FAZER LOGINZayden’s POV Just the smile on her face told me bringing Sarah here had meant everything to her. I think those two had already hugged ten times. Maybe even more. I lost count somewhere around the fifth one. Watching Traci laugh again eased something inside me. The last few days had been brutal. Between the attacks, the visions, the mark, and the disaster I created, she had every reason to hate this birthday. Instead, she looked happy. Then she turned and ran straight toward me. I barely caught her in time. Her arms wrapped around my neck while her legs locked around my waist. “Thank you very, very much,” she whispered against my ear. I held her tightly, not trusting myself to let go yet. After a moment, she leaned back enough to look at me. “How did you know?” A chuckle escaped me. “I asked Corbin what you would want most today.” One eyebrow lifted. “Other than wanting me dead, he said this.” She immediately kissed me. “I don’t want you dead.” The words were soft, sincere, and
Traci’s POV The first thing I became aware of was the smell. Something smelled absolutely amazing. I buried my face deeper into the pillow and groaned before a familiar voice drifted through the room. “Happy birthday, Vixen.” One eye slowly cracked open. Zayden stood beside the bed holding a tray. A very large tray. My irritation at being woken up immediately disappeared. Well… mostly. I pushed myself upright and blinked away the last bit of sleep while he placed the tray across my lap. The raised stand underneath kept the weight off me completely, which I was grateful for. “Are you hungry?” he asked softly. I nodded my head immediately. “As a matter of fact, I am.” The last few days had been a complete disaster. Between visions, attacks, arguments, discoveries, and emotional breakdowns, food hadn’t exactly been at the top of my priority list. Now that everything had settled for a few hours, I realized just how hungry I actually was. Zayden lifted the silver lid covering the t
Raiden’s POV I woke up and opened my eyes, and the very first thought that hit me was Traci. That kiss. The way she looked at me. The way she made sure I understood she wasn’t angry with me. After everything that happened, after all the troubles and misunderstandings, that one conversation had helped more than she would ever realize. Mentally. Emotionally. In every possible way. A small smile pulled at my lips as I stared up at the ceiling. But even with that reassurance, I still wasn’t completely sure where we stood. She talked last night like she couldn’t forgive Zayden. Like the damage was too deep. Yet she also said she wouldn’t choose only one of us. “Exactly what does that mean?” Nyx asked. I rubbed a hand across my face. “I’m not sure, buddy.” Because I wasn’t. One thing I did notice though was she kissed him too. I pointed out to him. “Yeah, but we got two,” The smugness in his voice was immediate. A chuckle escaped me. Everything was always a competition with him.
Zayden’s POV I didn’t like how the conversation went, but I wasn’t going to push it. At least she heard me out. At least she listened. At least she said she was staying until the tournament ended. That alone felt like a victory compared to where we had been twenty-four hours ago. She said Alpha Harold wanted to watch the fights anyway and tomorrow was her birthday. She didn’t want to spend her birthday traveling across the country, and honestly, I couldn’t blame her. If she was going to leave, at least I had one more day. One more day to make things right. Or at least try. I already knew I couldn’t fix everything overnight. Trust didn’t work that way. I had broken something important, and whether she forgave me or not was entirely her choice. But I could still do something. I could make her birthday unforgettable. I could give her one hell of a day. The thought alone had me moving. I spent the rest of the evening making phone calls, arranging what I could, ordering a cake, coord
Traci’s POV I took a deep breath and slowly sat up straighter on Raiden’s lap. The room felt strangely empty now that everyone had left. No Corbin pacing around and giving dramatic speeches. No Harold watching from the sidelines. No interruptions. Just us. Me. Raiden. Zayden. The conversation I had been dreading was finally here. My eyes lifted to Raiden first. The moment our gazes met, my heart sank. The sadness in his eyes was impossible to miss. The fear. The uncertainty. He was waiting for me to leave. Waiting for me to tell him this was over before it had even truly begun. Aurora sighed softly. “He’s expecting the worst.” I already knew. I could feel it through the bond. The hurt. The guilt. The heartbreak. Everything. I let out a slow breath. “I can’t reject you.” Both brothers immediately looked at me. “It’s useless. It won’t take.” My hand lifted and settled against Raiden’s cheek. His eyes closed briefly as he leaned into my touch before opening them again. “Hey,” I
Raiden’s POV I looked up and instantly froze. Another sharp pain ripped through my chest, so sudden and intense that it stole my breath. I blinked several times, trying to get myself together, but there was simply too much happening all at once. The kiss she had given me. The knife coming out. My brother shooting a man in front of an arena full of guests. Then Traci asking me to hold her. Actually asking for it. “She’s not mad at us,” Nyx said quietly. My attention shifted toward him. “I was talking to Aurora. They know we got thrown into this mess. They actually feel guilty about what’s happening to us.” I wanted to believe him. Goddess, I wanted to. But right now it was too hard to. My eyes remained locked on Zayden standing in the doorway. He hadn’t moved. Hadn’t spoken. His eyes were completely fixed on Traci. Why now? Why couldn’t he have waited another hour? Another day? Another week? Anything but now. But the longer I looked at him, the harder it became to stay irrita
Traci’s POV “Right this way,” Isabella says with a warm smile as I follow her toward the staircase at the end of the hall. I glance back over my shoulder one last time toward Corbin and Marge. Corbin still looks irritated while Marge gives me a reassuring smile that says calm down before you mak
Corbin’s POV After breakfast, we spent the next hour going over the plan one final time while finishing loading the SUVs outside the cottage. Everything had to go exactly right. No mistakes. No slip ups. No chances for Ralph getting anywhere near Traci before we reached the palace. The first p
Zayden’s POV Today officially marked the beginning of tournament week, which meant the palace had turned into complete chaos before sunrise even hit. Warriors moved through the halls nonstop carrying supplies while staff rushed around preparing guest suites, feast arrangements, seating charts, s
Corbin’s POV Damn. Damn damn damn. I let out a long breath as I stare up at the ceiling above my bed. Beside me, Marge sleeps peacefully curled beneath the blankets while moonlight spills softly through the bedroom windows. Lucky her. Me? I’ve officially given up on sleep. Again. I slowly tur







