Zane's POV
“Other werewolves, rogues, that have been banned from their packs, are a constant issue for us,” I said, breathing a little easier now that I didn’t have to fight my wolf. “Not only do they attack other werewolves in spite or in revenge, but they’re also prone to attack and kill humans, just to provoke an attack from a pack.”
I paused, wondering how--- no, wondering IF I should continue. In a way, I knew she had to be told and it was best if she heard it from me. But a part of me was selfish and didn’t want her to know. I didn’t want her to know that I was broken. That I couldn’t offer her all the things that I wanted. That all I had was a broken wolf and a damaged heart.
But I also knew that not telling her was the wrong thing to do. She would figure it out eventually and then--- Well, I really didn’t want to think about "what then". But it only cemented that I needed to tel
Zane's POVHer hand came up and rested on my cheek. Without thought, I leaned into the touch, realizing that I would never get enough of her. I pressed my forehead to hers, taking and giving comfort at the same time. I didn’t want to lose her. Hell, I don’t think I could survive it…Another shutter suddenly raked her, and she whimpered in pain again.“Perhaps we should talk about this another time, yeah, Romeo?” she nervously grinned, as her skin flared a bright red again.“Good plan,” I agreed, reaching under her body and pulling her into my arms. “Come here!”She wouldn’t want to be on the bed once she shifted, so the floor would have to do. Normally, wolves would shift outside, but a part of me didn’t want to take her anywhere where anyone else got to see her naked body. Possessive and stupid, I know, but I couldn’t help it. And since there were no other be
Arella’s POVTrying to open my eyes, I more or less expected everything to hurt. Or that the light would be too bright, sending spikes of pain through my skull. The light did feel a little too sharp, but one blink later and my eyesight had adjusted to the bright light. And there was no pain either, which – all things considered – felt impossible.Yet I felt fine – and oh so wrong at the same time…My body felt different but calm and relaxed. It felt like waking up after a surprisingly good nap. But also, being a sort of out-of-body experience. Because despite still feeling and sensing everything, I also felt as if I wasn’t in control of it. My body moved, but I wasn’t the one controlling the motions.Who was it?I closed my eyes and, just like that, I could see her. It was as if my mind had somehow made space for her, opening up and giving her the space she needed. Her fur was bright red,
Arella's POV“Meaning?” I asked, hiding the hurt I felt and burying it deep. Hell, I had enough shit to deal with without dealing with his hurt-ass rejection. I’d just turned into a werewolf – which wasn’t a good thing if Zane’s expression was anything to go by. It made me nervous and had fear welling up inside of me.Was I deficient?Was something wrong with me?Would this turn into a horror/heroin flick, where – because of what I was – everyone was out to kill me and I had to “SAW III” my way out of this shit?“Meaning that---” Zane exclaimed but trailed off as if he didn’t know how to say it. He let out a groan of frustration and threw up his arms, growling in agitation. “You’re one of the weakest werewolves that are in existence. Even weaker than an omega.”“Oh,” I said, hiding my hurt at his words. I didn’t
Arella's POV“Terrible! Get out of my head!” I gasped in shock, trying to push him away, but with my paws, I ended up meekly pawing his cheek and falling flat on my face. Well, this was very undignifying, I thought as I pushed myself back up, trying to figure out how to operate paws and legs. But it was still embarrassing, and I wondered what would kill me first. The embarrassment of looking like Bambi on ice. Or embarrassment from knowing he could hear what I was thinking – and how utterly easy I was for him to toy with at his leisure…“And I don’t think you're sexy! At all!” I snapped, hoping that my rage would convince him. “I was thinking about another Zane! A hot Zane, not-not you!”His expression went through three stages as I spoke. Disbelief, annoyance, and then smug as all fuck! It was when the “smug as all fuck” grin graced his lips, that I realized I’d m
Zane’s POVMy skin rippled and my muscles felt like they were being torn apart as my wolf forced the shift.FUCK!Fuck! Fuck! Fuck---!I cursed as I was thrown in the back seat and my wolf lunged for control. I’d been so used to his mellow behavior around this female, that I’d let my guard down too much.And he pounced on that weakness!Before I knew what he was doing, he’d taken over and I was in the backseat. Fear, the likes I'd never felt before, slammed into my body like a freight train. The agonizing numbness was too overwhelming. Hell, I think I blacked out for a second because of the pain. When I came around again, my wolf was already on her, pinning her to the bed. And I just sat there.Watching…Paralyzed and helpless to do anything.He was going to kill her!My heart contracted in my chest and my body coi
