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
ZARA POVThe heavy iron door of the dungeon slammed shut behind us, the echoing clang a strained silence that had filled the room moments before. Paul was still down there, chained to the cold stone wall, his words hanging in the air like a thick, suffocating fog. My arms throbbed, a constant reminder of the price I'd paid for those words. He'd fought hard, and I'd pushed harder, until finally, the truth had spilled out, a dark, ugly secret that had sent a wave of raw fury through Hero.Hero was on a coiled spring right now, his every muscle tight with barely contained rage. He’d torn apart the interrogation equipment, the tracking machine found on Paul especially, with a violence that made my breath catch in my throat. It was like watching a storm unleash its fury, a terrifying display of power.He stopped abruptly, letting out a guttural groan that vibrated through the stone floor. "Ughhhhhh!" he roared, the sound echoing down the hallway. His body was rigid, every line of him screa
ZARA POVHero gently shifted me, and I couldn't help but whimper. A strange, intense itch pulsed where he'd just marked me. It was a burning, tingling sensation, like a thousand tiny needles. But then, just as suddenly as it had come, the itch subsided. I cautiously reached back, my fingers tracing the area. It felt smooth, almost healed, but there was a distinct ridge, a permanent mark. A teeth mark. My mark. A symbol that I belonged to him.Hero, with a tender touch, cleaned me up, his movements careful and soothing. He then pulled me close, holding me securely against his chest. A wave of exhaustion washed over me, and I gratefully closed my eyes, the warmth of his embrace a comforting blanket."I thought I'd be trapped on this mountain forever," Hero murmured, his lips brushing against my forehead. "But then I found you, my mate, and... my sister.”His sister. Kira. My eyes snapped open, a jolt of alarm running through me. "Oh my goodness, Hero! Your sister! We need to talk about
ZARA POVA low groan escaped Hero’s lips, a sound that vibrated against my skin. “Fuckkk,” he breathed, his voice thick with desire. “I want you to know that you have gotten very good at this… incredibly good. I crave more, and more, Zara. So much more.”I couldn’t help the smirk that spread across my face. Leaning forward, I met his gaze, my own pleasure building with a surprising, almost overwhelming intensity. “I had a good teacher all along,” I whispered, my voice a little breathless.His eyes darkened, a wicked grin spreading across his features. “Oh, darling, I haven’t taught you nearly enough yet,” he said, his voice laced with a promise that sent a shiver down my spine. “Not even close.”The playful banter faded as he began to move, a slow, deliberate thrust that sent a wave of heat through me. He pumped upward into me, his movements growing stronger, more insistent, bucking me like a wild stallion. I cried out, a sound that was half shock, half pure, unadulterated delight. Th
ZARA POVHero pulled back from the hug, but he didn't go far. His eyes were bright golden, like they had little lights inside them. He reached up, and his hands moved gently through my hair, like he was trying to smooth out any tangles. Then, his hands settled around my neck, soft and warm. He pulled me closer.His lips moved down to my neck and placed soft kisses, and his other hands touched my waist. My body felt like it was waking up, like a little fire was starting inside me. I arched my back, waiting for what would happen next. It felt good, even just the way he touched me.He whispered, his voice low and a little rough, "Seeing you like this... pregnant... It makes me want you so much. You don't seem to be in a position for me to mark you but…" He ran his fingers along my sides, and I shivered. It felt so good, like little sparks were going off all over my skin. "I don't think I can hold back."He looked at me, his eyes asking a question."Shhhhhhhh...You make me feel better, He
