Dillon’s POV It was the same thing everyday since the day she left, and today was no different. My daily routine never wavered. Wake up, lead training, morning huddle with the Alphas and Beta, then spend the rest of the day in my office working on security and patrol protocols. I looked forward to the first part of my day. It was a distraction. It required focus and face to face interaction. It was the rest of the day that I dreaded. Because once I was alone in my office, I couldn’t think of anything but her. Opening the photo gallery on my phone, I scrolled through my photos of Zoe. She had no idea I had so many pictures of her and I cringed at the thought of what she’d do to me if she found out. I cupped my hand over my junk protectively at the mere thought. My mate had a vicious side. My mate. We were nowhere near solidifying our bond and with how easily she left me, I had my doubts we ever would be. But still the word made me smile. Zoe’s gorgeous face stared back at me from

Dillon’s POV “What is this place anyway?” I asked, risking the wrath of a clearly still fuming Zoe. “It’s where we keep our research samples.” She answered bluntly, the scowl never leaving her face. “Ooh-kay. Then why do they have it locked down tighter than Fort Knox?” I ventured another question. Zoe huffed, exasperation a mild term for her current attitude. She ran her fingers through her hair a few times while she contemplated even bothering to answer me. I slumped down on the floor beside her, stuffing my hands in my pockets to ward off the urge to touch her silky locks myself. “Medical research is tightly regulated. Any loss, damage, or mix-up with samples could set a study back years. That’s a lot of time and money lost, not to mention the consequences for patients whose lives might depend on the treatments being developed.” “Makes sense when you put it that way.” I acknowledged. “I was fortunate to even be allowed back here. It was a privilege Dr. Knolls trusted m

Zoe’s POV Mattias stepped aside to let Dillon and I out of the sample storage room then closed the door behind us. Silence enveloped us, none of us willing to address the elephant in the room, or should I say “in the air” in the form of Dillon’s scent all over me. I decided it was up to me to end the awkward stalemate. “What made you come to the lab this late, Matti?” I wondered. “I was looking for you! You were supposed to come back to study after work, remember?” I nodded at the reminder. “Then this guy came around asking for you, claiming to be some long lost boyfriend you never mentioned. I was worried about you.” I narrowed my eyes, sending Dillon a death glare but he just shrugged it off, looking utterly pleased with himself. “Like I said, boyfriend, “ He pointed at himself smugly, “not your job to be worried about her. It’s mine!” “Dillon! Be nice!” I scolded. “If it weren’t for Matti, we’d still be stuck in there. “I didn’t mind. I was actually enjoying myself.” He lean

Zoe’s POV “Stay in the car, Zoe!” Cinna warned as I reached for the door handle. “Mate said to stay in the car!” “I never was very good at following orders. Just ask my brother.” I mouthed back, stepping out onto the curb and closing the door as quietly as possible. Dillon and I weren’t marked so I couldn’t tell if he was hurt or not. But I still had my woman’s intuition and it was practically screaming that something wasn’t right. If Dillon was in trouble, I couldn’t sit back and do nothing. I would just have to deal with his mantrum later. I followed the path he’d taken around the building, creeping slowly. Looking around for a makeshift weapon, I picked up a jagged piece of wood I found lying around. It would have to do because even I wasn’t foolhardy enough to go in there empty-handed. A melted door hung open a few feet away, telling me that’s how Dillon must have entered. But as soon as I reached it, voices drifted my way. “Since you obviously know nothing of value, your on

Zoe’s POV I cried the day Dillon took me back to university and drove away from me. I had cried the day I walked away from him without a word, boarding a plane to Ashmouth, and I cried the day he left me there again. I finally let myself feel the horror of seeing my mate almost murdered before my eyes. I also took the time to let the reality of my near death experience sink in. And again, more tears. But mostly, I cried because something about the way he left felt so final. When Dillon and I first recognized our bond, I rebelled against the idea of being his mate with every fiber of my being. I couldn’t fathom a day would come when I would actually trust him with my heart again. But now? Now I was beginning to suspect there might never be anything in life I wanted more. That thought terrified me. Because just as I was starting to believe we might have a future together, one filled with sizzling kisses, soft caresses, and the comfort of my mate’s arms, a future where Dillon looked