The AmbushMira took a step towards Bella, ready to attack, but Zayn moved faster than Bella had ever seen anyone move. He was in front of her in an instant, his hand around Mira's wrist."Let it go, Mira," he said again, his voice steady and commanding. "Breathe."Bella could see the tension in Mira's body as she struggled against Zayn's grip. But slowly, Mira looked Zayn in the eyes and she felt him controlling her emotions. Of course, he was the alpha after all and he could keep his pack in check. The tension began to ease. Her eyes returned to their normal color, and her fangs receded."I'm sorry, Zayn," she said, and then turned and walked away.Zayn turned to look at Bella. His eyes were hard, and his expression was unreadable."No one here trusts you," he said. "Not even me. You limelights are all the same, so I suggest you fucking stay out of people's way."With that, he turned and strode away, leaving Bella standing alone in the garden. She felt a mixture of anger and confusi

Moon ForestBella was out in the stables petting one of the horses which she had befriended, when Mira walked in. "I see the way you look at him," she said, a hint of accusation in her voice.Bella turned to face her, confusion written across her features. "What are you talking about?" she asked.Mira's expression hardened. "You know exactly what I'm talking about," she said. "Zayn will never see you as anything more than an outcast."Bella's jaw dropped, a rush of anger and hurt coursing through her.Mira took a step closer to Bella, her eyes hard. "Do you know that Zayn was once in love? He had a mate, someone he loved and was married to. But she died of an illness, and his heart was broken."Bella's eyes widened in shock. She had no idea Zayn had a mate, let alone that he had lost her. "I...I had no idea," she said, her voice trembling."Even in her death, his heart still belongs to Tess," Mira continued. "And even if he were to move on with someone else, it would never be a cursed

At the edge Zayn could feel the desire burning through Bella's eyes. He wanted badly to feel every inch of her body. But he hesitated, it didn't feel right. He pulled away from her and sat back on the bed. "W...what's wrong?" Bella managed to whisper, not knowing why he had stopped midway. "You should get some rest, I know tonight must have been really frightening for you," Zayn said as he stood up to leave. Bella stood up after him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "It was," she said, her voice catching in her throat. "That's why you shouldn't leave me here all alone." He pulled away from her embrace. "What just happened was just in the heat of the moment. I don't feel about you any differently than I did before. I don't see you as anything other than the outcast that you are. I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression." Bella couldn't believe her ears. "That's not true," she said in disbelief. "I know you also feel the connection between us." "We have a long ride tomorrow