Novels by Zara Dusk

Scarlett's POVI shook my head, sitting up groggily. The room spun slightly, and I felt a wave of fatigue wash over me.I ran my hands across my face, feeling around for my phone. My fingers wrapped around its slender frame, and I pulled it up to my face.The bright screen made me squint, and I shielded my eyes, forcing myself into an upright position as I stretched lazily. The stiffness in my body was evident, and I let out a low groan.My neck made an odd cracking noise as I twisted my back, trying to shake myself awake.I tossed the phone onto the armchair adjacent to where I sat, the soft cushions enveloping it. As I forced myself out of the couch, my joints creaked in protest.I headed to the television to turn it off, my neck aching with every movement. The screen went black, and the room fell silent except for the dull hum of the radiator in the corner and the distant buzz of horns as the city came to life.I sighed heavily, remembering I had work today. The thought of facing t

Scarlett's POVMy breath seized in my throat as I gripped the edges of my tray tighter, exhaling shakily.Now I know I did not leave that this morning.What the actual fuck is going on?I stood frozen for a moment, my mind racing with possibilities. I tiptoed to the room, bracing myself for whatever I was going to see. The creaking of the floorboards beneath my feet seemed amplified, and my heart pounded in my chest.As I pushed the door open wider, a violent shiver ran down my spine. The sight before me was like a punch to the gut. I felt like I'd been robbed, violated.I dropped the tray on the floor, close to the doorframe, as I stepped over my overturned desk, trembling. My sheets hung awkwardly from my windows, my bed totally wrecked. The mess was chaotic, like a whirlwind had swept through my room.I picked up a ripped pillow, staring at it as if somehow it would tell me what exactly had happened. My bedside drawers lay on the floor, contents totally emptied out onto the floor.

Scarlett's POVAs I trudged towards my front door, a smile still plastered on my face, I rummaged through my purse for my phone. My fingers closed around it, and I pulled it out, dialing Spencer's number out of habit. But then I remembered he was away on a business trip, and a chuckle escaped my lips as I shoved the phone back into my bag. "Silly," I muttered to myself.I continued to fumble through my purse, searching for my keys.My fingers dug deeper, and I pointed the bag towards the dim street light by the fence, but there was nothing."Don't tell me I forgot my keys. Do not fucking tell me I forgot my keys," I muttered, crouching down by the fence as I emptied the contents of my purse onto the ground.The items clanged against each other, and a faint glint caught my eye. I grabbed the keys, sighing in relief as I packed my stuff back into the bag.As I stood up, I dusted off my knees, grunting in frustration. "I really need to organize my shit better," I muttered to myself.I st

Ares' POVDon't get an erection.Don't get an erection.Don't get an erection.Scarlett's weight was still pressed lightly against me, her frame soft where mine was tense. My hands, which had instinctively gone to steady her, now rested awkwardly at her waist.Her brown hair framed her face, shielding her hazel eyes which were barely visible. It smells faintly of coconut and lavender, her signature scent.Her breath hitched as she glanced down between us, then quickly backed up. Her cheeks bloomed a deep shade of red that stirred something very unholy within me.DON’T. GET. AN. ERECTION.She pushed herself off with a flustered gasp, avoiding my eyes as she dusted off her jorts. I cleared my throat, a low rumble that scraped against the tightness in my chest.I swallowed hard, risking a glance at her as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, eyes flicking everywhere but at me.My lips twitched in spite of myself.I inwardly chuckled, watching her fidget as she glanced at any and e

Scarlett's POVI hum softly, closing the distance between us, feeling the heat radiating off of him.The air around us seems to shift, thickening with something unspoken, something charged. “And you,” I say, my voice low as I jab my index finger into his chest.His brow arches, his lips twitching upward in amusement as if I’m nothing more than a source of entertainment to him. My cheeks flush instantly, the weight of his piercing blue eyes locking onto mine making me feel like my thoughts are on full display.Those eyes, sharp, unreadable, hold emotions I can’t quite place, swirling beneath the surface in a way that makes my stomach twist.I swallow thickly, my throat suddenly dry. My palms feel clammy, and I discreetly wipe them on the fabric of my skirt, praying he doesn’t notice.“You didn’t answer me,” I finish, crossing my arms over my chest in an attempt to look composed, even if my heart is hammering against my ribs.For a moment, he doesn’t say anything. He just stares at me,

Scarlett's POV“Where are my cream slacks? Spencer groans, rummaging through his closet as I button up my blouse, plopping on his bed.His vanilla scent wafts into my nose as Ariana's voice croons out his speakers, barely audible.“Spence, you don't have cream slacks you have beige slacks,” I pause, chuckling as the perfectly starched pair of pants catches my eye underneath his big blue suitcase. “And here they are,” I say as I wrench them out from underneath his suitcase with a grunt.“Ugh,” he groans, grabbing them from my arms as he ruffles my hair, “Scar, you are a lifesaver. I was so gonna be late for my flight,” he says as he rips a shirt off its hanger, hastily buttoning it up.I pat my hair down, smoothing it as I shoot daggers at Spencer.He chuckles lowly, glancing at his watch.“Shit, shit,” he cusses, grabbing his wallet and airpod case from the nightstand as he disappears into the bathroom, reappearing moments later with his toiletries.“If I don't get going now, I'm not

