CHRIS'S POV "I think you should spend less time with Vivian and more time on getting better, Zeke," I said, narrowing my eyes at the food tray in his hands. He was, once again, bringing her breakfast in bed. Like he'd done several days in a row now. They were attached at the hip again. Just like they'd been in high school. It was getting under my skin. Zeke looked down at the food he was carrying. "Well, V doesn't quite feel up to taking her food in the mess hall, and someone has to bring her something to eat. And since you're busy doing whatever you're doing, I thought I was the best candidate." "I'm helping Killian and his pack reorganize after yours attacked them. It's a lot of work after your pack decimated their gate and set fire to a lot of their homes." Zeke flinched. "Look, that's not my fault. That's Sarah's fault. I was under a spell." "Which is why you should focus on getting better and not flaunting how well you are. You should at le
KILLIAN'S POV "Can I talk to you?" Vivian looked around me before nodding. "Sure, come on in." I stepped inside, resisting the urge to wrap my arms arounds her, holding her against me and never letting her go. But instead, I waited for her to motion for me to sit down and do the same. "So what's up, Kill?" I reached over, grabbed her hands, then stared at her and caught her eyes. "The Blood Moon is coming up. Are you any closer to a decision?" She pulled her hands from mine. "That's what this was about?' "The war is over. It's time to get things in order, and it's time to choose a mate, Vivian." Her eyes narrowed. "And getting me in line and mating with me is just on the agenda?" I reached for her again, but she just moved her hands. "No, it's not like that. I was also reminding you that the reasons you delayed before are no longer relevant. And you can focus on this—on us." "Yo
VIVIAN'S POV Outside with Zeke had left me exhausted. And now I was ready for a nap. Zeke asked if he could nap with me like in old times, but I was a woman now. It felt wrong. So I declined. His annoyed expression didn't escape me. Crawling into bed, I curled up with my pillow and immediately drifted into dreamland.***** Burning. It was so warm. I looked around, and I was back. I was back to the day of the fight with Sarah. I looked down at my arms, and they were charred. Had I killed her already? This didn't seem right. Why was I standing? I saw her laughing at me; her skin was burnt, hair frayed, and barely sticking to her scalp. "Little baby Vivian is scared," she mocked. I was on the ground. Vines wrapped around my legs now. I couldn't move. When did I sit down? "I'm not scared," I argued. Sarah walked towards me. "You're scared to choose him. You're scared of what Killian might do to him." I cri
KILLIAN'S POV "He's back." "Who's back?" I asked Marcus. Marcus looked around, making sure no one heard him as he leaned in and whispered, "Caleb." I set down my fork. "Let's go. You didn't bring him inside, did you?" "Of course not. He's outside the walls with my men." "Good." Standing, I let him lead me, not paying attention to those we passed. Caleb had a lot of nerve showing up here. Vivian had told me about what had happened with Caleb after they'd left, and I had assumed he had either died or maybe run off with his tail between his legs. But he was showing up here for some reason. To beg for mercy? To try some underhand scheme again? Arriving at the gate, we nodded to the guards as they opened up. Marcus led me to the side, where a group of men was waiting. Right in the center, they held Caleb down on his knees. He looked like he hadn't eaten in a while, and he was filthy. He probably
KILLIAN'S POV I stared at the bottle in my hand. I could do this. I could do it. One day, we would laugh at this. She wouldn't even be mad, right? Not after a few years of happiness and bliss together. I stared harder at the bottle, willing to answer my questions. To tell me what to do. A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. I hid the bottle under my pillow quickly before striding to the door and flinging it open. Divinity stood there, looking nervously at the ground. "Hello, Alpha; I came to check on you." I looked around to see if anyone was in the hall to see her at my door. "Come in, D. You don't have to call me that, ya know." She smiled at me, slipping inside. "Thanks, Killian. So, how are things going for Vivian? You think she's going to choose you?" "I don't know," I groaned, heading over to the couch and flinging myself down. She settled down at the table, where I had left uneaten food, picking at m
VIVIAN'S POV Today is the day. The final day that everyone will be holding their breath around me, walking on eggshells. Afraid that I'll break. Tonight was the Blood Moon and when I'd finally decide on my mate and our future. I stared at the ceiling, holding my stomach, the butterflies refusing to settle. I just wanted to skip to tomorrow, when this was over and done with, and my future could finally start. Tomorrow would be a better day than today. I threw back the covers, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. First things first, I needed to eat. Make an appearance, act normal, be normal. The party wasn't until tonight, and I couldn't just hole myself in my room all day beforehand. I'd been doing that for days already while I healed. I wobbled over to my dresser, finding a pair of leggings and a tank top to slip into, then a pair of boots I could also slip on easily. I wasn't going for fancy right now. I'd dress fancy and nice ton
CHRIS'S POV "Have you seen Vivian?" Killian asked, running up to me. I held up my hands. "I've been waiting for her just like you have. I thought we were supposed to meet her in that backroom before the ceremony so she could tell us her choice. So obviously, no, I have not seen her." Killian looked around. "Marcus went to her room to escort her without an answer. Her bed was stripped. There could have been laundry done. But no one can locate her. I'm worried." My ears perked up. "You don't think it's highly suspicious her bed is stripped? And she's missing? Where's Zeke?" He scanned the crowd. "He's not here either." Fucking hell. Zeke had taken Vivian; I had zero doubt in my mind. It is evident that the choice was down to me, and Killian and Zeke had no chance in hell, and he must have realized that. Killian was running to Marcus, commanding him to get their soldiers in line to start hunting for Vivian.
KILLIAN'S POV "Zeke is dead," Vivian stated. Chris stood there, covered in blood, Vivian, too. I listened as they both explained what had happened. Marcus was already on the way to the cabin to verify their story, but I was sure what they had said was true. I could already tell by Chris's new aura that what had happened was undoubtedly true. Chris had killed an Alpha and was now an Alpha. I narrowed my eyes at him, suspicious. An Alpha should never trust an Alpha who murdered another Alpha. But he had done it to save Vivian. So, I should give him a little leeway. Turning back to Vivian now, I brushed her shoulder, ignoring the blood that covered her. "Are you okay?" She nodded. "I'm okay now. Chris saved me. I was initially upset, but...it had to be done." Damn. Chris is saving the day, of course. I should have been the one to kill Zeke. Now Chris looked like a damn hero. Vivian stepped closer to Chris. Oh, no. Th