LOGINMabel’s POV
“I don’t know if this is a good idea,” I muttered.
Zina squeezed my wrist, her grin wide in the firelight. “Stop thinking so much. Just move with us. Picture your perfect guy and let the Moon Goddess take it from there.”
Perfect guy? Zane’s face slammed into my mind before I could shove it away.
I bit down on my lip. He wasn’t perfect. He was bossy, moody, liked to tease me until I wanted to scream. But he was also the one who pulled me out of that attic. The one who held me when I broke down. The one who stood up to the nutritionist for me. The one who laughed with me at the amusement park. And he never, not once, used his power to force me into anything.
He even smelled good.
I shook my head hard. Off-limits. Zane was Alpha, and whatever we had, it was complicated. If not him, then who? Ronan? Finch? Iver? I barely knew them. My options were thin unless I counted
Sullivan’s POV“You’ve made all the arrangements then, Alpha Zane?”I kept my voice even. Zane finished adjusting the collar of his suit jacket and glanced at me, his face giving nothing away. Tyler, Jamal, and Colton stood ready behind me, their bags already packed and waiting near the door. Everything had to look like a simple, abrupt departure. I appreciated Zane’s efficiency and, more, his lack of nosy questions.“It’s not a big deal,” Zane responded, dismissive. He folded his arms across his chest. “Is there anything else?”I knew how he saw this. With me gone, one minor problem would be off his territory. I wanted to say no, that’s everything, but Mabel was right there, standing a little behind him. Just a minute of her time was all I needed. It was important, crucial, and time was running out. My eyes drifted to her.“I would like to speak with Miss Mabel.&rdquo
Jamal’s POV“It’s not locked.”Sullivan paused outside my door. He was just about to knock, but I sent the thought straight to his mind. I needed him inside. I heard his steps move past the threshold.He should have been confused. It wasn’t even time for breakfast. I knew he was probably thinking that I should be busy enjoying my mate bond with Colton.“What’s going…” Sullivan’s voice cut off.I didn’t need to look at him to know what he saw. My eyes were glued to Colton, and I felt the familiar twist of apprehension in my gut.Tyler was squatting by the corner of the room. He gave Sullivan a quick nod, but he didn’t stop collecting the broken pieces of ceramic from the carpet. He was a silent, grounded presence that I desperately needed.Colton was shaking in my arms. I had her wrapped tightly in a thick bedsheet. I kept stroking her cheek, murm
Nelle’s POV“MOM! Will you get that!?” I shouted, dragging the last word out into a groan as the doorbell kept hammering away.The sound finally jolted my brain awake. Tina wasn’t home. She was probably already at the packhouse, cooking breakfast for the VIPs, the high-ranking guests where I used to think I belonged.Ding-dong! Ding-dong! The relentless noise didn't stop.I finally peeled myself off the couch and shuffled to the door.“WHAT!?” I flung the door open. My breath caught in my throat. Two muscular warriors stood on my landing, looking down at me with hard eyes. I was still wearing my ratty nightgown.I cleared my throat, forcing a small voice out. “Did you… get the wrong place?”The warrior on the left didn’t move. “We are at the right place, Nelle.” He gave my cotton nightdress a once-over. “Change into something appro
Mabel's POV“Where have you been?” I asked.Zane froze. He had just slid into the bed. The mattress shifted slightly under his weight, and I heard the quiet snick of the sheets settling. He was trying to be sneaky. I’d watched him through my lashes as he tiptoed across the room. I almost smiled when he let out a tiny, relieved breath, thinking he was safe.His head turned toward me. It was slow, like a robot. “I just checked on something,” he said.“Is something wrong?” I sat up, pulling the thick duvet to my chest.He didn't answer the question directly. “What makes you think that?”I gave him a look. It was the only answer he needed. “I feel your emotions, Alpha. You’re worried.”He moved before I could ask again. Zane pulled me into his arms, crushing me against his solid chest, and kissed the top of my head. The movement was a perfect block. I knew he
Zane’s POV“We wanted to talk to Mabel.”Dawn’s voice was tiny. It barely carried past the doorframe.I stared at the three Omegas in the hallway. My brain was still trying to catch up. I had woken up to a text message, sent to my number instead of Mabel’s, from Clara. It had been something about needing a check on the Silverwood guest rooms. I rolled out of bed, threw on the first wrinkled clothes I found, and came straight down. Mabel was finally resting, and I didn’t want to wake her for some small-pack logistics.Now I was here, in front of three women who looked like I’d just caught them planning a heist.Clara looked ready to cry. She pointed a shaking finger at Dawn and Zina. The other two women’s eyes were wide circles. Clara was usually competent. I wondered what nonsense Dawn and Zina had pulled.I rubbed my forehead. “Wil
Dawn’s POV“Do you mind moving your car, Ester? We’re in a hurry.”I called out, my voice crisp in the cool morning air. Ester was leaning against the hood of my sedan, blocking our exit. Zina stood beside me, our two Lightclaw guests, Lily and Ivy, trailing a step behind us. Our destination was the packhouse, and we were already running late to help with the breakfast setup.Ester didn't move. She pushed off the car just enough to look at us. “I was waiting for you.”Zina gave a low, drawn-out sound of disbelief. “Reeeally?”We’d been fielding questions all night. Everyone wanted to know which Omegas were spotted in the VIP section at the beach and who we were hosting. Gossip was already spreading like a grease fire, and Ester was its newest customer. I could tell what she wanted.“Oh, com







