Zarek's POV After we indulged in a feast of pastries, Kaidon and I exited the diner. Zara waved goodbye, shouting something about being careful. My face instantly flushed, and I could feel the warmth radiate to my ears. Kaidon, naturally, just chuckled quietly at my embarrassment. As we strolled along, I paused for a moment before speaking. "Alpha?" I blurted out, then quickly shook my head. "I mean, Kaidon. I apologize." "Don't worry about it. No need to say sorry," Kaidon reassured me, gently squeezing my hand. His touch always seemed to soothe me. "What’s on your mind?" I bit my lip, uncertain if I should bring it up, but my curiosity got the better of me. "Do you and your wolf… have a good bond?" Kaidon halted suddenly, and my heart sank into my stomach. Did I say something wrong? Panic surged within me, and words spilled out before I could stop. "You don’t have to respond! I’m sorry if I sounded intrusive, and I’ll accept any punishment you think is—" "Stop," Kaidon interru
Zarek's POV I had never encountered Kaidon's wolf before, but I was certain he had seen mine. His wolf, Corban, was massive—jet black with striking golden eyes, and his size was comparable to that of a lion. The sight of him could easily instill fear in anyone, and I was uncertain about what to anticipate when I transformed. Most Alpha wolves tend to be larger than others, and Kaidon was no different. He was taller, more powerful, and radiated strength in every move he made. Upon shifting, my wolf, Aegis, took over. White fur enveloped my smaller frame, and purple eyes glimmered, indicating that Aegis was in charge. In comparison to Kaidon, I was quite small—more similar in size to a large lynx. My nose barely reached his shoulder as I leaned against him after shifting. Kaidon's eyes sparkled with a blend of gold and blue, showcasing the harmony he had with Corban. In contrast, Aegis was unwilling to let me take charge. He feared I might revert us to our human form, always anxious
Kaidon’s POV"Stop embarrassing him, Mom!" I growled, seeing how upset Zarek looked.Piper turned, and when she saw the red on Zarek’s face, she immediately started to apologize. "Honey! I didn’t realize that was such a sore point for you!” she cooed, pulling Zarek into a hug."It’s okay, Piper," Zarek said, returning the hug weakly. "I understand I’m not what you want your son’s mate to be."Piper pulled away in shock. "No, that’s not it! You’re our son’s mate, and you are perfect for him, meaning you're perfect for our pack and a strong Omega," she said firmly, before walking to the fridge and pulling out ingredients. "Kaidon, your father is waiting for you in the study. You can take your mate with you, I’m sure Slade will want to meet him."Zarek nearly fell to his knees and curled up at the prospect of meeting the Alpha, but I walked over to him and steadied him before he could."Don’t worry, love," I murmured, touching my nose to Zarek’s forehead. "My dad is not someone to be afr
Zarek's POVWhen I awoke the following morning, I found myself alone. The opposite side of the bed, where Kaidon had been, felt cold and vacant. I gazed at the space for a moment, an odd ache settling in my chest. I wrapped myself up in one of the blankets from the corner of the room before stepping out cautiously.Kaidon hadn’t instructed me to stay in the room now that my heat had passed, but I still felt anxious about wandering around. Would he mind? I doubted it—he had been kind to me so far. That thought gave me a bit of bravery as I made my way down the hallway toward the kitchen.Before I got too close, I stopped in my tracks. Voices were raised throughout the house."I’m fine!" Astrid’s voice echoed, but it faltered mid-sentence. It was clear she had been crying.A low, furious growl followed. "You’re not fine, Astrid!" Axel’s voice thundered. "The doctor said you need to rest, and you’ve been ignoring it! Lie down!""No!" Astrid retorted, defiance ringing in her voice.Anothe
Zarek's POV“I have a craving for steak,” Kaidon’s voice pulled me from the book I had been absorbed in. It was rare that someone interrupted my reading, but Kaidon’s voice always commanded attention. Axel had come back an hour after Astrid had gone to sleep, and I had left the room to give them some space. As I wandered about, I happened upon Akiri, who offered to show me the library after inquiring if I enjoyed reading. I hadn’t had much access to books in the Red Claw pack, where even basic education for someone like me, an Omega, wasn’t a priority. The Omegas had taught me how to read using picture books, but it wasn’t until I arrived at the North River pack and was confined to Ryker’s room that I found my passion for novels. Specifically, I discovered romance novels. It struck me as odd that Ryker had so many in his collection, but I didn’t feel it was my place to question it. “Do you want me to cook some for you?” I asked, placing my book down on the side table. Rising to my
Zarek's POVThe door slowly opened, and Kaidon stepped inside, carrying a bowl of ice cream. The caramel sauce oozed down the sides, creating a deliciously messy appearance. Without saying a word, he handed it to me and then sat down across from me on the bed.I looked at the bowl for a moment, feeling hesitant. It wasn’t that I thought he would harm me, but breaking the habits formed over years was challenging.“I didn’t lace it with poison,” he said with a light yet steady tone, shattering the silence.I nodded slightly and took a spoonful. The chilly sweetness melted in my mouth, and for the first time in what felt like ages, something other than fear or anxiety filled my heart. “Thanks,” I whispered, placing the spoon back into the bowl after a few bites.We sat in silence, the weight of it heavy between us. Once I finished, I set the bowl on the nightstand and looked up. I sensed his unwavering gaze on me, steady and intense. I knew what he was about to ask.“I’m going to ask you
