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“Clara will wait for you after breakfast to get instructions about the rooms,” Zane said.I felt my lips twitch, but I forced myself not to frown. He noticed, of course, and kept watching me.“Fine,” I muttered.“If something is bothering you, you can tell me,” he pressed.I shook my head against his chest. Clara hadn’t done anything serious besides showing too much skin and poking her nose into places it didn’t belong. Annoying, yes, but not something I wanted to complain about.“I was just thinking about Nelle,” I said instead.His eyes narrowed. “What about her?”“I’m sure she’s uncomfortable with Trevon and Lina coming here.” I tilted my face up. “You said you’d talk to her.”Zane sighed. “After breakfast I need to check in with the warriors. It’ll take about
Nelle’s POV"Nelle, are you done with the food yet?"Tina’s voice snapped me out of my daze. I blinked at the table and realized it was just the two of us left."Wait... the others left already?""Yes. They went to the study for evening debriefing," Tina said as she gathered a stack of plates. "And we need to clean up."My eyes widened. "We need to clean up? Where are the Omegas?"Whenever I visited the Lightclaw packhouse with Trevon, Omegas served me. Back at my aunt’s place, she handled everything. I had never touched dishes in my life."They went home after dinner, like they always do," Tina explained. "I usually take care of this, but since you’re here, I expect you to help."I frowned. "Why me?""Come on. It’s just plates and the dishwasher. Ten minutes, that’s all."Ten minutes or not, it wasn’t about the time. It was about my dignity. I crossed my
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