[Alexandria’s POV]I stand aside, watching as Nol and company go over the main route to the underworld that we will be taking. As he speaks, Zane eyes Eliana like a lovesick puppy, and from time to time she looks at him and hurt flashes in her eyes.Those two were too fucking obvious, but I had to admit, it was fun seeing their suffering. At least there were others out there feeling the same way I did. In a way, it was comforting.As this thought hits me, Blaine’s eyes come to rest on mine, and a knowing look flashes in them.‘What?’ I mouth, not looking away like I was sure he wanted me to. ‘Take a picture; it lasts longer.’Lifting my fingers, I motion using a camera, and a smirk forms on Blaine’s handsome face.Heh, he was enjoying watching all of this as much as me, only I was also a target of his watching. Whatever, he could watch all he wanted. He and I were in the same position. We were outsiders looking in on this freakish love triangle.After Nol finishes with his little meet
[Eliana’s POV]I watch as Alexandria makes her way across the room and then disappears into the bathroom so that I’m alone. Letting out a sigh, I head out of the room and make my way back downstairs to find Nol, Blaine, and Zane still talking.When Nol spots me, he gets up and comes over with a look of concern in his eyes. Despite myself, I feel my stomach do a slit flip over the thought of him actually caring about me, especially after what he did."Something wrong?" He asks, eyeing me. "Or did you just miss me?""I need some pillows and a blanket," I explain, ignoring his question. "I’m giving Alexandria the bed, so I need something for myself.""And where the hell are you going to sleep?" Nol demands, his eyes flashing red. "A woman in your condition shouldn’t...""I’ll be fine," I counter as Zane and Blaine’s eyes come to rest on us. "The floor isn’t that bad, and I’m so early in my pregnancy that it won’t make a difference.""Like hell, it won’t," Nol snaps. "Let that woman take
[Nol’s POV]Pain radiates in my chest as Eliana begins to walk away from me, and before I know what I’m doing, I’m grabbing her and throwing her down on the bed so I can pin her beneath me."Nol!" She gasps, looking up at me with wide eyes. "What are you doing?""Do it properly," I hiss, feeling my chest grow tighter. "If you’re going to do it, then do it properly!""I don’t know what you mean!" She responds, looking towards the still-open door. "Don’t do something you’ll regret."Something I’d regret? The only fucking thing I regretted was ever coming across this tiny woman beneath me. Since her arrival, my whole fucking world has been turned upside down, and I can’t seem to right it again!At first, I thought it was simply because I felt sorry for her because I caused her to become a murder suspect, but with each passing day, I found that wasn’t the case at all.Then I started to feel it—that damned pull toward her that could only come from the mate bond—but I felt it too damn late.
[Zane’s POV]I stare at Nol in disbelief, taking in his defeated form. It was shocking to see such an arrogant and powerful man like that, and all because of a woman. Did he truly care for Eliana that much? I didn’t know, and I didn’t want to think about it."Are you really asking me to comfort her?" I ask slowly, expecting all of this to be some type of trick. "Are you even thinking correctly?""Go!" Nol snarls, "NOW!"He didn’t have to tell me again. Giving him one more look, I began to move, making my way toward the room I knew she was sharing with Alexandria.When I arrive, I only get the chance to knock once before the door opens and Alexandria’s annoyed gaze meets mine."Of course it’s you," she huffs. "You’re really pathetic; did you know that?""Not now," I snap, looking over her shoulder to find Eliana’s hunched form sitting by the window staring out. "Did you say anything?""No," Alexandria responds, shooting her a look. "She just came in looking like her puppy died and then
[Alexandria’s POV]I stroll down the stairs and into the kitchen in hopes of finding some booze in this place. However, when I reach my destination, I find a tall, blonde, brooding man leaning against the kitchen island with a glass of what looks like champagne in hand."Mind if I join you?" I call, slowly moving forward just in case the asshole decides to attack. "I come in peace, I swear.""Do what you want," he shrugs, finishing the rest of his drink. "I was just about to...""Go check on the moping giant." I try, looking around the area until I find a wine cabinet. "Do you really think he wants your attention right now?""No, but I need to make sure he doesn’t do something stupid.""He’s an adult," I point out, grabbing a bottle of red and then a glass. Placing it on the counter, I fill it to the brim and then chug it down before pouring myself another. "Why are you treating him like a child?" I continue once drink number two is in hand."Because someone has to," Blaine chuckles.
