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
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 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 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
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 POV"Where the hell have you been?!" The office windows shook and rattled as my dad yelled. His wrath appeared to have grown since we last saw him."I haven't been gone that long." I calmly countered, looking to Beta John for support.Beta John, on the other hand, remained silent while maintaining his trademark grin. He probably wants to see how I react in
Zara's POV"Get dressed," Levi demanded, and then he handed me a pair of shoes.As I peered at my shoes in his hands, I narrowed my eyes in confusion at him. I had no intention of leaving the house. I was still quite angry with my dad."Why?" I folded my arms across my chest and mumbled.
Nicolas POV"There was a reason why Beta John saved Levi," Claire stated. "And when he marked me, he revealed everything to me in the most intricate detail.""I assume Levi has some special ability we don't know of?" Ronan asked curiously. He has been attentively listening to Claire, keeping his interruptions to a minimum.Claire proudly stated, "Zara's twin brother sent him to guard her in the mortal world," causing me to gasp in astonishment. "He is the immortal Beta. He served Zara's brother as the crown prince."Claire's gaze shifted to Levi, a tender smile following on her lips. She looked so proud of her youngest son."That's why he was so hard on me," Levi muttered under his breath. "He was grooming me to protect and look after her.""And that's why he was suspicious of you not being Zara's mate," I added.Claire chuckled yet nodded."We knew that Levi was gay," Claire stated."You knew?"
Nicolas POV"I don't blame you for Beta John's death," she said warmly.Her words startled me, and an audible gasp escaped my lips. There was no resentment in her voice. No anger. No pain.Claire slowly pulled her warm hand back, leaving me feeling cold.She looked at me with only love and acceptance. There were no traces of hatred in her eyes."My mate fulfilled his destiny and can now return to the Goddess's side," she went on explaining."What do you mean by that?" Ronan asked, his face twisted in confusion."Beta John was not my fated mate," she answered. "He is not my boys' biological father.""Wait, what?" Levi lashed out, in surprise and jumped to his feet. The bewildered expression on his face indicated that he had never been part of this huge family secret."What are you saying?" He ranted on. "Beta John is not my father?"She shook her head calmly, while Levi shook with anger.
Nicolas POVWarm natural colors greeted us inside of Beta John's house; his home was bigger and more welcoming than I expected it would be."Have a seat, Alpha," Levi's mother gestured to the seats in the big living room.I nodded and took a seat in the far corner in the cozy living room.Ronan came to stand next to me, crossing his arms around his chest, all businesslike. He acted more like a bodyguard than my beta.My gaze swept over the small 5'2 she-wolf. Her long blond hair was neatly tied in a bun, her eyes the same color blue as Levi's. However, it was her calm, warm, and motherly demure that put me at ease.A smile flicked to the side of my lips; Ray would have stated she was the total opposite of Beta John. He would have been right. I guess the saying, "opposites attract," is true.Levi's mother smiled tenderly, her warm presence filling my surroundings. It felt as though she was embracing me simply
Nicolas POV"Friends and beloveds," a priest's voice chimed in my ears, while sad whimpering surrounded me. "We have gathered here today to honor our dear Beta John. Death has taken away a genuinely wonderful pack member, and more importantly, a loving mate and father..."My heart clenched in my chest. Everything seems so unreal. I struggled to comprehend Beta John's absence. He sacrificed his life to save mine, and now I was standing next to his open grave giving him my last respect.My hands clenched into fists. He deserves more than just respect. He deserves to be revenged.I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. Yet the same scene flashed before my eyes—Beta John's last moments."That should have been me," I muttered under my breath. His brutal death leaves an indelible mark on my memory. "He sacrifices himself to save mine.""Are you okay, Alpha?" Ronan mused next to me. He must have heard me mumble to my