Zane's POVHer big, surprised eyes locked on mine, and I watched her throat work – hard. I couldn’t help but notice her breathing had picked up a little. I could feel it as her breasts pushed against the flat disks of my chest. Her whole entire body seemed to buzz with heat and electricity, as we were lying there.And I couldn’t get those lips off my mind…!Was this it?Was this the allure of the runt?It had to be! Because nothing in my life had ever felt this good, felt this right. All I wanted to do was---“Mind getting off me? You weigh a ton?” she gulped, clearly nervous.No…Actually, I didn’t want to get off her!But I did because it was the fucking gentlemanly thing to do. And because if I didn’t, she’d notice the major hard-on I was sporting.Again!Annoyed, frustrated, fucking hurt, and embarrassed, I
Arella’s POVMy Nana had a saying--- well, it wasn’t as much her saying, as it was just a general consensus. But back home, she was the one yelling it at me and my cousins the most, because we would steal her cookies. Not that she could ever prove it and hence the saying…No tempo de Salazar isto não aconteceria!!!OK! So, not really related, but the truth will set you free, right?And wasn’t that the fucking truth?Too bad the saying didn’t warn about the utter agony that the truth causes. Because no matter how much I wanted to deny it, the fact that Zane had only stayed with me because of his wolf, hurt! And it hurt even more because there had been a part of me that truly wanted to believe him. To believe everything he’d said.That he wanted me…But no!Apparently, he only wanted me because I was fucking Advil to h
Zane's POV“I understand,” Zane replied, emotionless as ever. But he didn’t meet my eyes. I don’t know why it felt like I was leaving a lover, but that was what I felt. It was stupid and I shouldn’t feel so conflicted about it. But I hated the idea of leaving. My wolf hated the idea of leaving and just thinking about living in the city, had my whole body shuddering…And then there was the case of Zane’s wolf…Although I hated the man, I knew the wolf was just suffering. He’d been spiraling out of control, slowly losing his sanity. Even his ability to communicate with his human had reverted to that of a feral animal.He had no one!He was innocent in all of this and no matter how I looked at it, Zane was my alpha and king now. Could I just leave, knowing I didn’t do everything in my power to help? That I just abandoned his kids and pack without even trying?
WARNING: this chapter includes sex!Arella’s POVZane pulled me closer, and I would have gasped at how small he could make me feel – but in the best way possible. His hands were so big they easily covered my asscheeks when he lifted me onto his lap. He squeezed it so delectably well, that it made me want to moan. Tell him to do it again, as each one of his touches felt like an electric pulse to my pussy. But I couldn’t say anything because his tongue was currently exploring my mouth, teasing it like it was his to claim.Well, two could play at that game!Fisting my fingers through his hair, I moved up his body, pressing myself against him, so there was nothing between us. He let out a groan that was swallowed by my lips pressing against his. I pushed back, my tongue easily slipping into his mouth.And FUCK!His taste exploded on my tongue, like fireworks. Suddenly he was the taste I had lon
Arella’s POVZane looked like I’d just slapped him, the information making his brain melt. He lowered his eyes, staring at the floor’s reflection as if it replayed the past. His hands were clutching his knees as though they were the only things holding him together. His anguish filled the space between us, thick and suffocating, and my heart ached at the sight of him unraveling. When he finally looked up, the pain in his eyes was raw, almost unbearable.“No,” he started, his voice barely above a whisper, as he shook his head. “It’s my fault. I should have---”“I know you think that,” I interrupted gently, leaning forward. “It’s called survivor’s guilt, Zane, and it’s a bitch to deal with. But in the end, it’s all in your head.”“How can you say that?” He snapped, his brow furrowed and confusion flickering across his face. “Hel
Arella's POV“I don’t know if I can!” I replied, desperately grasping onto the pain that had kept me safe for all these years. “You hurt me, Zane! Badly! And repeatedly!”“I’m sorry,” he spoke softly, his fingers brushing against my skin and making sweet sparks erupt up my arm. “I thought I was protecting you.”“And fucking that Omega?” I hissed, hating how it hurt getting those words over my lips. “Just driving the point home?”“I haven’t touched anyone since I met you,” he replied, sounding confused--- and then realization dawned on him. I braced for the inevitable pain of more betrayal and hurt. What I got, however... “One of the Omegas did offer herself to me, but I declined.”I scoffed.“Does that happen a lot?” I asked sarcastically, not believing for a second that nothing happened. He was a man
