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
Nicolas POV"I will be out in a minute, Levi-bear!" My heart skipped a beat when I heard Zara's voice coming down the hallway. Her sweet remarks about Levi made me feel envious and territorial.Levi raised his hand defensively and hastily, as if sensing my change in mood."It's not what you think," he defended. "Zara has been calling me that for as long as I remember. It is only a nickname. I swear.""A nickname?" The two words rolled tiredly from my tongue. I was physically and emotionally worn out. It was starting to wear on my body and mind because I had not slept at all for the previous two days.Nevertheless, I was compelled to come and attempt to correct things with Zara. I had to tell her I was sorry, hoping she would accept my apology."Yes," Levi replied."Have you heard me,...?" Zara called once more, a little louder this time."Yes, I did," Levi shot back at her. "I am eagerly awaiting your arrival. Our food is starting to get cold. Hurry up and get dressed! I am starving!"
Zara's POVI heard Nic's voice down the hallway, and I silently crept closer, my heart pounding in my ears.How could Levi allow him inside? Does he not realize that I am not interested in seeing him?"Well, technically, you did not tell him why you were not interested in seeing Nicholas," Kaya said, startling me. "It appears that he intervened on his own to encourage communication between the two of you.""That does not mean that he can make decisions about things that are personal for me in secret," I snapped.I moved to get a better look by moving toward the end of the hallway.Unaware of my presence, Nic was facing away from the hallway. His hair was neatly combed back and tied up, and he wore black pants and a white formal shirt."Stop being upset with Levi," Kaya said. "You refused to say anything more when you got home, and he seemed concerned about your emotional state. He cares about you. Levi must have been so distraught that he called Nicholas.""Nevertheless!" I clenched m
Nicolas POVI have spent the last thirty minutes standing at Zara's bedroom door, apologizing.Still, she had not even attempted to unlock the door.Will her heart ever soften enough to forgive me?Will I ever get an opportunity to present my case to her?My phone started ringing in my pocket, and I hesitated to answer. At that point, I was not ready to give up. I pressed the side button on my phone, and it went silent."Zara," I called out. "I am sure you can hear me. I apologize for saying those things, but you only heard one side of the conversation. Please accept my apology.""That would not exactly improve the situation," said Ray.I continued hammering on the door and calling her, ignoring Ray.I was aware that Zara was still in her room. Her rich, euphoric wildflower scent was still lingering in the surrounding air.I called out to Levi and moved away from the door."Yes, Alpha," he replied, looking from the door to me."Have you tried linking Zara?" I asked, desperate to find
Zara's POV"Bloody hell, Zara!" Upon seeing me seated on the couch in the living room, Levi let out a sigh of relief. He swooped down on me like a hawk, drew me to my feet, and embraced me tightly in his renowned bear hug."Hi to you too," I gently said, as I stroked his back.I got back home just a few minutes ago.
Zara's POVNic's warmth and scent instantly brought me peace. Despite feeling a little self-conscious, being so close to Nic made me happy.Tiny electric sparks were moving between us. I had to bite my lip trying to control the urge to jump Nic's bones there and then.Nic carried me down the narrow path to the cabin and hurried up the few stairs leading to the por
Nicolas POV"Zara!" I tapped the side of her cheek and shouted out in fright. "Zara, wake up!"I was freaking out. Seconds ago, I had pulled Zara from the water and brought her to shore. She had swallowed a lot of water and wasn't breathing. I attempted to administer drowning CPR to her, but it appeared to be ineffective."Come on, Zara!" I let out a scream as tea
Zara's POV"Kaya, help me!" Sucking down water, I let out a scream. "I don't want to die like this!"When my heat hit, Kaya had already curled up into a ball, so I was all by myself to endure the agony."Mate, he is close by. He will save us!" In an effort to raise her head, she moaned. She seemed to be experiencing intense pain as well.
Nicolas POVI was both endearing and saddened by Zara's trust issues; her expressions of confusion were priceless."Take our mate's hand," Ray ordered. "And do it together. Keep your promise.""Fine," I gave in.The idea that Zara would feel awkward around me was unsettling. My purpose in being here was to fortify the connection and foster trust, not to fracture it."We will do it together," I said, taking her hand in mine, and I curled my fingers around her and the door handle.As she turned to face me again, Zara cocked her head back. The palpable tension in her body told me that she was anxious.Goddess, I hope that whatever is behind that door is as beneficial as what Beta John had promised."Ready?" I asked.I kissed the side of Zara's cheek as she nodded. I pushed the door open after mentally counting to three with my eyes closed.There was a brief hush as our hearts raced in our ch
Zara's POV"Go ahead," Nic urged, motioning for me to take the lead. "Open it. Let's see what awaits us on the other side."Nic was acting in a really odd way; I had never seen him that animated and carefree before."Are you sure you want me to go first?" I asked and hesitated.
Nicolas POV"Where are we going, Nicolas?" As I led Zara down the empty corridor, she giggled at my side.Her heat was intermittent, but I was able to find a technique to keep it from becoming too painful.I spun around and jokingly pushed Zara against the wall, enclosing her and leaving wet kisses on the side of her jaw.
Nicolas POV"What will happen if we don't mate?" My voice was filled with worry as I posed the question."Your future Luna will endure constant agony, and eventually..." Assessing Zara's vitals, Celia's voice betrayed her concern.Beta John signaled for me to follow; I did so grudgingly. I hated to leave Zara's side while she was so weak.
Zara's POVAs the goddess let forth a wrenching cry, a surge of agony coursed through my entire being.I let out a gasp as the agony spread throughout my body.As the goddess grieved for her mate, I could sense every feeling she was experiencing, listen to her inner monologue, and see him through her eyes.