ZARA POVI kept my eyes closed, not wanting to see the emotions swirling in his. I could feel him shifting, moving closer, and the warmth of his presence was a strange comfort amidst the turmoil."You know," he started again, his voice softer now, "it's funny how rumors spread. Like wildfire. One minute, you're living your life, and the next, everyone thinks they know your story better than you do."He paused, a sigh escaping his lips. "Baxter... he had pieces of the puzzle about I and Alvira, but he got the picture all wrong. There was a time, a long time ago, when everyone in our pack thought Alvira would end up with either Nathan or me. We were kids, you know? Playing games, imagining futures that never came to be.”I could almost see the memories playing out in his mind, like old, faded photographs. "Alvira... She was brought to our pack by old Martha, the kitchen woman. Martha found her in the woods, all alone. Said she was just a little thing, lost and scared. Nathan and I, we w
ZARA POVPaul was locked away in the dungeon. Finally, We had a real chance to take down my father. I was so relieved my baby was safe. Everything had gone wrong, like a really, really big mess, but at least this part was right.But, when I looked at Hero, my heart sank. He looked...broken. Like he was trying to say something, but the words were stuck.I gently tried to sit properly on the bed before I spoke up. "Hey," I said softly. "You don't have to say anything. Really."He just looked at me, his eyes filled with...something I couldn't quite name."It's okay," I continued. "I know Alvira is your mate. I get it. I've accepted it, and I won't get in your way. You don't need to feel bad. We can still make this a little better. We have a child together, and that's important but I promise you that I won't use that to bother you. Lots of wolves have kids without being fated mates. We can figure it out.”I paused, then added, "And...if you can't look at me without seeing my father, witho
HERO POV The drive to Mascold's pack felt like forever. Zara was so still in the back of the car. I kept glancing at her, worried. By the time we pulled up to the main house, she was barely still awake. I carried her inside, and Mascold was already there, waiting. He'd thought of everything."Healer's ready," Mascold said, pointing towards a room. "Get her settled.”I laid Zara gently on the bed. She looked a little pale. The healer, a kind-looking woman with gentleness in her treatment, started checking her over. Zara stirred a little, but didn't really wake up."Just exhaustion and dehydration," the healer said after a while. "And a bit of blood loss. But both she and the baby are strong."Relief washed over me. I could finally breathe. They cleaned and bandaged the cuts on Zara's legs. I stayed close, watching everything they did, just in case."She needs rest," the healer said. "And plenty of water and food when she wakes."I nodded. "Thank you."While they were taking care of Za
HERO POV The trees finally ended. I saw Zara. She was on the ground. A wolf, covered in blood, jumped at her. My heart froze. I ran. I moved faster than I thought. I hit the wolf before it reached her. We rolled away from Zara. I landed on my paws. The wolf rolled further.A knife stuck out from the wolf's side. It shone in the light. Zara had hurt him. Good, that's my girl. I wanted to look back, but I did not. I needed to believe she was alive.The wolf, I now recognized as Paul, tried to run. He was a coward. He would not escape. Then, he stopped. He looked at me. He charged.He was hurt. He was tired. This fight would have been fun if he was strong. Now, it was easy. I pushed him to the ground. I was about to rip out his throat."Don't kill him," Zara said. Her voice was soft, and low.I pressed Paul down hard, my hands gripping his shoulders. A low growl rumbled in my chest as I glared at him. What did Zara mean? 'Don't kill him?' Why would she even say that? I wanted to end thi
ZARA POVFear made me tremble. I held onto the thick tree branch, my knuckles white. I pulled my knife from my pocket. Carefully, I placed the knife between my teeth. I needed both hands free. Slowly, I moved along the branch. I watched the ground below. I had to find the perfect spot to jump. I had to be smart. No mistakes.Paul's wolf growled. He paced below me, sniffing the ground. I saw blood on his fur. Good. I had hurt him. He was not bleeding himself, but I had made him bleed. That was a start. I didn't have my wolf with me. I would have to use my knife. I would need to cut him again and again. First, I would try to stop him from moving. Then, I would cut his throat. After that, I would stab him in the heart. This time, I had to make sure he could not heal.The air around me was thick and heavy. I clung to the rough bark of the tree, my heart hammering. If I moved too slow, it was over. He would find me, and my son, and end us. There was no escape. He would track me here, to th