[Alexandria’s POV]Heat thrums through me as Blaine’s large fingers find their way beneath my shirt and up my back so his palms can press against my skin, pulling me even closer while his tongue attacks mine, trying to claim dominance."Are we just gonna fuck right here?" I pant, pulling away and looking around the kitchen. "I mean, I’m not opposed to it, but I don’t think you want your master seeing you."A low growl escapes Blaine’s lips as he throws me over his shoulder and makes his way up the stairs and into what I can only assume is his room.After throwing me down on the bed, he extends a claw and hooks it in my shirt and pulls, easily ripping the fabric so he can remove it, and then does the same to my pants.Once I’m fully naked, he moves to one side of the bed, pulls up a pair of cuffs, and places them on my wrist. Moving around to the other side, he does the same and then steps aside so he can pull his shirt off.As the fabric moves, I slowly take in all the scars that cove
[Eliana’s POV]Soft light creeps through the darkness that envelops me, threatening to pull me out of the nightmareless sleep that I’m in. It had been so long since I had slept so well, and I found myself wondering if maybe revealing some of my secrets the night before had helped.Sighing, I attempt to roll over so that the light is against my back and not my face, only to find that something warm and heavy, radiating a comforting thrum of energy, is wrapped around my waist.Frowning, I open my eyes and look down to find an arm. As I let my gaze travel up that arm, I found that it was attached to a sleeping Zane.Biting back the yelp of shock that wants to escape me, I stare into his handsome sleeping face, taking in the light freckles that scatter across his nose and cheeks and his full lips, which aren’t pressed into a line of unease like they had been since we reunited.Even his features seemed softer, as if he were finally at peace. I find myself wishing that he would look like th
[Nol’s POV]"Now remember," I announce, looking at the group that surrounds me. "When we arrive, keep to yourself and don’t make eye contact with anyone."After an eventful morning, everyone was fully packed and ready to leave for our safe haven in the underworld, but there were a few ground rules that needed to be put in place."If you do, I won’t be held liable for what happens," I continue. "You’ll have to deal with the issue yourself.""Yeah, yeah," Alexandria huffs, rolling her eyes. "Do you really think we’re worried? We’re more than capable of taking care of ourselves.""Cockiness will get you killed," I point out.It would also get her taken advantage of, which was proven after her little outburst this morning thanks to Blaine’s shenanigans. If he thought I had forgiven him for making such a fucking slight, he was wrong."Then I die," she shrugs. "Do you think I really care?"Frowning, I eye her as her expression turns from annoyed to amused."What?" She giggles. "Did you real
Flames surround me, but for some reason they don’t burn. I don’t quite understand why I’m here, but I feel something beckoning me, drawing me further and further in until I see him.He sits on a throne made of skulls and stares down at me with a look of boredom. He’s so familiar but so different at the same time.Unable to quite believe what I’m seeing, I move slightly closer, only to find that a strong force doesn’t allow me to go near him."Zane?" I whisper, trying to make sense of what is happening. "That’s you, isn’t it?"It had already been two years since his disappearance, but I never truly accepted that he was gone. I mean, how could he be when there wasn’t even a body to bury? Or any sort of feeling toward his existence vanishing from this world—wouldn't I be able to feel it given the fact he wore my mark?This was why I held onto hope no matter the amount of time that passed, even when others continuously told me to let go. And now here he was in front of me, but where exactl
[Eliana’s POV]Warm sun beats down on my skin while I lounge by the pool, watching Nol wade on the steps with Ryker. Never in my life did I ever think I would see such a strong and arrogant man act like a child, but here he was splashing and laughing along with our son.Since Ryker’s birth, I have been seeing many sides of Nol that I didn’t think would exist, like him changing diapers, making bottles, and even cuddling while Ryker was sick. I even caught him singing to him a few times, but he insisted that he wasn’t.To say that life was perfect was a bit extreme, but it was damn near close. There was only one thing missing, and that was Zane.Two years had passed since his disappearance, and despite multiple searches, contacting a medium, and even asking rogue mages for help, no one was able to locate him. It was almost as though he disappeared entirely, but Nol was certain that wasn’t possible since he was aware of the consequences of bringing the hellhounds to this earth.Sighing,
[Nol’s POV]I don’t know how long Eliana sobbed on me while I helplessly watched because I knew that there was nothing that I could do since there was no bringing Zane back. Beside us, Alexandria continued to fight Blaine until she became so exhausted that all she could do was cling to him while her gaze stayed fixed on the rubble.By the time the police arrived, there was nothing left to be found, but Alexandria’s friends had managed to bring them the evidence needed to prove not only Alexandria’s innocence but that of all of us.In the end, all the blame fell on Jeckel since he was already accused of being part of a human trafficking ring. It didn’t take long for the rest of his corruption and misdeeds to be found and his name to be tarnished.Afterward, we waited to see if any remains could be found, but all that were deceased were too burned to make out and would simply be thrown in a mass grave for Disastria and Romando to be mourned by those who were oblivious to all that both a