Zarek's POV Kai’s voice gently stirred me from my light slumber. “Hey, can you give me a hand with dinner?”I hardly registered Kaidon’s sleepy response. “Sure, but keep it down, please. Don’t want to disturb him.” I felt his arm loosen around me as he shifted to sit up.Rather than feigning sleep, I propped myself up. “Please don’t let him cook,” I muttered, gesturing toward Kaidon. “I want to be able to chew and keep my jaw intact.”Kai laughed, clearly entertained, while Kaidon gave me a look that was more theatrical than menacing. “You wanna join, Luna?” she asked, leaning against the doorframe.I immediately agreed. Climbing out of bed, I followed her into the kitchen. It was a welcome diversion, and honestly, cooking didn’t bother me. Kai informed me that we’d be preparing salmon for Astrid, who was apparently in the mood for it. I knew Kaidon would have offered to help if he could, but cooking wasn’t really his forte.“Hey! I was cuddling him!” Kaidon’s playful protest echoed
Kaidon's POVZarek’s rage had startled all of us who witnessed it, including Astrid, who had been in the hallway, and Sage, who had heard it from upstairs."What did you do that got him to be comfortable enough to yell at you?" Axel asked, sounding both impressed and terrified.My jaw dropped in shock at how aggressive my usually timid mate had become. "I don’t think he was necessarily comfortable,” I mumbled, sitting at the kitchen table. "I think he just finally reached a breaking point.""You should go check on him," Astrid suggested, walking to the kitchen and sitting across from me. "He's probably panicking and thinking you're going to hurt him.""He’s gotten a bit more confidence in the last few hours."Astrid was taken aback. "How?""I cried in front of him."Axel cleared her throat, pulling attention to herself. "Whether or not he gained a bit more confidence, he was terrified and then livid. I wouldn’t be surprised if he lost all the confidence and strength he felt earlier,”
Zarek’s POV“Oh, shit, Kaidon,” I panted, my head tilting back as Kaidon’s teeth grazed along my neck while his hand expertly stroked me. "We have to get to the reception!" I tried to keep myself together, but my body was betraying me, and I couldn't stop the gasp that escaped my lips.Kaidon growled against my skin, his pace quickening as he stroked me harder, before he pulled away slightly. "So you want me to leave you hanging here without finishing?" he asked, his voice low and full of desire.I shook my head, the air leaving my lungs in a shaky whimper. "N-No," I whispered, my gaze lifting to the wisteria hanging above us, its delicate flowers swaying with the breeze. I couldn't believe I’d agreed to this, to let Kaidon pleasure me right here in the middle of the garden. But I guess it wasn’t as surprising as it seemed, especially with Aegis's encouragement. The memory of Aegis had me grinning despite everything. I couldn’t help but laugh, thinking back to when Aegis had begged m
Zarek's POV "Stop stressing, you look great!" Sage said, helping Zarek adjust his suit. His voice was reassuring, but my nerves were still buzzing. "You're going to be perfectly fine!”I nodded, too stressed to say anything. I reached for my glass of water, making sure not to spill it on my white suit. I knew it would show if I did, and the last thing I needed right now was another thing to stress about. There was a chair in the small pop-up tent I was getting changed in, so I collapsed onto it, trying to settle my racing thoughts.The tent flap whipped open, and I heard footsteps. I didn't need to look up to know it was Astrid. A grin was already on her face as she rushed inside, carrying both of her pups. One was in a pouch on her front, the other on her back. She held a small box in her hand and handed it to me without hesitation.“Can’t believe you almost forgot this, Luna,” she teased, planting a kiss on Bels's forehead, who was nestled in the front carrier. "It's the one thing
Kaidon's POV I woke up groggily, the dull pounding in my head acting like a heavy drumbeat in the back of my skull. My senses were slow to return, and everything was out of focus. The world around me seemed distant and distorted, and the voices I could hear sounded muffled and indistinguishable.My back was hurting, and the sharp stinging pain cut deep through the fog in my brain, while my mouth was dry, like I hadn't drunk anything in days. I needed water. It wasn't just an irritation any longer; it was a demand that no longer allowed me to simply bear with it.I fought the grogginess, opening my eyes slowly and allowing the blurry contours of the room to take shape. Everything was soft, as if I was looking at the world through a foggy glass. Far away, I saw the blurry shape of Zarek standing beside Astrid.I heard the murmur of their voices but not what they said. I felt myself floating, apart from my body, suspended in that place between sleeping and waking."Zarek," I said, hardl
