Xander's POVThen the tightness in my chest gradually recedes, like a wave pulling back from the shore. The panic loosens its grip. I can breathe again, and I see relief etched on Oscar’s face.But the real agony continues until, finally, a fresh mind-link springs open. Zahra’s presence slides into my head. The other guys keep yelling her name, not giving her a chance to speak, but I catch her voice. 'Guys, I’m here, I’m okay.' But they do not stop. The group link is a chaotic mess of shouts and demands.I slam the group link shut in my mind, focusing on Zahra directly. As a future Alpha, it is easier for me to establish these strong, one-on-one connections, but I am still taken aback by how quickly her presence rushes to me. Despite the distance between here and the castle, it feels close.'Titch, where are you? What happened? Are you alright? I felt your panic again, but we couldn’t get to you. Oscar felt it too, and we were freaking out. Were you attacked?' My words tumble out fast
Xander's POVI can’t believe Logan dared to mouth off to Zahra yet again. Tobias was practically vibrating with glee after kicking him out of camp. Part of me worries about the fallout for Lincoln once he goes home, because I doubt his father will be thrilled to learn that his precious golden child was expelled. At least we have time to figure out some contingency plans if it comes to that.As we head over to the classroom cabin, I catch Max’s eye, and he offers me a wry grin. It’s a mutual understanding. We both hate these lectures, though we accept they are probably important. My father always included me in pack politics and strategy, so a lot of this stuff feels like old news. Some of our classmates might never have seen a territory map before, but I’ve been reading them since I was five.We file into the lecture hall, which is a surprisingly large space, considering we are still inside a cabin, the rows of benches stretch up surrounding the lectern and the board at the front of t
Zahra's POVJasper flicks his eyes at Tobias, who exhales, puffing out his cheeks. “I don’t know if it’s about you and Zanthe being a White Wolf.” His tone sounds careful. There’s definitely something he is not saying, but I don’t push. I don’t have the energy.I grab my phone, quickly typing out an email to Dr. Garland asking for a session. I need professional help sorting out all of these new revelations before my head explodes. Through the corner of my eye, I see Tobias share another look with Jasper, who stands with a casual stretch.“Now that you’re okay, Zahra,” Jasper says gently, “I’ll leave you two. See you later.” His hand pats my shoulder before he slips out the door.Tobias remains at the foot of my bed, then heads to a small sofa in front of the window. Holding out his hand, he beckons me. “Come here, little one.”I hesitate only a second, then walk into his arms, sliding mine around his neck as he curls his around my waist. The warmth of him seeps into my tired muscles.
Zahra's POVBefore I can respond, the mind-link in my head buzzes again, abruptly and painfully. My whole-body tenses at the sudden onslaught, and Tobias’s posture straightens, concern jumping back onto his face.“What is it?” he asks, brows drawing together.“I think it’s my brother and the others,” I murmur, pressing a palm against my temple. “They’re trying to punch through Zanthe’s barrier.”“If you want privacy, we can go,” Tobias offers, though his eyes flick with reluctance. I get the sense he’s not exactly eager to leave me alone.I shake my head. “Stay. I’ll see what they want.”Cautiously, I open the link. A flood of voices and emotions slam into me, making me flinch. Zach, Xander, Oscar, and Eliot all shout at once, layered over each other like a storm in my mind. It’s overwhelming. I’ve never tried to handle so many people in my head simultaneously.‘Zahra, Zahra, where are you?’ Zach’s voice breaks through, sounding panicked. But there’s no space to answer—everyone is sho
Zahra's POVThe bathroom door bangs open. Jasper charges in, eyes wild, and Tobias is right on his heels. I can barely see their faces behind the swirling black specks.“Zahra?!” Tobias’s voice is laced with terror. “Zahra, what’s wrong? Are you hurt?”I try to answer, but my lungs give me nothing. The last thing I glimpse is Tobias’s horrified expression before the world blurs around me, and darkness closes in.I hear Jasper yell, “She’s having a panic attack!” The echo of his voice ricochets off the marble walls. Everything feels too loud, too close. Suddenly something soft drapes over me, and I get the sensation of being lifted. My head lolls back, limbs unresponsive, and my brain refuses to focus.A cool hand presses against my neck, and I feel a flood of calming energy surge through me. It is powerful, like a fire blanket snuffing out the flames of my panic, yet my fear fights back in waves.Then I sense warm lips at my temple, two hands gliding up and down my arms. That touch so
Xander's POVI grit my teeth, sweat rolling down my neck as Brant and Marcus close in. They are relentless, each an exceptional fighter in his own right. Facing them together feels like brawling two rampaging bulls with nowhere to run. My lungs burn, and my chest thuds in time with my frantic heartbeat. Atlas stirs restlessly in my mind, urging me to keep moving.‘We can handle this, he growls. Push harder. They are strong, but so are we.I exhale through clenched teeth, trying to focus. One on one, I think I could probably take Brant, and maybe manage a draw against Marcus, but battling both is an entirely different league. Every time I try to launch an offensive move, one of them blindsides me from the flank. I grunt as Brant’s forearm clips my shoulder, sending a jolt of pain down my side. Marcus spins in for the follow-up blow, and I barely manage to deflect with my elbow.By the time Baxter calls time on our ten-minute defence session, I can hardly stand upright. Bruises bloom ac