“That’s my lioness!” Maisie exclaimed from behind me. “Where did you come from?” I whirled around, shocked. “Through the door.” She smirked. I sighed. Of course, I didn’t hear her because I don’t have super hearing and I was so deep in my thoughts. “Oh my god, have you seen the view from these windows? Sunrises are going to be gorgeous. And we share a balcony!” She said hopping on the spot like an overjoyed child who doesn’t know how to control or fully express their joy. I nodded, still unsure about fighting for Xavier. He had explicitly told me to stay away and his ex was perfect. She was the type of woman who suited him. “Earth to Zoe!” Maisie snapped her fingers in front of me and then pulled me to sit on the bed. She was looking at me expectantly and I furrowed my brows in confusion. “What?” I asked. “You tell me what.” She replied. “I don’t get it.” I shook my head confused. “You said you would tell me something when we got here. We are here.” She told. I nodded in r
Xavier’s POVDespite being overwhelmed with Council duties, John’s case, and most importantly, my self-imposed distance between Zoe and myself, I couldn’t refuse Claire. She was so excited. She called all her older friends, who had been just as surprised as me but also very welcoming. I bet they were all curious why she up and left so suddenly without a trace. I wondered what she would tell them. The day arrived to leave and as we drove Claire kept talking about everything she had planned for the getaway, especially because some of her friends were going to bring plus ones whom Claire had not yet met. All I could think about was, what Zoe would be doing now? Was she upset? Unlike the time she had been devastated when she had seen Claire return and drunk herself to near oblivion. She hadn’t called or texted me. Maisie, her best friend, hadn’t contacted me either. Was she already over me? Was I the only one overthinking? After all, I was the only one of the two of us who knew of
Zoe’s POVI contemplated walking away, but I knew it was impossible for a wolfless one like me to walk down the hill back to the city in this state. And that too in a different territory. It had taken us six hours to get there. I needed a car to go back. But I was determined not to face Xavier and especially not Claire. For that purpose, I knew I couldn’t just walk in through the main entrance and after a minute of gathering courage, I decided to climb in through the balcony of my room. The moment I was inside my room without any hitch, I breathed a sigh of relief. “What happened out there?!” I whipped around in shock to see Maisie sitting on my bed, looking worried. She immediately got up and rushed to me. She started examining my face and arms, “Are you hurt? Tell me, Zoe.” “I slipped.” Was all I could manage. The image of Xavier helping Claire out of his car and her kissing his cheek haunted me. “You are not okay.” Maisie led me to bathroom, “Go on. Take a shower. I'll br
Xavier's POVI wanted to step closer. I was ready to even confront her. I wanted to know why she was there. How did she even know about the place?But before I could, my phone started ringing.It was Claire.I used to love talking to her on the phone. I used to enjoy her attention when she would get worried about me. But seeing the call now, I had to resist a sigh of annoyance as I attended the call,"Hey.""Hey, you. Where are you?" "I told you I was going on a walk.""That was half an hour ago. I expected you to be back by now. I came out of the shower and you still aren't here." I could feel her pouting over the phone."I thought you said you would get ready for dinner.""I am going to. Don't you have to change too?""I'm on my way.""Great! See you on the balcony. Kisses."She waited for me to cut the call and by that time I heard a shower running in the room Zoe had climbed in. So, I decided to wait for things to unfold and go get a shower myself. It had been a long day.In an ho
Zoe's POV The food was served but how could one eat if all appetite was lost? Seeing Xavier with Claire, arm in arm, like they had always belonged together was a new kind of pain. I was angry at Jacob for bringing me here even though he knew that Xavier was going to be here too. I glanced at him to my left as he was busy enjoying the delicate appetizer. He and I were going to have a long conversation about his reasonings and excuses for putting me through this. He knew Claire was the hostess and he still brought me. All I needed was to get through the dinner without any drama or drawing any attention to myself. I held my fork so tightly in my hand that I feared I might break or bend it, and werewolves don't use fragile cutlery. I was about to take a few bites to avoid seeming rude when I nearly jumped out of my seat at the shock of feeling a hand on my right thigh. I looked alarmed to my right and John was eating like nothing was wrong, while his left hand caressed my thigh
Xavier's POV I couldn't help but my eyes kept wandering to Zoe sitting between John and Jacob. Jacob, I could talk to later. But, John, made me wonder if he had straightened up or worsened after Zoe's blocking him. I saw him glare at her right before she dropped her fork. His hand had been under the table. I didn't want to imagine how low he could go but I was not going to give him the benefit of the doubt. I saw him push the wine glass and I nearly got out of my seat to confront the bastard. But I couldn't highlight Zoe in front of Claire. She was already going through enough, Claire was the last person Zoe needed after her. She walked out the door and John followed. 'Go after her!' Spike sounded and I was shocked to hear him after the week of silence. I had to listen. He was my instinct. Neither of us trusted John. I opened a pre-saved audio for similar purposes and placed my phone on the ear, excusing myself for a pretend call that sounded real to the werewolf ears.
Xavier's POVOf course, I couldn't sleep. I was worried for Zoe. She had enveloped my every thought and I would've rushed to her then and there if I wasn't worried about her safety and my sanity.I looked around the room but couldn't find the only thing that would calm me down.'Whiskey won't replace our need for our mate. How long do you intend to keep everyone suffering?' I wish Spike would go back to his silence so that I could suffer alone.I padded barefoot towards the kitchen, I knew the kitchen led to a basement cellar and I needed some strong drink to drown my thoughts about Zoe.My feet halted at her sight, looking around the cabinets like a cat searching for a midnight snack.I smiled to myself and leaned against the doorframe, seeing how long it would take for her to notice that she wasn't alone.Her stomach growled and Spike snarled, 'Help her!'I finally spoke up, "Looking for the fridge?"I scared her. I would've hugged her or laughed maybe, if it wasn't for the expressi
Zoe's POVI sat on my bed, my heart about to beat out of my chest."What just happened?" I was so confused. What was all that about?I thought he broke up with me because of Claire. Then why did he kiss me? If that could even be qualified as such. I placed my muffin aside, my brain was in overdrive."Xavier!" I whined to myself. Why was he doing this? Did he get kicks out of watching me squirm for him? He wasn't that kind of man, was he? I had barely known him for a few months, but they had made me feel like I knew him for years.I sighed but suddenly got cautious when a double-knock sounded on my door. It was past midnight. Who could it be? I was sure Maisie was asleep and if she needed to see me, she'd use the joined balcony. Could it be Mr. Smith? Maybe he found out that I was sneaking around in the kitchen.I slowly walked to the door.With my hand on the handle, I stilled. What if it was John? I was ready to expect the worst from him."Who is it?" I called out, without opening the
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