I finished exercising on the treadmill and got off the machine. Something was bothering me. Then I glanced over at the women who had talked about Zander. They continued to talk and didn't even notice I had listened in on them. There was no way I was letting them get away with talking about him like that. It was despicable. I felt an urge to stand up to these women, since he wasn't there himself. We had finally gotten connected enough to be friends. Maybe we had been friends for a little bit, but I was fighting it.I shared more with him than I had shared with anyone, even Ash. Something about Zander was more special than what I had with Ash. Our being mates might've given an advantage that Ash would never understand.No way would I let these girls trash talk him and who he was as a person. He wasn't the person they believed he was. I had to set the record straight or else I'd regret not sticking up for Zander.The redhead woman was the first one I needed to talk to. She had mad

I stayed up late and waited until it was around one in the morning. Zander and I had decided to look around while everyone was asleep. We didn't want to risk getting caught snooping around. That was not a risk I wanted to take. This pack had been like a second home to me for the past few months. I wouldn't lose their trust that easily.Before I left my suite, I went into the bathroom and looked at myself. I had taken off my makeup and looked kind of tired. This was not something I wanted Zander to see. It wasn't like I wanted to impress him or anything, however. As a girl, I just wanted to look my best regardless of the situation.I debated whether I should a little makeup on or not for a couple minutes. Seconds later, I chose to reapply a little bit of eyeliner and concealer with a faint bit of pale pink lipstick. It was better than looking like a zombie. I even rebrushed my hair, since it had flattened when I laid on the bed.Not wanting to wake anyone, I crept quietly to Zander

Zander followed after me and gently held my hand to stop me in the hallway. I was on my way back to my suite. I looked at him with an impatient expression. Didn't he see I wanted some distance from him?Why did he have to after me like that? Zander needed to give me more space, or I'd be further pulled to him. That was the opposite of what I needed. "Cleo, can we talk about the…"I cut him off because I knew what he wanted to say. "I can't do this right now." A tear threatened to escape, and I bit my lip hard. "Just go back to your room and forget about tonight."He frowned at me and pulled me against his chest. Zander's eyes looked into mine with an intensity that made my breathing become shallow. I disliked how he affected me so easily. Zander gave a pained expression and said, "I don't want to forget about kissing you. Don't lie and say you didn't enjoy it. I know your lips reacted to mine." He added, "I'd kiss you again to prove it but I won't."He wasn't wrong but should I

I kept wondering why Maurice had taken my ring. It was really strange. I needed to figure out why he had taken it and soon. Something was definitely off with him. I had lost any trust I used to have with Maurice.The night before I hadn't been able to sleep well. Too many thoughts went through my mind. I especially wondered if we would find the killer of Zander's parents. Everything we knew still wasn't enough to solve the crime. I wondered if we missed evidence of this mystery. Suddenly, a knock came on my suite door.I opened the door, and Zander motioned for me to follow him. He led me back to the room he was staying in. I wondered what he was up to.We hadn't discussed doing any more snooping around. I was ready to do more but was guilty of doing it at Ash's pack. It wasn't his fault that his pack was full of secrets. When we got arrived at his room, he turned to face me."Cleo, I think we need to search Maurice's office. I bet he has more evidence about my parents and Jenn

I pulled myself away from Zander, and he looked at me with a fire in his eyes. A warmth spread throughout my body under the heat of his gaze. I wanted him like I hadn't wanted anyone before. It was a strong feeling in my heart that wanted to feel him pressed up against my body again."Maybe we can try that again sometime," Zander flirtatiously said.I laid my head on his shoulder and said, "Only if I feel like it. Maybe this was a once in a lifetime thing.""You're so cold.""You'd have to convince me.""Maybe I can do that. I convinced you the first time," he said with a charming smile.Zander pulled me onto his lap and leaned in close enough that his lips were dangerously close to mine. My heart thudded loudly, and it felt as if time had slowed down.His lips got close enough to kiss me. Zander's breath felt hot near my mouth, and he gazed into my eyes with an intensity I had never seen before. It felt as if he was staring into my soul which made me shiver.Was he going to ki