ZaneHarlow is waiting for me at the edge of his pack. Standing either side of him is a man who I assume is his Beta and his latest female interest. No other guards, not that I could see.I stop the car a few feet shy of him and while the woman takes a step back, both men keep their composure.“Zane.” Harlow offers his tattooed hand, “It’s been too long.”I take his hand and give it a good shake, he was one of the few Alpha’s in the country that I trusted. “Thanks for having me.”He introduces me to his Beta, Cato and then nods to the woman, “You don’t need to concern yourself with her name.”She looks pissed, but it just goes to show that she is nothing more than a bedroom companion for the night. Maybe she was hoping for more.“Any news?” I query. I knew he was sending some of his pack to investigate Wintergreen.“No, but they should be back soon.” He gestures for me to walk alongside him. “Though, we don’t really know what you are looking for.”“All I need to know is if they are op
ZaneHe holds his hands up. “I wouldn’t, even if I wanted to.” Harlow mutters“Good, then we have a clear understanding.” I keep my eyes trained on him, looking for any sign of a lie. He had already made it clear that he had once been interested in my little wolf. But whether he will be a man of his word is another matter entirely.A brisk knock raps on the door and his Beta, Cato, moves to the door and lets in two large wolves.They look at me as though I’m the devil in disguise.“Well?” Harlow demands“The location you gave us has been abandoned.” The older one mutters. “And for some time.”“We found bodies that have been decaying for several years.” The younger one mutters. “Any signs of life?” I query. Decaying bodies could just be a decoy. It wouldn’t have been the first time something like that had been done.“Nothing.” The older one mutters. “We checked every house. We scouted the area just in case they got wind we were coming. It looks like it has been abandoned for several y
Willow“You know you don’t need to spend all your time in your room.” Ash tells me from the door“I need to think things through.”“It wasn’t what you were expecting to hear, right?” He continues“You think my father was set up!” I keep my eyes on my artwork. “What more is there to discuss? Oh right, Zane thinks that too and neither one of you said anything to me until now when Zane is off gallivanting.”Ash laughs. “I would hardly call it gallivanting. He is just looking for answers, for you.”I know he couldn’t see my face, but I roll my eyes anyway“Did he go alone?” I ask, pressing my pencil a little too hard into the paper. I will regret it later.“No. He’s taken some of the pack with him. He isn’t stupid Willow. He is a man who knows exactly what he is doing and I can’t help noticing that you sound a little concerned for him.”“Technically, he is my mate.”I hear him move into the room. He takes the seat at Zane’s desk. “We might be wrong, Willow. But it wouldn’t be the first ti
Willow“Just breathe.” I whisper, staring in the mirror at my reflection. I didn’t recognise the person looking back at me. Far too much makeup for my liking. Thick mascara coated my lashes that were supposed to make my caramel eyes pop. Bright red lip stain coated my lips, making them look much fuller than what they really are. Foundation covered the bruise sitting on my left cheek, because Goddess forbid that someone sees that.My blonde hair had been tied back in some kind of fancy updo to show off my face properly. To draw attention to my slender neck and my decent sized breasts because that’s what the men like to see.They liked to know what they were buying.They wanted to make sure there was nothing wrong with their goods.I turn, checking to make sure that the most important parts of me were covered. Though the red dress just drew more attention. The way it hung off of my curves, but clung in all the right places. I hated it, but that was what they wanted. It was always what t
WillowHe cocks an eyebrow at me, “Oh I will, but on my terms. Get dressed!”The Alpha turns, striding out of the door and slamming it shut behind him. What the hell did he mean on his terms? He bought me. There could only be one reason why. Especially for the price he paid.Hastily pulling on the hoodie and sweatpants, I groan and pull the door open. The Alpha and the guy I assume is his Beta, are both waiting for me.“Better?” Alpha Zane asksI glare at him. How did he think this could be better? The last thing I needed was an Alpha getting involved in this shit. I had it all handled. I keep my mouth shut. Sticking my tongue in my cheek and look the other way. I didn’t care that he thought he was someone special. I didn’t care if he thought he owned me.“Do you ever listen to your superiors?”“You are not my Alpha.” The words are sour as they roll from my tongue.“You are right, I’m not, but I own you.” His words are just as spiteful as mine and his face is expressionless. He is re
Willow“Ah, there she is!” I wince at the bright light burning my eyes.My head throbbed, my mouth was drier than a desert “Mrs Hallow. You gave us all a worry for a moment.” The nurse puts her torch away.Mrs Hallow? Did I hear that right?“Do you know where you are? Your husband has been called, he will be back in a few minutes.”Husband? The last thing I remember is running away from a mad fucking Alpha.My eyes flash around the room. “Hospital?” My voice is husky from the dryness. “Very good.” The nurse smiles at me. “And how are you feeling?”“Like I’ve been run over by a bus.” I groan and wonder how long I had been out for.“Well, you have been out for a few days. You are bound to feel some aches and pains from the lack of movement.” She tucks a strand of her mousey brown hair behind her ear. “But your husband got you here just in time. You are very lucky to have him.”I nod, rubbing my temples. I feel the bandage wrapped around my head and I sigh.“You have stitches.” The nur
WillowThe uneasiness grows, settling in the pit of my stomach as he watches the nurse change my dressing.He asks questions like a caring husband would. Only I knew the truth. I already could tell what kind of sick bastard he was. It was his way or no way.“When can I leave?” I ask as the nurse gives my bandage a final checkThe mousy haired woman smiles at the arsehole and tells him instead of me. “Maybe tomorrow if the doctor is happy with everything.”“That’s brilliant. Then I can take you home.” Alpha Zane smiles at me before he goes back to eyeballing Angela. “Really?” I mutter when she leaves. “Claiming to be my husband, yet checking out the nurse.”“Do you have a problem with me checking her out, little wolf?” He cocks a brow at me. The corners of his lips curving up into a smirk.I don’t respond. He could do whatever or whoever he wanted as long as he stayed away from me.“Tomorrow you will join Night Watch.” He announcesI snort and fold my arms across my chest.“You will b
WillowLarge black gates sit in front of us. They are easily twenty feet tall, and looked like they were trying to keep people in as much as keep something out. Two black wolves sat either side of the gates. I had never been to a pack where they would guard in their wolf form. It was off putting. Their sense of smell would be stronger. They would be faster too.From the corner of my eye, I see the Alpha watching me. A smug smile on his face. He already knew I was planning on running. And he knew I had just encountered another problem.The black wolves move to the car, sniffing all around. They pause by the door on my side and one stands on its hind legs to look in through the window at me. It’s brown eyes studying me for a moment.“She’s mine.” Alpha Zane mutters as he winds down my window“Mine? Who the hell do you think you are?!” I snap.He grins as the wolves move back to their original position and the gates begin to open. Stevens restarts the car, creeping it through the openin