LOGINThird 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 POVWhen I woke up again, I was lying in a hospital bed. The harsh smell of antiseptic covered my wolf's scent. Lyra was curled up inside, clearly uncomfortable with the environment.A doctor spoke softly. "You have a mild concussion. You need to be here for two more days."
Elena's POVThe guest room was pitch black.Outside, the thunder tore through the night sky like the roar of a giant beast.Selene said she was afraid of thunder. I was, too.The moment the thunder struck, the tension in my blood vessels, which had started to dissipate from the alcohol, tightened a
Elena's POVThe late-night wind, damp with fog, swept up from the river channel.I had just walked out of the recording studio and hadn't even had time to fully button up my coat when a massive, suffocatingly familiar scent washed over me.Pine resin, cold iron, and that hint of ozone before a thun
Elena's POVMy heart tightened. I quickly answered. "Director, calling so late...""Elena, I'm really sorry."The director sounded helpless and embarrassed."We... found a voice actor who is a better fit for the role. You don't need to come in to sign the contract the day after tomorrow."My heart