Kaidon's POVI shifted into wolf form, running until the barrier of the pack was in view. I sat down in the dirt and inhaled, the earthy scent filling my nose. I could not bring myself to stand, as if I felt sick, disgusted with myself. There was no reason for the thought of harming Zarek even crossing my mind, and that fact alone made me worse than I could ever have imagined.I wanted to go to my father, to ask him to reprimand me for even thinking of such a thing, yet I could not let myself be this weak and found myself drowning in anger which clouded my mind.But then something changed. A scent wafted through the air. It wasn't one of my packmates, and that sent a surge of anger through me. No one outside of my pack should be this close to our territory.I didn't bother linking for backup. It was late, and I wasn't going to attack anyone. But I was angry enough to take on ten wolves if I had to. So I set off on my own, sniffling the air, trying to place the direction of the new sme
Zarek's POV I'd been watching Kaidon and Zarek since they'd arrived at the cottage this afternoon. Well, Zarek had gotten in a few hours earlier, and then Kaidon had joined him an hour later. They acted as though they were trying to gel and get along, but I didn't understand why. From what I knew, the two of them had a great and loving connection. So why the tension?Is everything alright with you two?" Slade asked, catching on to what I had been picking up on. "You're being. icy."Kaidon didn't even look up from his plate of pasta, still chewing, not acknowledging Slade's pointed question."We're fine," Zarek muttered, his glare still shot at Kaidon.I pursed my lips, trying to figure out what was going on between them. "You two said you had news? That's why we're meeting for dinner?" I asked, hoping to turn the conversation to lighter topics as a tight feeling began building between all of us in the room.To my great relief, the smile that appeared on Zarek sent Kaidon's mouth tick
Zarek's POV When I opened my eyes, the events of the night before flooded my mind. My heart pounded in my chest, and my eyes shot open, a growl escaping my lips. I shifted instinctively, ready to defend myself from whoever had taken me. My body trembled with the rush of adrenaline, but as I snapped to alertness, I realized something.I wasn’t in an unfamiliar place. I was in bed, sitting beside a wide-awake Kaidon, who had obviously been disturbed by my snarls. "Zarek?" Kaidon asked hesitantly, his voice softer than usual, clearly taken aback by my reaction. "Baby? Shift back for me and talk to me.”I was panting heavily, barely able to breathe. My eyes darted around the room, searching for any sign of danger, expecting someone to be hiding in the corners. And then I felt it—a hand on my fur. A snarl ripped from my throat before I could stop it, and I snapped at him in a panic. I leaped across the room, retreating to the farthest corner.Kaidon looked confused, his expression a mixt
Zarek's POV Excitement bubbled in my chest as I climbed into bed, unable to keep the wide grin off my face. The usual sting of loneliness from Kaidon being out on patrol didn’t bother me tonight. My mind was too busy swirling with thoughts of the future—our future. My hands instinctively rested on my stomach, and a soft giggle escaped me. Babies. Our babies. The very idea filled me with warmth, pushing away any lingering anxiety. I rolled onto my side, snuggling into Kaidon's pillow, his scent surrounding me like a comforting embrace. "They better look like Kaidon," Aegis' voice echoed from my link, pulling me from my thoughts. I rolled my eyes, though I couldn’t stop the fond smile that tugged at my lips. "Don't roll your eyes at me!" Aegis scolded playfully. "Just imagine little Kaidon look-alikes running around the house!" I hummed, the thought making my heart skip a beat. "How many do you think we'll have?" I asked, unable to hide the curiosity in my voice. Aegis chuckl
Kaidon's POV I woke up at three in the afternoon, feeling groggy but oddly content. The first thing I did was mind link my father to apologize for sleeping in so late. But Slade only laughed and told me it was completely acceptable. He said that, as a mate, my priority was to take care of my other half. I stretched in bed, muscles sore but satisfied, and glanced around the empty room. I didn’t know where Zarek was, but Corban wasn’t panicking. Zarek hadn’t linked me or tried to wake me up either, so I figured his heat was over. With a yawn, I pulled on a sweatshirt, making sure it covered the marks scattered across my chest, back, and neck. After slipping into a pair of athletic shorts, I headed out of the room, rubbing my eyes. “I like the lavender, but isn’t that a funeral color?” Zarek’s voice drifted from the dining area, and I followed the sound, feeling a small smile tug at my lips. When I walked in, I found him sitting at the table with Astrid and Akiri, flipping throu
Kaidon's POV I was completely drained. I loved Zarek more than life itself, but I severely underestimated the difficulties and exhaustion that came with an Omega's heat. Now, I understood why Axel was so snappy and tired during Astrid’s heats. I was experiencing all of it with no warning, no preparation. I was feeling every symptom, and it hit harder than I ever could have imagined.We were nearing the end of it, which meant Zarek was clearer about what he wanted, but he also kept claiming that he was back to normal, despite the thick, undeniable scent of heat still surrounding him. I had finally caught a rare moment alone, and while I was grateful for the silence, I couldn’t help but feel anxious. All I wanted was to be curled up with Zarek, resting together, but he seemed to understand how tired I was. Even in the middle of his heat, he forced himself to push through the discomfort just so I could take a break. He’d insisted that I shower and relax alone, making sure I wasn’t pres