Nicolas POV"Looks like someone got it all this morning," Ronan said, peering in through the door of my office.I turned to face him and waved him in."Maybe I did," I said, smiling, and I leaned back in my seat. Just thinking about Zara brought a bigger smile to my face. "I feel like a-""A million dollars?" he asked, raising an ironic eyebrow in response."Something like that," I uttered as I glanced down at the document in Ronan's hand."What's that?" I asked."The information you requested," he said, handing it to me. I set it aside. "Did you manage to talk to Zara?"I nodded in response, and my thoughts quickly trailed off to last night.While Zara slept and the storm raged and poured outside, I was staring at her until the early hours of the morning. I couldn't get enough of her. She looked so beautiful under the fire's dim light and looked even more amazing in my arms.I sighed.Zara fitted perfectly in my arms, and I wanted nothing more than to hold her soft, delicate body aga
Nicolas POV"From where did you obtain the information?" I asked Ronan as I turned the final page of the file. Though I never imagined it went that deep, the contents shocked me and made perfect sense for the Nightingale Pack to be supporting the Red Claw Pack."I have my resources," Ronan said, grinning and interlacing his fingers.He patiently waited for me to complete the file review and offer my opinion."Hopefully, this information was not obtained unlawfully," I responded, closing the document. It could put a target on our backs, and I didn't want that. My pack's safety was more important to me."I did not need to; it was all done in favor," he said, grinning smugly.I turned my head to the side and furrowed my brows. My spine tingled with an unholy sensation.What was Ronan getting up to?Who and why did they provide him with this information?Was there someone he was blackmailing?"I do not think so," Ray said, listening in on my thoughts. He was interested to see what Ronan h
Nicolas POV "Enter," I yelled in frustration as the next round of urgent knocks occurred.I cannot put this off any longer.When the door opened and I saw who was standing outside, my mood plummeted to my shoes."F*ck!" I cursed under my breath.There was trouble coming on the horizon."Nikkie!" I became frozen, hearing the familiar high-pitched voice that set off alarm bells in my ears.The smallest she-wolf I have ever laid eyes on entered the office. Her red lips were painted with a broad smile, expressing her immense happiness at seeing me.My heart skipped a beat when I got a glimpse of her large, gentle baby blue eyes—they were so vibrant and happy."I cannot believe this is happening," I whispered to myself. "She can't be back. I must be dreaming!"I stared in disbelief as the tiny 5'0 foot girl took another step closer.She has changed a lot.Her once short dark chocolate brown hair was now longer and fell past her shoulders and hung down to her slender waist. She still had h
Zara's POV"Are you sure you want to go alone, Zara?" Just as we stepped outside the packhouse, my worried father inquired. I was on my way out with Ronan to formally seal the agreement between the packs."Alpha, it was just a small misunderstanding," Levi said, glancing at me. "I do not doubt that their disagreements have been settled."My dad arched an eyebrow in concern and looked from Levi to me.I moved ahead, clasped his hand, and grinned."It is all good, father," I said and squeezed his hands to reassure him that everything was okay. "Alpha Nicholas and I have moved past our disagreements.""It is helpful to know," he remarked, refusing to accept my words. "I was concerned.""There is nothing to be concerned about," Levi went on. "Zara and Alpha Nicolas seem to be gradually coming to terms with each other,"With a nod, my dad looked at Ronan."You had better drive carefully with my daughter. Do you hear me?" He snarled at Ronan."Always," Ronan answered, attempting to maintain
Zara's POV"Cover your eyes," Nic said, handing me a black blindfold.He had been acting a little strangely for the last twenty minutes, and I could not figure out what was bothering him.I looked down at the blindfold he was holding, then looked up to meet his eyes.I was uneasy about his request.Ronan suddenly slowed the car, adding more tension to the request.I kept staring at Nicolas and twitching my eyebrows while he laughed, clearly amused by my reply.As he shifted in his seat to face me, his expression went back to being serious. "What is the issue?""I am not a big fan," I said, pointing to the blindfold."Zara, I promise not to do anything to hurt you," he said, taking my hand and dropping the blindfold inside. "I swear to you. It is just to amp up the excitement surrounding... uhm... the meeting."Kaya cocked her head to the side and looked at Nic. "He is trying very hard to make his surprise as memorable as possible for you," she said.As soon as Nic got into the car, Ka
Nicolas POVI was experiencing such an emotional overload that I was unsure of how to act, which made me feel both nervous and excited at the same time.I was afraid Zara might not appreciate my surprise as much as I was hoping she would.Goddess, what is wrong with me?Never before have I felt so insecure!"Get a hold of yourself!" Ray growled inside my head. "You are going to give away the surprise!"I gave Zara a sidelong glance and forcefully swallowed. She appeared incredibly perplexed, possibly even nervous about the blindfold I had given her."Leave her to me," Ray said, turning to leave. "You just carried out our initial plan. Do not let anything slip! Do you hear me?"I glanced back at Zara, her eyes pleading. My heart is breaking. Goddess, that look in her eyes! I can't do it!"Don't you dare!" Ray warned, observing the pleading look in Zara's eyes. "She will be alright!""Don't you think it's too much?" I tried to reason with Ray. "Levi did express...""What? The blindfold?
