Zoe's POVI felt numb throughout my ride home.It felt like I had lost something very precious. Like I had lost a part of myself. The scene of Xavier's arms carrying Claire as she smirked at me was haunting me. But I did not feel like crying.What was the point of crying? It wouldn't bring back what Xavier and I had shared. I wondered if any of it was real. Or did he really just use me?The cab dropped me near my house as evening enveloped the pack, but I didn't want to go inside yet. Aunt Julie had been so worried about me lately. I couldn't let her see me like that. I had to get a grip on myself. I had to run.I needed to run.I rushed into the darkening woods.I took off my shoes and allowed nature to lead me. I focused on the sounds and smells around me and hoped that, like always, I would be able to run from my thoughts. I never realized when the casual fun runs through the woods as a kid turned into me running from my present.I stopped when I absolutely needed air. I bent on my
Xavier's POVMy phone rang as I entered Silver Moon borders. I chose to ignore it the first few times. I did not need any distractions. Zoe was the only one that mattered and I could not afford to be late. I did not want to imagine that scenario.But when the caller was persistent, I had to attend it and put it on speaker,"This better be good!" I growled."I'm afraid, Alpha, it's not. It is, in fact, quite bad." It was Luca and he sounded worried."Make it quick, Luke." I ordered."Alpha. The detailed report will be ready by-" He started but I interrupted impatiently, "Get to the damn point.""Yes, Alpha. A couple of hours ago, John slipped his tail. His last known location is the woodlands near the ex-beta Simmons' house at the edge of the Silver Moon territory." He told and I suddenly things clicked."Shit!" I banged the steering wheel but refocused. A road accident was not going to help anyone."What are my orders?" He asked."Get that damned report ready. Find that bastard's last
TRIGGER WARNINGS: This chapter has descriptions of attempted sexual assault and rape. Reader discretion is advised. Zoe's POVJohn stepped closer and started unbuttoning my jumpsuit."Stop!" I called out, "Help!" Of course, nobody was coming."John, please. You don't want to do this. Stop!" I begged. "I love it when you beg. Too little too late though. You are mine now. It would've been better if you came willingly. It could've been so much fun." He tried to place a kiss on my lips but I moved my face and it landed on my cheek which enraged him.He held my face roughly in his hands so that I was unable to move as kissed me forcefully. Suddenly the rope I had been working on, snapped. My eyes widened because John had not realized it. I had a brief element of surprise.I removed the rope as he was too busy kissing me forcefully and then kneed him where the sun didn't shine. He doubled over in surprise.I had two choices. Either to hit him harder and keep him down or just rush out an
Xavier’s POVIt took Maisie an hour to get back and I was about to get upset at her that every minute counts. But, when she brought a bag from her car I was confused."Glad you could find time to go shopping when Zoe's life might be on the line." I commented sarcastically.She rolled her eyes, "I needed ingredients for the location spell."It took fifteen minutes for her to assemble all the ingredients which included many weird things. But witches had always been weird. "For a hybrid who keeps a part of herself secret, you sure know your stuff." I commented."I was a teen and curious. When if first got the grimoire. It was by accident. I found it in Dad's things that he had taken after my mom passed away. I never practiced magic as such. Everything I know is theoretical." She explained."Hold on. You are saying we have put all our hopes for finding Zoe on theoretical? Have you ever cast a spell? Are you even able to do magic?" I asked incredulously."I don't know?" She replied making
Maisie was directed by Xavier to take Zoe in her car and follow him. Xavier took John and made sure there was no chance of escape on the way. Not that John was in any shape to escape at all.Xavier had been making calls all the way to the Werewolf Council Head Quarters. The time to wait was gone and finally, the time to act had arrived. It had arrived sooner than anticipated but Xavier hoped that his men pulled through with all the pieces of evidence and John's allies to make sure he was covered from all sides for good.Maisie had called her father to inform him as well as Aunt Julie to ask her to come for Zoe's support, bring her clothes and other necessities. Zoe hadn't spoken a single word since she had been rescued. Maisie had wrapped her in a spare blanket that she used ot carry in her car. Zoe had stopped shaking but with her head on the window, she silently stared at the passing scenery. Maisie was getting worried for her friend but she had no idea how to help someon
It was early morning when Xavier's office door was knocked and Luca entered with a briefcase and a file in his hands.Lucan nodded to Jacob who nodded back briefly and resumed his work. Xavier looked at Luca expectantly and Luca immediately started talking, "Alpha, the witnesses are in separate guarded rooms. They will talk. Here is the report." He placed the file on Xavier's table and resumed debriefing as he opened the briefcase and took out various objects one by one, "This flash drive has the video proofs. This folder has the paper trails. These are the papers with ownership and contracts with John's signatures. These are the files on the witnesses." Xavier looked briefly at the objects and asked, "What about Councilor Peterson?""His son is on the way-" Luca was interrupted by Xavier controlling his rage, "I don't need his son. Get me his father!""Yes, Alpha. Alpha Peterson Junior was found calling an unknown number through an encrypted line. One of our guys is alrea
Xavier's POV"Thank you, Maisie," I whispered as she walked me out of the room."No need to thank me. I'll do whatever it takes to help Zoe. And it's about damn time John was held accountable for everything," Maisie said, her voice firm with conviction."Are you ready to reveal your hybrid nature?" I asked one last time, needing to be sure."I am. Come what may. Mr. Simmons has loved me like a father. Zoe is my sister. And truth be told, with your ex returning, Zoe has been through a lot. You're on her side now, and that's all that matters," she said, smiling at me."About that-" I started but Jacob mindlinked me and I excused myself. Someone who shouldn't have been there had come and I needed to handle the situation myself.I went to the waiting room adjacent to my office and raised an annoyed brow, "Father. What are you doing here?""I have heard about what a legend my son is with the Council cases. About time I witnessed it for myself." He had an expression full of pride. But I kne
Xavier's POVAfter my conversation with Claire, I had her escorted to a room adjacent to Alyssa. By the time I entered my office, Luca was waiting for me and instantly sprung up from his seat."Alpha, news about the Councilor Peterson." "I know." I took off my coat as he asked confused, "You do?""Councilor Peterson is defending John." I told as I took my seat behind my desk."Wait, what?" He asked and I realized he had no idea about this news."What is your news?" I asked."Councilor Peterson is in the building. No idea from where he spawned overnight. No one at the borders or the building saw him come." He informed."You finally decided to come out of hiding. What are you planning?" I mused to myself before getting back to the paperwork."Alpha, shall I find out what he is planning?" Luca asked."No. He will sniff you coming for miles. And we don't have the time either. Let's focus on making sure that our witnesses stay alive. There is no limit to how low John and his allies can sto
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