HERO POV"Hero, you're full of surprises," she said, her voice flat and emotionless. "I thought my father and Weston had already filled you in on everything you needed to know about me. But now you only care because Olga thinks you hurt me. Don't you dare pretend to care, because you don't.”“I do care. I am your__” I cut off before I said the king part. “I do care about you.”"No," she insisted, her voice a fragile whisper. "You don't care. Everybody knows that I'm Zara. Your most despised one-night stand." Her voice cracked, a contrast to the bravado she'd tried to muster.Olga returned before I could press on the issue. I paid close attention to the instructions on both the salve and the morning sickness medication. Watching him rub the stuff on her leg made my wolf howl with fury, but I just clenched my fist into a tight ball and stood still.I knew I couldn't do anything. Not now. Not yet. I had to wait for the right moment, the perfect opportunity. I had to be patient, to bide m
HERO POVWhen we got there, we saw Boston and Tarrant arguing over where to sleep. There were two places to stay: one for the wolves and one for the humans. Kristina seemed to be in charge of making the final decision, and I thought she was right to have picked this particular spot for us.The cabins were much easier to protect than the wolf dens. They were sturdier and had fewer entrances. Inside each cabin, there were two beds, so we had to pair up. Tarrant and I shared one cabin, Boston and Jeremy shared another, and the three women shared the last one.Afterward, we returned to the main house for dinner, where Olga awaited us. With a humble bow, he apologized for any inconvenience his earlier actions might have caused. "I neglected to remove the charms before your arrival," he explained. "I've taken care of that now and will keep them away throughout your stay."After a moment, I bowed my head and accepted his apology. It seemed plausible enough, and as far as I could tell, the on
ZARA POV‘And the baby.’ His last words echoed in my head refusing to fade. Instantly, my hand went down to my stomach and I closed my eyes. Of course he knew just what to say to make me go with exactly what he wanted. Wolves of great strength could take power, but it took intelligence and manipulation to keep it. “I already told you, my wolf and I don't have a connection. I've tried everything, but my wolf and I aren't compatible by any means. It's like we're from different worlds.”“I don't understand. Can you break that down for me?" he asked."It's pretty simple, really. People say you can talk to your wolf form when you're human. But I can't do that. I can't talk to her when I'm a wolf, either. She can't reach out to me. I try my best to control her, to speak to her but she won't even respond.”Hero's reaction to the revelation was unexpected. Instead of confusion or horror, he simply studied me with a thoughtful expression. His lips pursed as he pondered the implications. "Boo
ZARA POVThe sun's harsh light sliced through the grimy window, rudely announcing the start of another day. I stirred, my eyes slowly adjusting to the brightness. A familiar pang of loneliness washed over me as I realized I couldn't feel Hero's presence in the room.I rolled over, my heart pounding with so much dread. There, sprawled across Hero's bed, was Kristina. A menacing glint caught my eye - she was sharpening a long, wicked blade. The fear that had begun to creep in intensified. Any lingering jealousy I might have felt about her presence in Hero's bed vanished instantly.“Do we have a problem, Kristina?” I asked warily as I sat up."It's just that you're female," she sighed, her breath misting in the cold air as she continued to hone the blade in her hand. "I'm next in line after Jeremy. I should be out there with the others, tracking prey, and proving my worth. But instead, I'm stuck here, babysitting you because he doesn't trust any of the other male wolves to be alone with
ZARA POVThe shadows around the giant oak tree danced and shifted, teasing our eyes. A moment later, the mystery behind our curiosity was solved. Delilah and another woman emerged from behind the tree's massive trunk. They circled the oak, their gazes fixed on its towering branches. Spotting us, Delilah's face lit up in a warm smile. She waved us over. "Kristina, Zara," she introduced, "I'd like you to meet Jenny, our very own tree experts.”"Tree expert?" I repeated, my eyebrows raising in surprise. "You're a doctor for trees?" I shook the young blonde's hand, my grip firm. "That's...quite an unusual profession.”“That’s exactly right,” she laughs. “I keep an eye on them and help out when I can. It’s a shame, really. This old oak tree probably won’t be around much longer. You see those new shoots growing out of the trunk? That’s a sign that it’s not doing well. And all those leaves on the ground? That’s another clue. It’s likely to be attacked by beetles.”"Is there anything you can
HERO POVWe were back from the hunt, laden with two elk, a deer, and a bounty of fish from the river. The townsfolk lined up to meet us, eager to receive this small gift we offered.Kristina, ever cheerful, walked beside me, her face lit up with a bright smile. Zara, however, kept her distance, her expression somber as she clung to Delilah's side."This is absolutely incredible!" Jason exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement. "We can't thank you enough for this generous gift. It's more than we could have ever hoped for.”I didn't just want to say thank you. I was curious. I wanted to explore the edge of the village, to see what really lay beyond the boundary. Maybe there were hidden dangers, like wolves. But we didn't see a single one. It was almost like magic.While the carcasses were carried away, Zara stared at me stonily but I ignored her before turning to Delilah’s direction. “I would like to speak to your resident before we leave. See if he or she has some foresight into this j
