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
Zara's POV"Come," Nic said, pushing open the wooden door. "Business before pleasure. We have a great deal to talk about."I froze in shock as I followed him inside, my eyes going wide with surprise."Amazing!" I let out a gasp. "This is incredible!"The space appeared more like a sizable apartment than a hotel room. It was furnished with exquisite detail, featuring vast white walls and an open area in front of us."I was hoping that you would like it," he said, and he took my hand before shutting the door behind them."It is definitely something," I replied, looking from side to side. "It is the presidential suite," he explained, a soft smile following on his lips. "This hotel's one and only. I typically hold my private meetings in this suite.""I wonder how many private meetings he has conducted here," Kaya mused."And how many attractive women have ever been here?" I commented, feeling a bit self-conscious and jealous. "Do you believe Nic would have shared his bed with them?" Kay
Nicolas POV "Do not push her," Ray warned. "Give her some time to respond to you!"I held my breath, anxiously awaiting Zara's response. She appeared reluctant to accept me as her mate, even though a moment ago I mustered all my courage and threw my heart and soul at her.Where did I go wrong?What did I do wrong?Did I wait too long to claim her as my mate?Should I have stopped the mating ceremony and claimed her then?I released Zara's face and took a step back, hope shattering my heart and sending the fragments flying across my chest like glass, leaving me in searing agony.How could I have been so foolish as to think that after I had hurt her, she would still accept me?This was entirely my own fault!"Zara?" I spoke up in an attempt to get her attention, my voice breaking as I revealed the thoughts running through my head. "You do not have to express anything. I-I-I get it."Zara gave a wild shake of her head, her large, storm-gray eyes brimming with unshed tears."Do not worry
Zara's POV"Slow down!" Kaya let out a panicked cry as I stepped across the river with such force that I almost lost my balance and slipped off the rocks."Why should I?" I whimpered in sorrow.I could not stop thinking about Nic's insensitive comments. It hurt. I should have known that the offer was too good to be true. I should have never fallen for his charms!"He still considers me to be a child!" I responded with a deep, hearty growl. "Why is the pain so great?""Zara, listen to me," Kaya cried out in concern. "You must slow down right now!""How come?" My bottom lip quivered as I asked stubbornly."Because you are going in the wrong direction!" She yelled, fighting for control."What do you mean we are going in the wrong direction?" I stopped and started sobbing.I knew how to get back home from the hotel. All I had to do was sprint through the forest to reach the lake beyond. A few miles further
Zara's POV "Oh, that's nice," Luna Mary sneered when she saw me coming down the hallway with Luke. She is Luke and his brothers' mother, as well as Alpha Jack's mate.Luke's expression twisted with rage; he froze in place, not exactly thrilled to see her."You are being rude, mom," he said, before she could continue and say anything more.I have never received much affection from Luna Mary, and when she found out that Luke and I had dated for a while, her demeanor only became more icy."I am not being impolite," Luna Mary became enraged and threw her long blond hair over her shoulder, her eyes turning emerald green. "A she-wolf should not come around at this hour, especially if they are—""What time is it?" I interrupted her by asking."After 2 am," Derek answered."Gosh," I muttered. No wonder Luna Mary appeared annoyed that I was here at this hour. "My apologies, Luna; I have lost track of time.""Looks like you have lost more than just your sense of time," she barked. "Look at you
Zara's POV "I am sorry for taking so long," Alpha Jack said, settling into his desk chair. "And for the way Luna Mary behaved."I stood up and nodded, but Luke motioned for me to remain where I was."We will be over to sit with you shortly," Alpha Jack remarked.Andrew hurried to answer a knock that was rather softly coming from the office door."Who would bother us in the middle of the night?" With a growl, Luke cast his gaze downward at his watch."An omega," Andrew retorted, oblivious to his sibling's rage."What does she want?" Luke growled, clenching his teeth and putting his hands across his chest."She is bringing food," Andrew replied as he pulled open the door."What for?" Luke asked."So that your precious Zara can stuff her face." Luke's eyes darted to me as Andrew sarcastically answered. "She did not eat, and her hunger sounds apparent.""When was the last time you had any food?" Luke asked."Yesterday at ten o'clock," I answered."In the evening?" he inquired."No, morni
Zara's POV"Oh my goddess, Zara, we were so worried," Levi muttered when he took me into his arms. "Are you alright?"I was at a loss for words, so I just nodded.I was slowly processing everything that Alpha Jack and Luke had told me, and I was hoping and praying that nothing was true."Come," Levi said. "Your father is in the car, waiting for you."Levi thanked Alpha Jack, steered me back toward the car, and opened the passenger door.My dad remained silent and would not even look at me."I'm-""Save it!" He snarled and glanced back in the rearview mirror. "Alpha Nicholas informed me of the incident over the phone earlier.""Your father is not upset with you," Levi mindlinked. "He is just mad that Nic will not have your father sign the treaty; he only wants your signature on the paperwork.""That doesn't make things much easier," I sobbed."Nic called and asked to see you," Levi said.As soon as I did not respond, Levi turned to face me, and I could feel his intense gaze."What happ