CHAPTER FORTYGRAHAM“You were so worried when Zoey fainted,” I heard Ronald’s voice from beside me as we walked back from the hospital to the living room.I knew that’s what he wanted to say since we walked in silence. Ronald was fond of putting words in my mouth but I wasn’t in the mood for that.“Isn’t it normal to be concerned about others?” I brushed it off and asked him casually, hoping that it’d make him shut up and mind his business.But he stubbornly continued, “Not when ‘the others’ is a vampire who you claim to hate.”His words made me stop and I turned to face him, “So what are you trying to insinuate?” I arched my brow as I waited for his answer, with a frown on my face.He casually shrugged his shoulders like this wasn’t a serious matter, “Nothing,” he said, “I’m just stating the obvious.”“I didn’t know you as someone who likes to involve themselves in other people’s business.” I glared at him, but he didn’t seem fazed.“I’m not pokenosing in other people’s business. I’
CHAPTER FORTY ONEZOEY Alpha Graham was the perfect definition of a bipolar narcissist. Just when I thought I’d figured him out, he’d do something completely different and unexpected.A quiet knock sounded on the door, breaking my thoughts. I looked up to see Lily walking in. She had a concerned look on her face and I could tell she was worried about me.“I heard you collapsed.” She said as she settled on the bed beside me. “Are you okay? What caused the breakdown? Did he overwork you? Do you need me to help you?”Her brows which were furrowed in worry made me chuckle and she looked confused, “I’m fine, Lily. You don’t have to worry about me.” Lily was the friend everyone needed in their life.She reached for my hand and gave it a light, reassuring squeeze, “You don’t have to pretend to be fine. We’re friends and I’m here for you. You can talk to me, really.”“No seriously, I’m fine,” I laughed then I kept quiet to listen if there was anyone around, “I actually faked it. I acted like
CHAPTER FORTY TWO ZOEYI had barely rested. My eyes were heavy and my body was sore. I hadn’t slept through the night because I was paranoid and I couldn’t shake off the feeling of being watched.It was the next day, and to everyone, I had recovered, and so, I was strong enough to get back to my duties.A guard came to call me that it was time for the daily training which I dreaded so much, and I had no choice but to atttend.The pack members were paired up. I searched for Lily but she wasn’t there so I decided to stand by the side and watched them. “Zoey!” Alpha Graham’s loud voice made me flinch, “Are you going to keep standing there like a goddamn statue or you’ll find a partner and make yourself useful?” The sharpness in his voice caught me off guard as I didn’t expect that he’d speak to me like that since we had moved past the enemity, or so I thought. I took a deep breath and clenched my fists.“I’m sorry,” I lowered my head and rushed to find a partner, only to realize that
CHAPTER FORTY-THREEZOEYI quickly rushed away from the training grounds, my heart hammering in my chest. Their murmurs followed me, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t ignore their gossips and act like I didn’t hear the words they said about me.I clenched my fists and fastened my pace. My chest felt tight, but I refused to let the lump in my throat turn into tears.I didn’t stop moving until I reached the garden, it was still around the pack’s premises but it was far enough that the sounds of training had faded behind me. It was quiet but not empty, as some pack workers tended to the flowers. I found an empty bench and sat on it, and thankfully, the workers ignored me, focusing on their work.I bent over, rested my hands on my knees, and struggled to catch my breath. “I didn’t hurt her.” I said out loud, over and over again, but it didn’t matter. No one cared, no one even questioned it. Alpha Graham had taken Nicole’s side without hesitation, without even hearing my own side
CHAPTER FORTY FOURZOEYI stumbled backwards in shock and placed a hand on my chest to calm my nerves.“What’s got you so scared, Chipmunk?” Ronald asked me as he stood up from my bed. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”I took a deep breath, “I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting you.” And that was the truth. I had been so paranoid lately that every little thing scared me. Ronald narrowed his eyes at me and I walked inside the room, and cleared my throat to avoid suspicion. “What are you doing here?” I asked him as casually as I could.“Well, I promised you that I’d introduce you to my mate, so it’s time,” He said with a smile. Ronald treated me well, even in the midst of the hatred and disgust, it made me feel like he was my long lost big brother.“Do you think she’d want to see me?” I asked cautiously because I didn’t want to scare his mate. It wouldn’t be a nice thing to do.“Yeah,” he smiled, “Hannah isn’t like that. She’s a very open minded.” I felt excitement fill me as I thought of
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVEGRAHAMThe second Ronald walked into my office, and I didn’t give him a chance to settle down. My patience had grown thin, and the last thing I needed was his usual carefree attitude, grating on my nerves.“Where have you been?” I demanded, and my fingers drummed against the desk as I forced myself to focus back on the laptop in front of me.Ronald, who was completely unaware, or maybe just unconcerned about my mood, smiled like he didn’t have a care in the world. “Oh, I’ve been with Chipmunk.”I looked up, and narrowed my eyes at him. “Who the hell is Chipmunk?”He waved his hand dismissively, like it was the most normal thing in the world. “Oh, it’s Zoey. That’s what I call her now. She’s so cute, like a little chipmunk. I introduced her to Hannah today, and they’re bonding so well—”His words infuriated me and before I could stop myself, I slammed my hands on the desk and the loud sound echoed through out the office. Ronald finally stopped talking, and he slightl
