Nathaniel’s POVI pace around my room at the visitor building whileTobias is sitting on the small couch in here. I could hardly sleep the night before, and I called Tobias into my room to discuss things since mny mind is racing and it's taking a lot of my willpower to notjust go over to Mike's office, raging at what happened the night previous with Nadia."She's bound with silver. That's such an ancient punishment.""It's also pretty much illegal. No packs have used that punishment since the war with the witch covens' generations ago." I state and he gives me a Solemn look."The question is, what did she do for Mike to apply that punishment to her? I looked into our records and there isn't a report of anything severe from this pack. A few thefts and other small petty shit, butnothing that even comes close to needing to bind a wolf with silver to suppress them.""I'm wondering the same thing, But we know Mike won't admit it, and as the things look now, Nadia won't either. We might be a
Nadia's POVMy heart pounds as I walk out of the elevator, my shoes scuffling the carpeted hallway as I make my way down to Alpha Nathaniel's room. I really debated coming over here still looking battered and bruised, but as Gabby and Evie said, I really should say thank you to them for looking after me and making sure I got home alright after Mike's beating.I get to the end of the hallway, and I stand and stare blankly at the door. A few moments pass while I try to contemplate what I could possibly say to Nathaniel."Hey thanks for saving my ass..Good lord. I can't do this. It's embarrassing enough that I did get my ass beat with him watching, but now I've gotta relive it again? I shake my head. With my fear getting the best of me, I go to turn away from the door and walk away, but I stop as the door opens suddenly and I'm face to face with Nathaniel and all his blue-eyed glory. He's in a black t-shirt and blue distressed jeans, his hair damp and slightly falling in his face.We st
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 still can't believe it.I'm Nathaniel's mate.I'm still getting used to seeing all the pack members bow and address me. They've been doing it over the past few weeks and honestly, it continues to baffle and wonder at me. I'm mated tonot justa royal, but the future king of our race.Nathaniel has completely gone back to the endearing, loving and sexy man that I'm used to, and thank God because now that I know we're mates, I can't keep my hands off him. We've beenspending every waking moment together between his work and he's been showing me around the packlands and allowing me to help him with his pack work in a more official capacity consideringIt's now my pack too.We've briefly discussed making a trip out to the witches' coven to see about getting my cuffs removed and accept our mate bonds once they're off, which I am extremely excited for. These cuffshave been the biggest burden and hurdle for me in terms of coming back into myself and the woman I know I can be.I'
Nadia's POV"What?" I say, bewildered as what he told me sinks in. "I'm...""You're my mate, Nadia." Nate says lovingly but with hurt in his voice."You've known this entire time?" My voice shakes with emotion, and he nods. "I've known since the first day we met."I back away and bring my arms up, lightly touching my cuffs."I never felt anything because of these.""Most likely. But I think you felt some sort of connection, just not as a mate bond.I look at him, tears still streaming down my face. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" I see the pain cross his face and I know it must have been difficult for him to keep this hidden and as shocked as I am, I'm sure he had his reasons."Come into my room, let's talk." I nod and follow him down the hallway. We enter his bedroom and we sit on the bed together, the darkness of the blacks and grays of the room aligning with how I feel at this moment.Nate takes my hands in his and I look directly into his eyes as he speaks."I didn't tell you rig
Nadia's POVI'm angry. It's been two days since Nate just walked away from me without an explanation, and I've been avoiding him. I don't understand how he can just keep playing with my feelings this way. The retreat was absolute bliss, and ever since we came back, it's been an utter shit show.I'm sitting in the music room, plucking away on the piano, trying to sort through my feelings.Confusion.Anger.Attraction.I've never been so emotionally confused in my entre life, and this is proving to be hard to navigate. I want to yell, scream, and kiss Nate all at the same time and it’s driving me insane. I sigh, beginning to play andI hear the door open, and I stop and turnto see who is coming in and I see the familiar face of Lynette."Heya stranger." She says with a smile and I half smile back."What's wrong?"I shake my head. "I don't even know."Let's talk about it, like we usually do." She comes and sit beside me on the bench, andI nod and sigh loudly. "It's Nate.""What happened?
