Xavier's POV"Your father will see you now." My father's young assistant formally announced.I stood up and gulped the glass of whiskey in my hand in a single sip before placing it on the table and doing the button of my tuxedo coat."Just you, Alpha." Jacob was stopped at the entrance of my father's study room which he had turned into his office the moment he had returned from the King's court. I nodded to Jacob and he obediently took his place at outside the door."Father." I addressed him. I hadn't seen him for five years since he had gone to the King's court on his Majesty's orders and I had taken the command of the pack as the official Alpha."I thought I taught you better than to allow rogue attacks on our borders. Clearly, not." He spoke without facing me.Of course, it was too much to expect any fatherly notion from a man who hadn't called me his son since the day my mother died."The rogues were collaborating-" I started but he interrupted me. He turned to face me and placed t
Zoe's POVI wanted to encourage myself and focus on the fact that my Dad needed me. But my feet wouldn't move the moment I re-entered the party and noticed Xavier with his grandmother on his arm and an intimidating-looking man who looked like Xavier would when old.They were approached by Claire who was holding on to the arm of an older man, whom I guessed to be her father. Pleasantries were being exchanged as I looked at how close yet far the man I had fallen in love with was.Why was the Goddess punishing me like this? What sin had I committed to deserve this fate?"Serve the VIPs, Zoe. The manager is glaring at you." Sara passed me by swiftly and whispered in my ear, bringing me back to my awful reality.I gathered as much courage as I could and walked straight to the VIPs, promising myself to look at no one, unless absolutely necessary.As I reached their vicinity, I brought the tray to the center, where it was easily available for everyone to reach for the entrees."Ah, the entre
Zoe's POVI needed air.I didn't care about the job. I was about to suffocate if I didn't take a breather.I managed to slip past the manager and the rest of the employees without being asked why I was headed in the opposite way from the party.The moment I was out in the open, the doors to the backroom closed, I sighed.It was so calm and peaceful outside. The evening had overtaken the daylight and the whole mansion looked ethereal with light, shadows, and light music wafting from inside.Why was it so impossible to ask for a simple job? All I wanted was to earn some money, pay for Dad's case, get him out, and leave these damned packs.I walked away.What was the worst that could happen if I did not go back inside at all? Apart from getting fired? I doubted anyone would miss me. I was sure that the staff now hated me because it looked like I had been taking favors from high up. How wrong they were? To be jealous of my plight.I heard someone shouting profanities and walked closer out
Zoe's POVThe moment I was out, I contemplated returning to the kitchen but decided I was ruined anyway. I was so angry.I heard footsteps after me and I turned enraged, "You promised the platform wouldn't rotate!" But stopped short when I saw that it was not only the blonde guy I had chosen to trust earlier but also my manager fuming at me."So, this is what you have been up to? Ditching service and playing piano? You over-reaching slut!" A vein in his forehead was about to pop as his eyes turned yellow. His wolf was about to tear me to shreds for ruining such a huge event for his company."Tell him! You made me do it!" I glared at the blonde guy who mouthed, 'Sorrry.' And he was gone before I knew it.'Fuck.'"I don't know whom you had to spread your legs for but you are messing up with my company." The manager took a step towards me and I looked around hoping to find a way to either defend myself or a chance to run."Sir, there has been an accident in the kitchen, we are trying to
Xavier pulled Zoe after her and got her in his car, intent to drive her home, back in her pack.He took off his coat and wrapped her in it before opening the passeger seat of his car and letting her in. She got in without hesitation even though she had no idea how much trouble had been attracted her way that night.Xavier got in and extended his hand. She sighed but didn't place hers in his which infuriated him and he took the bleeding hand despite her resistence. He took out a handkerchief, she recognised it as the one he often carried with him and he wrapped it around her cut knowing that it was not going to heal quick like a full werewolf.And without a word he started driving.They stayed thay way for about half an hour before the silence was too much for him and he started, "Are you going to tell me what you were doing in my party tonight?" She did not respond."Zoe, I said-""I heard you." She snapped."Then answer the damned question." He had had awful few days and s
As the two waited for their food, Zoe's phone started ringing. She saw it was Maisie and attended the call,"Girl, please tell me what I heard happened tonight at Blood Cresent didn't happen." Maisie sounded worried."Depends on what you heard." Zoe replied in a tired tone. "Z. Where are you? I'm coming to get you." Zoe could hear shuffling coming from Maisie's side."Please don't. I'm fine. I'll come over in the morning." Zoe closed her eyes and sighed."Are you back at Silver Moon?" Maisie asked."Yes. But don't come over. I'll see you tomorrow. And Mj, don't worry." Zoe didn't wait for an answer and cut the call."How is your phone not blowing up after the stunt you just pulled?" Zoe asked Xavier casually."I threw it away." He replied in the same nonchalant tone."What?" "I said, -""I heard.""Then?""Then, why would you do that? It's your phone. The Alpha Councilor's phone. Excluding the recent events, which you might need to explain to a few people. That phone must
By the time, their food was over, Xavier and Zoe had been laughing so hard that their cheeks hurt."I can't believe he would do that." Zoe wiped a tear from her eye and tried to stop laughing."You bet he did and then he had the audacity to blame it on me." Xavier smiled back freely."No!" She widened her eyes and leaned in, "Then, what did the Dean do?""Nothing. What could he do to the Alpha's son?" Xavier was proud of his carefree college days before he took on Alphadom.Suddenly soft music sounded through the diner. The couple turned to look at the source and found Martha tweaking a large old-fashioned jukebox. She winked at the couple and mouthed, 'Enjoy' before going back to cleaning up the kitchen and leaving them alone."What do you say?" Xavier suddenly asked holding out his hand. His coat and waistcoat had been discarded while eating and laughing earlier. His tie was loose and his sleeves were folded to elbows. The top button of his shirt was undone. Zoe looked at
Xavier's POVI had contemplated going straight to my loft or cabin to allow things to blow over before returning. But with Father back, it was better to face the consequences of my actions than to let him stew in it and for things to get worse. The whole ride back, I had been imagining every possible scenario and method to protect Zoe, while also making sure that my Alpha title did not get questioned. I had never been the impulsive one. But now that I had taken that road with Zoe, there was no going back. I did not regret standing up for her. But in hindsight, I could have done it differently.I had barely parked my car when the butler rushed to my car and spoke in urgency, "Master Shaw ordered to send you to his study the moment you returned. He has been in there since you left.""Thanks, Alfred." I nodded in gratitude. I could see how the poor guy was shaking in his boots. My Father's anger had that effect. I had been on the receiving end of it far too many times. So, I knew not t
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