I had never slept so well in my whole life. The thick sheets blanketed me and I felt like I was laying on a cloud.I buried my face into my pillow but stopped when a savory scent hit my nose and the sound of sizzling bacon hit my ears.I sat up in my bed, the sheets pooling around my waist. I let out a yawn while rubbing my eyes. Slowly, I slid out of the bed and walked into the bathroom. I cringed at the sight of myself. Shrugging my shoulders, I washed my face and put my hair up into a messy bun.I went downstairs and into the kitchen. Damien was already dressed in a suit. I looked down at the black shirt I still had on. It still smelled like his minty scent. I ignored how cold the floor was as I walked over to the bar and took a seat on a stool. A plate was placed in front of me. I think I drooled a little."Thank you," I said as I immediately started taking bites.Damien didn't look at me as he took a seat on the stool next to me with a plate of his own in front of him.The silenc

I stood in my room, my belongings packed in a few boxes. I only packed personal things like he told me. He said I was going to go shopping there to get new clothes so it wouldn't be such a hassle to pack up everything."Are you packed?" My mom asked from the doorway. I turned to her and shrugged."Yeah, I guess."I didn't know what to expect. What was Damien's house like?"If anything happens, please don't hesitate to call," she said to me as she picked up a couple boxes. I followed as well by picking up some boxes."You too. I need to know what happens between Lily and Preston."We both walked out of my room and down the stairs. Preston and Damien took the boxes from us and put them in the back of the car parked in the driveway. I went back upstairs to get the last box, giving my room one last look before closing the door after me.When I got back outside, I saw my dad speaking with Damien quietly. His eyes were narrowed at him as he spoke and his arms crossed over his chest."Is eve

I shot a glare at Eric. "Yes, I told him that I'm moving. Neither of us wanted a long distance relationship so we broke up. Now can you please go bother someone else?" My heart clenched at the thought of us not together anymore. I was happy with him but I knew it wouldn't work out.I took my mate's hand, ignoring the bond, and dragged the both of us away.I didn't know where I was taking us until I opened a random door and realized it was dad's office.I leaned back against the door after I closed it and took a deep breath. The moonlight filled up the room from the large window facing the forest.I even forgot that my mate was with me until I felt his thumb gently rub circles on the back of my hand.I jumped slightly from his touch and stared up at him.When did he get so close to me?He took a closer step towards me and placed his other hand on the door, effectively caging me in.He leaned down so his face was only inches away from mine, his breath fanning my face."Damien," he whisp

I arrived home around four. Preston decided to stay out. I hoped that he wasn't doing anything he'd regret but stopped when I remembered that Preston wasn't stupid. He was too smart.I wasn't looking forward to seeing my mate. Maybe he was with my dad and not here right now.I tossed my keys in the bowl and locked the door behind me. I walked up the stairs and down the hall towards my room.The door across from my room opened and my mate emerged from it, his icy blue eyes locking with mine, freezing me into place. I couldn't help but stare at him. He had on sweats and a black T-shirt. He looked so sexy without even trying.His eyes shifted away from mine to the Victoria's Secret bag in my hand. I noticed the muscle in his jaw ticking before he looked back to my face.He leaned against the door frame before speaking, "I've decided that we'll be leaving on Monday. Your mother wants to throw a party for you tomorrow."I just nodded my head. I wasn't surprised that she was. She'd always f

I woke up to the sound of voices talking downstairs-scratch that-shouting down stairs.I quickly jumped out of bed and walked out of my room. I crept quietly down the stairs and used my strong hearing to listen."That wasn't just a bad dream," I heard an angry voice from the kitchen. I immediately recognized that it belonged to my mate. "It was more than a dream, I know it!""You need to calm down," I heard mom's voice."Don't tell me to calm down," my mate ordered."She is my mate and I need to know what happened. I know that you know what happened, so you better start talking.""This is my house. Don't you dare order me around."I took that as my cue to walk in so my mate doesn't do anything stupid."What's going on here?" I asked. Mom looked pissed off as she crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the counter. My mate looked just as angry.He turned to me. "What happened last night?" He asked, his voice dangerously low.I glanced at mom, who was frowning. I didn't know

The rest of dinner felt awkward and went by slowly.Being the 'good Alpha' he is, my dad asked my mate if he wanted to stay here for the night while his men stayed at the Pack House.And lucky for me the guest room is across the hall from mine. My dad didn't like that idea at all but it was the largest guest room we had.After dinner I carried the dishes into the kitchen. In this house, whoever didn't cook had to clean the kitchen. My dad's rules, not mine, but I guess it seemed fair.Preston handed me the dishes and scrubbed the counter while I washed the dishes."So," he began, leaning against the counter next to the sink. "Your mate is here. What are you going to do?"I shrugged my shoulders. "I honestly don't know. He wants me to go back with him. I know I kind of have to if I want to live, but I don't want him to expect that I'll just jump into his arms just like that.""Then don't jump into his arms," Preston stated as if it was that simple."It's not that simple, Pres," I said,