Zenab exited the water, processing the thought. She couldn't lie to herself and admitted she wasn't sure they would be safe around her. Despite caring about them deeply, Red was right. Given how unhinged she felt, there was a chance she could inadvertently harm them.Zenab sighed in defeat. "Alright, let me go talk to Sander."With that decision, she shifted and sprinted through the forest, enjoying the wind against her reddish-brown fur. But then her unease returned. It felt as if she were being watched—tracked. Sander mentioned having pack warriors stationed in various areas, but this felt wrong, like she was being hunted. She pumped her legs harder, weaving through the trees.The feeling persisted, and dread clawed at her. She realized she had strayed too far from her intended path. Real or imagined, she thought she heard another pair of paws. Without glancing back, Red pushed them harder. In horror movies, looking back was the fatal flaw; Zenab wasn't about to make that mistake.T
"Nope," she replied, attempting to suppress the memory of that harrowing night.She still couldn't fathom their cruelty, particularly toward a woman. A grimace crossed her face as she recalled the repeated punches and the pain of their assault, culminating in their grip sinking into her shoulder. Rolling her hand, she felt relieved to note that it was fully healed. Yes, they were wolves and could heal quickly, but it still hurt like hell."Tell me, Zenab, who hates you so much that they would want you dead?" he asked."Someone who has already tried to kill you three times," she revealed.Zenab remained silent at first, simply staring at him. His eyes were intense and inquisitive, as if he were trying to read her and uncover the answers buried deep within her—answers she didn't possess. She could see his mind working, piecing together the information."I honestly don't know. The only person I can think of is Miles, and she's still locked away in the council dungeons, so that's a moot p
The following morning, Zenab awoke feeling exhausted, her eyes red and puffy. As usual, she found herself alone; Sander hadn't come to bed. It was hardly surprising, as he had made it abundantly clear that he preferred the solitude of his office over sharing a bed with her.As she prepared for the day, her thoughts were still consumed by the revelation Sander had dropped on her the day before. How was she supposed to cope with their child being chosen as the moon goddess's oracle? The life of an oracle was far from the glamorous existence some imagined. While many viewed it as an honor, they failed to consider the dangers involved, given that packs often fought over oracles.Despite the fact that Emerald would serve as a link between them and the goddess, as well as possess the ability to glimpse the future, Zenab didn't want that path for her daughter. It felt suffocating to have one's fate predetermined. Emerald would miss out on the joys of high school, prom, college, and the freed
There have been rare instances of a human being a fated mate to a wolf, though such occurrences are uncommon. In those cases, the human accepted the wolf and agreed to keep their existence a secret, but initially convincing them that wolves live among them can be quite difficult."These papers need your approval. They are the model designs you requested from the senior designers," Sherry said, pulling Zenab from her thoughts."Okay, I'll review them. Is Jaymie here yet?" Zenab asked, examining the designs. So far, they didn't look too bad, but there was certainly room for improvement."Not yet," she replied curtly.Zenab acknowledged her with a nod. "That will be all for now."Sherry nodded and exited, the door closing softly behind her. Zenab set the papers aside and turned to Hunt, whose gaze was fixed on the closed door."Don't even think about pursuing anything with Sherry. She's a wonderful woman and an even better secretary, and I don't want to see her heart broken once you tire
Zenab glanced over at Hunt, who was slumped on the couch like a discarded sack of potatoes. He resembled someone who had lost all hope, merely waiting for the inevitable."I've been resting for over a week. I can't just sit at home doing nothing," he said."But you woke up yesterday," Jaymie countered.Zenab shrugged, feeling a bit drained but knowing she couldn't remain idle. Stagnation was not in her nature; she had to be active, doing something.Hunt groaned, and Jaymie finally turned her attention to him, as if just noticing his existence."Oh, hello. I remember you now. Sorry I didn't see you there," she said, and he nodded in acknowledgment, though his response was almost lifeless.Poor guy. Anyone who saw him now would have difficulty believing he was one of Sander's top warriors."What's wrong with him? He looks like someone ran over his cat," Jaymie asked, glancing at Zenab."I don't have a cat," he replied softly, but they ignored him.Zenab sighed. "Sherry is his mate."Jay
"It's not my fault that I'm feeling this way and my body is reacting to you!" Zenab whispered angrily. "You're a man, and I haven't had this much physical contact with anyone in over a year, so of course, I want you. It's purely physical. And as for Hunt, I am his luna, and one of my responsibilities is to provide comfort. He just found out that his mate is Sherry and was utterly devastated. What was I supposed to do?"She was eager to hear Sander's response because she couldn't quite understand him. She believed she was simply acting as she thought was right."I'm warning you again, Zenab—keep your hormones in check!" he fumed. "I will never touch you. Our arrangement is strictly a contract. You're not my type, so you can forget about us ever being intimate."His comments angered her deeply, primarily because he made her feel rejected and unwanted, bringing her insecurities to the surface.Rising from her seat, she grabbed her handbag."Sit down," he commanded firmly.In response, sh
