[Nol’s POV]The woman doesn’t speak as she begins to work toward removing the bullets that are lodged deep beneath my skin. To say that it hurt like hell was an understatement, but if I actually wanted any chance to survive, this needed to happen."Are you about done?" I ask when what feels like an hour has passed. "It shouldn’t…""You’ve asked me to basically perform surgery on you because you’re too stubborn to go to the hospital," she snaps, cutting me off. "If you’ve got an issue with how long it is taking, then you’re more than welcome to finish this yourself."Her words are harsh, but the hands that gently work the tweezers in and out of my wounds are gentle. I had to admit that this woman was piquing my interest with each passing minute."Do you think I’m a contortionist?" I chuckle, immediately regretting it as pain shoots through me. "Unfortunately, my arms don’t twist that way.""Then don’t question me about how long this should take," she sighs.Growing quiet, I close my ey

[Nol's POV]"So, you're telling me that you were seen while on a mission, and she saw you.""More or less." I sigh, not liking the gleam of amusement I see in Jules' eyes.I had just spent the last hour explaining to her exactly why Eliana would be staying with me, and no matter how many times I tried to make it clear that this was strictly platonic, she wouldn't buy it."You know," Jules giggles, wiggling her brows. "Despite what you've said, I just can't see you being so sloppy."Flinching, I found that I couldn't argue with her there. It was sloppy of me to not realize that Trent wasn't alone. However, it was weird that I didn't notice her scent. Even now, I find that it is almost nonexistent."Wouldn't it just be better to be completely honest with your old friend?" Jules sighs, leaning back in her seat. "It isn't like I'm going to go blab to..."Before she can finish, I shoot forward and cover her mouth before anything else can spew out of it.Realizing how bad this looks, I give

[Alexandria's POV]I feel a sweet sense of satisfaction rush through me as Zane opens the envelope I handed him and pulls out its contents. Thanks to a friend and a bit of photo editing, I managed to create some beautiful pieces of his precious little Lana.Smirking, I cross my arms and wait as he stares in disbelief at each and every photo he flips through. However, the first few were just the icing on the cake. The final few would nicely deal the blow that should eliminate that nuisance from his mind.When he finally comes across it, I feel his alpha aura slam into me as his hands clench and unclench in an attempt to remain calm."Well?" I ask, growing bored of the silence. "Will you agree to my terms now?"If he still wanted to try to chase that woman after seeing her with another man, then he was crazy. Although the first few photos had been faked, the last few were as real as they got. My dear cousin, rest his soul, had made sure of that."Where," Zane growls, not bothering to an

[Zane’s POV]"They've found a fiance for Trent Dupris," my father announces, drawing my attention from the eggs and sausage I was currently devouring. "It's about time.""A fiance?" My mother repeats, seeming interested. "What's she like? Do we know of her?""She's the illegitimate daughter of Marco Wright," my father explains. "It seems that Marco and Henry had a deal a long time ago that involved marrying their children to combine their packs.""But why the illegitimate daughter?" My mother sighs. "Shouldn't Arrabella be the prime candidate?""Arrabella is already getting married this year," my father reminds her. "Anyway, with Trent's vicious tendencies, the illegitimate daughter is the better choice over the heart of Elgin, don't you think?""But that girl is only ten this year," my mother tsks. "Trent is already thirty.""Age is but a number. In the end, this engagement is a good thing for everyone.""Why did you bring it up?" My mother continues, seeming completely uninterested.

[Zane’s POV]After that, I found myself frequently visiting the places where I first found Eliana in hopes of running into her there. For the first few weeks, I felt hopeful that this was the perfect tactic to run into her. However, in the end, she never showed. But I refused to give up so easily, so I continued to show until finally I found her in the field, huddled underneath a tree.Being cautious not to startle her, I once again approached, and when she lifted her tear-filled eyes and bruised cheeks, I felt a sudden need to go after all who had hurt her.It was really strange given the fact we were strangers and the only reason I was approaching her was for selfish reasons, but when I looked into her eyes, I felt something stir in me."Why are you here?" she whispers, swiping at the tears that cover her cheeks. "I told you to stop following me."Maybe this was something that also intrigued me about her. The fact that she could be so weak and vulnerable one moment but so strong and