[Zane’s POV]A howl of disappointment escapes me as I attempt to make my way to the window where Eliana and the others disappeared."No you fucking don’t!" Nol snarls, beginning to shift into his lycan form. "If you want to kill someone, then you’ll have to get through me."Snapping my gaze from the window, I feel my body beginning to move again, making its way to the very weak-looking lycan behind me.‘That’s it,’ Nol’s voice announces in my head. ‘Come get me.’As I move, he rushes forward, meeting me halfway and throwing me against a wall before jumping on me and wrapping a hand around my throat.‘Snap out of it, Zane,’ he hisses in my head. ‘Before you do something you regret.’‘I…’ I try, hoping he can hear me. ‘Can’t. Please kill me.’That was the only thing that was going to end this—my death—and I was more than willing to accept it.‘I won’t,’ Nol responds, loosening his hold. ‘If you die, Eliana will be sad.’Eliana… Of course, the only thing he cares about is her, and I can’
[Nol’s POV]The world around me begins to move in slow motion as I release Zane and rush toward where Jeckel stands with Eliana in his clutches, but before I can reach her, her eyes are widening and blood is erupting from her lips, and then she is being dropped so that I can take in the hilt of a knife that is sticking out of her back.No… This couldn’t be fucking happening. Jeckel… He…In that moment, something in me snaps, and I feel a red-hot rage begin to bubble up in me and explode as I kneel and pull Eliana into my arms to take in her ragged breathing and her white complexion.Lifting my gaze, I take in Jeckel, who stands in place looking proud of what he did.‘You,’ I hiss through mindlink, beginning to see red. ‘You…’"I did what was necessary for you to rise to greatness," he shrugs unphased. "She was nothing more than a hindrance, driving a wedge between you and your brother."A wedge… A hindrance… If anyone was any of that, it was the bastard in front of me!Letting out a s
[Zane’s POV]Stop.Stop this!You’ve gotta stop!These thoughts echo in my mind as I stare at Alexandria’s flushed face and desperate eyes.I had to stop, but no amount of trying seemed to work. Each time I thought maybe I was regaining control again, my body would act on its own, and I was left to helplessly watch.Even back in the hospital with Eliana, my claws were laced with poison, and I was the one who reduced her to what she was.As this thought hits me, my gaze drifts to where she lies on the ground, surrounded by shadowy wolves with glowing red eyes. It was clear they were protecting her, which was good, but the need to kill her still spurred me to move."Sorry, we’re late."The voice reaches me, and I find myself hopeful that this will be the end and I will be free, but the desperate need to kill continues to hold me.Releasing Alexandria, I shift and barrel into the wolves, ignoring their teeth and claws that attack my skin, threatening to shred me while Nol and the others
[Alexandria’s POV]The next morning comes too damn quick, and before I even manage to fully wake up, I’m being yanked out of my cell and dragged down a long hall while I ignore everything in me that screams to fight.There was a plan in place, and I had to trust that the plan would work out and all of this would finally be over. For now, I just needed to cooperate with whatever went down.With this thought in mind, I let myself be pushed into a room where two women wait to do my hair and makeup while I fix my gaze on the puffy white dress that sits against the wall.In the past, I always dreamed of my perfect wedding dress, but when I lost Jeremiah, I never gave it much thought. Even knowing that there was a possibility I would marry Zane, I never thought about a dress or a big wedding.Feeling my heart tug, I tear my gaze away as guilt toward Jeremiah begins to slam into me.Fuck, now wasn’t the time to be feeling this, not when I knew that this wedding wouldn’t happen, but now that
[Nol’s POV]After Jeckel’s ridiculous dinner, I’m thrown into a cell where Blaine lies motionless on the ground. While Eliana and Alexandria are placed in one beside us.Since seeing her mother and father’s heads on a platter, the usually loud she-wolf hadn’t spoken a word, but by the darkness I see in her eyes, I know that she is silently plotting Jeckel’s death."Hey," I call, trying to draw her attention. "You!"As I speak, the two men in the cell across from mine begin to groan. Tearing my gaze from Alexandria, I take them in and try to determine exactly what the relationship between them and Alexandria was to the point where she would go along with Jeckel’s scheme for them.Sighing in frustration, I turn my attention back to Blaine and watch as he begins to twitch."You finally waking up?" I ask, wishing I could knock him across the head for getting as hurt as he was. "It’s about damn time.""Fuck," he hisses, slowly sitting up only to stop as the chains on his wrists pull agains
[Nol’s POV]Pain radiates through me as my vision finally begins to come back, so that I find myself sitting at a large table. Anger rolling over being tricked, I attempt to move only to find that I’m bound by spiked metal that tears into my skin with each movement.Cursing, I continue to take in the area until my eyes come to rest on an unconscious Eliana and a fighting Alexandria."What the hell?" I growl, beginning to fight even more, only to find that the fucking chains won’t budge. "What the hell is going on here?""About time you woke up, giant!" Alexandria huffs. "We’ve got an issue here.""No shit," I snap, snapping my gaze to Eliana once again.As I take in her pale complexion and slack figure, I realize instantly that something is wrong."Eliana!" I hiss, trying to rouse her. "Open your eyes!""She won’t be waking up."Feeling my heart drop, I tear my gaze away from Eliana to Jeckel and Zane, who are making their way towards us. Confusion building, I take in Zane, whose face