LOGINMarissa's Pov My breath comes fast. My heartbeat frantic. I'm running again. This time in heels. I catch a reflection of myself in the mirrors lining the hallway as I run past. I'm in a powder blue ball gown and gold heels, hair held up in an elaborate bun, my cheeks rosy pink with blush. I gasp at the image but I don't stop running, platform heels clacking rapidly against the thin carpet. I reach the top of a grand staircase, the type seen only in movies, and without a moment's hesitation, I begin to run down. I'm almost to the bottom when I place a foot wrong. My arms spread out l, grabbing for something, anything to regain my balance. But the bannisters suddenly seem so far away and I'm tumbling the last few steps, the green carpet rushing up to meet my face. I manage to get my hands in front of my face to cushion the fall to the hard floor. But the floor isn't hard. It's…sandy? Soil. I open my eyes to find myself on the forest floor. I gasp and jerk back up. I'm still in th
Marissa's Pov “He was so sweet and charming. We did the shopping together and he got along really well with Ashlynn.” " Well that's not hard. Ashlynn gets along with everybody. She's a ray of sunshine.” Bridget yawned as she spoke. She'd only just woken up from sleep. Sometimes I envied her single, child free life. " Not everyone exactly. She says she hates The Wilson twins." I countered as I propped the phone with my shoulder so I could fold the laundry with both hands. “Everybody hates The Wilson twins. They're assholes. Anyway, what did you say this man's name was again?" “Zayne Blackwood." I said and again, that feeling of breathlessness at hearing his name swept over me. I placed a hand to my chest and blew out a breath. “Oh my God, did you just swoon?!" Bree cackled. “I did not." I grumbled, “But if you saw him, you would." “Yeahhhhh why didn't I see him at the party? With the way you've described him, I couldn't have missed him." “He left early. Said he had
Marissa's Pov Sunday morning came with the mother of all headaches. My head felt like it had been run through a meat grinder and my tongue was woolen like someone had crammed a fur ball in when I wasn't looking. I moaned as I took a look at myself in the bathroom mirror. I looked like shit. Felt like it too. It'd been a while since I had a girl's night out. Bree was always needling me for it but I had neither time nor inclination. And right now, I was wishing I had kept it that way for longer. I squeezed my eyes shut as a splitting ache ran from the bridge of my nose to the back of my head. I would never go drinking ever again. I made a quick cup of instant coffee, black with two sugars, and sipped it slowly as I went over the list of things I had to do that morning. Mrs Quincey would be over soon with the kids so I needed to get as much done as possible. I managed to fight through the hangover long enough to pick up the vacuum cleaner and hoover half the living room
Zayne's POV Jane didn't protest as much as I thought she would. She'd pouted and said she liked it there but that was all she said on the matter. Kimara had raised her eyebrows a bit when I asked the servants to pack Jane's things up but she said nothing. By evening, Jane and I were in Hallowden. I hadn't told Elias anything about my plan so when I showed up at the suite with a shy Jane in tow, he stared speechless for a few seconds. “Hey there Jane." He said finally, his voice a little strained. She waved a tiny hand at him and went back to staring at her feet. “Jane and I will be staying here for the next few weeks." I looked around the room, “Well not here precisely. We'd need a bigger place. Suitable for a child. How soon can you find us an apartment?" I turned to Elias. “Us? Meaning the kid, you and me?" He asked, blinking slowly. “Yes. Do you have an apartment in town already and didn't tell me?" I asked as I motioned Jane to sit on the bed and eat the chocolate I
Zayne's POV Home was barely two hours away. All this time, Marissa and my children had been close to me. Almost under my nose. The thought weighed heavily on my mind as the car sped towards the conclave. My Gamma, Kimara, and two top soldiers stood at the entrance of the mansion waiting for me. They bowed in unison with choruses of “Alpha" as I stepped out of the vehicle. Kimara wore a scowl but it wasn't out of place. She was always wearing one. Just like I knew she was always wearing at least ten throwing knives hidden in various parts of her black soldier attire. Her purple hair was cropped short and an earring glinted from only one ear. “Has Diana been found?" I asked, walking briskly straight to my quarters. “Not yet. We searched all night and still are.” Kimara responded. " How hard can it be to find one wolf?” I growled in annoyance. " We will find her. We've put out word to neighboring packs and allies for news of her whereabouts.” Kimara responded quickly. On ge
Marissa's Pov I kept smiling to myself as I went about preparing for bed. I couldn't believe I was smiling about Jack. Strange that I had thought he wasn't my type a few days ago. I kept remembering his warm smiles and cringy jokes. The way he threw his head back in laughter. Like a man with no worries, nothing to hide. He spoke with kindness and that, to me, was more important than anything. There was still the possibility that the alcohol had played a major part but it was best not to think of that right now. Bridget had been squealing excitedly on the phone since she got home. Squealing and asking a lot of questions of course. “You got his number right? Please tell me you did. " She said, her voice sounding like she was bouncing on her toes. “Yeah. He wants a proper date tomorrow. And I agreed." I said through the wad of toothpaste in my mouth. “Oh my God Rissa. You're going to be the wife to a CEO!" “Jesus! Calm down Bree. It's just one date. We can't say tha







