super long chapter, hope you guys enjoyed it.
Zoe's POVI rolled over in my sleep and found the bed empty beside me. It had been a long while since I had slept this well, but thankfully it couldn’t erase how most of the night had gone. The storm was over. I sat up, covering my naked body with the blanket and looking around groggily. Xavier was not in the room, but his shirt was. I decided to shower first. His bathroom was just as glorious as the rest of his house. I picked up the shirt from the back of a chair where he had probably placed it after tossing it around carelessly last night. It was too big for me so I only did one button under my breasts and left the rest of it to hang off of one of my shoulders. It reached my thigh, enough that I didn’t even wear my underwear, excited for his reaction. I folded the sleeves up so I could use my arms. I brushed my wet hair but left it untied, placing it on one side, accentuating my shaved side. ‘I should really get it tattooed,’ I thought to myself. Kicking myself for not bri
Zoe’s POVI left Xavier’s home in the afternoon. He had work to take care of and I had overstayed my visit. Also, I knew that Aunt Julie would start to get worried. And I had a couple of messages from Maisie asking where I was. After Xavier and I had made the deal about him helping my Dad, I went ahead and blocked John’s number from my phone and on all social media that we used to follow each other. The only way we were going to contact each other was through Xavier, in a formal setting under Werewolf laws. I did not trust him any other way. I returned home to find that Aunt Julie had gone to get some fresh groceries and I was grateful. Because I wanted to get myself dressed up properly before giving her the good news. I chose a beige turtleneck Jumper with a sexy heart cut-out at the perfect place to reveal some skin but not too much that it looks slutty or makes me feel cold. I intended to go to Maisie’s home to deliver the news in person. Even though, we still had paperwork
Zoe’s POVI chose a peach-colored suit with a white lace bra as the top of my attire for the formal lunch that Xavier had invited me to discuss Dad’s case. He sent Jacob to pick me up from my house. I greeted Jacob and asked, “How long have you been working for Xavier, I mean Alpha Councilor Shaw?” I kicked myself for forgetting that our relationship was probably secret. After all, we had not made anything official. “It’s okay, you can call him whatever you want in front of me. I won't tell on you.” He winked sweetly and answered my question, “Since I received my wolf, a decade ago. My brother is his Beta. You might think nepotism got me my job but Alpha doesn’t do favors to anyone.” “I know that, Jacob. I don’t doubt that you earn your job every day.” I smiled at him from the passenger seat. “Your case must be very special.” He commented and I asked confused, “Why would you say that?” “Because the restaurant that I am bringing you to, is one of those rare places that Alpha used t
Xavier’s POVWhen I had asked Zoe to join me for a formal lunch, I had promised myself that I would keep my personal and work life separate. But then she had showed up looking so formal and gorgeous. I was amazed at her dressing sense, she always looked like she had a professional designer and stylist dress her up. She loved showing off her undercut and always had her hair on the opposite side, accentuating the haircut. She was different, she knew it and made sure that no one forgot it. Not that anyone who had met her even once could easily forget someone like her. I kept blaming Spike for everything I did that I had not done for any woman except Claire, my only true love. So, stubbornly I kept believing that it was Spike that made me want to get up to greet her or pull her chair or flirt with her. I had started to imagine a lot of different ways this lunch could go but not the one that actually happened. Alyssa had called out with John on her arm and as much as I loved my sister,
Zoe’s POVOnce dessert was finished, I quickly said my goodbyes, eager to leave. Xavier offered to drive me home since he had some business in my pack. I nodded, not wanting to argue, and we walked toward his car. Just as we were about to get in, he patted his pockets and frowned."I think I left my phone on the table. I’ll be right back," he said before turning back toward the restaurant.I stood beside the car, watching the snowfall gently coat the ground. The scenery was beautiful, yet something about the lunch left a bad taste in my mouth. I felt uneasy."Well done. I’m honestly amazed."A familiar, condescending voice made me whirl around. John approached, his expression a mask of sarcasm, but his voice was tight with fury.I tensed, glancing around for Xavier. Nowhere in sight."Looking for Xavier?" John sneered. "Stay away from him!" He grabbed my arm roughly, yanking me toward him. I gasped, struggling against his grip."Let me go!" I glared up at him, my voice shaking with ang