ZARA POVWe spent eleven long hours climbing the mountain, but we didn't see a single wolf. As soon as we reached the top and stopped, I changed back into human form and shivered from the cold. My wolf self was enjoying her freedom a little too much, and I was struggling to keep her under control.Tabitha shifted with me as we got dressed. Pulling the cream from my backpack, she pointed at my knees. "I think your knee is starting to hurt again, isn't it? You should have let him just dislocate it so it could heal properly.”I plopped down on the worn wooden log, the rough bark biting into my skin. As I settled in, I took the cool cream and rubbed it into my sore, aching knees. "Said by a woman who's never been under the hands of a man," I muttered, a wry smile playing on my lips. The warmth of the cream began to seep into my joints, easing the tension. A sigh escaped my lips as the pain started to subside. "I can't imagine willingly letting another man break a bone in my body," I added
ZARA POV"Watch your back, Tabitha warned, her voice low and urgent. "The wolves are coming." I huddled closer to the dying embers of the campfire, my heart pounding in my chest. Through the dense fog, I could just make out the trees swaying and parting, a dark, ominous shape emerging from the mist.Suddenly, a wolf burst through the flames, landing with a loud thud in the middle of the fire. "Boston!" I yelled, shocked and scared. I rushed over and grabbed his paws, pulling him out of the fiery pit. I frantically tried to beat out the flames licking at his fur. Boston groaned in pain, his eyes squeezed shut."He's not dead yet," I rasped to Tabitha, my voice barely audible over the roaring inferno. My palms throbbed with pain as the flames licked at them. With a grunt, I ripped off my shirt and used it to smother the fire. The crashing sound outside grew louder, echoing through the smoke-filled room.The silence stretched out, a heavy blanket settling over the clearing. No other wolv
HERO POV"I'm wondering, what do you think I should be aware of when dealing with Baxter, especially now that it seems like Elliot might be gone?” I questioned. Paxton arched an eyebrow, a skeptical glint in his eyes. “You're seriously concerned about whether Baxter will offer you tea and biscuits, aren't you? I'm more worried about whether he will consider you a tasty snack and proceed to decorate his lair with your bones.__ or are you worried that he will kill you and parade your body around the entire mountain as a trophy?”Zara tensed beside me, and gripped my arm so tightly I could see her knuckles turn white. I tried to stay calm, even though this was exactly the kind of situation we were always worried about. It was a possibility that hung over every trip we took, a constant threat lurking just beyond the edges of our vision. "Getting that information would definitely be helpful," I said, keeping my voice steady even though I was starting to feel a little uneasy"Honestly, I'm
HERO POV“Is this Elliot?” Paxton questioned before sliding a photo across the table. It was blurry, but there was no mistaking the face of the man who had saved Zara and claimed to be her mate.Cyrus's words about Elliot had made me furious, and the anger still hadn't subsided. Hours had passed since then, and I was now in Paxton's office with Zara and Finna. Finna had originally promised to explain everything to us. "You knew he was dealing drugs, and you didn't do anything to stop him? I can't believe you just let this happen!” I snarled angrily. "Elliot is more than just a drug dealer,” Finna said, her voice laced with a hint of worry. “We understand you're upset and angry right now, but it's important to remember that investigating matters within the rogue community is incredibly complex. We have been actively searching for him, but under a different name. You see, when he was a member of the Silver Moon Pack, he went by the name Fallon.”"Okay, get me on the line… I need to sp
ZARA POV"Hero," I began softly, my voice close to his ear, "you truly believe that after everything I've endured here, things can simply return to how they were before? I'm sorry, but that's utter nonsense. There's no way we can pretend this never happened. This mountain, these hurtful shared experiences you put me through... they've changed me. I can't unsee what I've seen and heard, or unfeel what I've felt. I’m different now, Hero, irrevocably different.”"I understand that I made a big mistake. I know how badly I treated you before, and I'm truly sorry for it. That was incredibly foolish of me. But please believe me, Zara. I meant every word I said last night. We can move past this and start fresh. I'm ready to move forward and try again.”‘Move forward.’ Was he even joking right now?"I understand it's tough to believe me after everything, but I've made a decision. If earning back your trust means proving how much you mean to me, I'll do absolutely anything. I'll move mountains,
