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Zoe’s POV I stood at the luggage carousel biting my nails while I waited to pick up my bags. Guilt was gnawing at my insides as I recalled the way I’d left Dillon this morning. Should I have at least said goodbye? No. I shook my head to clear the doubt. He knew going in that I didn’t intend to accept the bond. Saying goodbye would have just led to rehashing the same old argument between us. At least this way, I left with good memories instead of the bad ones that had plagued the last two years of my life where Dillon was concerned. Plus, it felt good to take a little revenge. He should know what it feels like to be used then wake up alone. “Mate loves us! We should go home now!” My wolf growled again. Cinna had been hissing and snarling at me since I left the cabin this morning. The whole time I’d been with Dillon, she had been unusually quiet, almost as if she was afraid to interrupt the moment. Still, I could feel her presence front and center all night long. I wasn’t re
Dillon’s POV I let Dorian run for hours, hoping it would help dissipate some of the pain and frustration we were feeling. When he was finally exhausted, we returned to the packhouse, shifting back and grabbing some clothes from the plastic bin on the front porch. But I couldn’t go in. I was in no mood to see anyone so I wandered around to the back terrace and plopped down on a bench facing the garden. The view was gorgeous but all I could see was Zoe, writhing in pain on the ground a few feet in front of me, where I'd found her that night two years ago. The night I’d broken her heart without even knowing it and ruined our future together. Pulling out my phone, I opened a text to her and sent her a message. Surely she’d landed by now and she would see it come through. But after a few minutes, she still hadn’t read it. So I sent another and another, pouring my heart out to her and begging her to call me so we could work things out between us. Last night was amazing and I knew she
Blair’s POV I watched Dillon walk away, enjoying the view. The man always did have a fine ass! Not that the rest of him wasn’t as equally delectable. I sighed at the memory of the last time I’d seen him naked. That night in his office, the night I made the video I sent to Zoe. I thought for sure seeing the two of us together would mean the end of her little infatuation with him. Seeing the proof that she was nowhere near the kind of woman Dillon needed and that he’d already found that woman in me should have shattered whatever feelings she had for him, with or without the mate bond. But apparently the bitch still didn’t reject him. That was fine though. I was never one to give up easily when I wanted something. And I wanted Dillon. At least Dillon and I were talking again, That was a step in the right direction. I had been furious when he said we couldn’t see each other anymore, all to protect his prissy little mate’s feelings when she didn’t even want him. But I knew his self-
Zoe’s POV My first foray into life outside my pack had been going remarkably well for the most part. When I decided to go away to school, I knew I wanted the full college experience so I accepted a room on campus. Fortunately, it was a single room with an en suite so I didn’t have to share, but it was in the thick of student life and that made me happy. Mattias had introduced me to some of his friends and they all seemed really nice and welcoming. Most of them were studying shifter medicine as well so hopefully I would have no shortage of study buddies, too. They had already added me to their text group where they organized study group meetings or social outings so I could join if I wanted to. I had also been fortunate enough to land a job at Ashmouth Medical Center as a Medical research assistant. Mattias knew the research fellow and recommended me for the position. I didn’t need to work but the job would expose me to research methodologies that would be helpful in my classes and,
Dillon’s POV It was the same thing everyday since the day she left, and today was no different. My daily routine never wavered. Wake up, lead training, morning huddle with the Alphas and Beta, then spend the rest of the day in my office working on security and patrol protocols. I looked forward to the first part of my day. It was a distraction. It required focus and face to face interaction. It was the rest of the day that I dreaded. Because once I was alone in my office, I couldn’t think of anything but her. Opening the photo gallery on my phone, I scrolled through my photos of Zoe. She had no idea I had so many pictures of her and I cringed at the thought of what she’d do to me if she found out. I cupped my hand over my junk protectively at the mere thought. My mate had a vicious side. My mate. We were nowhere near solidifying our bond and with how easily she left me, I had my doubts we ever would be. But still the word made me smile. Zoe’s gorgeous face stared back at me from
Dillon’s POV My leg bounced nervously in my seat as the plane touched down in Ashmouth. Despite the fact that I was a Gamma, a fierce warrior, butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I considered what I was about to do. Zoe didn’t know I was coming and I knew there was a chance she would refuse to see me. I never asked for time off so the Alphas were a little surprised when I’d told them I needed to leave town for a few days. They didn’t hesitate to agree though. Under my leadership, security was a well-oiled machine, And Derek, my second-in-command, had everything well in hand. So here I was, about to lay my heart on the line for the girl who’d already stomped on it more times than I could count. If that made me a fool, oh well. I would be a fool for her any damn day of the week. I grabbed my carry-on from the overhead bin as soon as the plane doors were open. I had no idea if I would be here for a few hours or a few days but I always traveled light. It made it easy to head str
Dillon’s POV “What is this place anyway?” I asked, risking the wrath of a clearly still fuming Zoe. “It’s where we keep our research samples.” She answered bluntly, the scowl never leaving her face. “Ooh-kay. Then why do they have it locked down tighter than Fort Knox?” I ventured another question. Zoe huffed, exasperation a mild term for her current attitude. She ran her fingers through her hair a few times while she contemplated even bothering to answer me. I slumped down on the floor beside her, stuffing my hands in my pockets to ward off the urge to touch her silky locks myself. “Medical research is tightly regulated. Any loss, damage, or mix-up with samples could set a study back years. That’s a lot of time and money lost, not to mention the consequences for patients whose lives might depend on the treatments being developed.” “Makes sense when you put it that way.” I acknowledged. “I was fortunate to even be allowed back here. It was a privilege Dr. Knolls trusted m
Zoe’s POV It was happening again. No matter how hard I tried to maintain a safe distance between us, to keep the stone walls solidly in place around my heart, he always managed to find a way through. And fuck was this ever worth it! I moaned as Dillon’s tongue found mine, massaging it softly as his hands gently roamed over my curves. But Dillon wasn’t gentle. He’d proven that several times over the night he’d fucked me into the next week, driving my body to heights I didn’t know were possible to reach. So no, Dillon wasn’t gentle and if it wasn’t the real him, then I didn’t want it. I wove my fingers through his soft, dark curls and yanked hard. Dillon groaned in pleasure as I pulled his head back and grazed my teeth down his neck. “I love it when you’re feisty, baby doll.” He murmured in that deep, sexy tone that made my toes curl. “And I love it when you don't treat me like a fragile doll. Fuck me like you mean it Dillon or not at all.” I chided, pulling back to meet his gorg