*HERON’S POV* Waking up in the wee hours of the night with chest pains was unusual. This sudden slicing agony would not let me get the much-needed rest. Therefore, I started my day's work before the crack of dawn. Making myself an espresso in the kitchen, I wheeled inside the office and hoped that Mikayla’s torment would end with the culprit in custody. Sympathy wedged inside me. Her overall condition was horrendous. Lacerations covered her weak body. Obviously, she did not shift to fight back. Neither did she mind-link us to help her. Why? How could she be so stupid? At least it brought the realization that she needed protection. And that's what I would do by punishing her assailants. The chest pains dissipated in another twenty minutes. I was crippled but healthy otherwise, so I found the pain alarming. Now that the agony has vanished, I'm glad about that because it saves me from a visit to the doctor. It was time to get into my day's work. Axel chose to give me a report by text

*HERON’S POV* Checking the flight schedules, I arranged for my Beta to take me to the airport. Using my influence, I had affiliates from there to assist with getting to my little vixen, Charlotte. Privileged information and access would be granted to me to get to her. Sitting in an air-conditioned and luxurious private lounge that overlooked the runway with Sage, I waited for her arrival. The expansive, carpeted, stylish, chic lounge was located on the second floor by the airport's arrivals side. Natural light brilliantly illuminated it. The busy runway and the ocean were clearly visible via an L-shaped long glass line of windows. From there you could see planes landing, being boarded and taking off. The walls were in Farrow & Ball's Dove Tale—a warm gray with purple undertones. One side had the impressive marble open bar while the other had the buffet line. Based on the seating configuration, there were five HD TVs set up at various angles. The seating comprised of a black solid woo

*MIKAYLA’S POV* "Good morning beautiful," he extends a charming lopsided smile. My head whips up to see Forbes descending the stairs wearing ripped black rip jeans and a burgundy t-shirt that clung to his athletic build. A black-haired girl, whose face was obscured by a sheet of strands, dashed past Forbes from behind him, almost hitting me as I lost my equilibrium and Forbes caught me. When he lifted me in a bridal style, it was completely unnecessary. He examines me while retaining his gaze as if I were a delicacy to be devoured. His nostrils widened and contracted. "Must you always smell like pineapple, Mikayla? Why couldn't your aroma be........ strawberries?" "What?" I murmured awkwardly. He was too close, and why did he have a problem with my scent? I was confused and I no longer wished to be in his arms like this. "Aren't you going to let me have a taste?" His predatory eyes bore into mine. "You might cause me to like pineapples more if you'd let me savor your flavor." His

*MIKAYLA’S POV* It's been nine days since Alpha Heron was in the hospital. The cottage was surprisingly light and quiet without his presence. Sage does not even bring home any she-wolves. Most days he was in Heron's office working his ass off. While Forbes mainly goes to the training ground with Axel and assists Sage in the areas that require it. My duties remain the same, but I go to the hospital daily to see Alpha Heron. I ensure that the nurses change his bedsheets. Then I read and sing to him, and most importantly, I keep his face and hair trimmed and clean. I thought he might wake up when he realized my annoying presence was constantly around him. My wolf was sad at her alpha's comatose state. The condition is highly confidential, and no one tells me the reason he suddenly blacked out. One day he went out with Sage and Forbes and did not return with them. I'm glad that no one blames the maid or thought suspiciously of me in any way. Instead, they look to me to still provide hi

*MIKAYLA’S POV* The most lethal glare and charring aura are always emitted by Alpha Heron whenever we cross paths. It’s that kiss in the hospital. We do not speak about it. It’s best forgotten. After all, it’s not my fault. He’s the one who had me in his vice-like grip and forced the kiss. He ought to be apologizing to me. Plus, he’s such a terrible kisser. The damnable recount crept out of its corner into my mental vision. It caused long-forgotten desires to visit the surface of my consciousness. Desires that I assumed had perished with Andy. There were no sparks, but there was something fervid.........and it was too frightful. Conceivably, it could explain why Nikki and other she-wolves chased these attractive guys for intimacy. They were said to be fantastic in the sack. Needless to say, Heron was sexy, hot and manly, if you know what I mean. I'm not blind to his sex appeal, but I never gave it much attention, knowing the dangers associated with sleeping around with them, until t