Mabel’s POV
"Where’s the TV?" I asked, scanning Zane’s room.
He set down a plate of chocolate cake on the low table, then walked over to the wall beside the fireplace. His palm pressed a wooden panel, and it slid open with a soft glide. A flat screen filled the space.
My jaw dropped. "You’ve been hiding that here?"
"Only from you," he teased, handing me the remote. "And stop saying mine and yours. You’re sleeping here, kitten. This is our room."
The word “our” froze me. The remote nearly slipped from my hand. Our room. Not his, not mine. Ours.
I tried to steady my voice. "Then how is it our room if my clothes are still across the hall?"
He grinned like he had already won. "Simple. We move them here."
I opened my mouth to argue but shut it again. Pointless. With Zane, I never won.
He dimmed the lights, grabbed two drinks from the minibar, and dropped onto the sofa
Mabel’s POV“You want me to go as your assistant?” I blurted, my throat dry.Zane’s brow lifted. “No. You’re going as my date.”My jaw dropped. I nearly forgot how to breathe. “Your… date?”He didn’t blink.“What if someone from Silverwood shows up?” My voice shook. “What if they recognize me?”Zane leaned back like it was nothing. “We’ll say you grew up with your grandparents before joining Stonebrook. Even if someone does recognize you, no one will dare touch you.”Tyler’s mouth pressed tight before he spoke. “Are you sure that’s wise?”The sharp look Zane shot him said enough. “Mabel comes with me. End of discussion.”I froze in place. Part of me wanted to hide forever. Another part… wanted to stand beside him without fear. I hated the thought of peopl
Mabel’s POV“I can’t go to work like this.”I groaned, clutching the hem of Zane’s t-shirt. My legs were bare under it, and the memory of last night made my stomach twist.He wasn’t in bed. Only a folded note sat on his pillow, written in his clipped handwriting:I had to start my day early. When you’re ready for work, join me in the study. ~ZaneSo it really happened. Not just the kisses, not just his arms holding me close, but the part where my panties ended up missing. My cheeks burned at the thought.I forced myself out of bed. My first day as his assistant, and I was already late.By the bathroom door, a hanger waited. Light blue skirt, blazer, crisp white shirt, matching underwear. A pair of blue heels rested below. His note was short: I look forward to seeing you in this.I rolled my eyes but smiled anyway. He thought of everything.The s
Mabel’s POV“You like it when I move like this, kitten?” Zane’s voice scraped low against my ear.I gasped and held on tighter, nails pressing into his back as his hips surged forward again. My eyes clamped shut, the world spinning, but I nodded anyway.“Say it,” he demanded, lifting his head so I couldn’t hide. His icy gaze locked on mine, sharp and blazing. “I need to hear you. Do you like this?”“Yes…” The word left me in a breath I barely owned.His lips curved. The sound that followed was a rough chuckle, deep and dangerous, and it dragged me straight back into him.I blinked up at him, dazed. His hair fell into his face, black strands catching the light. His mouth hovered over mine, swollen and tempting, his blue eyes burning. Everything about him felt sinful.He kissed me hard. His tongue moved with the rhythm of his hips, and I lost mysel
Mabel’s POV"Where’s the TV?" I asked, scanning Zane’s room.He set down a plate of chocolate cake on the low table, then walked over to the wall beside the fireplace. His palm pressed a wooden panel, and it slid open with a soft glide. A flat screen filled the space.My jaw dropped. "You’ve been hiding that here?""Only from you," he teased, handing me the remote. "And stop saying mine and yours. You’re sleeping here, kitten. This is our room."The word “our” froze me. The remote nearly slipped from my hand. Our room. Not his, not mine. Ours.I tried to steady my voice. "Then how is it our room if my clothes are still across the hall?"He grinned like he had already won. "Simple. We move them here."I opened my mouth to argue but shut it again. Pointless. With Zane, I never won.He dimmed the lights, grabbed two drinks from the minibar, and dropped onto the sofa
Mabel’s POV“Say yes, kitten.”My throat tightened. His breath brushed my cheek, sweet and warm like melted chocolate. My lips parted without thinking.“Yes.” The word slipped out before I could second-guess it.His mouth was on mine in an instant, hard and demanding, and the world went quiet.The rest of the afternoon slowed into something almost normal. Zane worked behind his desk, head bent over papers, while I curled on the couch with the book Dr. Trav had given me. I jotted notes in the margins, marking spots I would later look up or ask about.Every time I looked up, he was already watching me. He didn’t hide it. His eyes carried a kind of calm pride, like he had solved some impossible puzzle just by keeping me near him.When the sun dipped lower, he leaned back in his chair. “Almost dinner. Want to go out? A restaurant?”“Tonight?” I blinked at
Mabel’s POV“Is everything okay?” I asked, watching Zane’s frown deepen.He blinked, like he had forgotten I was here. “Can I ask you something?”“Sure.” I closed the book in my lap. The words had been swimming anyway.He crossed the room slowly and sat beside me. His weight sank the sofa cushion, pulling me closer. My stomach twisted.“Someone close to me betrayed my trust,” he said. His voice was calm, but I felt the tight edge in it. “I don’t know what the right punishment is.”I froze. Betrayal? Punishment? My eyes darted to the door Tyler had just walked through. Was Zane talking about him?“You can’t just… forgive and move on?” I asked carefully.“That’s what a kind Luna would do.” His gaze flicked to mine. “But an Alpha who forgives looks weak. People would test him.”