Mag-log inThird Person's POV"So... if we go somewhere private later, I finally get that kiss?""I'm picking you up tonight. You owe me a French kiss, and since you're making me wait, you're paying double. No backing out."Zander's hands were already balled into fists, his knuckles popping with a lethal rhythm.Elena couldn't help but marvel at how dedicated Doran was to the role. To keep up appearances, she had to play along, ducking her head with a shy nod."We'll talk about tonight... tonight.""I knew you were the best, Elena."Seeing her agree, Doran's grin turned even more reckless."It's a date, then. I'll pick you up, we'll find a quiet spot, and you can show me how much you missed me."Zander squeezed his eyes shut in pain, telling himself this had nothing to do with him.He and Elena had to respect their boundaries. If she was happy, he was supposed to be glad for her. That was the "brotherly" thing to do.He pulled his gaze away from Doran and walked toward his car without looking ba
Third Person's POVZander's jaw tightened, a vein pulsing at his temple.The heir to the Starfalls was many things, but a "harmless little pup" wasn't one of them.He knew exactly what Doran was doing, but he wasn't about to call him out in front of Elena. He just shot the younger Alpha a freezing look that made his point crystal clear: Knock it off.Doran felt the weight of that gaze, and his brow twitched.Inside, he was grumbling. Zander's "Alpha stare" felt exactly like getting a lecture from his own father back at the Starfall estate.A shiver ran down Doran's spine, and the hair on his arms stood up. He subtly reined in his aura.He wasn't stupid—he knew Zander's combat reputation was top-tier in the werewolf world.In a real fight, Zander would flatten him.But Elena was right there. Zander wouldn't actually start a brawl in front of her.Emboldened by that thought, Doran leaned half his body weight o
Third Person's POVThe car glided smoothly down the road. Zander caught her sitting stiffly in the rearview mirror and finally broke the silence."Elena. You don't have to be like this around me.""From now on, think of me as your older brother. We're family."He knew that saying this right after the "mess" they made last night made him sound exactly like that prick Pheisar.But Alpha Alexander and Gaylord had given him clear orders: protect her as a sister.He didn't want last night to become a lifelong shadow over her, so he was trying to clear the air.Elena knew that ever since she moved into that guest room, the elders had truly accepted her.She also knew Zander meant well—he wanted to take the pressure off.But she was madly in love with him, and after a night like that, "brother" was the last thing on her mind.Still, if she didn't play along, he'd think she was trying to use the night to trap him.
Third Person's POVElena tried to talk herself into it, "If you're hurt, you deal with it. A doctor wouldn't think twice about checking a wound, so why should I?"She didn't need to overcomplicate things. She just had to look at Zander like a nurse coming in to apply some ointment.Last night was an accident—it was the drug's fault.He didn't even like her anyway. It was just a scratch; there was no reason to act all shy about it.Taking a deep breath, she let her fingers tremble as she pulled the blanket down just enough to expose her back.Zander looked over and froze.The skin on Elena's back was as delicate as jade polished by the Moon Goddess herself.But right in the center was a palm-sized scrape where the skin had been rubbed raw, oozing blood. It was a brutal sight.His heart felt like it had been bitten by a wild animal. He sucked in a sharp breath.This was all his fault. If it weren't for last night, s
Third Person's POVZander calmly pressed a hand to his chest, forcing down the surge of nausea the suggestion caused."That won't be necessary. I'm not feeling any discomfort right now.""Oh."Elena looked up at him, the worry in her eyes still lingering.She had just seen his aura spiral out of control—his wolf-eyes looking like they were burning with molten lava.That was worlds away from his usual composed, rational self.But since he insisted, she couldn't push it.She hesitated, then added, "I... I have the contact info for the owner. The place is called 'The Whispering Room.' If you start feeling bad again later, you can have Stuart call them. Just give them the name—every wolf in the black market knows it."The Whispering Room.Zander repeated the name mentally, his face darkening another shade.He loathed the idea of a stranger's scent anywhere near him, and he'd never—while sober—allow a breeder covered in a cocktail of pheromones to touch him.It was out of the question, end
Third Person's POV"When he's fully awake, he's going to regret this. He's going to hate me."She raised her hands to push him away, but Zander didn't budge.Instead, her palms pressed against his chest, the lean, hard muscle hot and tight under her touch.Her fingers rose and fell with his heavy breathing—a tactical reminder of how her body had moved with his all through the night.She remembered how he'd pinned her down, sweat rolling from his throat and tracing the lines of his chest.Even when she was losing her mind in the heat of it, she'd caught herself thinking the Moon Goddess had truly blessed Zander with the best face and body on earth.She remembered gripping his shoulders and never letting go.Her fingers twitched against him.That tiny movement didn't escape Zander. He let out a low, strained growl.He pulled her down into the sofa, his weight settling over her as his kisses turned deeper and more aggressive.After getting a taste of her last night, a floodgate had opene
Elena's POVBy the time I got back to the Blackthorn packhouse, I was running on empty.Even though I was finally safe, my body was still stuck in fight-or-flight mode. Every detail of that nightmare at the studio was playing on a loop in my head.To make matters worse, I was covered in Brooke's bl
Elena's POVI looked at my phone and froze. It was another message from Z.It was short. "I'm sorry."A third apology? I didn't know whether to laugh or sigh. Honestly, as long as he's safe and happy, I'm content. He really doesn't need to keep apologizing for the years he wa
Elena's POV"Shit! You little bitch!"Brooke roared, his face contorted in pain as he backhanded me across the room.My head snapped to the side, my ears ringing as the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.But I didn't feel the pain—I was fueled by pure, unadulterated rage.He was still moving,
Elena's POVI didn't sleep well. All night, I felt like I was being watched.In my dreams, a burning gaze crawled up from my ankles, past my calves and thighs, finally settling on my chest. It felt like a rough hand was tracing me from a distance.Lyra, my wolf, was being weirdly shy, letting out a