"I just can't handle the pack right now. I feel completely lost. How am I supposed to function without Zenab by my side? I'm a total wreck," Dave confessed, his frustration evident.His father snorted, the sound irritating him more than he cared to admit. "Weren't you the same man who was professing his undying love for that other woman just a month ago?" he taunted.Dave instinctively rubbed his chest, the jab hitting him as though it were a physical blow. His father's words stung, using Miles's betrayal as a weapon against him, and the pain lingered like a constant ache, reminiscent of being stabbed repeatedly."Things change," he murmured, glancing down at the floor.How well he knew that truth—he had experienced it firsthand. Just a year prior, Zenab had been the one in despair, but now the roles had reversed. The only significant difference was that Zenab was now mated to Sander. Meanwhile, Miles had continuously refused to bond with him, an unmistakable red flag that he should h
Zenab sat anxiously in front of the television, her heart racing as she absorbed the news report."...and the public is being advised to exercise caution, as the serial killer remains at large, and neither the police nor the FBI have identified the perpetrator."Her stomach twisted in knots. This was the very same serial killer that Sander and the wolf council were desperately attempting to track down. Unbeknownst to the human populace, they were contending with a supernatural entity—a rogue wolf. The death toll was escalating, with a new murder occurring every other week. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the FBI had taken the initiative to issue a warning. On their side, the council had likewise urged vigilance regarding the rogues that roamed free.Rogues were wolves who had been exiled from their packs or who had opted not to adhere to pack regulations. Generally speaking, they weren't considered dangerous; they were simply free-spirited individuals. However, among them we
"Geez I always have plans with my best friend on Saturdays, so I'm not sure I can make it," Zenab replied, a twinge of guilt accompanying her refusal."Oh, okay. That's alright. Maybe next time," Lesley responded, disappointment threading her voice and tugging at Zenab's heartstrings. She hated to hear that note of discontent."Perhaps we could make it a threesome. Let me call Jaymie and get back to you in just a minute, okay?" Zenab offered, hoping to salvage the day."Okay," Lesley replied, her tone laced with optimism.Zenab quickly dialed Jaymie, and, just as she had anticipated, Jaymie readily agreed, assuring Zenab that Lesley was more than welcome to join them. Without delay, Zenab called Lesley back, and she answered on the second ring. "Meet us at Les Vier," Zenab instructed.Lesley confirmed with a cheerful "okay," and they swiftly concluded the call. Zenab prepared herself and soon found herself outside, waiting for Hunt after bidding farewell to the kids. Once in the car,
Zenab sat anxiously in front of the television, her heart racing as she absorbed the news report."...and the public is being advised to exercise caution, as the serial killer remains at large, and neither the police nor the FBI have identified the perpetrator."Her stomach twisted in knots. This was the very same serial killer that Sander and the wolf council were desperately attempting to track down. Unbeknownst to the human populace, they were contending with a supernatural entity—a rogue wolf. The death toll was escalating, with a new murder occurring every other week. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the FBI had taken the initiative to issue a warning. On their side, the council had likewise urged vigilance regarding the rogues that roamed free.Rogues were wolves who had been exiled from their packs or who had opted not to adhere to pack regulations. Generally speaking, they weren't considered dangerous; they were simply free-spirited individuals. However, among them we
"I just can't handle the pack right now. I feel completely lost. How am I supposed to function without Zenab by my side? I'm a total wreck," Dave confessed, his frustration evident.His father snorted, the sound irritating him more than he cared to admit. "Weren't you the same man who was professing his undying love for that other woman just a month ago?" he taunted.Dave instinctively rubbed his chest, the jab hitting him as though it were a physical blow. His father's words stung, using Miles's betrayal as a weapon against him, and the pain lingered like a constant ache, reminiscent of being stabbed repeatedly."Things change," he murmured, glancing down at the floor.How well he knew that truth—he had experienced it firsthand. Just a year prior, Zenab had been the one in despair, but now the roles had reversed. The only significant difference was that Zenab was now mated to Sander. Meanwhile, Miles had continuously refused to bond with him, an unmistakable red flag that he should h