Zara's POVThe lights around me came alive, and I stood there in amazement. I never imagined Nic would take me somewhere like this."Wow!" I whispered to myself. "It is incredible!""Do you like it?" My ears chimed with Nic's voice. I was so engrossed in memorizing the stunning display before me that I forgot he was standing beside me."No," I said, and Nic looked down, disappointed. "I adore it! It is truly amazing! Why did you choose to bring me here?"Nic grinned and appeared incredibly relaxed, as though his anxiety had vanished.We were at the carnival grounds, and seeing all the rides come to life was breathtaking."I would like to show you around," he said, drawing my arm in with his. "And I will fill you in on everything."With a proud stance, Nic began walking in the direction of the merry-go-round, clearly pleased with himself.After pulling the gate open at the merry-go-round, Nic led the way onto the platform, and I followed him."They remain just as remarkable as I recall
Nicolas POVZara quickly tucked into the hotdogs I had ordered for us. She appeared comfortable and to be enjoying the simple meal. I guess Ronan made his special chili sauce and tossed it over the hotdogs."I know that look," Zara said as she noticed my gaze. "Do not worry, I will not become ill while riding the rides.""I hope not," I said, laughing. Zara had already had two hotdogs. "Doing so would ruin the rest of the evening."Zara rolled her eyes and placed the hotdog onto the plate."I am capable of managing myself. I am a big girl," she said.I burst out laughing at that. She could be so witty at times."So, tell me," Zara said, her silver eyes glimmering with delight as her tone returned a bit serious. "What rides are you adding this year?"A grin appeared in the corner of my mouth. Right now, I was not prepared to reveal all of my cards just yet. It was still early in the evening, and I wanted to spend more time with Zara before I showed her this year's brand-new attraction.
Nicolas POVI returned to my pack at the break of dawn. Ronan waited for me in the cave with a set of new clothes."Your father is angry," he said as we entered the SUV."Let him be," I casually replied, gesturing for him to drive. "There isn't much my father could do to me at this moment."Fury at what he had done to me coursed through my body, and I tightened my fists in response. I had discovered the truth."Are you going to take him on about it?" Ray listened in on my thoughts. "Or could I do the honors?""When the time is right," I responded. "I will see that he suffers the consequences for his actions."After a brief ride, we returned to the pack, and I barely noticed when we came to a halt.I dropped my duffel bag on my office floor, walked straight to the alcohol cabinet, and poured myself a drink.Ronan silently observed me."You have changed," he stated, taking a seat at my desk
Zara's POVA border patrol officer hurried over to where Levi had pulled over his truck. His chocolate-colored hair was streaked with silver, and he appeared to be an older man, perhaps in his forties."Morning, Beta," the guard greeted him, his brown eyes friendly, as Levi opened the window. "It's wonderful to see you. Your father has informed me of your departure. Could you kindly turn over your departure paperwork to me?"
Zara's POV"Get dressed," Levi demanded, and then he handed me a pair of shoes.As I peered at my shoes in his hands, I narrowed my eyes in confusion at him. I had no intention of leaving the house. I was still quite angry with my dad."Why?" I folded my arms across my chest and mumbled.
Zara's POV"Where the hell have you been?!" The office windows shook and rattled as my dad yelled. His wrath appeared to have grown since we last saw him."I haven't been gone that long." I calmly countered, looking to Beta John for support.Beta John, on the other hand, remained silent while maintaining his trademark grin. He probably wants to see how I react in
Zara's POV"Bloody hell, Zara!" Upon seeing me seated on the couch in the living room, Levi let out a sigh of relief. He swooped down on me like a hawk, drew me to my feet, and embraced me tightly in his renowned bear hug."Hi to you too," I gently said, as I stroked his back.I got back home just a few minutes ago.
Zara's POVNic's warmth and scent instantly brought me peace. Despite feeling a little self-conscious, being so close to Nic made me happy.Tiny electric sparks were moving between us. I had to bite my lip trying to control the urge to jump Nic's bones there and then.Nic carried me down the narrow path to the cabin and hurried up the few stairs leading to the por
Nicolas POV"Zara!" I tapped the side of her cheek and shouted out in fright. "Zara, wake up!"I was freaking out. Seconds ago, I had pulled Zara from the water and brought her to shore. She had swallowed a lot of water and wasn't breathing. I attempted to administer drowning CPR to her, but it appeared to be ineffective."Come on, Zara!" I let out a scream as tea
Zara's POV"Kaya, help me!" Sucking down water, I let out a scream. "I don't want to die like this!"When my heat hit, Kaya had already curled up into a ball, so I was all by myself to endure the agony."Mate, he is close by. He will save us!" In an effort to raise her head, she moaned. She seemed to be experiencing intense pain as well.
Nicolas POVI was both endearing and saddened by Zara's trust issues; her expressions of confusion were priceless."Take our mate's hand," Ray ordered. "And do it together. Keep your promise.""Fine," I gave in.The idea that Zara would feel awkward around me was unsettling. My purpose in being here was to fortify the connection and foster trust, not to fracture it."We will do it together," I said, taking her hand in mine, and I curled my fingers around her and the door handle.As she turned to face me again, Zara cocked her head back. The palpable tension in her body told me that she was anxious.Goddess, I hope that whatever is behind that door is as beneficial as what Beta John had promised."Ready?" I asked.I kissed the side of Zara's cheek as she nodded. I pushed the door open after mentally counting to three with my eyes closed.There was a brief hush as our hearts raced in our ch