تسجيل الدخولZahra's POVMy chest tightens painfully as I watch him sprawled on his back in the middle of my bed scrolling through his phone.“Morning, baby,” he says with a smile, his beautiful green eyes sweeping over my running gear and sweat-soaked appearance. “Good run?”I nod.“Have you eaten?” he asks, sniffing the air slightly.“Yeah. Lacy was already here when I got back.”I sit down on the edge of the bed as he places his phone back on the bedside table.“What time are you training this morning?” I ask.“Not until after lunch. We’ve got a teleconference with Yellowstone this morning, then I’ve got a session with Dr Garland.” He studies me for a second. “You going now?”I nod.But I don’t move towards the shower.For one horrible second, I nearly pretend everything is fine. Pretend I’m just tired. Pretend I’m not about to hurt him.“Max…” I start quietly, unable to meet his eyes.He rolls closer, his eyes turning serious. “What is it?”He shifts so he’s propped up on one elbow.“I think w
Zarha's POVI chew my way through my steak.Okay, whatever I say about it being boring is one thing, but Lacey’s cooking is heavenly. It’s juicy and perfectly cooked. I just wish I could enjoy it a bit more, but you know what they say about too much of a good thing…As I swallow down my last mouthful, Alpha Lucas walks into the kitchen.“Morning, Zahra. How are you today?”“Morning, Lucas. Yeah, same old.”He glances at me. “You off to training?”I just nod.“Greg says you’re getting stronger.”I huff and shrug. “I guess. It’s just annoyingly slow.”He doesn’t reply, but he looks at me over the top of his coffee mug as he drinks.“Are you looking forward to your birthday?”I glance up to see him watching me closely.“I’m not sure. On the one hand, I can find my mate, but on the other, I don’t want to disappoint anyone, and I’m not looking forward to being the centre of attention.”“What do you mean, disappoint anyone?” His voice is gentle as he lowers his mug.“Well, what if my mate i
Zahra's POVI push myself faster, my legs pounding, my breathing deepening, as the roar of my blood fills my ears. I’m still not fast enough. My lungs burn too quickly, my muscles ache too soon, and the version of me who used to move like this without thinking feels painfully far away.The Task Force warriors they don’t think I know about are keeping up far too easily. I scoff to myself. I still can’t believe they think I don’t know they’re there. What sort of warrior would I be if I didn’t notice men trailing me wherever I go?Or maybe it’s just after… everything.No. Not everything.After I was kidnapped and tortured for months.Dr Garland keeps telling me off for minimising the gravity of what happened. Apparently, that isn’t healthy. Owning my experiences is necessary for healing, or some bullshit like that.Zanthe gives a sleepy, irritated grunt in the back of my mind, but she doesn’t wake properly.I push harder, even though my thighs are starting to tremble and each breath scra
Aiden's POVWatching Kirsten rub herself all over her mates brother makes me feel a little nauseated and I frown. What the fuck does she think she’s doing?Through our bond, I feel Jasmine’s sharp burst of disgust mirror my own.That is not normal.A properly mated wolf usually avoids unnecessary physical contact with wolves of the opposite sex entirely unless they are actively betraying their bond, but to deliberately press herself against her mate’s brother, directly in front of Felix?It is so wildly inappropriate I do not even know where to begin.Felix is frowning now.“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kirsten. I’ve heard so much about you,” Tobias says as she steps back into Felix’s hold.“Funny, all I’ve heard about you is that you were away,” she chirps with a smile. “Mummy, Daddy, come and meet Felix’s big brother. This is Prince Tobias. Prince Tobias, these are my parents, Michelle and Justin Breverton.”Dad clears his throat beside us. “I think you mean Crown Prince Tobias.”Ki
Aiden's POVJames, Dad and the others head out before us. If this is going to be believable, it needs to look as natural as possible. The guards are explainable, but all of us arriving en-masse is not.'Everything okay, darling? Your emotions are all over the place,' Jasmine asks through our link.'I’ll explain later. Where are you now?''We’re down in the orangery having a drink. All us girls are. We were expecting you lot about ten minutes ago.''We’re on our way. Some last-minute Council business came up, but we’re coming now.''Good, because the terrible threesome are out in force, and I’m going to need you to stop me screaming in this woman’s face, or just ripping it off entirely.'I snort at her violent words.Goddess, I love this woman.'No face-ripping tonight, my love. See you in seconds.'Jasper, Marcus and I fall into formation around Tobias, with Lincoln at his side. Henry, Dustin and the other two guards flank us, but they hang back slightly so it looks like his normal pr
Lincoln's POVAt that last word, my eyebrows shoot upwards and I glance sharply at Tobias.But he’s not paying Alice any attention.Are they old lovers?Why the fuck did she just call him baby?Lex snaps through my mind, 'Focus. That’s not important right now.'Fuck.He’s right.“We need to tell our fathers,” Marcus says grimly, and I see his eyes glaze slightly as he mind-links.A few moments later, there’s a knock at the door.The King walks in with his unit, several warriors I’ve seen before, and Henry close behind them.Aiden recounts Alice’s story, and the room falls silent afterwards.“You are one hundred percent sure you saw her pay an Omega and put something on the food?” Nicholas asks, his face grim.Alice nods immediately.“Alice, I am only going to ask this again because this is extremely serious,” Nicholas says carefully. “Did you, or did you not, witness Kirsten attempt to assassinate the Crown Prince with your own eyes?”The room seems to tighten around us.Alice swallow
Zarha's POV“Enough.”The word is sharp and absolute.The body on top of me stills and starts to lift away. The second the weight comes off, I twist, flipping onto my back, and drive my knee up into his groin as hard as I can.He folds forward with a scream.At the same time, Zanthe lunges.She goe
Zarha's POVI blink up at the harsh fluorescent lights overhead. My head feels heavy, like it isn’t fully attached anymore. My vision swims in and out of focus. Somewhere nearby, water drips, the sound slowly seeping into my awareness.Then the memory hits me like a ton of fucking bricks.Hands hold
Edwardo's POVI pace the corridor, boots squeaking on the polished stone every time I pivot. The noise scrapes at my nerves. Not enough to truly grate, just enough to make me aware of the time they’re wasting.The council chamber looms beside me, doors sealed. Of course, they’re late.Fucking typic
Lincoln's POVThe sun is already scorching and it is barely eight thirty in the morning. Today is going to be hot. The kind of heat that presses down on you and makes everything feel heavier. I hope they let us have a swim later, though I doubt it.I watch as a trickle of sweat slides down the back







