Mabel’s POV
"Are you seeing this?" someone whispered behind me. "Alpha Zane’s kissing her right in the middle of the garden."
I kept my eyes on Zane’s hand as it settled on my waist. His hold was firm, almost possessive. The whispers around us grew louder, a mix of disbelief and envy. I didn’t need sharp ears to catch the word shameless repeated again and again.
It wasn’t just the kiss. Everyone here had seen the way we walked in together, side by side, his arm already around me like I belonged to him. No one had ever seen him treat anyone this way.
And they remembered Isabel. How he had sent her straight to the dungeon earlier, bruised and humiliated. The Steelbite princess had always thrown herself at him. People could put the pieces together. They knew he had done it for me.
Now he was feeding me, smiling at me, acting softer than I had ever seen. For wolves who had only known Zane as cold
Vivian’s POV“Are we having guests?” I asked from the doorway.The smell of garlic and butter filled the kitchen, sharp enough to sting my nose. Tyler stood beside me, frowning. Across the room, Tina hovered near the counter while Nelle poked halfheartedly at a pan on the stove.The sight alone told me something was wrong. Nelle had never cooked a day in her life.Tina forced a smile. “Mabel made a meal for Zane. Nelle decided to help herself, so Zane asked us to replace it before Mabel notices.”Nelle rolled her eyes. “You make it sound like I committed some crime. It was sausage and potatoes. Not exactly royal cuisine.”“Nelle,” Tina hissed, shooting her sister a glare. “I told you not to call her Omega. Show some respect.”Nelle’s lip curled. “Respect for what? You think Zane’s going to fall in love over a plate of food?”
Nelle’s POV“Are you the new girl?” I asked as soon as I heard Mabel’s voice drift in from the doorway.She turned toward me with a small smile. “I guess I am. My name’s Mabel. Tina told me about you.”“Mom told me about you too.” I leaned against the frame and watched her move around the dining table. She was laying knives, adjusting forks, sliding napkins into neat rows like she was measuring the space between each piece.“Are we having a guest for lunch?” I asked.Mabel paused, her hands hovering over the plates. “No. Why?”I shrugged. “You set another plate beside Zane’s. Looked important.”Her lips parted, but she didn’t answer. Something flickered in her eyes, and she pressed it down quickly.“Did you eat already?” she asked instead.“Not really. I don’t eat much these days.
Mabel’s POV“Your wolf healed it.” Zane’s smile spread wide as his thumb brushed the side of my neck.I froze. “You think so?”“I know so. Without her, that mark would take days to fade, and you’re spotless. She’s close, kitten. I can feel it.” His arms pulled me against his chest like it was the most natural place in the world.Part of me wanted to believe him. The other part—Doctor Trav’s words—still warned me not to. Nothing was certain. Even if there was progress, it could be temporary. I buried my face in the curve of Zane’s neck, inhaling that familiar cedar-and-smoke scent that always made me dizzy. I didn’t want to think about my wolf. Not now. Not when this moment was perfect.…Training didn’t stop, not even with Elders visiting or piles of work waiting for Zane. He insisted on it, said it was something we couldn&
Mabel’s POV"Why are you asking about Lydia like she has a claim here?" I snapped before I could stop myself.Both Elders turned toward me with stiff faces, but I didn’t let the heat in my chest die down. Zane’s hand tightened around mine as if telling me to pace myself, but I wasn’t about to let them talk about him like that. Not about us.Charlie’s brows pinched. "We only meant—""You meant what?" My voice cut through the air sharper than I expected. "That Zane owes her something? That she gets to walk in and play Luna while I sit back? Is that what you think?"I caught Zane’s quick intake of breath. His grip on me firmed, steadying me, but I saw the shadow in his eyes. He hated hearing Lydia’s name too.Samson shifted in his chair, uneasy. "Mabel, understand, we were told about promises between your Alpha and Alpha Gregory. You can’t expect us to—"I leane
Zane’s POV“You should consider Lydia from the Silverwood pack,” Elder Samson said, his voice clipped. “Without a fated mate, she’s the most logical choice. Even if you stray, do it quietly. Think about the pack first.”I exhaled slow, forcing the breath through my nose. Same story again. Same lecture about the pack.When did they ever care about what was best for me?A decade of leading and they still looked at me like I was a reckless boy who needed guidance. If this had been the old days, I would have thrown them out and dared them to challenge me. But things had changed. I had Mabel now. If I wanted her safe, I needed to shift the board so the Elders worked for me instead of against me.Their influence ran deep. Even if I didn’t respect them, ignoring them outright would only stir waves when I needed calm waters for Mabel’s coming role as Luna.“What makes you think L
Zane’s POV“Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me right now?” I whispered against her lips.Mabel’s breath hitched, and that was all it took for me to stop thinking about the Elders waiting in the study. Their visit could wait. My mate could not.Her scent wrapped around me, thick and sweet, and my chest tightened as instinct overrode reason. My lips pressed to hers again, greedy, tasting the need she tried and failed to hide. My hand slid beneath her skirt. She parted her thighs without hesitation, and my smile curved into the kiss when my fingers brushed heat through the damp fabric of her panties. A small moan left her throat. That sound snapped whatever restraint I had left.I scooped her up before she could think to protest. The nearest door swung open under my shoulder, and I carried her into the dark storage room. Stacks of chairs lined one side, but I didn’t care about the clutter. Curtai