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'
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 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,
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,
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
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
ZARA POVThe moment, Hero touched me. The entire game was over, something shifted. It was like a fragile house of cards, built with so much effort and deceit, finally collapsing under the weight of his hand. I could lie easily, spin elaborate tales when no one was watching. I could pretend, become anyone I wanted, even fooling myself sometimes. But his touch, a simple brush of his fingers against my skin, shattered the illusion.The walls of my carefully constructed world began to tremble. They swayed, then crumbled, brick by brick. All the lies I'd built, all the ways I'd deceived myself, turned to dust. The air, once thick with the haze of my own manufactured reality, suddenly felt thin, suffocating. My carefully crafted mask, the one I wore so effortlessly, threatened to slip, revealing the truth beneath.And that was the terrifying part. The thought of him seeing the real me, the broken, frightened person hiding behind the facade, was unbearable. He pulled me up against his body,
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