Zara's POV"Heat? I am in heat...?"I could not believe what Nic was saying. I was shocked by what I heard.Why would I go into heat now? Have I done something wrong?I knew I would eventually go into heat, but what caused it? I was fairly certain that we only went into heat when we were marked... or...Slowly, my eyes shifted to Kaya. She appeared rather guilty."Is this your doing?" I asked.She shook her head hastily."So why do you look so guilty?" I asked."It was bound to happen," Kaya said, as if it were nothing. "You two have been taunting the bond for a while now. The fact that it did not occur sooner shocked me.""Really, Kaya?" I lost my temper. "You were aware that this would occur, yet you remained silent about it! Why didn't you just tell me? Now look at us!""I only figured it out this morning," she whispered in defense."You what!? You knew! And you failed to warn me!" I snarled. "If someone had scented my heat, what would you have done?""Well, no one did," she said w
Zara's POV"Isn't it magnificent?" Beta John's low voice surprised me, causing me to gasp in fear. I turned around to see him standing a short distance behind us."Only a true royal can light up a temple like that!" Drawing nearer, he went on."I do not understand," I murmured, cocking my head to the side and staring at him in confusion as he halted.Is he completely insane?I am not a member of the royal family.Beta John's behavior was increasingly deviating from my expectations, which alarmed me. I didn't know what to do while I was in his presence.My heart skipped a beat and then raced in my chest as Beta John smiled at me tenderly but honestly.His smile was completely new to me. Despite his affection, I saw anguish in his eyes. It was unique, and it frightened the crap out of me, too.Why was he acting this way?Instead of responding, Beta John brushed his fingers on the wall, causing the symbols beneath them to illuminate and come to life.Unbelievable, I let out a gasp and st
Nicolas POV"Make yourself comfortable," Beta John motioned for us to take seats inside. "Celia will show you what happened. It will be as if you are dreaming.""You will be able to ask questions while you watch," Celia added. "We will gladly answer all your questions.""Why?" Zara inquired, hesitant to proceed further. She appeared to be concerned, perhaps even scared. I noticed that her heart was pounding intensely in her chest."You need to know the truth," Beta John responded. This is the least I can do.""I can't find anything suspicious about him," Ray told me. "He is telling the truth.""Are you sure?" I asked."I am," he answered. "His wolf is peaceful inside him, as if he loves Zara like a father. He means no harm to her."I could always trust Ray's instincts, and this time would be no exception."I think it would be okay," I told Zara, grasping her hand in mine. "I trust Beta John. Ray does as well. Let us hear what he has to say."Zara looked into my eyes for a split second
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.
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.
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.
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 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
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.
Nicolas POV"Make yourself comfortable," Beta John motioned for us to take seats inside. "Celia will show you what happened. It will be as if you are dreaming.""You will be able to ask questions while you watch," Celia added. "We will gladly answer all your questions.""Why?" Zara inquired, hesitant to proceed further. She appeared to be concerned, perhaps even scared. I noticed that her heart was pounding intensely in her chest."You need to know the truth," Beta John responded. This is the least I can do.""I can't find anything suspicious about him," Ray told me. "He is telling the truth.""Are you sure?" I asked."I am," he answered. "His wolf is peaceful inside him, as if he loves Zara like a father. He means no harm to her."I could always trust Ray's instincts, and this time would be no exception."I think it would be okay," I told Zara, grasping her hand in mine. "I trust Beta John. Ray does as well. Let us hear what he has to say."Zara looked into my eyes for a split second
Zara's POV"Isn't it magnificent?" Beta John's low voice surprised me, causing me to gasp in fear. I turned around to see him standing a short distance behind us."Only a true royal can light up a temple like that!" Drawing nearer, he went on."I do not understand," I murmured, cocking my head to the side and staring at him in confusion as he halted.Is he completely insane?I am not a member of the royal family.Beta John's behavior was increasingly deviating from my expectations, which alarmed me. I didn't know what to do while I was in his presence.My heart skipped a beat and then raced in my chest as Beta John smiled at me tenderly but honestly.His smile was completely new to me. Despite his affection, I saw anguish in his eyes. It was unique, and it frightened the crap out of me, too.Why was he acting this way?Instead of responding, Beta John brushed his fingers on the wall, causing the symbols beneath them to illuminate and come to life.Unbelievable, I let out a gasp and st