The next morning I woke up fresh and early, ready to visit a few places where I had seen signs about hiring new people. I went from place to place, all day. I was overqualified for some and underqualified for others. I needed more experience for some jobs and some were just not going to pay enough for me to save any worthwhile money. Overall, it was not going as well as I had hoped it would. By the time evening rolled in, I was feeling quite hopeless. I walked into what looked like my final stop for the day. It was a huge hotel and restaurant in need of more serving staff. It was fairly new and was still short on staff. At this point, even a bartending job wouldn’t be bad. I smiled at the receptionist and before he could judge me, immediately said, “Hi, I saw the ad for hiring serving staff. I hope you guys are still hiring.” He looked me up and down and nodded before picking up the landline and calling someone. I waited as he talked and placed the phone back before finally addr
Zoe’s POVMy new client, Angelina, was an adorable girl of seventeen from another pack. She was in our territory with her friend, whose elder sister was pregnant. Angelina and I decided to meet at a small cafe to discuss the details of the event. Her friend was also there to make sure that her sister’s surprise baby shower was perfect. As it turned out Angelina’s friend belonged to an elder’s family and was willing to pay a lot for the event to be memorable in a good way. I thanked Maisie in my heart and promised myself to treat her with her favorite foods when I got paid. The meeting had gone smoothly. Thankfully, the young girl from my pack did not keep up with the news and either had no idea about my Dad’s scandal or didn’t care. I still decided to stay away from their home and elder’s eyes as much as I can. I needed this commission and I didn’t want anyone to take it from me simply because they believed in the fake embezzlement case against my Dad. We settled on an indoor eve
She said she couldn’t bear to go serve those people yet and begged for me to take over. I was not hopeful for any different results but if anything happened to me, I could go straight to the management to complain. Marianne won’t have to and hopefully, none of us will lose our jobs because of rich snobs who think they own the help. I walked over to a group of cute boys, barely out of high school. But their mannerisms instantly screamed of their playboy lifestyle because they had never had a day to worry about money or girls. I plastered a fake smile on my lips and pushed the trolley of their ordered desserts. “Your desserts, gentlemen.” I started plating when the rude comments started. They acted like I couldn’t hear them and smirked when I stiffened at their remarks. “This one is even better than the other one.” “Imma order this one for a midnight dessert.” “How about some chocolate on silky skin.” “Stop it, man. My mouth is watering already.” They laughed as I stood up asking
Zoe's POVI sighed and sat down on the bench beside her. I went there for a reason, I was going to see it through."You say that when you know that not only we weren't aware of the Blood Contract, we were a little busy not knowing you even existed. Excuse us for wanting to accept our fated mates and
Zoe's POVI was braiding the hair on the edge of my shaved scalp when Olivia rang the intercom. Xavier walked out of the wardrobe with a spring in his step and let Olivia in, who rolled in a trolley of steaming breakfast.It was Xavier's idea to have breakfast in the bedroom. He said he wanted to sp
Zoe's POVWhen I woke up next, my head felt like I had been hit by a truck. Xavier's arm rested on my belly as he lay deeply asleep beside me. It was strange to wake up to him after spending weeks of him coming and going while I slept. I took the time to cherish his touch and light breath. He looke
Zoe's POVMy head was pounding. It was like someone had cracked open my skull and was performing brain surgery without anesthesia. It was torture. I wanted to yell,' Stop it,' and I think I said something, but different words were coming out.I tried to yell. I knew Xavier was holding me, but every
Xavier's POVMy head was fuzzy. I was trying so hard to focus on the conversations around me. It was like I had been underwater and just resurfaced. The light, the sounds, the colors, everything felt weird. I blinked as I tried to focus on the fork in my hand. I whispered to Zoe, "Please get ready
Zoe's POVThat night, I stayed up and waited for Xavier. He took his time coming to the bedroom. He must've thought that I was asleep, and that's exactly what I pretended. But, I had a theory and I was about to test it out.I stayed still, kept my heartbeat calm, and eyes closed. Until Xavier went t
Zoe's POVWhen Xavier and I walked in hand in hand, every jaw in the dining hall dropped, but no one was as shocked as Blondie, who entered after us. She must've been waiting for him when he was walking me to the dining hall. She swallowed her shock and forced herself to sit on the opposite end of t
Zoe's POVFinding friendship with Alyssa was one of the strangest things that happened to me that week. Since then, I saw less and less of Xavier. He came to the room when I was already asleep and often left before I had woken up. We missed that one meal we used to share before the coronation.He sp
Zoe's POVThe conversation with Xavier was the hardest I've ever had with anyone. He was acting like I was just another wolf in his pack that he was responsible for. The only emotion I got from him was regarding the baby but even that was fleeting. I was so bewildered that I ended up asking, "Are y