reaction to the wolfsbane was normal and not too critical to handle.The local police insisted on taking Zara to the hospital when they arrived.I tried to assure them that everything was fine and that the drug Noah gave her would wear off soon; however, they refused to listen.Kyle quickly got on the pho
Zara's POVI woke up with the sound of birds chirping close by, and I moaned under my breath. I had this annoying pounding feeling at the back of my skull.I dragged my heavy, swollen eyelids open and blinked a couple of times against the blinding light before I could manage to make out anything in the room.I struggled for a moment to make sense of what I was seeing.This wasn't my room at all. I wasn't at home.My heart started to pound inside my chest as my gaze traveled over the room. Yet I couldn't find anything out of place. It was very stylish, yet so simple.I was lying in a comfortable king-size bed, the bedding white and soft.Only a single black-and-white painting adorned the tall white walls, but thick, expensive curtains covered the broad windows.My attention moved to the huge double glass doors. The late afternoon breeze lazily tugged on the thin sheer curtains covering them. They were left open.
Zara's POVMy legs gave way under me as the wolfsbane poison spread through the rest of my body, leaving me in excruciating pain."Why are you doing this to me?" I managed to push the words over my lips. My tongue has already swollen in response to the wolfsbane. "I'm mated... and... marked. I... don't... belong... to you..."My voice sounded strained and foreign to my ears.A sinister smile appeared on his lips; he knew it wouldn't be long until I lost consciousness.My head suddenly felt heavy, dropping to the side, while my eyes rolled back in their sockets. I was fighting with everything inside me to stay conscious—my mind threatening to give in and drift off to the darkness.Noah grabbed my chin between his fingers, forcing me to look at him."I am your rightful mate," he hissed. "The Goddess chose you for me, and we will honor her decision! You will soon belong to me!"Noah moved my shirt f
Zara's POVI could feel Nicolas's eyes on me as I made my way between the tables toward the hallway.There was a long hallway at the exit that led down to the ladies' restroom, and I followed behind Levi in silence. He seemed occupied by his own thoughts and didn't say a single word to me.I wasn't sure if he was angry at me or if something else was bothering him.He appeared more like a guard standing by my side than my closest companion escorting me to the restroom.Whatever the situation was, it made me uncomfortable. Levi's behavior wasn't familiar to me.Levi came to a stop, abruptly held out my handbag to me, pushed open the bathroom door for me, and gestured for me to go inside.His eyes were unreadable, and his body language was stiff and cold.Did something happen while I was in the boutique with Nic? Or was he upset because he could detect Nic's scent on me?"What has gotten into him?"
Nicolas POV"I know what you are going to say," Kyle said, as I pulled a chair back to take a seat at the table.I stopped what I was doing and stared at him in shock. He was no mind reader.My gaze swept over the familiar face, taking in the changes that had occurred. I haven't seen Kyle for more than five years. He looked a bit older than the last time I saw him, and his body and face had changed a bit.Kyle had always been on the thin side, but now he was massive and masculine.My gaze swept over his face. Isabella's illness had etched deep worry lines under his eyes, now replaced by lines of laughter. His face had become more full and less sunken. He looked much healthier, and he had definitely gained some healthy body weight.My gaze swept over his medium brown hair; it was now longer, curling around his ears. Yet, even after all the changes, his green-blue eyes were still the same, clear but sad."Ronan had alre
Nicolas POV"Mrs. Zara," Jenn, the saleslady, called us as we exited the private room. Despite the strange expression on her face, she maintained an even tone. She must have heard us having sex in the dressing room."Yes," Zara answered, her attention shifting toward her."Your husband asked me to hand you this," she said, handing her an envelope."Thank you so much," Zara replied, opening the envelope.I patiently waited for Zara to read through the contents. I already knew what Levi was planning; he had informed me when I arrived."Levi says he has another surprise for me," Zara said, seemingly a bit worried about it."Oh? That sounds promising," I replied. "Where to?""He says we should meet up at Martino's," she sighed."Then that is where we'll go," I replied, taking her hand and heading to the door.Martino's was a small Italian restaurant, just around the corner from the boutique.
Zara's POV"Nic?" I gasped, startled. "What are you doing here?"My eyes darted around the room, taking note of the fact that Jenn and her assistant were no longer there."Beta Levi called me," he proclaimed as he inched closer. "He told me you needed some assistance in picking the perfect dress for the ball."Finally, Nic paused and leaned close to my ear, saying, "But now it seems like this was a setup."I shivered, closing my eyes as his warm breath brushed over my skin."You seem capable of picking your own dress," he continued, his voice betraying his need.My flushed cheeks compelled me to bite my lip. I was already overwhelmed with desire, especially with Nicolas by my side.Did Levi intend for this to happen?"Let me help you out of that dress," Nicolas said, smirking as he pulled away. "It might be pretty, but it certainly doesn't betray your beauty."A small moan escaped my lips as I bec
Zara's POV"Oh my," I exclaimed in shock as Levi dragged me inside a posh boutique in the city. "This is a bit unexpected."I didn't anticipate him taking me here."Well, what kind of mate would I be if I couldn't get you a decent dress for the ball?" Smirking, Levi said."You are the greatest!" I shouted with delight as I reached up to kiss his cheek.Smiling, Levi gestured for the salesgirl to come closer."Good morning, Zara," a friendly and elderly woman with short, light-blond hair greets us. She was a human named Jenn. The last time I was at the dress boutique for an event similar to this one, I ran into her."It is great to see you," she went on to say. "I understand you and your husband will be attending a grand ball this Saturday?" she asked. "Is that right?"With a smile on my face, I nodded. Levi must have notified her about the ball."Great, let's get started. Follow me, please." She gestured
Nicolas POVI had my fists firmly clamped around my father's neck, choking him. He was crushed against the wall. Ray's power was more than I had expected."Alpha," Ronan's startled cry resounded across the room. Nor has he ever seen me allow Ray to maintain control, nor has he ever seen Ray lose his fury like that. "I think you should sit your father down before you kill him."My father's face flushed, and his eyes popped out of their sockets as he struggled against Ray's grip. However, I became even more enraged as I relived the memories of what he had done to me."Why should I?" My grip on my father's neck grew tighter as Ray let out a howl. "He erased all traces of your Alpha's past... We thought we were cursed."Ronan turned his gaze away from me, a hidden emotion visible in his eyes as if he had anticipated Ray's words.Was my dad truly so corrupt? Did Ronan realize it? His silence baffled me."Your fath