>To say that I was shocked, would be an understatement. What was happening?I had no idea what Xavier’s Grandmother had seen but I was confused as to how she reached the conclusion.It was a pleasant conclusion, of course. But still a very shocking one.I stayed silent for the rest of the little tea party as his grandmother told stories of his childhood and I understood why he held her in such high regard.On the way back, Xavier had offered to drop me off, since he was the one who had brought me and my car was still at home.“So, are you going to tell me, what were you thinking when you dropped me at your Grandmother’s house and left?!” I asked when we had left her driveway.“After you tell me, what you were thinking when you chose to get drunk and flirt with a barkeeper at midnight.” He retorted.“I was in my pack territory. And it’s none of your business.” I tried to hold on to the little dignity I could muster.“You made it my business when you texted me and called C
>I was expecting bad news, but what I heard was not something I had in mind. I was shocked to hear Xavier.I should’ve expected it. With Claire back, it was the obvious course of action. I shouldn’t be sad or shocked.“Zoe.” He called me and I realized that I hadn’t said anything in a while.“Okay.” I managed to utter.“Okay?” He asked. He must’ve expected a different reaction. Maybe he was expecting me to ask or maybe even negotiate. But I was still in shock at the news to understand the future outcomes.“Okay.” I repeated.Before either of us could discuss any further, the waiter arrived to get our orders. Xavier placed his order first and since my brain was not working at all, I agreed to have whatever he was having.The waiter offered some wine and I knew I needed alcohol to pass the evening.I had already made a fool of myself in front of him yesterday, I was not going to do it again. Once we were left alone, he said, “Don’t worry. I have taken your father’s case a
>“So, let me get this straight. Xavier’s secretary wants to take you on a hillside vacation?” Maisie asked confused.I had called her and she had dropped everything to come over. Now we both sat on my bed and I could not understand if she was skeptical of it or happy about it.“That’s what the message says.” I shrugged.“And what do you want?” She asked softly.“Honestly?” I asked. She nodded.“I just want to crawl under a rock and disappear until everything blows over.” I sighed, feeling defeated.“You know what I think?” She asked.I urged her to answer, “What?”“You know what.” She said meaningfully.“What do you-” I was about to ask when she nodded with a smile, and I asked shocked, “Are you serious?”“I mean, first thing first, we need to know how he wants to take you. Like as a friend or is he looking for more?” Maise picked up a cushion and placed it in her lap, getting comfortable.“Jacob and I have had a very nice friendly relationship so far.” I thought to mysel
>“I still can’t believe it is really happening.” Maisie exclaimed excitedly.“I’m glad it worked out this way.” Jacob, who was driving, smiled at me.“Who would’ve thought my plus one would be friends with Jacob’s plus one.” Micheal, Maisie’s friend from Xavier’s Pack said from where he was sitting beside Maisie in the backseat.“This weekend is going to be so much fun.” Maisie was beyond giddy with excitement. She nudged my shoulder, “Say something. You love nature.”“Yeah.” I only managed. I was thinking about Xavier and the way he had cut ties with me. That was all I seemed to think about recently.“Wow. Love the enthusiasm, Zee.” Maisie said sarcastically and rolled her eyes.“Jacob, how long till we get there?” She asked, suddenly.“About 3 more hours.” He answered, focusing on the road.“Alright, how about a freshening up break then? We have been on the road for two hours. I need to stretch a little.” She asked.“There is a gas station in about half an hour, we can
> “Alright people, gather your stuff, we’ll be there in ten.” Jacob announced and we all sat straighter. I was now seated beside Maisie who nudged my elbow, “Hey, we are going to have so much fun. Aren’t we.” Since the gas station when I had confessed my feelings to Maisie, it had lifted a weight from my heart. I was relieved. All the time I had spent with Xavier, I had seen how he kept women at a distance. From his receptionist to his clients who were all interested in him. He never cared. But he had brought me into his home. He had allowed me a side of himself I was sure that no one had seen and I knew that it had to be special. Suddenly a thought came into my mind and I had to share it with Maisie, “When we get there, I’ll tell you something.” “About you-know-how?” Maisie asked, excitedly. This girl was more excited about my love life than me. I nodded and she gasped. True to his word, Jacob pulled up in the driveway of a gorgeous mansion sitting snuggly in the
> Despite being overwhelmed with Council duties, John’s case, and most importantly, my self-imposed distance between Zoe and myself, I couldn’t refuse Claire. She was so excited. She called all her older friends, who had been just as surprised as me but also very welcoming. I bet they were all curious why she up and left so suddenly without a trace. I wondered what she would tell them. The day arrived to leave and as we drove Claire kept talking about everything she had planned for the getaway, especially because some of her friends were going to bring plus ones whom Claire had not yet met. All I could think about was, what Zoe would be doing now? Was she upset? Unlike the time she had been devastated when she had seen Claire return and drunk herself to near oblivion. She hadn’t called or texted me. Maisie, her best friend, hadn’t contacted me either. Was she already over me? Was I the only one overthinking? After all, I was the only one of the two of us who kne
>I contemplated walking away, but I knew it was impossible for a wolfless one like me to walk down the hill back to the city in this state. And that too in a different territory.It had taken us six hours to get there. I needed a car to go back.But I was determined not to face Xavier and especially not Claire.For that purpose, I knew I couldn’t just walk in through the main entrance and after a minute of gathering courage, I decided to climb in through the balcony of my room.The moment I was inside my room without any hitch, I breathed a sigh of relief.“What happened out there?!”I whipped around in shock to see Maisie sitting on my bed, looking worried.She immediately got up and rushed to me. She started examining my face and arms, “Are you hurt? Tell me, Zoe.”“I slipped.” Was all I could manage.The image of Xavier helping Claire out of his car and her kissing his cheek haunted me.“You are not okay.”Maisie led me to bathroom, “Go on. Take a shower. I'll bring yo
> I love winters. It’s the season of hot chocolate and warm fuzzy sweaters. But most of all, it’s the time of year when I go running in the freshly fallen snow, hoping to get my wolf any day now, because nights are longer than days in winter. I am Zoe Simmons, the daughter of an ex-beta of Silver Moon Pack. My father was a well-respected and trusted Beta of the pack in his time. When I turned sixteen, I expected to meet my amazing wolf, but to everyone’s surprise, she was a no-show. Ever since my mom had left us, Goddess knows why, my dad had been my sole support, my whole world. We did everything together. Everything I knew had been taught to me by my father, and I loved him for it. That day I got up after dawn, got ready, and went for a quick run in the woods that were close since our house was at the edge of the community. On the run, I saw some wolf paw prints and I longed for the day mine would be imprinted on the fresh snow like that too one day. I returned, show