"Monitor him and inform me first of any changes." He drops his voice as he says, "Let's keep this between us." I nod, even while dying of anxiety. Zeke is safe. I remind myself because I can see he is, but no one knows if he will survive this. I shake the thought away, reminding myself he's a legacy once again. Zeke will overcome this. He has to. When Taz leaves, I watch him for a few long moments, lost on what to do. He's fallen into a comatose state again. According to Taz, he isn't conscious, but I can't shake the feeling he's aware I'm standing right next to his bed, gawking. Zeke didn't desire a mate because Scarlett Burns is the only woman he will ever love. It's crazy as hell, but I can feel his pain and also see it. I wonder what truly happened. Frida warned I shouldn't look too far in, but it's something I can't wrap my head around. Did he murder the same woman he can't stop thinking about? Zeke Van Acker shed tears while kissing me. All for Scarlett, a woman I know nothi
I crack my eyes open. The room is dark. The blinds are rolled closed, but I can hear the new day loud and clear. I realise I'm lying over and straddling something warm and hard. It's Zeke's body. Somehow, I had cuddled close to him during the night. After a moment of watching his handsome face, his eyes pop open. I understand he's been awake for a while now. Nerves parch my throat. "Hey, how long have you been up?" Zeke doesn't respond, and I frown. His hands have been around my waist since I woke up. He doesn't remove them and I suspect he still thinks I'm Scarlett. It annoys me slightly, but I suppress that selfish feeling and try again. "Zeke?" I place a palm over his forehead. Even though a wolf can't run a temperature, I still try my best to make sure he's good. "How are you doing this morning?" "You are here with me. That alone makes me the luckiest man alive," he says, sitting up and pulling me close. His hand brushes the fallen strands away from my eyes, tucking them be
I return to the kitchen, fuming. Drusila eyes me strangely when I drop the tray in the sink and it clatters against it. Zeke stops by before he leaves. He doesn't look at me. I don't look at him, either. I focus on my carrots, eating a little too loudly as they speak. Zeke says, "Aiden's tailing Bessie. He'll bring news about the witches during the pack gathering tonight." "Tonight?" Drusila asks. I hear the surprise in her voice. This is something she's not aware of or expecting. I'm not updated on this piece of information, either. A lot I do not know about has happened behind my back, but then, I'm not a Moon Grove wolf. I'm just here to deliver a child and nothing more. "Yes. Tonight, my new beta will be chosen during the gathering. We will also discuss Moon Wood now the Zeta has arrived." I can feel his gaze on me, but I don't break. I focus on the carrot, like I can't care less about his presence or their conversation. Hearing Moon Wood, my interest piques a bit, but so a
I stagger away from the shelf. My nerves get the best of me and I drop the detergent on the floor. It lands with a loud thump, shocking me and increasing my heart's pace. I don't know how else to react, but everything in me is telling me to run, but I'm frozen to a spot. Zeke's words come back to me. He's danger. Chase sent my father to kill my baby. He sold me without a second thought to two Alphas. I should tread carefully. He comes around to where I'm standing. I pick the dishwasher detergent and tighten my grip on it, like it's my life support. He looks so different. He's grown a lot older and has streaks of grey hair showing amid his black beards. As much as I want to fear him, he's my father. The man who raised me. My heart thinks differently after a few minutes. "Father." I whisper, barely breathing. He's dressed differently, too. I guess being on this side of the map changes things. I try my hardest to stay strong, but the emotions I feel are overwhelming. My father steps
**********************ZEKEThe day's not over yet, but I'm stuck at a bar, drinking many glasses of hennessy and pondering on thoughts that are way past me. I'm seated at a private booth in the popular bar and the days ahead are looking bleak. I don't have the strength to stand. She's all I can think about. Chase Erickson almost got the best of me with that plan he made up. I vowed to get back at him for the humiliation and the pain. Red Valley earned a slot on my vengeance list. But Marelyn is someone I will never give up. I may have told her and everyone else seven months was all I needed, but I don't think that's possible. I don't even know why it's not. It's just not. I down another glass and start pouring the next. The bottle has almost run dry. My tie hangs loosely around my neck, and all I want to do is forget. Forget that the past two days happened, but I can remember every little detail. Her soft skin against mine felt like heaven and I was
Alexis is wrong. I don't want to forget Letty. I can never do that. She's mine forever because I never break the promises I make. It's only the past few days that need forgetting. Maybe with Alexis, there's a way to save Marelyn from me. "I don't think I wish to know where she stands." "Your heart doesn't lie." I stare at her, lost for words because my head's telling me that this is all I need to move on. Forgetting Marelyn. But then there is a part of my heart that doesn't want to. Even if I forget, I still will never let her go. "Aren't you a know-it-all?" I scoff, taking another glass. "Not to brag, but I am." She eyes the second bottle that's almost done with. "Slow down. At the rate you are going, even your wolf can't save you from the hangover that is bound to hit." "Does it look like I give a damn?" She rolls her eyes and searches my face. Her question comes with a warning. "Are you willing to accept my help? It's the only shot you have at knowing the truth about the
I walk past the dungeons. There's an area still beneath Taz's lair. It's called the arena. A part of Moon Grove meant for occasions like this. In a few minutes, the victor of this duel will become my beta. Aiden Sinclair was my selection, but Kass Rodin's blood lineage puts him in line for the position of beta. Yet the final decision rests on this moment. The duel. A while ago, Drusila revealed Jai-Blynn's presence around Moon Grove. A wolf had seen him lurking around the premises yesterday. I must be on guard and keep my eyes open because the enemy will show himself soon. Crowds of wolves fill the arena, above and below. The ring of death sits at the centre of the space. I climb the medium-length stairs joined to the stone wall on one edge. It doesn't have a railing, and it follows a z-shaped pattern. At the top lies my throne in the arena. I settle in, waiting for the clock to strike ten. I didn't bother Aiden with questions about his finding when I returned. He has to fight to t
MAREI don't know what came over me, but sometimes, this side of me shows itself. It usually happens when someone I want to protect is in danger. Like defending Frida in the dungeons or when I heard the explosion on the next street. This time is no different. I want to help Aiden. He's useful to Zeke and has grown on all of us. Sentencing him to an inconclusive death inside a ring is not the way to repay his good deeds.Well, Kass Rodin is someone I've never met, but I suspect he's a fine wolf. Zeke will need all the help he can get, because trouble is around the corner. Chase and my father are up to no good. The Diamond witches are still out there, even Jai-Blynn. I'm doing him a favour by demanding he change the terms.Zeke just called the duel off. I'm staring at him as he stands there, facing the crowd of wolves. He says nothing after the pause. I see he's working his jaw and putting his thoughts together. On the outside, Zeke still looks as tough as a rock, like a legacy who comma