(Mabel’s POV)
“Zane, what will happen to those two women?”
He kept stroking my hair like it was second nature. “Whatever you want. But don’t let them go easy. If you don’t show them you’re in charge, they’ll see weakness and push again. Maybe not to your face. Gossip. Rumors. Trouble.”
I shifted on his lap, uneasy. Wouldn’t punishing them only feed more gossip?
“You really want me to decide their punishment?”
“You don’t want to?” His voice was calm, but his eyes pinned me. “They came at you with bad intent. This is your chance to show everyone where the line is.”
A bitter thought slipped out. “Should I punish every woman you slept with?”
The question landed hard. I felt him tense under me. His forehead pressed against my shoulder. His arms locked tighter.
“Fuck.” His voice cracked low. &
Mabel’s POV“You think one little kiss is enough payment for eleven guests?” Zane’s voice was low, his arms still locked around my waist.I had just finished explaining the list of visitors. “Tanisha and Trevon are bringing four people. Navy is coming with Max. And Sullivan will join with Tyler and Jamal.”Zane’s frown grew deeper with each name. “Why is Sullivan coming?”I shifted on my feet. “Navy was talking to me, and Max was nearby. He was on a call with Sullivan, and… well, Sullivan asked if he could come. He said he had free time. I already said yes.”Zane gave a stiff nod, though his eyes narrowed. I could feel the tension pressing off him. “Right.”Something about his tone told me he didn’t buy the story. I could tell he was piecing things together in his head. Still, I had no idea what to say to make it sound less suspicious.
(Mabel’s POV)“Zane, what will happen to those two women?”He kept stroking my hair like it was second nature. “Whatever you want. But don’t let them go easy. If you don’t show them you’re in charge, they’ll see weakness and push again. Maybe not to your face. Gossip. Rumors. Trouble.”I shifted on his lap, uneasy. Wouldn’t punishing them only feed more gossip?“You really want me to decide their punishment?”“You don’t want to?” His voice was calm, but his eyes pinned me. “They came at you with bad intent. This is your chance to show everyone where the line is.”A bitter thought slipped out. “Should I punish every woman you slept with?”The question landed hard. I felt him tense under me. His forehead pressed against my shoulder. His arms locked tighter.“Fuck.” His voice cracked low. &
Mabel’s POV“Is that what you really told him?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.Heather’s head snapped up. Her eyes flicked nervously toward Zane, but she forced her lips into a practiced smile. Ashley squeezed her hand like a warning.“Yes, Alpha,” Heather said sweetly. “When Lia claimed you belong to her, we had to warn her. She has no mark. She lashed out at us, insulting us in front of others. We only tried to defend your honor.”I stood frozen, listening. Zane’s expression hardened. He leaned back in his chair, arms folded across his chest.“That is unsettling,” Zane said evenly. “If any woman dares to stake a claim on me without right, she will face consequences.”Ashley’s grin widened, but it froze the moment Zane added, “Still, this is serious. Doctor Travis reported something different. He told me the two of you were bullying Lia.”Ashley blinked. “That’s not true. He must have misheard. She was the one bullying us. We were only standing up for ourselves. And for y
Mabel’s POV“How much work do you still have today?”Zane looks up from the menu. “If I could see the end, I would plan a vacation. Did you think about it? We can go anywhere you want.”The wing in my hand drips sauce. Sweet. Tangy. Smoke in the air. My fingers are a mess, and I try not to make it worse. He said vacation before. He is saying it again now. He means it.“A forest would be nice,” I say. “A lake too. Something private.”LucanHe pauses. His smile climbs, slow and sure. He shifts in his seat and clears his throat. “Private. I like that. Tell me more.”I try to think of more. I only know this. Time with him, away from the noise. The place does not matter. A high hotel. A plain cabin. A tent under trees. I push the words out anyway. “Let’s not go far. If there is an emergency, we can get back fast.”He studies me with that warm look that makes my chest feel light. “You think about everyone. Even when you plan a break.”We eat in a calm rhythm. Crunch, then a soft sigh. I do
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.