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.“Little one,” Tobias says softly, “why don't we head inside? I am sure you could use some peace and quiet after everything that happened today.”My 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 Tobias’s 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.“You fucking bitch,” he snarls, spittle flying.“Not just a pretty little face, am I?” I retort, adrenaline spiking.“You think you are so great,” he hisses, eyes wild. “Just wait. You will get what is coming to you soon enough.”That 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 how—only that I do.It is like a mask falls from Joey’s face, and the “friendly royal trainer” 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.‘I do not trust this guy, Z. I have a bad feeling. Tell Tobias to stay close.’ Zanthe’s voice drips with urgency.I feel it too, but I am not sure it is necessary. ‘Are you sure? And how? I can’t link him.’‘I am sure. Tell him to bring Baxter and Nicholas. And I, we can link anyone. I don’t know how, but I have this feeling. Just try it.’Weird 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 Tobias’s 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 walk—her 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.“Has Lottie mentioned anything about her training sessions?” Her voice is quiet as we stroll through the garden path, where the air smells of lavender and honeysuckle.I think. “No, not really. She complains about hating training, but that is all I know. Why?”Zahra stops, tilting her head up at me. “Do you trust me?”Her question catches me off guard, but the answer is immediate. “Of course.” I must sound more sincere than I intended, because she blushes.“Could you drop me off at Lottie’s practice? Introduce me as Nicholas’
Tobias's POVDad sits in one of the armchairs in my office, looking serene and kingly as he gazes out the window. We came here to give Zahra and Angelica some privacy, but I feel like my insides are melting. My mate has a prophesied destiny. She has to stand against a dark threat aimed at the kingdom, and on top of that, she is going to trigger the return of the Lycans.Dad used to tell me stories about the old Lycan kings who supposedly died out long ago, and how some scholars believe fragments of their bloodlines remain. That is why certain Alphas are stronger, including our own bloodline, which would explain why Dad and I have such large wolf forms and why our family has ruled unchallenged for so long.It was only a few years ago that I learned all supernatural’s once lived under one unified kingdom. The prospect of bringing them together again under a single crown is mildly terrifying. They have each grown used to their own autonomy, so it is not like they will just hand that powe
Zahra's POVI look around, still trying to process everything, only to find Angelica staring at me, her unblinking, eerie eyes locked on mine.“There is more,” she says calmly. “I wish to tell you personally. Zahra, this is your destiny and your life we are talking about. You should have the right to tell others about it when you are ready.”I nod at her, grateful for the small mercy of privacy.“The prophecy says that you will be mated into a powerful quint bond.”I blink at her. A what?“What?”“A quint bond,” she repeats patiently. “Usually, multiple mate bonds are formed when siblings, such as twins or triplets, bond with the same mate. This happens because twins and triplets are formed from the same egg and therefore share a soul.”Yeah, I’ve heard of that before. It happens. It’s not very common, but I know about it. Not that I’ve ever given it much thought—the idea of sharing a mate with a sibling has always felt weird to me.“Well, you will be bonded to four mates.”My brain s