Zoe's POVThe case had started and it had been harder to deal with than I had expected it to be.I saw my Dad for the first time in months and I was horrified by what they had done to him. What his own people had done to him. They knew he was innocent and yet they made him go through so much. I was so glad to have Maisie and Aunt Julie by my side.It was the second day of the case and today was going to be about presenting proofs about every horrible thing John did related to me.There was a possibility of me being called to testify as well. Aunt Julie combed my hair as Maisie talked to someone on the phone. We were expected to be at the Council Hall in about half an hour. "Don't worry, Zo. Your dad is a tough one. And soon, he is going to be with us again." Aunt Julie was trying to reassure me. She didn't need to. I had trust in Xavier.I had been worried for a while back there when he had chosen Claire over me but having him here when it truly mattered gave me strength to keep goi
Zoe's POVThe council was adjourned again after John's representative gave a bunch of fake aliases of what a stand-up citizen he was.His engagement with Alyssa was used in his Beta position to expose my Dad's non-existent crimes against our pack. I was shocked to see our Alpha taking John's side against my Dad. They had been buddies when Dad was the Beta. I practically grew up in the pack house before everyone realized I was not getting a wolf.If I was so shocked, I couldn't imagine how hurt Dad was. Throughout the procession, he had stared at the cuffs on his wrists. I couldn't imagine how humiliated he would be feeling. 'Soon Daddy. Soon, it will all be over. Hang tight.' I thought to myself.When it was Xavier's turn, he had started providing proof after proof of my Dad's innocence. He had solid proof of John being the one who did the embezzlement and how he did it. I could see that neither John nor his representative were expecting those proofs. They must have thought they had
Zoe's POVWith just a few words, my whole world shifted.The Head Councilor had announced the decision that the council had mutually agreed upon.My Dad was released free of all charges against him. Silver Moon Pack had been ordered to pay for emotional dmamges, physical abuse, and aiding John in his crimes.Xavier had prepared such a case that the defendents stood no chance against him. I was so glad to have my dad back that it never crossed my mind that John was aware of my short-lived relationship with Xavier. But he had not used that knowledge to weaken our case, even though it could have been a serious blow to our case.We were done, Xavier was not.He had presented the final speech as such that even though our case was closed, the general accusations agaisnt John were still open. I knew Xavier was not going to let the man go so easily after he tried to use his sister for power and whatnot.I wanted to thank Xavier in the hall but he, along with John's representative were quickly
Zoe's POVOnce Dad had gone to sleep and Aunt Julie had gone to rest in Maisie's old room, I had time to think.Whatever I chose, I had to talk to Xavier first. He had put his career on the line for this case. Now that I had Dad back and no immediate worries, the realization hit me. Why hadn't John told everyone about my relationship with Xavier.He had been so jealous from the start. He had threatened me. He had told Claire all about it. Why had neither of them done anything about that. I was now sure that if they had, Xavier's pristine repuation would've been over. That wouldn't only have impacted the case negatively but his credibility to do his job as a Councilor and Alpha. I had been allowed to visit Maisie. She had been given a smaller, fortified room. But she assured me that she was fine. She had convinced me to talk to Xavier before making any decision.It was certain that I was not going to stay in the same pack that hurt Dad and me so much. But before making up my mind abou
Zoe's POVI was done packing in no time but Dad needed rest and I wasn't going to disturb him.I had no idea how long Maisie was going to have to stay at the HQ and what they were planning to do about her. But with my current plans, it was possible that we might not see each other for a while.I wasn't going to leave without a goodbye.I went to her guarded room and was allowed to meet in the presence of a guard. I didn't want to do this in front of a stranger but I couldn't fight with the rules either.I entered the room and Maisie rushed to hug me."It's so good to see a familiar face." She smiled. I could sense a hint of sadness in her tone but I knew that she wanted me not to worry. She knew I would never stop worrying about her. "Don't worry, you will be out of here in no time." I gave a fake reassurance and she nodded because we both knew that it was a lie. Werewolves have never been kind to witches. "Let's see what the law says for a hybrid." She said wistfully."You are a wer
Xavier's POVThe first thing I did when I returned to my office was to call Jacob.Claire and Alyssa's words were still ringing in my ears. I was still trying to come to terms with the fact that my sister and my chosen mate were ready to kill an innocent person just because they didn't like her.I didn't recognise these women. But there was going to be another time to sit them down and ask them about it. For now, I needed to focus on securing a good life for my fated mate. Just because I had been conflicted about choosing her, didn't mean I wasn't worried about her weel being.I wanted her to have her life, even if it wasn't with me. And that was exactly what she deserved to have, I was going to make sure of it.I was giving specific instructions to Jacob when I was informed that Maisie wanted to talk to me. Maisie was a different issue that I needed to solve as well. I had read all the laws about all creatures under the Werewolf law. Hybrids were not supposed to exist because they we
"Dad, I'd really rather not take anything. The purpose of leaving is to start fresh. We can't do that if we hold old keepsakes close." Zoe leaned against the doorframe of the study room where her father was busy gethering trinkets close to his heart in a briefcase."These are not keepsakes. These belonged to your mother. These are the only few things we have left of her. It doesn't matter we go, she is going with us." He stopped and looked at his daughter, "I don't have anything else to take from this pack either."He was trying to stay strong for his daughter but the pack was his home. The land of his ancestors. It was hurting him to leave at this age. But he knew it was impossible to stay among those who had turned on him and made him endure so much humiliation while being aware of his innocence."Zoe, sweeties there is someone here to see you." Aunt Julie came from behind them, nervously."Who is it?" Zoe turned to face her, leaving her father to his packing."It is bette
Xavier's POVI offered to drop Simmons at the train station. They had decided to leave their car with Aunt Julie who had chosen to stay behind saying that she felt too old to begin again. Zoe had stayed silent the whole ride to the train station. She was upset, she had every right to be upset.Mr. Simmons went to buy two tickets, leaving Zoe alone with me."I didn't get to give it to you earlier." She said."What is it?" I asked, taking a small piece of paper from her hands, surprised that she had talked to me."Your final cheque. I never got to pay you the final installment of your f*e. This is the money the pack paid us for Dad's case." She didn't look at me."You don't need to-" I started but her sharp gaze pierced me."According to our contract, I was expected to pay in full. In case of failing to do so, I owed you double the money. I was a paying client, wasn't I? Here is your final installment. Thank you for being lenient." Her words cut like a silver knife through the heart."
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