Mabel’s POV
“Are you really putting both of them on my bed?” Zane’s voice cut sharp as I set Blackie and Cinna down.
I froze, half expecting him to shove Cinna onto the floor. His glare lingered on the toy wolf, and I almost snatched it back. Instead, I folded my arms and tried to look casual.
“You can move them if you want,” I said. “I was just… preparing.”
“Preparing for what?” His brow arched, but he didn’t press further.
I knew better than to answer. If I admitted I thought he’d make me sleep here, I’d sound ridiculous. So I busied myself with the flower garland in my hands. The petals were already softening. If I didn’t hang it soon, it would wilt.
I scanned the room for a good spot. The table by the balcony door caught my eye, and I started toward it. Zane stepped in front of me before I could get close.
“Hold on.&rd
Zane’s POV"Move from that seat, Navy."Her coffee cup froze halfway to her lips. The way she blinked at me told me she had no idea what I meant."Good morning, Alpha Zane," she said. "Do you mind explaining why? I already poured my coffee.""Because that chair is taken." My voice stayed calm, but the word taken carried weight."Taken? By who?" She looked around like I was playing a joke."You will find out in a minute. Now please, move." The last word pushed against her will, and a fine sheen of sweat broke out on her forehead.Her jaw tightened, but she stood, muttering something about bullying under her breath as she crossed to sit beside her brother.I didn’t waste more time. Mabel was waiting in the kitchen, and she was not eating there again.The moment I stepped through the kitchen doorway, she looked up, her hands still on a plate of cut fruit. I reached for her f
Mabel’s POV"I think you should consider school," Zane said suddenly.I froze halfway through tying my hair. "School?"He nodded, steady as if this had been on his mind for a while. "Yeah. You never got the chance, right? I want you to think about finishing at least high school. Maybe more if you feel like it."The words caught me off guard. Of all the things I thought he would bring up, this wasn’t one of them. My chest warmed anyway. Education meant independence. Education meant I wouldn’t always rely on someone else."I would love that," I said, trying not to sound too eager.His lips tugged into the faintest smile. "Good. We can look at options, online or in-person. Or a mix. We can also add tutoring."I tilted my head. "Tutoring?""From me, if I need to brush up," he replied. His voice had that confident edge that always made me believe he could do anything. "I finished high school and co
Mabel’s POVI woke up to a warm weight on my shoulder. Zane’s breath brushed the top of my head, steady and calm. For a second I thought I was dreaming, but then I felt the rise and fall of his chest under my cheek.He shifted slightly and pressed a soft kiss on my forehead. My eyes stayed closed, but my heart jumped. He always did things like that, like I was something fragile he needed to protect.His shirt smelled faintly of pine. Except… it wasn’t his shirt. It was mine now, because I was wearing it. Zane had insisted last night, sliding the fabric into my hands before I could run to my own room. I’d been embarrassed, but he looked far too pleased when I came out of the bathroom in it.I curled closer. His skin was warm under my palm. Then I felt him tense.Something small rolled against my arm. A plush toy.Zane sighed, annoyed. He nudged it off the bed with his foot. I heard it hit the fl
Mabel’s POV“Are you sure about this?” I whispered, though my lips barely moved.Zane’s palms cupped my cheeks, steady and warm. His eyes locked on mine, waiting, searching. I didn’t pull back. My chest fluttered, but I didn’t push him away either.That was all he needed.His mouth touched mine, soft at first. A rush of sparks shot through me, not just where our lips met but deep in my chest. My knees wobbled. I grabbed his shoulders before I tipped over.Heat spread fast. His lips were gentle, slower than I expected. Careful. I tasted the faint salt of his skin, the warmth of his breath. He held me like I might break if he pressed too hard.This was my first kiss. My first real one. And it was with Zane.I shut my eyes tighter, storing every detail. The strength of his arms. His clean scent wrapping around me. The sound of our breaths tangled together.“Breathe,
Mabel’s POV“Are you really putting both of them on my bed?” Zane’s voice cut sharp as I set Blackie and Cinna down.I froze, half expecting him to shove Cinna onto the floor. His glare lingered on the toy wolf, and I almost snatched it back. Instead, I folded my arms and tried to look casual.“You can move them if you want,” I said. “I was just… preparing.”“Preparing for what?” His brow arched, but he didn’t press further.I knew better than to answer. If I admitted I thought he’d make me sleep here, I’d sound ridiculous. So I busied myself with the flower garland in my hands. The petals were already softening. If I didn’t hang it soon, it would wilt.I scanned the room for a good spot. The table by the balcony door caught my eye, and I started toward it. Zane stepped in front of me before I could get close.“Hold on.&rd
Mabel’s POV“Feed me and I’ll tell you what happened tonight,” Zane said, his voice lazy as he leaned back against the chaise.I rolled my eyes at him, but I tore a piece of quiche with my fingers and pushed it toward his waiting mouth. He smirked while chewing, smug like a man who had just won a small victory.The balcony was quiet except for the faint buzz of night insects. The air smelled of cool stone and the faint trace of pine drifting in from the forest. It felt strange to sit here with him, sharing food where no one else was allowed.He swallowed and finally spoke. “I left the festival as soon as I got the alert. My warriors caught two men sneaking through the trees. They confessed there were others inside town. By the time I reached them, we already had five detained. They’re in the dungeon now.”My stomach turned at the word dungeon. I didn’t need details about what “i