Nathaniel's POV"The Alpha will be with you shortly." Alarik tells me as I wait inside Mike's office to inform him that Nadia will be coming back with me to help prepare for the mating ball. The disdain in his tone as he speaks to me is evident, as I'm sure he's just as angry with me for my decision regarding the pack merger as his Alpha is.I'm slightly distracted as my mate is still back in my room, sleeping peacefully. I checked on her before I left as I was worried about her head injury from the piece of shit I'm currently waiting for. She seemed okay, and it took a lot for me not to crawl in besideher. I've been surprised at my degree of restraint with her. I know the moment I don't have to hide how I feel, the floodgates are going to open, and I won't be able to keep my hands off her.It's the next door behind the desk in the room opens and Mike enters. I adjust my stance as I stand in front of the desk, crossing my arms. Mike glances at me, noticing my stance immediately."Can
Nadia's POVI hum lightly as I look out the back window of the limo as it drives up whatever road we're on. We've been on the road for quite a while. I forgot really how much distance is in between our packS and the human towns. Honestly, I haven't been out of the packlands much since the incident, so all this territory is new to me. Still, it isn't too interesting, mostly greenery and old, tall trees lining the side of the road.Nate has hardly said a word on the trip so far, he's been on his phone taking multiple calls which I can only assume is due to the reason that he needs to head back to the palace a day early. I'm curious as to what could be so urgent that he had to rush out of Pure Moon like it was on fire, but I mean it really isn't any of my business. I'm a guest traveling with him, not his personal assistant or anyone close to him to even be privileged to know.I continue to hum quietly, losing myself in the melody of the song until I see lights, and sure enough we're ente
Nadia's POVI can't believe I was so clumsy, yet again. Nate caught me before I made a complete fool of myself, and as embarrassing as it was, I was thankful that I didn't hurt myself. But the weirdest thing? We stared at each other for such a long time after he helped me up. Complete silence but burning stares. I know I'm feeling something for him, but I can't let it continue. He's unmated and the King for fuck's sake.The way he looked at me, held me has been playing on my mind since we got back into the limo. I've been trying my hardest to not look at him, best my eyes and mind betray me, and I do something stupid.I want to kiss him, feel him hold me again…I sigh quietly and try to focus outside again, but Nate draws my attention to him by clearing his throat.I turn my head and notice that he's looking at his notepad that he's been using when he's been on his calls. He's sitting so casually beside me, leaned back into the limo seat with his left leg up with the right stabilizing
Nathaniel's POVI watch as Nadia walks beside me as we enter the palace with Tobias following behind with Nadia's bags. My mind is still swimming with thoughts that threaten to undo all my self-control. The kiss between us was pure and welcomed insanity. Feeling her on top of me, fighting for dominance? Pure primal nature and I wanted more.I can't help but chuckle as she turns slightly to look at me, her eyes widened in shock and awe."This is." she trails off, turning herself in every direction, clearly still in a state of bewilderment at what I can only assume is the furnishings and overall state of the palace having not stepped footin it before.The main hall is decorated with an assortment of expensive paintings and decorations on pure white walls, with marble flooring – white with streaks of black and silver. Dark wooden accented tables and stands with roses and other flowers litter the main entrance, matching the giant archway that leads into the next part of the palace.We're
Nadia's POVI groan and roll over as my oh so familiar alarm goes off on my phone. I reach for it, my hands grabbing more and more blankets until I open my eyes slightly and realize that I'm a great distance away from my phone on the nightstand since this bed in this guest room I'm in is massive."Ugh." I groan out in annoyance and lift myself up on my elbows and shuffle closer to the nightstand, grabbing my phone roughly, smacking the off button for the alarm and dropping my phone onto the bed as I roll onto my back and sigh loudly.It's been a while since I slept so soundly.I sit up and slide off the side of the bed and make my way into the bathroom. I run the shower and quickly get undressed and hop in, making quick time of getting myself clean from head to toe. I stepout, wrapping my hair in a light towel so I don't drop water across the floor. I wrap my body in another towel and I head over to the sink and start to apply my skincare and then very minimal makeup- a little bit of
Nadia's POVIt's now the day before the mating ball. I've been here at the palace for almost a week. Nathaniel and I have spent a lot of time together regardless of his duties here, and it's the most content I've felt inyears. He treats me kindly, respectfully and like an actual person. We've gone for walks around the palace, eating dinners together in his wing and watching movies before retiring to bed.I don't want to leave. This has been the escape I've been looking for all along.I'm nervous for when the entire pack arrives tomorrow, but it's like some of my sense of self has returned this week. Mentally, I feel stronger, more like myself again. I know that without Seles I won't be whole, but at least I'm feeling better than I had when I had decided to leave and become a rogue.Something about Nathaniel just draws me to him. I can't put my finger on it, but I'm not complaining.I keep thinking to myself as I walk into the ballroom, now complete with the mating ball and head to th
Nadia's POVI have never seen so many people in my life.I'm currently backstage in the ballroom, looking out into the massive array of people that have arrived for the mating ball. The room is aloud with commotion, laughs and conversations alike. Theteams assigned to get me ready escorted me here before I even had a chance to see where anyone else was, including Nathaniel. He's nowhere to be seen yet in my field of view.I'm fully dressed in my ball gown, as I decided against getting another dress after all since this one is literally perfection on me now that it was tailored. My coppery red hair has been curled andpiled neatly atop my head with some loose strands to frame my face. From what I got of any makeup, it was black and smoky, bringing more emphasis to my bright green eyes. It's the most I've been dressed up, and it feels so awkward. Unfortunately, it's necessary for this type of event.As I'm looking out in the crowd, things quiet down suddenly, as I see Nathaniel's mothe
Nadia's POV"Wolfsbane?" Tobias asks quietly, and Nathaniel nods. Tobias, Gabby, and Lynette have now joined Nathaniel and I back in his wing in the main living area. Nathaniel is pacing back and forth inthe open space between the couch and wall- nounted TV, Evie is sitting beside me on the couch and Gabby and Tobias are opposite of us on the other couch. Nathaniel had mind-linked Tobias and asked him to grab Gabby and Evie to let them know too. The anxiousness and concern filling the room is maddening, but soon the silence is broken. "You know it's completely possible that a certain someone did this." Gabby states plainly and I sigh."You think Mike did it." I say, and Gabby nods briefly before going into his reasoning. "Nadia, he's been going after you for years. You coming here away from his abuse and mistreatment? I wouldn't put it past him to make this kind of move as punishment.""There's no way to prove it. There are at least 150 wolves here from three different packs." Evie