LOGINZahra's POVWhen I leave the house Dr Garland has been given while she’s here helping us all, I feel lighter than I have in months.We did something new today called EMDR, alongside the CBT we’ve been focused on. I had to hold one of the traumatic memories in my mind while following a rapidly moving dot on the screen and listening to low-toned sounds. It sounds ridiculous, and honestly, it felt ridiculous at first, but somehow it helped me touch a memory without being dragged all the way back inside it.After just one session, I feel like I’ve actually made progress today. Usually, I leave therapy feeling exhausted and disheartened, but this is different.I almost don’t trust it.Dr Garland moved out here from the capital because this time, enough of us need support that it makes more sense than endless conference calls. I hadn’t realised she wasn’t based locally. Three years ago, when she worked with me, I assumed she was from Blood Moon or another nearby pack, but it turns out she c
Zahra's POVI go through the motions at training like a zombie, too stuck in my head and second-guessing everything. Eventually, after I get taken down hard twice in a row, Greg sends me into the training centre to do weights instead.I keep replaying everything over and over again, and I can’t shake the sickening sensation that I’ve made a terrible mistake. What if these are my last few days with Max, and I’ve just driven him away? What if he is, in fact, one of my mates, and I’ve just insulted and hurt him so badly that he rejects me?'Stop. You’re driving me mad,' Zanthe finally snaps as my arms shake, lifting the barbell over my head for my one hundred and twenty-third rep.'You have to stop this. We made a decision, now keep it. It’s too late now anyway, and we’ll know one way or another once the tattoo is deactivated. There’s nothing else for it.''But what if?''Let it go, Z. You’re going to drive yourself mad like this.'She’s right. Of course she’s right. It’s just that I alr
Zahra'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
Xander's POVWe file out quietly. Henry falls in behind us as we move through the corridor, the sterile lights above us flickering faintly. The hospital is still, unnervingly so for this hour. When we step outside, the early morning air hits me—cold, sharp, clean. The sky is pale and washed out, th
Max's POVI’ve felt like an intruder all night, but I can’t bring myself to leave Zahra’s side. Every nerve in my body is begging me to stay close to her. After watching her fight those rogues, hearing the pain in her voice when that bastard grabbed her, Medus has lost it—completely feral and locke
Zahra's POVThe others are just arriving now — the twelve Elites, Greg, Austin, and Lucas.“Zahra!” Wyatt calls. Brendon and Jaxson are here too. I recognise most of the others, but not well enough to put names to all their faces. It’s been too long, and I was never exactly close with them before I
Zahra's POVHot. I’m so bloody hot. I wake feeling like I’m being roasted alive. Everything’s heavy and close, and I can barely move. My skin’s sticking to something solid and warm—actually, scratch that, boiling. I blink hard, trying to clear my eyes, and all I can see is smooth, sun-kissed skin







