Zara's POV"I am just playing with you!" Levi said abruptly and started laughing. "I understand that you are just making fun of me."With a sigh of relief, I shut off the shower and stepped outside."You are an asshole!" I snarled and attempted to strike Levi's arm, but he grabbed my hand and gave me a wink. "You have got me worried!""What were you worried about? Hmm?" His eyes were full of mischief as he asked. "That both of us understand that when our mates spend time with other attractive people, we will feel jealous and..."Levi's eyes gazed over, interrupting his thoughts.That was unexpected and rude!"What kind of person would mind-link at this hour?" I hissed in frustration.I let out a sigh as I noticed Levi standing motionless. It looked like a very serious conversation. In an instant, his face hardened, and his jaw muscles began to tense up. He did not like whatever they were talking about.After waiting patiently for him to finish the conversation, I finally gave up.I sh
Zara's POVIt was still fairly quiet in the packhouse when Levi and I went downstairs to my parents' quarters.My father wanted us to meet in his chambers for privacy's sake."What is the reason behind your father's intense desire to see us?" Levi asked. "It is not even quite dawn yet.""Your guess is as good as mine," I said, as my heart began to race.Has he found out I have not mated with Levi?Does he know about my relationship with Nic?Has anyone told him about Levi and Kyle?"You are making assumptions too quickly," Kaya said. "Slow down.""Something feels a bit off," Levi said as we arrived at the hallway leading to my father's room."Off how?" I asked, turning to face him."I do not know," he answered. "It feels like the wind is changing.""From here, it is impossible to smell or feel the wind," I said, rolling my eyes. "We are not outside, Levi.""That is not what I mean," Levi stated. "I feel a little nervous about this sudden meeting this morning.""Why?" I paused in my tr
Zara's POVIt was the longest breakfast meeting of my life. It seemed like my father was purposefully playing for time.When my father revealed the attack on the Midnight Moon Pack, I instantly lost my appetite, and what little I did eat tasted bitter. Except for the surge of heat that was circulating through my body, I felt upset, queasy, and nervous.Was I about to get the flu? I was not feeling well.Can we just put an end to this meeting?I really needed to get out of there. I wanted to check in on Nic."Will you please just end this meeting?" I balled my fists and let out an inward cry of frustration.At this point, my mother had joined my father in talking about the charity event that was approaching. Her discussion about which stalls we were hosting this year prolonged the event, which made it worse."Calm down," Levi mind-linked. "Your parents are going to see that you are nervous. They will inquire as to what is bothering you. I am sure Alpha Nic is fine. If he wasn't, Beta R
Zara's POV"Try Beta Ronan again!" I said to Levi as I paced our living room."Zara, this was already the eleventh call," he remarked. "He is not picking up his phone.""Try Nic's number again," I said, growing increasingly agitated.Levi sighed, but he followed my instructions. A moment later, he shook his head in frustration."The call goes straight to voice mail," he said in response.What the hell happened? Why did nobody pick up our calls? Not even Nic's secretary was answering the calls.I gasped as another surge of heat swept through my body. It was getting worse. Was it the mate bond warning me that Nic was in trouble?"Zara, you do not look so good," Levi said, setting his phone down on the table. "Perhaps you need to go get some rest. I will keep on trying.""I just can't understand it," I said, feeling as if all the life was slowly being drained out of me. "You had a conversation with Beta Ronan this morning. He forwarded a copy of the contract to you. Why is he not picking
Zara's POV"Perhaps we should have taken a map before trying the tunnels," I muttered to myself, lost in thought. We were running for what seemed like an eternity, and I was fairly certain that we were lost."I am sure we are on the right track," Kaya said as she heard what I was thinking. "I am still following Nic's scent.""Are you certain?" I inquired. "It seems like Nic did not take this long to get to us.""Perhaps he simply ran more quickly than we do," she said, refusing to back down. It appeared that she was confident we were headed in the right direction. "Remember that I am a little slower because of the backpack I am wearing on my back.""Should we ditch the bag?" I asked. "We can tie my clothes around your leg."Kaya grimaced with disgust. She did not like that idea, and there was no guarantee that my clothes would not get torn in the process."No need," she uttered, reducing her speed. "I believe we have discovered something."I felt a chill go down my spine as I turned t
Nicolas POVIt was well past noon, and I rubbed my eyes, exhausted from not getting a single minute of sleep.I crinkled my nose in disgust. Everywhere I went, I could still smell the stench of rogues, as if it followed me everywhere.I was so exhausted, both mentally and physically, and I was struggling to keep my eyes open. I needed some desperate sleep after last night.Yet, every time I closed my eyes, even for a moment, the awful assault continued to flash behind my eyes.With a sigh, I dashed to my office, not having the patience to wait for the elevator to arrive. Ray helped me accelerate to the top floor in no time. He, too, wanted to get some rest.Ronan sat in the lobby, waiting patiently. He knew me all too well. He knew I would come here first before returning to my quarters to get some sleep.Ronan gave me a tired nod, which I returned, and he stood up to follow me silently to my office.After pausing at my office door and letting out a long breath, I exhaustedly extended
Nicolas POV"What do you mean that she is not there?" I screamed at Levi on the phone.Ronan's face turned to ash a few seconds ago, and I could see the fear in his eyes. He had given the phone to me.Levi choked, "I-I-we can find her," over the receiver. "I have searched all over for her.""When was the last time you saw her?" I paced my office as I asked."The last time I saw her, she went to her room to calm down.""And then?" My fingers around the phone went white as I snarled. The fact that I had not broken the phone while I was holding it surprised me. "Has anyone visited her? Taken her?"Was Noah responsible for this?Has he abducted her?"Her bedroom was locked from the inside," Levi clarified. "It is likely that she jumped from her window.""Remember Levi's statement that Zara would not dare do that?" Ray chipped in."If she did that, how the hell did no one notice?" I asked, disregarding what Ray had said. "Is there any other scent in her room?""No!" Levi's voice broke as h
Nicolas POV"I am so glad you waited," Terra said with the sweetest voice. "I wanted to come and give you a personal thank you."Terra tilted her head sideways, observing the quiet Ray. He did not move. He was staring at Terra with disgust.Yet she misread the hostility as something else, which made me nauseous."Do you like what you see?" she asked. "I have ensured that every aspect of me is flawless just for you!"The dark bruises on Terra's slender body had vanished, and the cuts on her face had healed—her wolf had done her magic.Terra grinned, tossed her hair over her shoulder, and placed her hands on her hips. She was not embarrassed by her appearance; instead, she began to parade before me as though she were at a fashion show.She spun around quickly, flaunting all of her assets."This is all yours," she said, pointing to her body. "You can have a taste of me now; I would not mind, and it could be our little secret. I want to express my gratitude to you for saving me."Ray shoo
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.