Nicolas POV"This feels cozy, does not it?" Winking at me, Terra licked her upper lip and whispered. Upon my attack, Terra managed to miraculously shift back into a human. Ray came tumbling down on top of her, and we all ended up stuck in an old rotten tree stump tangled in some overgrowth. Now she was purposefully rubbing her nude body against mine, taking advantage of our vulnerability.Ray became agitated by the second, and I let out an embarrassed sigh inwardly. When he growled at her to stop rubbing her body against him, she became even more determined to do so."I think Alpha Nicholas had enough of your childish games," Ronan said, drawing nearer. "Is it not evident from his growl how irritated he is?""Irritated? That sounded more like a purr than a growl," Terra remarked as she extended her hand to caress Ray's head.Ray growled, but Terra simply winked at him and withdrew her hand.Ray moved his massive body uncomfortably, attempting to put distance between Terra's and his bo
Nicolas POV"Where are you going?" I inquired as Ray abruptly veered off course and sprinted past the cave. "The cave is just there!""The lake," he replied, "we can't go look for Zara smelling like Terra. She would be furious, and I don't want her mad at us."I acknowledged Ray's point and nodded in agreement, but it would cause us to fall further behind schedule.Dammit! Why would Zara decide to run away at a time like this? Couldn't she just stay put?When the lake finally appeared, the sight of its pristine blue water was mesmerizing. At least the cave was not too far away.Ray always loved water, and he crashed into it, making a huge wave.I let him run and play in the water for a minute so he could enjoy the cool water."Feeling better?" I asked after he returned to shore."Yeah," he answered. "We also smell a lot better."Ray shook his fur to remove the water, then scampered back toward the cave. It appeared as if the water had carried away all of his troubles during those flee
Zara's POVMy entire body was burning, and it had spread like wildfire. I was in so much pain that I was having trouble breathing and moving.My frantic screams had long since subsided, and I was now barely conscious."Oh, Goddess, Zara!" A familiar voice chimed in my ears. "What have you done to yourself?!"I could hear the worry in his voice, but I could not tell who it was. My eyes were full of tears, making it difficult to see him.Perhaps it was my dad? Did he find me?"Before the goddess punishes me for neglecting you, we had better get you inside," he murmured to himself. "I can't believe you would do this to yourself! If the goddess sees you in this state, what will she say?"With a sigh, strong arms scooped me up from the cave floor. He stroked my hair tenderly while carefully pressing my head against his chest."Everything is going to be alright," he muttered, his heartbeat lulling me to sleep. "I will look after you."His words contained a promise that I could not ignore.H
Nicolas POV The moment I saw Zara, the anxiety from just a few minutes before vanished."Mate!" The single word escaped my lips, and it felt great to do so.Zara stared at me in confusion, not knowing how to respond.Was she scared of Ray being in control?There was nothing else for me to do. Her scent was so powerful that it led me right to her.Slowly, Zara rose from the bed and approached. She did not know what to do."Ray," she uttered in a tremulous voice. "Return control to Alpha Nicolas, please.""Are you sure?" he asked. "Neither of us thinks that is a good idea."She recoiled in surprise."Why?" Her voice cracked as she asked."Because he would not have self-control around you," Ray answered.Zara's brows furrowed in perplexity. Has she not figured it out yet?"How come?" She looked into Ray's eyes and asked.I sighed.When our mates went into heat, it was usually our wolves who went crazy. Only the Goddess knows why, but it felt like Ray and my rolls were switched around wh
Zara's POV"Heat? I am in heat...?"I could not believe what Nic was saying. I was shocked by what I heard.Why would I go into heat now? Have I done something wrong?I knew I would eventually go into heat, but what caused it? I was fairly certain that we only went into heat when we were marked... or...Slowly, my eyes shifted to Kaya. She appeared rather guilty."Is this your doing?" I asked.She shook her head hastily."So why do you look so guilty?" I asked."It was bound to happen," Kaya said, as if it were nothing. "You two have been taunting the bond for a while now. The fact that it did not occur sooner shocked me.""Really, Kaya?" I lost my temper. "You were aware that this would occur, yet you remained silent about it! Why didn't you just tell me? Now look at us!""I only figured it out this morning," she whispered in defense."You what!? You knew! And you failed to warn me!" I snarled. "If someone had scented my heat, what would you have done?""Well, no one did," she said w
Zara's POV"Isn't it magnificent?" Beta John's low voice surprised me, causing me to gasp in fear. I turned around to see him standing a short distance behind us."Only a true royal can light up a temple like that!" Drawing nearer, he went on."I do not understand," I murmured, cocking my head to the side and staring at him in confusion as he halted.Is he completely insane?I am not a member of the royal family.Beta John's behavior was increasingly deviating from my expectations, which alarmed me. I didn't know what to do while I was in his presence.My heart skipped a beat and then raced in my chest as Beta John smiled at me tenderly but honestly.His smile was completely new to me. Despite his affection, I saw anguish in his eyes. It was unique, and it frightened the crap out of me, too.Why was he acting this way?Instead of responding, Beta John brushed his fingers on the wall, causing the symbols beneath them to illuminate and come to life.Unbelievable, I let out a gasp and st
Nicolas POV"Make yourself comfortable," Beta John motioned for us to take seats inside. "Celia will show you what happened. It will be as if you are dreaming.""You will be able to ask questions while you watch," Celia added. "We will gladly answer all your questions.""Why?" Zara inquired, hesitant to proceed further. She appeared to be concerned, perhaps even scared. I noticed that her heart was pounding intensely in her chest."You need to know the truth," Beta John responded. This is the least I can do.""I can't find anything suspicious about him," Ray told me. "He is telling the truth.""Are you sure?" I asked."I am," he answered. "His wolf is peaceful inside him, as if he loves Zara like a father. He means no harm to her."I could always trust Ray's instincts, and this time would be no exception."I think it would be okay," I told Zara, grasping her hand in mine. "I trust Beta John. Ray does as well. Let us hear what he has to say."Zara looked into my eyes for a split second
Zara's POVAs the goddess let forth a wrenching cry, a surge of agony coursed through my entire being.I let out a gasp as the agony spread throughout my body.As the goddess grieved for her mate, I could sense every feeling she was experiencing, listen to her inner monologue, and see him through her eyes.
