NADINE.“Would you rather stay with Mindy?” Xander asked, looking genuinely surprised.I nodded. “Is there a reason why I should not? Does it scare you if I spend time with her?”“No. Of course not. But last time I checked, you were jealous of her.”“I’m trying not to,” I answered truthfully.“You’re wonderful. Do you know that?”I playfully rolled my eyes at him. “I just thought it’s good if the two people you care about are in the same place while you’re not here. So we can protect each other. And no one knows I’m there except you and her. So is that a yes?”“If you want to...” He said as he cupped my face again before a mischievous smile graced his lips. “You’re not planning to kill her, right?”I giggled. “No. But what if I do?” I playfully wiggled my brows. “I’ll help you bury the remains.” He chuckled as he pressed a kiss on my lips. “Goddess, you’re going to make me commit a sin. But I’m your man through and through.”I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him back. He could

NADINE. It was almost two in the morning when Mindy fell asleep while I lay awake and contemplated my next move. I felt like I was going back and forth, but then I reminded myself that I was just on my first day, and so far, Mindy and Xander had already shown that they liked me. I was sure I could take Mindy on my side because, even if she didn’t tell me the whole thing about Maddox, I could feel the hatred she had for him. I would use all the hate she had, so it would be easier for her to give me more information that I could use. But in return, I would make sure she would have a good life away from him. With Xander, I had no idea. I liked him—there was no doubt about that. And I hope he liked me enough to understand everything that I would do. Mindy and I woke up early despite sleeping late. She told me she had nowhere to offer to entertain me, and if I wanted, we could go back to the packhouse, and she could tell the Omega head in the packhouse that there was a mistake in her sc

XANDER. I drove like a fucking madman so I could come home to Nadine as soon as possible. I didn’t get any sleep or rest as Maddox decided not to take anyone with us, and he wouldn’t drive either.My hands and mind were exhausted, and all I wanted was to rest. If I got lucky, I might be able to persuade Nadine to lie down with me. I just wanted to feel her body and smell her addicting scent. My wolf and I missed her. The moment we entered the territory, I mindlinked her, but her mind was shut off. And so I tried Mindy, but hers was closed as well. I wasn’t worried. I was already here, and I was sure if anything happened, someone from the border had already notified us, but there was no news or anything. I had no idea where they were, but I assumed they were still at Mindy’s apartment. And that’s where I would head after I dropped Maddox. I stopped the vehicle on the packhouse grounds, just below the main entrance steps. I saw Carlotta’s car, which was nothing new. This female was

NADINE. “You hurt me tonight. And my sanity is just hanging by a thread.” Xander’s voice was so low, but I could feel the agony in it. My heart shattered for him and for the female I had never met. I moved forward with fast strides, and despite his repetitious attempt to stop me, I still ended up in front of him. My arms wrapped around the man who was baring his soul to me. My hand went to the back of his head and pressed it against my stomach. His body was still shaking, and I was hoping he would find comfort in my hold. I leaned my head down and pressed a soft kiss on his head as his arms wrapped around me. “I don’t want to hurt you.” He murmured.“You didn’t hurt me,” I told him.“I punched and kicked Maddox.” He added.I closed my eyes before slowly lowering my body until I was on my knees. I cupped his face and met his eyes before I spoke. “He deserves it.”He didn’t say anything, but he just kept staring at me. “I’m sorry…” I said in a soft voice as my thumbs wiped his tea

XANDER.“I’m going to fill every part of you that is missing, Xander. If you let me…” Nadine had been overwhelming me with her words. I had no idea what happened, but I found myself telling her things I had never told anyone. Perhaps it was because I expected she would do the same, as until now, my knowledge of her remained limited.She was kissing me tenderly, not the aggressive ones that she had been giving me since day one. For some reason, I didn’t want her to think of me as fragile. But before I could do anything, she gently pulled away and met my eyes.“I’m so happy to be here with you,” she said.“Are you? Is it safe to assume I was already forgiven for the mess I made when you appeared at the border?” I asked.She nodded her head. “I don’t easily forgive and forget, but if I don’t forgive you, my wolf will hate me. Plus, I think I like you already.” A little smile crawled across her mouth, and a scarlet flush was creeping into her cheeks as she said the last part.I felt like