LOGINTobias's POVLincoln is still looking out of the window, his shoulders tense and anxiety pouring off him."Dad says they should have left after the interview. The fact they haven't is unusual. He's going to speak to Head Councilman Thorn, but they can't remove you as Alpha without significant cause or his approval."Some of the tension finally drains from Lincoln's shoulders.He nods once, silently."You, okay?" I ask,Lincoln gives a noncommittal grunt. "I don't know, man. I just feel so..." He trails off.The need to be near him suddenly becomes overwhelming. The urge to comfort him is every bit as strong as it is when Zahra is upset. I push to my feet and stride over to the window, but I hesitate. I want to touch him. To fold him into my arms...What the fuck?I don't understand this. What is this between us? I have a mate. I love my mate. So why do I suddenly need to be near Lincoln of all people?My hands lift instinctively towards his shoulders, but they hover just short of maki
Tobias's POVI study Councilmen Truman and Adams as they glance at one another. Clearly, my presence has thrown them off.Truman shifts on his feet, and the scent of his anxiety drifts on the breeze.Interesting.What are they up to?As far as I know, the council has always enjoyed a good relationship with Shadow and Lincoln. They fully supported the takeover and his challenge against his father. Dad even said they were impressed by his open communication and leadership.So why are they sniffing around now?"Well, Alpha Grey, Luna, we don't want to interrupt your visit with His Royal Highness. We and our operatives will continue with our inspection of the pack and won't inconvenience you any further.""Surely, Councilman, it's no inconvenience. Let me show you around while my mate and Tobias catch up," Zahra says.I know exactly what she's doing.She doesn't want to let them out of her sight.I can feel her unease and suspicion down the bond.'Get Jackson down here. Have him stay with
Lincioln's POV"I have known Zahra for four years and loved her from afar for most of that time. We are friends. I'm close friends with her Alpha and his unit, including her brother, the future Beta of Blood Moon. Last autumn, Zahra was kidnapped by rogues and held prisoner for nearly six months. A few days after my ascension to Alpha, I received a call to say she had been rescued. I immediately rushed to Blood Moon to make sure she was alright and to support my friends."However, when I first saw her again after so long, only a few weeks away from turning eighteen, my wolf and I recognised her as our mate. As I am sure you can imagine, gentlemen, I was unable to leave my new mate under those circumstances while she recovered and tried to rebuild her life. Zahra was unaware of the bond as well, and my wolf was, let's say, reluctant to leave her before she knew."I pause briefly before continuing."We stayed in Blood Moon to support her recovery and help her reconnect with the people s
Lincoln's POVAfter yesterday's madness, today feels almost unnaturally calm. After Zahra's fight with the warriors, reviewing Shadow's security protocols with Isaac and the unit, and the endless discussions that followed, the quiet somehow feels more unsettling than the chaos did.I stand beside Zahra at the top of the pack house steps, my hand resting gently on her hip, her arm tucked around my waist, as we watch the small convoy of cars make its way up the drive towards us.My stomach churns with nerves. If this inspection goes badly, everything we've fought for over the last few days could come crashing down around us.Fuck.Everything is riding on this.Our unit stands off to one side, Sam and Holly positioned just behind and to my left."Relax, man. We've got this," Sam murmurs as the cars roll to a stop.Zahra gives my waist a reassuring squeeze, and some of the tension leaves my shoulders. We pull apart slightly, settling into a more formal stance to greet the council.Two men
Lincoln's POVThen there's a moan, and the bond flares with desire again. I tear my eyes away from Tobias's amber ones to see Xander kissing Zahra senseless. His fingers are threaded through her hair, his large hands engulfing her jaw as he tilts her head back.Fucking hell.Why is watching my mate kiss another man so fucking hot?Lex rumbles in my mind, his own desire thick and building fast."Goddess," Tobias groans beside me, still not removing his hand. I don't know why, but I don't want him to either.Zahra is panting when she pulls away, her chest heaving. I step closer, moving between her legs, and pull down the zip of her bra. It falls open, her breasts spilling free, and all three of us moan at once.She giggles, completely unselfconscious beneath our attention.I step back and Xander grabs her hips, tucks his fingers into the waistband of her shorts and lifts her slightly, sliding them down over her arse where she sits before pulling them off her legs in one swift motion.Sh
Lincoln's POVThe feeling in the pack is electric. Lex and I feel it thrumming through my body. Fuck, they feel invigorated. I have never, in all my life, felt the pack like this. Every wolf seems to be pulling in the same direction, their satisfaction, pride and renewed purpose flowing through the pack bond until it feels vibrant. It's... effervescent.I grin down at my beautiful mate. Despite the bruises and dirt, she looks resplendent. There's a bruise blossoming across her cheek, and the blood on her chin from her split lip has already healed, but the sight of it still makes my stomach burn with anger.Her joy and relief at having won the pack's respect is so gratifying to see.I lean down to kiss her again, and the joy spikes through the pack. I smile against her lips, wishing she could feel it as well."They like you," I murmur into her ear as they cheer and howl around us."I'm so fucking glad because I can't fight any more of them."She sounds exhausted, and I laugh, scooping
Zahra's POVMorgan’s fingers tighten around mine, and I glance at her. She whispers out of the corner of her mouth, “the unit are coming over.”I look up and see Aiden, Jasper, and Marcus making their way around the pool. The whole garden is still almost silent as they walk. Someone’s turned the mu
Tobias's POVFuck fuck fuck fuck.What am I doing?Why am I over here arguing with Edwardo instead of going straight to her?I feel the exact moment my unit leave my back. Out of the corner of my eye I see them rounding the pool, warriors parting like a wave to let them through. The entire atmosphe
Zahra's POV“Zahra!” everyone exclaims.Lucas and Henry grin behind her as the girls jump up, wrapping her in hugs.“Have you really been training, Midget?” Eliot asks — the most obvious question in the world. I roll my eyes.Renee beats me to it. “Well, duh!” she says, giving Eliot a look. I like
Zahra's POVIt’s been a strange five days. On one hand, it’s wonderful to be home — to see everyone again and be back in the pack. I’ve trained hard with Greg and Austin, and even though they made us run the lake trail and swim again, it wasn’t as cold as it was three years ago. I even beat Henry b







