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 air in the small room was thick with the scent of his cologne, a musky blend of sandalwood and something sharper, almost metallic. My breath hitched as his gaze swept over me, a slow, deliberate appraisal that made my skin prickle. The sound of the zipper sliding down, then the soft gasp that escaped my lips, seemed to echo in the sudden silence.He moved with a practiced ease, his hands sure and strong as they discarded the last vestiges of fabric. My legs trembled, with fear and a strange, unfamiliar excitement. I tried to brace myself against the cold marble floor, but my body seemed to melt beneath his touch.He lifted one of my legs, the smooth, cool surface of the marble a cool sensation against the warmth of his skin. I closed my eyes, the anticipation building to an almost unbearable crescendo. But instead of the rough, bruising force I had braced myself for, his touch was surprisingly gentle. A soft murmur escaped his lips, a low, appreciative sound that sent shi
ZARA POVSliding one finger inside my wet heat, he settled back on his stomach, and his tongue was just as torturously gentle as before. Only this time, there was no trying to drive him. I pulled on the restraints, but they were surprisingly strong. When I tried bucking my hips, he kept me flat against the mattress, pinning me down like a bug. The man above me was relentless, his movements a dizzying blur. I arched my back, a strangled cry escaping my lips as pleasure surged through me. Stars exploded behind my eyelids, each flash of light a testament to the overwhelming intensity building within me. “Hero,” I gasped, my voice hoarse. Heat streaks my cheeks, to say I am mortified is putting it mildly. No man has ever eaten me out there and I don't think anyone would ever eat me the way he does it. Hero, stabs my forbidden hole and a tingling sensation coils in my belly. “please, I can't hold back anymore. Let me come.”"Yes," he hissed, the word a venomous breath against my ear. "Th
HERO POVFour days. Four endless days of trudging through thick mud, swatting away swarms of insects, and enduring the gnawing hunger that constantly threatened to consume us after we exhausted most of our food. It was a journey that tested our resolve and pushed us to our limits. I couldn't help but wonder why Glinda, with her incredible magic, hadn't simply whisked us away to her den. After all, she had done so effortlessly the first time. My question, however, was met with a chorus of disapproving glares. Now, as we finally stumbled upon her den, hidden deep within the heart of the woods, I understood.Glinda hadn't been expecting any of us at all.“What in the blaze is happening here, Finna? Did you all drive here because you can all just drive right back.” Glinda snarled, and tried to slam the door shut, but Walker stuck his foot in at the last minute, and opened it up. Walker, his grin as wide as the Texas plains, stepped in first. "Howdy, Glinda! Long time no see!”The witch dr
HERO POV"Quknquk quk..." A strange sound came from the window. At first, I was startled, but then I realized it was just a bird."We showered and joined the others downstairs. Sabrina and Hana were deep in conversation, their voices hushed as they flipped through a stack of books spread out on the coffee table. Zara, ever curious, tried to appear nonchalant about what they were discussing, but I saw the way her eyes kept darting towards the books. My wolves, seemed restless from the lingering magic in the air, paced around the room, mirroring Walker's own unease. Zara, seemingly aimless and tired of trying to understand what Sabrina and Hana were discussing, wandered towards the bookshelves, her fingers tracing the spines as if searching for something.”In the room next door, Finna and Glinda were having a heated argument. It was difficult to understand what they were saying because they were both speaking very loudly and quickly."Okay, so tell me about Finna and Glinda," I began, c
ZARA POV"Hey..." Sabrina began, tilting her head slightly, a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes. She hesitated, then pointed a finger vaguely towards my head. "Uhmmm, you still have some blood in your hair."I blinked, a little confused. Sabrina wasn't usually one for subtle hints. "Blood?" I echoed, reaching up a hand to instinctively touch my scalp. My fingers brushed against something gritty and… yeah, definitely dried blood. "Oh, wow. Thanks."Sabrina's expression shifted, a hint of amusement spreading across her face. "Almost looks like you've been having fun," she teased, but her tone was light.I chuckled, a wry sound. "Fun? You could say that. It wasn't exactly a picnic." My mind flashed back to the night before. The group of rogue wolves, bold as brass, had actually breached the witches' territory. It was a chaotic mess, fur flying, snarls echoing through the night. We'd managed to drive them back, eventually, but not without a few scrapes and bruises."I showered,
ZARA POV"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh," Sabrina breathed, her hand fluttering to her chest. "You scared us half to death! You were crying so hard, and nothing we did seemed to help. We tried everything! I was so worried. And then," she paused, taking a deep breath, "I've been trying to get you to just sit up for a few minutes now. Honestly, I was starting to panic. I was afraid, I mean really afraid, that the magic...that it was hurting you." Her voice trailed off, her eyes searching yours. "Are you okay? Can you tell me what happened?”I reached up and wiped my face with the back of my hand, but it came away wet. "Oh gosh," I mumbled, my voice still a little shaky. "I'm so sorry. I... I don't usually..." I trailed off, searching for the right words. "I've never really talked to my wolf like that before. I mean, really talked. And honestly," I admitted, a small, nervous laugh escaping my lips, "I don't think I've ever talked to anyone like that before."I took a deep breath, trying to comp
ZARA POVMy heart hasn't stopped thumping since Finna dropped that bombshell. Sabrina, bless her, didn't waste a second. She immediately summoned Glinda. We left Finna and Hana back at the den, and even though Glinda had grumbled a bit about being able to help, she still transported us instantly to where Tristan's body was.The clearing by the river was peaceful, almost restful, which made seeing him there even more jarring. He was lying so still, so unnaturally quiet. I bit back a sob, trying to be as quiet as possible, and ran to him. The crimson stains on his clothes, on the ground… it was everywhere. My breath hitched. There was just so much blood. And... and he wasn't breathing. I couldn't feel a pulse. Panic clawed at my throat. "Tristan?" I whispered, my voice trembling. "Tristan, can you hear me?" I reached out a hand, hovering over his arm, afraid to touch him, afraid of what I would find. "Please," I begged, my voice cracking. "Please, Tristan, wake up."“Tristan…” I whisper
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