Zara's POV"You look breathtaking in that dress," Luke said as he took my hand in his."Well, thank you," I replied, feeling my cheeks warm as he left a butterfly kiss on the top of my hand. "You cleaned up nicely yourself."Luke gave me one of his mother's older dresses. He assured me that his mother would not object, as he had received instructions to discard it and donate it to a charitable organization.My eyes grew wide when he showed me the dress, and my hands instinctively reached for it—it was so pretty.A light, silver-colored silk material made the dress. It had an open back and a very revealing low-cut front. It was one of the most beautiful dresses I have ever laid my eyes on. I couldn't believe that anyone would just throw out such a rare jewel."I had to," he stated teasingly. "A princess needs to have a prince with shining armor next to her. Besides, if I didn't polish my armor a bit, I would ha
Nicolas POVAt the back of the hall, crimson-colored eyes appeared, causing the wolves to scream and scatter away in fear."Is that a rogue?" I heard someone gasp."What do they want?" another asked."He seems very relaxed," someone stated."I don't think he wants trouble," another said.My gaze snapped toward Ronan. He had the same disbelief look in his eyes."Rogues?" Ronan whispered in disbelief when he caught my gaze. "They never impose at these functions.... They never come here....""There is always a first time," Ray growled, clawing for control. "Let me have him!""But they have never been this bold!" I stated, ignoring Ray's outburst.The brown wolf pushed forward, growling. His focus is on me. He exudes a sense of purpose and determination.Why did he come here?What does he want?"How dare he come here!" Ray roared. "How dare he interrupt the proceedings! I
Nicolas POV"Evening, ladies and gentlemen," Ronan's voice silenced the room. "Welcome to this year's Midnight Moon fundraiser ball."The wolves' applause made me shiver. Like every year, fundraising improved, but this year was electrifying!"As you all know, the yearly carnival and fundraising ball was started by our late Luna to help those in need," Ronan went on, praising my late mother.My gaze swept over the ballroom. Ronan captured the attention of every wolf, who listened to him as if it was the greatest thing they had ever heard.A smile formed on my lips. Ronan could always find a way to have the crowd eat out of his hands.I sighed, shaking my head proudly. What would I do without him? He made sure that the ballroom was elegantly decorated with a perfect atmosphere.My gaze swept over the simple but elegant decorations.The whole ballroom was decorated in a navy blue scheme, and dim fairy lig
Nicolas POV"Did you get to see her?" I inquired while Ronan approached me to assist in welcoming the final guests. He was dressed in a navy-blue penguin suit, a white dress shirt, a black bow tie, and a plain golden mask to go with it."Not yet," Ronan replied as he shook a wolf's hand, wearing a black mask."I wonder what is keeping her," I asked, feeling frustrated. "Do you think she will miss this? We are about to start.""She'll be here," Ronan stated with confidence. "Luna Zara gave me her word that she would attend the ball."A heavy breath escaped my lips while a sharp electric spike rippled through my chest and down my body. My hands instinctively reached for my chest. The excruciating pain in my heart was becoming more and more frequent. I wasn't sure what was causing it."Are you okay?" Ronan asked, concerned.I nodded my head and swallowed hard. I forced myself to focus. My sad emotions lay heavy
Zara's POVAlthough I was a little embarrassed and uneasy lying on top of Luke, he didn't seem to mind at all."Feeling better?" He asked when my breathing wasn't racing anymore, and I got over the shock."I... I think so," I stammered incoherently. I hated it when I stuttered, giving away my nervousness.I shifted my weight to the side and tried to push myself away from Luke's chest, but my hand slipped. He grunted like a wounded animal beneath me as I crashed down on top of his chest."S-s-sorry," I muttered, embarrassed, and quickly rolled myself away from him. "I... I..."Luke pulled himself upright, coughed, and rubbed his chest. He then shifted his head to the side, watching me.Luke's face twisted in confusion, and an unknown emotion crossed his eyes."What are you doing here?" He eventually asked. His voice carried a mixture of excitement and worry.I sighed."I... I got lost..."