ZARA POVThe air hung heavy, thick with the metallic tang of blood. Even before I saw him, the scent assaulted my nostrils, a jarring counterpoint to the usual sweetness that always clung to him. I didn't flinch, didn't react. Instead, I turned calmly, a practiced ease settling over me. I waited.He was catching up quickly, his long strides eating up the distance between us. "I sent Jeremy to escort you," Hero said, his voice a low rumble. His brow furrowed, a deep crease marrying his otherwise flawless features. "Shouldn't he be driving you? Why are you walking instead?" He scanned the deserted street, his gaze sharp and alert."Hey, I'm not disabled in my leg. In fact, walking is actually good for me, and I don't have anywhere I need to be right now. By the way, why do you have blood on you?" I said calmly.“We had a skirmish outside the border. Nothing that Paxton and his wolves couldn't handle.” he explained."I think you were there to see how they handled the situation," I said,
HERO POVA wolf with black fur cautiously approached me, padding softly and circling my legs. Her eyes, full of curiosity, studied me intently. I held back my power, allowing her to explore. Paxton growled, interrupting the moment. “Can you please stop that, Morgan? The positioned station given to you should be your top priority right now.” She slowly walked away with a sound like a wolf's laugh, and I couldn't help but smirk. “It seemed like she enjoys taking risks. What a wild one.”"More like… stubborn. I wouldn't be surprised if she tries to take on more than she can handle one of these days," Paxton grumbled. “This is Liam and Aubrey. I've asked everyone else to leave so we can talk openly without you worrying about them. They're trustworthy. As I suspected, Baxter did some digging into your siblings on his own. I think he figured out who you are. He's agreed to tell you what he found, but he wants something in return. He wants you to do him a favor.”I arched an eyebrow. “I ass
HERO POVTristan and I were walking towards Paxton's security office early that morning. The grounds weren't peaceful at all. Kids were running around in groups, some being chased by adults who were trying to get them to calm down. “You look different today,” Tristan noticed. “What's the good news?”A few old vehicles rumbled past – beat-up trucks, rugged jeeps, and even some rusty vans. I couldn't help but smile at the lively scene. It had been a long time since I'd spent a night completely free from responsibilities, simply enjoying the company of others. "I haven't slept well in a long time," I said. "It feels really good to be here now. I'm much more relaxed.”"Certainly, I hope it wasn't related to the sounds and screams… of pleasure I heard coming from down the hall last night. You know, those kinds of sounds that might make a person think, 'Tell me you want this… I want to hear you say it,'" he said with a cheerful grin, quickly jumping to his left as I turned to give him a wi
HERO POVA wolf with black fur cautiously approached me, padding softly and circling my legs. Her eyes, full of curiosity, studied me intently. I held back my power, allowing her to explore. Paxton growled, interrupting the moment. “Can you please stop that, Morgan? The positioned station given to you should be your top priority right now.” She slowly walked away with a sound like a wolf's laugh, and I couldn't help but smirk. “It seemed like she enjoys taking risks. What a wild one.”"More like… stubborn. I wouldn't be surprised if she tries to take on more than she can handle one of these days," Paxton grumbled. “This is Liam and Aubrey. I've asked everyone else to leave so we can talk openly without you worrying about them. They're trustworthy. As I suspected, Baxter did some digging into your siblings on his own. I think he figured out who you are. He's agreed to tell you what he found, but he wants something in return. He wants you to do him a favor.”I arched an eyebrow. “I ass
ZARA POV"There is no need to be sad. There's a string, an invisible secret thread, that connects you to your wolf. This thread isn't just for you and your wolf; it can also help you find other connections, other bonds. We need to see if there are any of these threads around her, even if they're weak or broken.” Sabrina explained."So, wait," I said, scratching my head, "does this mean... I'll be, like, checking her fur for fleas or something?"Hana chuckled. "I'm afraid it's not going to be quite that simple, Zara. This is a very special thread, with very specific needs.”All of a sudden, the memory came rushing back. It felt like it was trying to burst out of me, like a wild animal trying to escape its cage. But it was messy, all jumbled up, and I couldn't make sense of it. I tried to grab onto it, to hold it steady, but it kept slipping away. “I'm sorry,” I said to the others, feeling frustrated. “I just can't seem to hold onto it.”"Don't worry about it," Sabrina said gently. "We'
ZARA POV"What the hell!" I yelled, trying to pull my hands free. But I wasn't being held. I was all alone, and it scared me.Sabrina's voice soothed me, calm and reassuring. “You're okay,” she said, her words echoing through the air. “I'm right here with you. You're still sitting in my living room. Just the two of us. Well, three if you count Walker, of course. You're safe. Hana's just a little lost, that's all. Oh, there she is!” Her voice brightened."Sabrina, I'm sorry," Hana gasped, her voice strained as if she'd just sprinted a mile. "You were going too fast for me."I spun around, but the world was a blur of swirling white. Snow. It was snowing. Big, fat flakes were falling so heavily I could barely see my own hand in front of my face. The wind howled, whipping the snow into a blinding frenzy. I felt a shiver crawl down my spine, not just from the cold, but from a deeper, more unsettling fear. Where was Sabrina? I couldn't see her anywhere.“Guys, where am I?” I questioned."We