CHAPTER FORTY-SIXGRAHAMRonald’s laughter filled my office, and echoed loudly like he had just heard the funniest joke of his life. I instinctively clenched my fists as I watched him wipe a tear from his eye, this time it was not nonexistent, then he shook his head again in amusement.“Man,” he exhaled, still chuckling, “You should really venture into comedy, you’ll make it.”I didn’t share in his amusement. My patience was already running thin, and the sound of his laughter only made my irritated grow further. “What the hell is so funny?” I snapped at him.Ronald leaned forward, and rested his elbows on the armrests of the chair. His smirk was so infuriating. “You, obviously.”I narrowed my eyes and asked him. “Care to explain?” He had already done that but his explanation wasn’t right.“Oh, gladly.” He smirked. “You actually think Zoey attacked Nicole out of jealousy?” He let out another laugh, and I wondered how long much more he had in him. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVEGRAHAMRonald’s words still echoed in my head, a long time after he left.“Maybe you’re the one in love with her.”I scoffed and shook my head to brush off the ridiculous thought as I tried to focus on my laptop. It was ridiculous. I wasn’t in love with Zoey. I barely tolerated her. She was reckless, stubborn, and impossible to control, the only reason she was here was because of my mother’s health and I hadn’t found another vampire to replace her or a permanent cure for my mother. And yet, my mind kept going back to her.To the way she had stood in front of me today, with her shoulders squared despite the way I had yelled at her. The way her eyes darkened, not with guilt, but with frustration, like she knew something that I didn’t and she knew that I wouldn’t understand or believe her. I couldn’t brush off the way she looked at me, like she expected me to believe her.I sighed deeply and rubbed my temple. I needed to get out of my office before I drove myself insan
GRAHAMShe came.The door creaked open, and there she was. There was no hesitation, and no drama. Just her, standing there like she owned the moment, even if she didn’t trust it.She wore a pair of black jeans and an olive green top. Nothing fancy, but she wore it like a stunning evening dress. She looked so beautiful in a way that made it hard to breathe.I stood up without thinking. “Hey.”“Hey,” she said back, her voice careful but steady.We stared at each other a second too long. I cleared my throat. “You can sit.”She walked over slowly and slid into the seat across from mine, back straight, eyes watching everything. Like always.“Thanks for coming,” I said as I took my seat again.She raised a brow. “Still not sure what this is.”“It’s just dinner.” I tried to sound casual, trying to ignore the way my heart raced. “Nothing serious.”Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Coming from you, that sounds suspicious.”I gave a half-shrug. “Maybe I’m trying something new. Peace.”Her mouth twit
THE DINNERGRAHAMThere were shirts everywhere.Some on hangers. Most not. One was hanging from the damn lamp like it had been flung there in a fit of despair.I stood in front of the mirror, holding up yet another shirt. Black. Simple. Clean.Too serious.I dropped it on the bed and grabbed a dark green one instead.Too soft.I growled under my breath, yanked open another drawer, and kept digging.Why the hell did I ask her to dinner?The knock on my door came right before Ronald let himself in. No boundaries, as usual.“Graham?” he called out, then froze. “…Did a fashion hurricane blow through here?”I didn’t answer.He stepped inside slowly, surveying the chaos like he’d entered a warzone. “There’s enough fabric in here to clothe a small army.”I held up another shirt and narrowed my eyes at the mirror. “I’m trying to figure out what to wear.”“To…?”Silence.Ronald blinked, then grinned. “Is the Alpha going somewhere that requires… personal grooming?”I ignored him.He kept circli
ZOEYI slammed the door shut behind me and threw myself onto the bed like I was trying to merge with the mattress. “Ughhh.”“What happened now?” Hannah asked from the couch, where she was lying upside down with her feet over the backrest and a face mask half-sliding off her chin.Lily didn’t even look up from her book. “Let me guess. The Alpha glared at you again and now you’re spiraling.”“No.” I turned my head dramatically to the side. “He asked me to dinner.”That was more than enough to grab their attention. Hannah sat up so fast that her face mask flung onto the carpet. “You’re kidding.”Lily blinked once. Slowly as she observed me carefully. “You’re not kidding.”“He said it’s just a casual dinner,” I grumbled. “Like, ‘friendly dinner, just to talk’ kind of thing. I don’t even know what that means. Since when does Graham talk to anyone? Let alone invite them to dinner.”“You’re dating the Alpha,” Hannah declared, eyes wide with delight. “It’s happening. I knew it. I felt it in m
