LOGINMabel’s POV
I don’t know why I always find myself here—on the edge of something I can’t take back. The tension in the air is thick, stifling, like I’m suffocating under the weight of a truth I’m not sure I’m ready for.
Zane’s eyes are sharp, scanning me like he knows every inch of my thoughts. His smirk makes my skin crawl, but I’m trying my best to stand tall.
“You wanted privacy,” he says, stretching his legs out lazily on the couch. His voice is smooth, almost mocking. “So, here we are.”
I try to steady my breath. This is ridiculous. “Considering... our future relationship, I think it’s time we talk openly.”
His brow arches slightly, and he leans back, crossing one leg over the other. “Future relationship?” His voice holds a trace of amusement.
I narrow my eyes. How does he not get it? Or is he just playing dumb for fun? Either way,
Wendy’s POV“Commander Victor, can you come to our room for a moment?”I put the empty food containers into the hall trash and slipped back inside. Lydia’s breathing was slow and deep. I clapped my hands softly, right above her head, just to be sure. Nothing. The crushed pills were working perfectly. She wouldn’t stir for hours.My eyes went right to the suitcase tucked under her bed. Lydia had been guarding that thing like it held gold, so how could I not look?I pulled it out and flipped the latches open. Designer clothing, high-end European toiletries. Everything smelled expensive. I mentally noted all the brands. But it was the jewelry that made my stomach clench. Several small, plain boxes were stuffed between sweaters. Inside were necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. I was sure I could take three or four pieces, and Lydia wouldn’t even notice they were gone.Not yet. I forced myself
Lydia’s POV“Are you sleeping?”Wendy’s voice was quiet, drifting into the stale motel air. I lay still on the bed, my eyes squeezed shut. I was great at pretending to be asleep.“I brought you food.”That second part worked like a key in a lock. My eyes snapped open. I was starving.“What did you bring?” I asked. I had stormed out of the diner earlier. It was a good dramatic move, but it left my stomach empty. The cheap motel didn’t have room service. I had been planning to drink a gallon of water until morning. I hadn’t wanted to speak to Wendy, but if she had food, I would take it.“I packed your burger and fries,” Wendy said. She stepped fully into my view. “I got extra ketchup packets, and I added a chocolate milkshake. Tristan and Victor and I all had one. It was the best part of dinner.”I watched her set down the styrofoam clam
Lydia’s POV“How about you tell us what is available?” Wendy’s voice snapped.The middle-aged woman just refilled Victor’s coffee. She didn’t even flinch. “Sweetie, I recommend the house special. Burger and fries.”Before that, we tried to order everything. Steak, pot roast, chicken skillet. I even watched Tristan risk a question. “What about the fish platter?”The woman had grimaced then. “Fish isn’t fresh. I wouldn’t recommend it.”Victor, Wendy, and I had already taken our coffees. Tristan ordered a soda instead. The woman leaned a hip against the table. “We send all the lunch stuff to the town kitchen at five sharp. Chicken wings, soup, salad. All gone now. You want omelets, come back early morning.”Lydia sighed and put the menu down. It was thick, b
Lydia’s POV“Is it time for dinner?”The word tasted dry on my tongue. I rubbed my eyes hard, the neon 'Motel' sign outside burning a red imprint onto my vision. It took a long, slow moment for the world to settle. We were not at the Stonebrook Pack yet. We had stopped moving somewhere dark in Oregon, and the air was thick with the scent of old gas and pine.I was cramped in the back seat. My brother, Tristan, was slumped beside me, his headphones a wall between us and the world. Up front, the sweet, heavy scent of Victor—my rejected mate—was a constant, maddening presence. And the worst part: Wendy was in the passenger seat. My ex-best friend, who was now my father’s mistress and the woman who slept with the man I should have married. A perfect road trip from hell.We had left the Silverwood Pack after lunch, much late
Mabel’s POV“What are we going to do for dinner?” I asked.The sky outside our window was painted in deep orange and fading pink, catching the last of the sunset. I should be downstairs. Hosts did not lounge in bed when the packhouse was full of guests. I heard the low murmur of voices from the garden.We planned on a bonfire and barbeque down on the beach. I nudged Zane’s arm.“Everyone is here in the house,” I told him.He pulled me closer, resting his chin on my head. “They changed the plan. With you, me, Colton, Jamal, Max, and Tanya all tied up, Vivian figured the beach was a bust. Everyone decided on dinner here instead.”I nodded. That made sense.“When is Lydia coming?” The question slipped out, and I felt my stomach tighten before I could stop it.Zane knew I did not want her here. He felt the same way, I knew, but her visit w
Mabel's POV“Are you saying I influenced her?” I asked. I still felt shaky from being in the lake, but Zane's questions made me forget the chill.Zane nodded once, his eyes dark with serious thought. "That's exactly what I'm saying, kitten. And the fantastic part is that you don't even know it's happening. You’re natural."I leaned back against his arm, the soft duvet under my head. My brain felt like a knot. I'd just finished telling him everything I could remember about what happened with Max and Seraphina in the water, but it felt like nothing."There's not much to go on," I admitted. "I wish I had an on-off switch or a replay button. When I talk about it, everything sounds like a bad dream."He shook his head, looking down at me. "I saw your eyes, Mabel. They were glowing with a silver light. And it's not the first time people have bowed to you." He paused, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. "Do you remember telling Seraphina to c