"It's not my fault that I'm feeling this way and my body is reacting to you!" Zenab whispered angrily. "You're a man, and I haven't had this much physical contact with anyone in over a year, so of course, I want you. It's purely physical. And as for Hunt, I am his luna, and one of my responsibilities is to provide comfort. He just found out that his mate is Sherry and was utterly devastated. What was I supposed to do?"She was eager to hear Sander's response because she couldn't quite understand him. She believed she was simply acting as she thought was right."I'm warning you again, Zenab—keep your hormones in check!" he fumed. "I will never touch you. Our arrangement is strictly a contract. You're not my type, so you can forget about us ever being intimate."His comments angered her deeply, primarily because he made her feel rejected and unwanted, bringing her insecurities to the surface.Rising from her seat, she grabbed her handbag."Sit down," he commanded firmly.In response, sh
Zenab glanced over at Hunt, who was slumped on the couch like a discarded sack of potatoes. He resembled someone who had lost all hope, merely waiting for the inevitable."I've been resting for over a week. I can't just sit at home doing nothing," he said."But you woke up yesterday," Jaymie countered.Zenab shrugged, feeling a bit drained but knowing she couldn't remain idle. Stagnation was not in her nature; she had to be active, doing something.Hunt groaned, and Jaymie finally turned her attention to him, as if just noticing his existence."Oh, hello. I remember you now. Sorry I didn't see you there," she said, and he nodded in acknowledgment, though his response was almost lifeless.Poor guy. Anyone who saw him now would have difficulty believing he was one of Sander's top warriors."What's wrong with him? He looks like someone ran over his cat," Jaymie asked, glancing at Zenab."I don't have a cat," he replied softly, but they ignored him.Zenab sighed. "Sherry is his mate."Jay
There have been rare instances of a human being a fated mate to a wolf, though such occurrences are uncommon. In those cases, the human accepted the wolf and agreed to keep their existence a secret, but initially convincing them that wolves live among them can be quite difficult."These papers need your approval. They are the model designs you requested from the senior designers," Sherry said, pulling Zenab from her thoughts."Okay, I'll review them. Is Jaymie here yet?" Zenab asked, examining the designs. So far, they didn't look too bad, but there was certainly room for improvement."Not yet," she replied curtly.Zenab acknowledged her with a nod. "That will be all for now."Sherry nodded and exited, the door closing softly behind her. Zenab set the papers aside and turned to Hunt, whose gaze was fixed on the closed door."Don't even think about pursuing anything with Sherry. She's a wonderful woman and an even better secretary, and I don't want to see her heart broken once you tire
The following morning, Zenab awoke feeling exhausted, her eyes red and puffy. As usual, she found herself alone; Sander hadn't come to bed. It was hardly surprising, as he had made it abundantly clear that he preferred the solitude of his office over sharing a bed with her.As she prepared for the day, her thoughts were still consumed by the revelation Sander had dropped on her the day before. How was she supposed to cope with their child being chosen as the moon goddess's oracle? The life of an oracle was far from the glamorous existence some imagined. While many viewed it as an honor, they failed to consider the dangers involved, given that packs often fought over oracles.Despite the fact that Emerald would serve as a link between them and the goddess, as well as possess the ability to glimpse the future, Zenab didn't want that path for her daughter. It felt suffocating to have one's fate predetermined. Emerald would miss out on the joys of high school, prom, college, and the freed
"Nope," she replied, attempting to suppress the memory of that harrowing night.She still couldn't fathom their cruelty, particularly toward a woman. A grimace crossed her face as she recalled the repeated punches and the pain of their assault, culminating in their grip sinking into her shoulder. Rolling her hand, she felt relieved to note that it was fully healed. Yes, they were wolves and could heal quickly, but it still hurt like hell."Tell me, Zenab, who hates you so much that they would want you dead?" he asked."Someone who has already tried to kill you three times," she revealed.Zenab remained silent at first, simply staring at him. His eyes were intense and inquisitive, as if he were trying to read her and uncover the answers buried deep within her—answers she didn't possess. She could see his mind working, piecing together the information."I honestly don't know. The only person I can think of is Miles, and she's still locked away in the council dungeons, so that's a moot p
Zenab exited the water, processing the thought. She couldn't lie to herself and admitted she wasn't sure they would be safe around her. Despite caring about them deeply, Red was right. Given how unhinged she felt, there was a chance she could inadvertently harm them.Zenab sighed in defeat. "Alright, let me go talk to Sander."With that decision, she shifted and sprinted through the forest, enjoying the wind against her reddish-brown fur. But then her unease returned. It felt as if she were being watched—tracked. Sander mentioned having pack warriors stationed in various areas, but this felt wrong, like she was being hunted. She pumped her legs harder, weaving through the trees.The feeling persisted, and dread clawed at her. She realized she had strayed too far from her intended path. Real or imagined, she thought she heard another pair of paws. Without glancing back, Red pushed them harder. In horror movies, looking back was the fatal flaw; Zenab wasn't about to make that mistake.T