GRAHAMI’d been standing there longer than I wanted to admit, arms folded, watching her move across the training field like she owned it. My pack members thought I was watching them train and so, they tried to impress me, but my eyes weren’t on them. Heck, my mind wasn’t even near them. It was on Zoey. I watched her train and every strike she threw was deliberate, sharp. Focused. She didn’t hold back, not with the random girl she was sparring with, and definitely not with herself. She was giving it her all. Not like a wolf less werewolf. Moments like this made me wonder if she was truly what she claimed to be.I don’t know what it was about her. Maybe the fire. Maybe the fact that she never once tried to impress anyone maybe even that I could feel my wolf stir every time she stepped into view. Or maybe it was just guilt.She wasn’t my mate, that was certain. But what if I didn’t have a mate? What if the moon godddess was giving me the privilege to be with who I wanted to be, and not
GRAHAMShe told me to let her go.The words echoed through my mind like a broken record that I couldn’t fix. I stood in the empty space long after she had disappeared, the scent of her still lingering in the air and mocking me with everything I couldn’t have.Let her go?How the hell was I supposed to do that?I walked back to the packhouse in silence, not even noticing the people who passed me or the curious glances that they threw my way. I went straight to my room and locked the door behind me. The walls felt too tight, and the air felt too still. My wolf paced restlessly inside me, growling low and angry, but I couldn’t calm him. I couldn’t even calm myself.I dropped onto the edge of the bed and ran both hands through my hair in frustration and gripped it like it would bring me some kind of restraint or peace. My chest burned. My mind screamed and all I could see were her eyes, Frankie’s glowing and calm eyes as she shattered every piece of me.“It was a mistake.”She said that a
ZOEYI stormed out of the woods and into my room and I could feel my heart racing, and I clenched my fists so tightly that it felt numb. I didn’t care how calm Frankie looked or acted, all I knew was that I was done being quiet.“You had no right!” I yelled, feeling my anger boil underneath my skin. “You told him to let me go! Why would you do that? Are you okay?”I could feel Frankie standing straight, instead of backing down and explaining things to me. It felt like I was staring straight at her and she was openly challenging me. Her glowing eyes were calm, like always and it infuriated the shit out of me. “He needed to hear it.”“No, he didn’t,” I snapped. “He needed me, he needed us. And what did you do in return? you broke his heart and made me seem like the bad person. Like there’s something wrong with me!”“He was already breaking,” she said quietly. “Don’t put all the blame on me!”I paced around the room, trembling with anger. “I felt it. I felt his pain, Frankie. His anger.
GRAHAMThe fire in the fireplace had burned low, leaving the office in a soft atmosphere. I leaned back in my chair, fingers under my chin, staring at the dying fire. The taste of Zoey still lingered on my lips—sweet, warm, intoxicating. I shouldn’t have kissed her. No. That wasn’t the problem. The problem was that I wanted to do it again. A growl tore from my throat, raw and frustrated. My wolf snarled in my chest, restless, torn between two instincts—one that howled for my mate, Frankie, and another that burned for Zoey’s fire, her defiance, the way she looked at me like I was both the storm and the shelter. This is wrong. But it didn’t feel wrong. And that terrified me. I squeezed my eyes shut, dragging a hand down my face. The bond between mates was sacred. Unbreakable. So why did my pulse race for someone else? Why did my blood heat at the memory of Zoey’s fingers tangled in my shirt, pulling me closer like she never wanted to let go? A whisper of presence brush
GRAHAMThe Pack House was in its usual state of controlled chaos when we arrived. Warriors lounged in the common area, some sparring, others nursing drinks. A few pups darted between legs, yipping excitedly, while the elders watched from their usual spots near the fireplace, shaking their heads at the younger generation’s antics. And then there was Roland. Leaning against the doorway like he’d been waiting for us (which, knowing him, he had), my Beta raised a brow as Zoey stepped inside behind me. His gaze flicked to the bruise on her temple, the hospital bracelet still stubbornly clinging to her wrist. “Zoey,” he said, voice carefully neutral. “You okay?” Zoey’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, now you care?” Roland blinked. “What?” “Don’t play dumb,” she snapped, jabbing a finger at him. “You snitched.” I crossed my arms, watching the exchange with mild amusement. Roland had always been terrible at lying under pressure. “I didn’t—” “You told him,” Zoey accused, jerking a thumb
GRAHAMThe scent of pine and wildflowers still clung to the air inside my Jeep, even after she’d vanished into the trees. Frankie. My mate. My wolf had been restless for weeks, aching for even a glimpse of her, and today—today she’d been *close.* Not close enough to touch, not close enough to speak to, but close enough that my lungs burned with the memory of her. I exhaled, leaning back against the seat, my fingers tapping against the leather seat. The pack warriors were spread out nearby, waiting for my signal to move. But for now, I just wanted to savor this—the quiet, the lingering trace of her, the way my pulse had finally slowed for the first time in months. Then— Knock. Knock. Knock. I turned my head, and my breath caught. Zoey. Her hair was piled messily on top of her head, loose strands framing her face. A hospital bracelet dangled from her wrist, and there was a faint bruise blooming along her temple. She looked exhausted. She looked alive.I rolled down the window