Nadia's POV It's still hard to believe that I'm living at Nate's packlands.It's been weeks since my incident and there's been not a single sound about our departure from Pure Moon, which Nate has found highly suspicious. Surely if three of your own pack members just up and disappeared, you'd look for them, no? Apparently to Mike, it's a no.Honestly, I don't care as much about it at this point. This is the freedom that all three of us have been wishing for a very long tỉme.Not looking over our shoulders.Not worried about our actions.Not getting verbally or physically abused.The pack has taken us in fully, and it's like we were a part of it this whole time.Now that I've healed fully from my wounds, I've been helping Nate with his pack work, almost like an assistant or secretary. I help keep track of his meetings and help him organize his paperworkfrom other packs and inform him when he gets new requests, Organizing them by importance and whatnot. It's been a steady pace, and I'
Nadia's POVI can't believe this is happening.We're part of Nate's pack now.It's only been a few days and I'm still recovering from my attack, but it feels like we've been here this entire time. Gabby and Lynette have their own suites now and have fallen right into place with Nadine and Tobias.I'm still in the medical wing as I had a small setback with my stab wound, I accidentally pushed myself a bit too hard during exercise and ripped my stitching open, so now I'm on light movement until it heals. Everyone has been visiting me every single chance they get, and Nate has been texting me every moment he isn't in here with me.It's sweet.I feel a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders in telling Nate the entire backstory of my life and how I came to be in this present moment. It surprised me that he immediately knew something was off like Gabby and Lynette had been saying for years, but I'm glad it’s out now.He also made a full incident report on my attack based on what I told
Nathaniel's POVI'm restless.I haven't slept.Nadia hasn't woken up. It's been four days since her attack and she's still unconscious. Nadine has said she is healing at an accelerated rate now thanks to my blood transfusions, but it's hard to know how much damage was done until she wakes up.So far it hasn't been positive.I've gone to visit her every chance I've gotten. Gabby and Lynette haven't left her side and said that they would let me know if anything changed. I wanted to be by her side this entire time, but I've had to keep to my duties and run my pack. The pack is uneasy due to my unease with her condition. They know she's my mate and their Luna and the despair I feel from them knowing she's been injured maliciously has been a heavy burden to bear. I sigh as I sit at my desk in my office, mindlessly going through papers on my desk, I try to think of our happier moments, and I'm startled when Lynette bursts in."She's awake."Nadia's POVNadia. You're stronger than this. Open
Gabby's POVI help Evie lift Nadia up from the pavement and into the back of Tobias' car. Evie supported her on the left side and me on the right, her still body laying over both of us, the metallic stench of her blood filling my nostrils. I keep my hand pressured on her wound as it's still bleeding, disgusted at the fact my friend's blood is seeping through my fingers from an injury that someone else did to her.Mike must be behind this, but until Nadia recovers, we Won't know exactly what happened to her and who actually did this to her.If she recovers.I glance over at Lynette as Tobias takes off, and I see her face is wet with fresh tears as she strokes Nadia's head that is on her lap. She's still alive but barely. Her heartbeat is faint. Evie is covered inNadia's blood just like me, and my wolf lashes out in my mind in intense anger. "If she doesn't survive, I'm going to kill him." The coldness in her voice is highly apparent, which is a drastic difference from her usual bubbly
Nadia's POVI pace around my room, trying to pick an outfit for the show tonight. I've got three options pulled out; black ripped leggings with a long black sleeved fishnet top over a white tank top, my red baby doll dress with fishnet stockings, or acid washed jean capris with a black corset.I pace, looking over each option and ultimately decide on the red dress and stockings. I kept my set for tonight chill, so I won't be moving around too much. Plus, I know Nate would like it.I can't kid myself; I'm dressing up for him.I get changed, making sure to put my favourite perfume on and sit down to do my makeup. I decided to do heavier winged liner, mascara, a nude lip, and a little bit of pink blush. I tidy up my brows and fill them slightly and add some highlighter to my cheekbones.I style my hair, pulling it back into a half pony with me pieces out to frame my face.I stand and take another once over when I hear a whistle. I turn around and see Evie in my doorway, all dolled up her
Nadia's POVIt's been a week since I returned from the retreat with Nathaniel, and I'm missing him.Missing him a lot. More than I really thought I would.We've been texting every single day when he's got time, but it's nothing like being in person with him physically. We're planning to do a video call this evening once he's finished up with a meeting so at least I'll get to see him in some capacity.As for life back home, well..Mike and Alarik haven't laid-a hand on me since I've come home, making me think that Mike listened to my threat and has backed off for time being. At least, I hope. I'm still doing all the normal dutiesthat he asked of me before, but it seems he's finally leaving me alone to do them. Gabby and Lynette have told me that I probably should keep my guard up still, which I am, but this is a welcome feeling to not have to worry as much.I walk outside of the house and make my way to the garden, and I make sure to do the zipper up on my sweater as I walk. It's star