ANMELDENPOV: JaredThe crimson glow of Xaden's taillights vanished beyond the bend, swallowed whole by the darkness. But his presence lingered thick and suffocating, like the acrid smell of smoke after a fire. My fists curled so tightly my knuckles cracked, but the tremor in my hands betrayed me. I couldn't let Zina see it. Not now.Not after this.She knelt on the damp earth, clutching Asher so fiercely it seemed as if letting go would splinter him into irreparable pieces. The boy's muffled sobs pierced the suffocating silence, each one a blade twisting deeper into my chest. I dropped to one knee beside them, the gravel biting into my skin as I reached out and brushed Zina's shoulder.She flinched hard."Zina." My voice came out hoarse, the strain roughening the edges. "We need to move. Now."She lifted her head, her face pale and streaked with tears. Her bloodshot eyes locked on mine, wild and desperate. "He'll find us, Jared." Her voice cracked, the words barely a whisper. "He always finds
Zina's POVThe cabin door shut behind Jared, leaving me alone with Asher and the deafening silence that seemed to stretch forever. I clutched Asher tighter, my arms wrapped protectively around him as if that could shield him from everything outside. My eyes darted toward the windows, the curtains drawn tightly, but it didn't stop the fear crawling beneath my skin.Jared had promised we were safe here that no one could find us. But the footprints he'd spotted outside told a different story.I kissed Asher's forehead, brushing back the mess of curls stuck to his skin. He stirred slightly, murmuring something in his sleep, but didn't wake. At least one of us could rest.I envied him envied his innocence and belief that Jared and I could protect him. I wanted to believe it, too. But after everything we'd been through, trust didn't come so easily anymore.The fire in the stone hearth crackled softly, but instead of calming me, it only made the shadows dance more wildly across the walls. I
Zina's POVMy gaze drifted toward the window, the curtains half-drawn but still letting in the faint glow of the streetlights. The glass reflected the room around us—the soft glow of the lamps, the shadows dancing along the walls. But for the briefest moment, I thought I saw something else—a flicker of movement outside.The hair on the back of my neck prickled.I froze, my heart stuttering in my chest as I strained to see past the reflection. Nothing. Just the night. Just shadows."What's wrong?" Jared's voice pulled me back, and I turned quickly, forcing a smile."Nothing." I shook my head. "Just my imagination."His eyes lingered on mine, searching. Jared could always tell when something was off. It was one of the things I both loved and hated about him. He saw too much."Zina," he said softly, "don't do that thing where you pretend everything's fine when it's not."I laughed nervously. "I'm not pretending. I swear.""Then why do you look like you just saw a ghost?"I hesitated, uns
POV: Unknown PersonThe night was cold, the kind of cold that seeped into your bones and lingered, but I barely noticed. The wind howled around me, sending leaves skittering across the rooftop, but I stayed still, cloaked in darkness. The only thing that mattered was the scene unfolding through the softly glowing window across the street.I pressed the binoculars closer to my face, my gaze narrowing as I brought them into sharper focus. Inside, Jared and Zina sat together, their faces lit by the golden glow of the room. The way they laughed, their heads tilted toward one another, made my stomach twist. They looked so happy, so at peace.Jared leaned closer to her, whispering something. Whatever he said made her laugh—a full, carefree laugh that filled the space around her. She tilted her head back, exposing the curve of her neck, and I felt a bitter taste rise in my throat. He touched her arm lightly, as if reassuring her of something, and her hand came to rest over his, her fingers l
Zina POV I stare down my body as Jared wraps a fist around his cock and angles it down to drag the blunt head over my clit. It feels dirty and a little bit wrong, and I never want it to stop. Gods, how is this hotter than some of the sex I've had? Is it purely because it's him? I don't have an answer. Not now. Maybe not ever.He waits a beat and then strokes me again, circling my clit just like I did with my fingers earlier. I hold my breath, willing him to do more. It's as if Jared draws the thought right out of my head, because he drags his cock down wetting himself with my desire. Wicked. This is so beyond wicked.It's on the tip of my tongue to beg him to fuck me now, but I bite the words back. No matter how delirious pleasure makes me, I'm still aware enough to know that I've pushed him to his limit tonight. If I try for more, there's every chance he'll push back. That he'll stop the decadent motion of his cock through my folds. Down, and then up to circle my clit, and then bac
Jared POV "Daddy, please."I trailer my tongue down her ear and neck, I could feel her heart pulsing against my lips."Is that all you got? You have to beg me for it." I whispered against her chest.I have no words to describe what I'm feeling now, not with her naked in my home, her tanned skin flush with desire for my touch. I skate my hand over her stomach, hating Xaden and everyone else for making her this stressed out."Daddy." Zina presses back against me, leaning her head against my shoulder, giving herself to me entirely. "Please."As if I could stop now, even if I wanted to. We're on this road to the end together, well past the point of no return. I don't waste any more time. I cup her pussy, and I can't help my growl when I find her wet and wanting. "You enjoy these games. Enjoy being on display."She nods. "Yes daddy, I enjoy it so much."I concentrate on moving slowly, because the alternative is to fall on her like a starving creature and undo all the fragile restraint I'v
I was sitting at the kitchen table, staring into my half-empty cup of tea, when the door swung open with an air of entitlement that could only belong to him."Zina."I looked up, irritation crawling up my spine. There he was, standing in the doorway like he still had some kind of claim over me. The
Jared POVI was officially dead.Cause of death, my mate.I had no idea she had literally nothing under the shirt I gave her until she snuggled into me and pressed her juicy ass into my dick. Damn, I got as hard as a nail.All thoughts of sleep left my mind and now I was wide awake, internally tel
Zina POV "Ughhh, it's so hot right now." I groaned while getting up from the bed.I felt my insides slowly turn to lava and it was extremely hard not to collapse.I saw Jared stir in his sleep and he looked at me with his body sweaty and his eyes were misty.Damn, he was so hot and sexy."Hey, bab
Zina POV Jared carried me to my bedroom and brought me down to the floor.He was rubbing my cheek with his hand. I looked into his eyes and he looked so vulnerable.They were soft and kind and held such a strong emotion that even I was intimidated by it.I placed my hand on his cheek and brought h