Arella’s POV“Wh-what?!”Was all I managed to stutter at the mind-blowing confession Zane had just made. A part of me didn’t even believe him. Yeah, it had to be some sort of ploy to get near me again. His wolf needed it so as not to go mad, or something!Still, I couldn’t stop the way my heart fluttered in my chest…“I love you,” he repeated--- and my damn heart skipped another beat! “I’ve been falling in love with you for a long time. That’s why I’ve been acting like a fucking asshole. I’ve been trying to protect you. Trying to convince everyone that you don’t matter to me, because I didn’t want your death on my hands! But apparently, I’ve been doing a crap job of it because people are making bet pools on when I’m going to mate you.”That--- was a lot of information to process!“You’re unbelievable,” I sna
Zane's POVWalking over, I checked my wolf, knowing that the beast always reacted badly when talking about the past. And sure enough, he was snarling at the air, as if the memories haunting him were physically hurting him. Hoping to calm him just a little, I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with my angel’s scent. The snarling stopped, but he remained on edge – good enough for now...“It was a year ago,” I began, sitting across from Arella, but finding it hard to remain still. “Some--- rogues… They---they somehow managed to pass the border patrol. Helena and Eva were out in the field that day, having a picnic, when--- when they swarmed the area. They managed to take Eva.”“They kidnapped her?” Arella gasped, horrified.I nodded, remembering the day like a weird nightmare. Everything had been so wrong. The sun had been shining and Noah had cracked some lame joke. Selena and our pare
Zane’s POVI paused outside the banquet hall, taking in a deep breath to calm my nerves. I had so much shit to make up for, I knew I was up shit’s creek without a paddle. Hell, at this point I was pretty sure the whole boat was gone!My wolf made a weird sound, which sounded a lot like approval. Making an internal check, I realized that the beast was calmer now, taking in her scent that was saturated in that area. He even made a contented purr, wagging his tail like a freaking puppy. I could even let down the mental barrier between us, and he just stood there, urging me to go to her…Bizarre beast!I carefully opened the door--- and had to stifle a gasp when I saw the inside. The hall was alive with color and the soft buzz of preparation. Streamers, balloons, and floral arrangements covered every surface, their cheerful vibrancy bringing life to an otherwise old and traditional wall decor. There were tables set up with
Zane's POVMy head snapped up, and he quickly explained: “They searched, but they didn’t think of looking beyond their borders. And the second girl told her friends she was surprising her family who lives in another pack. They even got a couple of messages from her, keeping them updated on her journey. They only got suspicions when the warning had come out to the packs, since she fit the description. So they contacted her family directly. She never showed up.”More bad news...“And her phone?” I asked, scrolling through the information that I already knew by heart. “If she kept messaging the family after she was taken it’s safe to assume that it’s her kidnappers who have her phone.”Noah nodded his agreement.“We’ve been trying to track it, but the signal jumps between cell towers, making it impossible to pin down,” he sighed in frustration. “Whoever is d
Zane’s POVThe next couple of days felt like they lasted a lifetime! The days had dragged on, stretching like an eternity as I struggled to keep myself together. Every moment apart from Arella felt like a punishment, like I was carving pieces of myself away. But I had to do it.For her.This is for her own protection, damn it! I kept repeating that to myself, even as my wolf thrashed against my barriers, demanding her presence, her touch. He didn’t understand—hell, sometimes I didn’t understand—why I couldn’t go to her. But I knew. If THEY realized how fucking much she meant to me, they’d target her, she’d be next. And I wouldn’t survive that.She had called me selfish...If she only knew how fucking painful this was, she wouldn’t be calling me selfish. My wolf was howling and raging against my mental barriers, tearing me up from the inside. His intense o
Arella's POVHe hissed the words, and I felt his pain deep in my soul. He grabbed my shoulders and pushed me back until my spine hit the wall. The sparks erupted across my skin, making me shudder despite my anger. With every breath, our bodies rubbed up against each other, making me have to stifle a moan. I hated how my body reacted to him, but I couldn’t help it. He was everything I wanted, and I had to physically hold myself back not to climb him like a tree and---“I’ve tried, okay? I tried letting you go, but I always come back to you.” He loomed over me, his voice a raw growl. “I’m a selfish prick—just like you said—because I can’t let you go! Even if that means---” His voice broke off and clarity returned to his eyes. He turned away, his words crashed over me like a wave, leaving me breathless.What the---?! He stepped back, raking his hands through his hair. His