Zoe “And so he just kicked you out?” Leah shoves her hand all the way to the bottom of the bag of chips and scoops out the last remnants. Telling her my sorry tale doesn't seem to have fazed her at all. I thought that at least the part about Blake shifting in the bathroom and racing out into the woods would get a reaction, but she barely blinked. “Kick me out is… harsh, but basically, yes.” I retrieve the well-chilled bottle of wine from the fridge and pour her a glass. “Eh, what about you?” She waves the other empty glass in the air, and I shake my head. Her eyes narrow. “No, I’m not feeling great and I’m on call tonight. Doc was here all day today, and he’s working again tomorrow.” Leah doesn’t look convinced. “Are you pregnant?” She claps her hands with glee and her eyes dance with excitement. “What?!!” Cola sprays past my lips as I cough and choke. “Leah, I just met him! And you're not supposed to ask people that!” Scoffing at my stunned expression, she hands me a tissue to

Blake Adrenaline pumps through my veins as I take off after Zoe at barely more than a slow jog. Forcing myself to stay in control as she lures me into chasing her, I can hear her footsteps and her panting slightly as she runs. My instincts are screaming at me to catch her and sink my already elongating canines into that soft, pretty neck of hers. But that won’t be happening in a dusty old barn. The cabin I use as my retreat is close by. I wanted to take her there and show it to her because it's my sanctuary. I hope she'll like it there as much as I do. Once I’ve reminded her exactly who she belongs to, hopefully, she’ll still be willing to come with me. “Crap,” she mutters to herself, and I grin. She’s trapped, and she knows it. As I round the corner, she backs up, hands spread out wide as her eyes dart around, looking for a way to get past me. It’s not going to happen. I let out a victorious chuckle as a pink flush spreads over her pretty cheeks. Zoe drags her plump bottom lip b

Blake Jenna’s holding the vial out at arm’s length like it’s a hand grenade, ready to explode at any second. My instincts are telling me that there is no antidote, and this is a ruse, but I’m happy to play along and put as much distance between her and my mate as I can. Zoe needs to be treated immediately with no disruptions from crazy she-wolves. “Where are we going?” I ask, slurring my words, trying to sound ever weaker and more downtrodden than I feel. It doesn’t come naturally to me. But I need to get her talking. “The old hunting cabin.” Jenna continues to march forward, pushing back a low-hanging branch and letting me pass. I nod. That’s miles away from Zoe. Perfect. Because when I kill this bitch, I don’t want Zoe to witness how much I’m going to enjoy it. Killing her won’t be enough. My wolf is going to tear her to shreds. “Anyone joining us there I should know about? Maybe Tyson?” My voice is breezy, like I’m just asking who’s joining us for brunch and not whether there a

Blake As we near the cabin, I hang back, scouting out the immediate surroundings for any out-of-place scents or disturbances. The woods are silent. The smaller animals and birds have the sense to leave the area. They steer clear and go into hiding, knowing that something dangerous is in their presence. The effect of the drugs on me is getting stronger. My legs feel weak and I’m sweating, despite shivers wracking my body. Zoe's symptoms were instant. I've likely built up a tolerance if this has been going on for months, but this is the worst I've felt. Stopping, I look up at the sky above and the way the branches overhead sway in the gentle breeze that’s kicking up. Feeling detached from my body, I stare, just thinking about how much I love this land. This territory has been my home my entire life. When I was a child, I spent my days roaming, often with Tyson, learning every path, rock, and tree. Every hiding place and each swimming spot. I knew it like the back of my hand. As a

Blake“She’s strong, Blake. After a good rest, she’ll be fine. Think of how exhausted you were after your first shift. I slept for two days.” Jeffrey places a reassuring hand on my arm before leaving the cabin, waving over his shoulder as he goes.“Call me if you need anything.” Jeffery was the only other pack member who saw how truly unhinged my father was becoming. When I needed it most, he was straight with me and told me things weren’t going to get any better. Something needed to change, and I was the only person who could do it. He’s not a man who sugarcoats things, so his confidence means a lot to me.Airing on the side of caution, and after much pestering by me, he’s given Zoe strong antibiotics and had her on a drip to get fluids back into her. But we both know that her wolf will have healed her by now. The physical changes and injuries will not be the problem. When she wakes up, she’ll have to deal with the emotional trauma of being attacked again, but potentially more life-a