Lincoln's POVThe Camp Bell rings, jolting me awake as usual. I hate that damn thing. Across the room, Sam groans in a way that tells me he shares my pain.We rush through our morning routine, grabbing quick showers and throwing on T-shirts and shorts for whatever awaits us today. My wolf, Lex, is still grumbling about the aches and pains from yesterdayâs obstacle course. I have no clue what the trainers have planned for us, but I doubt it will be any easier.Heading toward the main cabin, I spot Logan and his crew leaving their own cabin. I glance at Sam and slow down, not in the mood to deal with them. Unfortunately, that means by the time we enter the dining hall, the line for breakfast is huge.Eventually, we manage to load up on sausage, bacon, eggs, beans, coffee, and orange juice. Our plates weigh a ton, but it is worth it. Scanning the hall, I notice Xander and his crew at a table on one side. There is enough space, so Sam and I slide onto the benches at the far end of their g
Tobias's POVWhat the hell am I thinking? What possessed me to bring her up here? I should have taken her to a guest room downstairs or let her go back to the Beta residence. Her scent in the steamy air was driving me insane, intensifying until it wrapped around me like a drug. I was as hard as a rock, and after what she just went through with that bastard, the last thing I want is for her to notice my reaction.I was so close to kissing her just now, I had to settle for pressing my forehead against hers instead of my mouth on hers. She let me hold her for a long time, and I felt her anxiety, anger, and fear slowly ebb away. I have no clue how this new connection works, but ever since she linked me and let me share her hearing and emotions, the emotional link has stayed open. I figure it has to do with the mate bond, but I do not understand how she activated it. Thor and Zanthe are talking now too, which is unusual. Wolves typically only speak to their close friendsâ or family, or Mat
Zahra's POVEveryone seems fine with this idea, but I have no interest in more training right now. I notice Tobias watching me intently, Jasper right beside him.âLittle one,â Tobias says softly, âwhy don't we head inside? I am sure you could use some peace and quiet after everything that happened today.âMy chest warms at his words. He is not treating me like I am too fragile, but he is giving me the out I desperately need. My lips cannot quite manage a smile, so I just nod, a half-hearted lift of my mouth.I stride off toward the gate, trying hard not to break into a run. The others are still behind me, but I do not glance back. My body is screaming for an escape route, so I beeline for the side patio doors near the pool and slip inside.As I reach the stairs, I sense movement behind me. I turn to see Jasper and Tobias trailing me. By the time I make it to the third-floor landing, a hand settles on my arm, stopping me.I look up into Tobiasâs light golden eyes, his coffee scent swir
Zahra's POVThen everything changes. He charges again, and this time there is no pretence of training.He tries to grapple me, hands lunging for my arms. I duck, slide under his grip, and ram my knee into his stomach. He grunts, staggering.âYou fucking bitch,â he snarls, spittle flying.âNot just a pretty little face, am I?â I retort, adrenaline spiking.âYou think you are so great,â he hisses, eyes wild. âJust wait. You will get what is coming to you soon enough.âThat has Zanthe and me both on high alert. I open the mind-link to Tobias so he can hear and see what I do. I do not know how I know howâonly that I do.It is like a mask falls from Joeyâs face, and the âfriendly royal trainerâ vanishes. In his place is a snarling, cruel, calculating predator.He rushes me again, hurling a flurry of blows while snarling curses under his breath. He is good but nowhere near unstoppable. I evade a takedown attempt by rolling forward, but before I regain my footing, his hands lock onto me.Not
Zahra's POVAs I set off at a light jog around the small training field, my thoughts spin, and my skin prickles like I walked through cobwebs. I really do not like Joey. Zanthe nearly forced a shift to attack him, but she cannot tell me why.âI do not trust this guy, Z. I have a bad feeling. Tell Tobias to stay close.â Zantheâs voice drips with urgency.I feel it too, but I am not sure it is necessary. âAre you sure? And how? I canât link him.ââI am sure. Tell him to bring Baxter and Nicholas. And I, we can link anyone. I donât know how, but I have this feeling. Just try it.âWeird wolf. Sometimes I have to trust her instincts. I have barely experimented with mind-linking. I have only ever received a handful from Alpha Lucas, Allison, and Delta Greg. No one else Knew I had a wolf. So, I never had much practice. I guess I never realized my link might extend beyond my pack.I open myself and search for Tobiasâs consciousness, feeling for him. I push into the link, I sense his surprise
Tobias's POVWe head outside, Zahra giving Dad a small wave. It strikes me that Zahra has never bowed to me or my father, at least not since our first meeting. Most wolves instinctively show submission, but Zahra never does. It says a lot about her power.I have no idea what to say as we walkâher presence calms me, but my mind is chaotic after everything we learned. The anxiety of keeping her safe tightens in my chest. I brood over it in silence until she speaks.âHas Lottie mentioned anything about her training sessions?â Her voice is quiet as we stroll through the garden path, where the air smells of lavender and honeysuckle.I think. âNo, not really. She complains about hating training, but that is all I know. Why?âZahra stops, tilting her head up at me. âDo you trust me?âHer question catches me off guard, but the answer is immediate. âOf course.â I must sound more sincere than I intended, because she blushes.âCould you drop me off at Lottieâs practice? Introduce me as Nicholasâ