Mabel’s POV
I froze when I saw Zane standing in the doorway, staring at me with that unreadable expression. The way he looked at me made it feel like I was about to be scolded, even though I had no idea what I'd done wrong. I lowered my head, my throat tight.
"I apologize, Alpha Zane," I muttered, keeping my voice as small as I could.
The door slammed shut behind him, the noise shocking me. I sucked in a breath, realizing he was already standing right in front of me—so close I could feel the heat of his body.
It took him barely a second to close the gap between us.
He grabbed my chin, fingers firm but not painfully so, and tilted my face up to meet his gaze. His eyes burned into mine, and I couldn’t look away.
"What did you call me?" His voice was harsh, like thunder rumbling through the air.
I blinked, confused. What was he asking?
But when I saw the intensity in his eyes, a small shiver ran
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
Mabel’s POV"Are you seriously holding my hand all the way home?" I asked, half teasing, half nervous.Zane didn’t look at me. His fingers stayed locked around mine as he steered the car toward the packhouse.He always acted like letting go was unthinkable, like it was his hand that kept me grounded. Maybe it was.I tried not to imagine the faces of people who might have seen us earlier in the town square. Him pulling me close in public felt reckless. But Zane didn’t care. He never did.The packhouse roof came into view, and my chest tightened. The night had been too good. Festivals and food and laughter. Plush toys stuffed under my arm like I was a kid again. Now the sight of those walls told me it was about to end.I touched the garland still hanging around my neck. Zina’s words echoed in my head, about giving it to the man you liked. Bold girls might do it. I wasn’t bold. Not like that. Bette
Mabel’s POV"We need to move," Dawn whispered, tugging on my arm.I blinked at her, still caught in the rhythm of the drums, my feet moving with the other dancers. Only when I saw Zina’s worried face beside her did I realize something was wrong."Where are we going?" I asked, refusing to budge until I got an answer."Alpha mind-linked us," Zina said in a low voice. "Everyone who can’t fight has to go to the safe houses. He told us to bring you.""What? Why?""We don’t know," Dawn said. Her hand tightened on my sleeve. "Orders are orders. We’re Omegas, we can’t fight. If things turn bad, we’ll just get in the way."The dancers around us thinned. The music still played, but the crowd no longer swayed as one. My eyes searched for Zane. The spot where he had been was empty. Only his bag remained."Come on." Zina tugged harder. "Don’t run. We don’t want to alarm