NORA POV The entire car ride, we sit in this comfortable silence. I might talk more if I wasn’t preoccupied with other things. My gaze remains out the window. Observing the different men wandering around wearing the combat uniforms. The same uniform the man was wearing in my room…he has to be a warrior, right? Glancing at Theo, I notice his knuckles are as whiter than Casper as he grips the wheel. Despite barely knowing the man next to me, I cannot deny the comfortableness I feel around him. Viola feels it too, but she still has said nothing since this morning during the altercation with Dillon. ‘You cannot block me out forever,’ I say into the void, but I can sense her perking up to listen to what is being said. ‘Maybe back home, when things were certain, but not here. There are too many unknown variables here for us to be at odds.’ ‘Stay sober enough,’ Viola comments dryly and completely unbothered, ‘and then we will have something to talk about.’ Her statements ending abruptly
NORA POV Even with the blinds closed, I cannot stop the prickle and paranoia being watched. Needing extra reassurance, I check all the spots typically used for listening devices, turning the entire room upside down. While a gut instinct wants me to trust this house, this pack, and these people, the logical side of my brain wants me to survive. The only way to do that is to be smart in my decisions. I may not be the most well-trained Northern Lakes pack member, my combat skills may have been sorely lacking, but I have watched enough tv know where these things are usually hidden. Once every light, picture frame, clock, vent, and outlet has been checked, finding nothing. The tension in my stomach finally dissipating my muscles relaxing. At least I know I am safe within this space…maybe it’s just out there that I have to worry about. Now that everything is returned to its original place, along with my things, I grab a fresh pair of clothes from the drawer. Taking the towel off the hoo
NORA POV “No,” I say, studying over the brunette male in front of me, “Thank you.” Based on his size and aura, he has to be the Beta of New Moon…it makes sense why he is here so freely. Packs typically allow outside members in their territory so freely. A burning familiarity rings in my brain the longer I look at him. The only question is, did I meet him at the mating ceremony or was he in my hospital room earlier today? “Of course not,” Andrew sneers. “We don’t want you crashing another car, right?” His question taking me aback, a hot poker to the gut. Stepping away from the large man, putting distance between us. A retort sitting on my tongue when the slam of the door and the stomp of boots comes storming from the back room. Simon following behind him, a victorious smile on his face. “I guess you’re staying,” Theo growls, the Andrew I was talking to two seconds ago gone, and in its place a charming Beta. “Perfect,” Andrew preens, throwing me a smug look when Theo is too busy g
ANDREW POV That dinner was an utter disaster and everything I hoped to accomplish backfired in my face. How can Simon think they’d be mates? Has he gone fucking insane? ‘You should have been nicer,’ Demitri, my wolf, comments from the corner of my mind. Scolding me for the millionth time tonight for my behavior. ‘Meh, meh, meh, meh, meh’ I mutter back with the roll of my eyes, not really wanting to listen to his supreme wolf judgement. ‘You’ve become a real dick lately, you know that?’ Demitri shoots back with a growl. Walking across the lawn, I climb the front porch steps, walking into the Alpha’s residence, finding my way to the kitchen. “Back so soon?” Matt drawls from the bar stool, where he currently sits eating a bowl of cereal. “Your master plan didn’t work? Shocker!” He taunts, as he crunches on another spoonful. “And how’s your plan for Charity working out?” I snarl back, each syllable like the lash of a whip. “I wonder if Fletcher’s plan is any better? We can call him a
NORA POV NORA POV Theo, Simon, and I have found our natural rhythm rather quickly. I thought it would be harder being virtual strangers and all, but it’s been unbelievably easy. We work as if we are separate pieces of one machine. A heavenly scent of bacon wafts upstairs from the kitchen, springing from the bed. I grab the robe from the hook, actually excited for the day. The longer I stay, the more comfortable I become around these men. Racing down the stairs, I find Theo at the stove like I had every other morning since I have woken up here. Simon is already sitting at the table with his coffee and morning paper. “I have your teapot ready for you,” Theo hums, as he flips over a pancake. “Thank you,” I say with a smile, walking around the island to prepare my earl grey. ”Have anything fun planned for today?” Theo asks as he stacks the pancake on the others sitting on the plate. “Uhhh, not really,” I say, grabbing my cup to sit with Simon at the table. “Probably hang around the
NORA POV “Beautiful,” I whisper, my fingers running through his soft fur, completely mesmerized. The two of us in a world of our own. A subtle hum coming from his chest. “Are you purring?” I ask, a small smile splaying on my lips while Viola matches his cadence with her own. The wolf's onyx eyes meet mine, his tongue sticking out before it runs along my cheek. Sparks electrifying my skin along the trail as a squeal leaves my lips. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so purely, but it feels right and insanely easy. My legs cramp, so I stand as the wolf rolls over, a whine leaving his chest, watching my every move. I don’t know how I know, but I can tell that he is nervous I am going to leave. The fear I once felt at being in these woods evaporates like water on a hot summer day. “Don’t worry, I am not leaving you,” I tell him as I stretch out my legs. Viola pouting over the loss of contact. A wolfish grin overcomes his face as he pops onto four paws, prancing around me like a
NORA Looking in the mirror, I smooth down the dress I chose for the dinner tonight. I couldn’t help the smile that broke over my lips when I saw it tucked into the corner of my closet. I forgot I had packed the wildflower pattern. After this morning, it seemed to call to me as a source of strength for the evening ahead. Fixing my earrings, I arrange my curls, which are in a desperate need of a trip to the hairdresser. Then straighten the simple chain around my neck, locket with my parents’ pictures tucked inside. A knock lets me know Theo is at my bedroom ready to take me next door. Opening it with a nervous breath, I find Theo on the other side. Dressed in a pair of khakis, a blue patterned button down and a pair of white converse on his feet. A bracelet sits on his wrist, but it’s vastly different from the one I saw earlier. “You look stunning. Are you ready?” he asks, stepping aside so that I can join him in the hall. “As ready as I can be.” I comment, the nerves have been wrea
XANDER POV Ares, my wolf, circles impatiently while I pace in front of the cabin door, waiting on my Beta to hurry his ass along. Staying true to her word, Alpha Elle has provided a space for my rogues. A part of her community that is no longer in use, that my collective is busy remodeling. What started as a mutually beneficial partnership has turned into a genuine friendship with the Alpha couple. ‘I swear if that buffoon doesn’t get his ass down those stairs,’ Ares growls, his patience quickly running out. ‘I will go up there and drag him down.’ “Can you stop looking at yourself in the mirror now?” I call up the stairs, as Fletcher appears with a devilish grin on his face. “What’s the rush, buttercup?” he asks, as he comes down the stairs, giving me a little wink and his patented smile that leaves girls swooning. “We’re late,” I remind him, touching my watch before turning toward the door, grabbing my keys from the hook. My hand on the knob, ready to walk out the door when he o