Nicolas POV"I don't blame you for Beta John's death," she said warmly.Her words startled me, and an audible gasp escaped my lips. There was no resentment in her voice. No anger. No pain.Claire slowly pulled her warm hand back, leaving me feeling cold.She looked at me with only love and acceptance. There were no traces of hatred in her eyes."My mate fulfilled his destiny and can now return to the Goddess's side," she went on explaining."What do you mean by that?" Ronan asked, his face twisted in confusion."Beta John was not my fated mate," she answered. "He is not my boys' biological father.""Wait, what?" Levi lashed out, in surprise and jumped to his feet. The bewildered expression on his face indicated that he had never been part of this huge family secret."What are you saying?" He ranted on. "Beta John is not my father?"She shook her head calmly, while Levi shook with anger.
Nicolas POVWarm natural colors greeted us inside of Beta John's house; his home was bigger and more welcoming than I expected it would be."Have a seat, Alpha," Levi's mother gestured to the seats in the big living room.I nodded and took a seat in the far corner in the cozy living room.Ronan came to stand next to me, crossing his arms around his chest, all businesslike. He acted more like a bodyguard than my beta.My gaze swept over the small 5'2 she-wolf. Her long blond hair was neatly tied in a bun, her eyes the same color blue as Levi's. However, it was her calm, warm, and motherly demure that put me at ease.A smile flicked to the side of my lips; Ray would have stated she was the total opposite of Beta John. He would have been right. I guess the saying, "opposites attract," is true.Levi's mother smiled tenderly, her warm presence filling my surroundings. It felt as though she was embracing me simply
Nicolas POV"Friends and beloveds," a priest's voice chimed in my ears, while sad whimpering surrounded me. "We have gathered here today to honor our dear Beta John. Death has taken away a genuinely wonderful pack member, and more importantly, a loving mate and father..."My heart clenched in my chest. Everything seems so unreal. I struggled to comprehend Beta John's absence. He sacrificed his life to save mine, and now I was standing next to his open grave giving him my last respect.My hands clenched into fists. He deserves more than just respect. He deserves to be revenged.I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. Yet the same scene flashed before my eyes—Beta John's last moments."That should have been me," I muttered under my breath. His brutal death leaves an indelible mark on my memory. "He sacrifices himself to save mine.""Are you okay, Alpha?" Ronan mused next to me. He must have heard me mumble to my
Zara's POV"You look breathtaking in that dress," Luke said as he took my hand in his."Well, thank you," I replied, feeling my cheeks warm as he left a butterfly kiss on the top of my hand. "You cleaned up nicely yourself."Luke gave me one of his mother's older dresses. He assured me that his mother would not object, as he had received instructions to discard it and donate it to a charitable organization.My eyes grew wide when he showed me the dress, and my hands instinctively reached for it—it was so pretty.A light, silver-colored silk material made the dress. It had an open back and a very revealing low-cut front. It was one of the most beautiful dresses I have ever laid my eyes on. I couldn't believe that anyone would just throw out such a rare jewel."I had to," he stated teasingly. "A princess needs to have a prince with shining armor next to her. Besides, if I didn't polish my armor a bit, I would ha
Nicolas POVAt the back of the hall, crimson-colored eyes appeared, causing the wolves to scream and scatter away in fear."Is that a rogue?" I heard someone gasp."What do they want?" another asked."He seems very relaxed," someone stated."I don't think he wants trouble," another said.My gaze snapped toward Ronan. He had the same disbelief look in his eyes."Rogues?" Ronan whispered in disbelief when he caught my gaze. "They never impose at these functions.... They never come here....""There is always a first time," Ray growled, clawing for control. "Let me have him!""But they have never been this bold!" I stated, ignoring Ray's outburst.The brown wolf pushed forward, growling. His focus is on me. He exudes a sense of purpose and determination.Why did he come here?What does he want?"How dare he come here!" Ray roared. "How dare he interrupt the proceedings! I
Nicolas POV"Evening, ladies and gentlemen," Ronan's voice silenced the room. "Welcome to this year's Midnight Moon fundraiser ball."The wolves' applause made me shiver. Like every year, fundraising improved, but this year was electrifying!"As you all know, the yearly carnival and fundraising ball was started by our late Luna to help those in need," Ronan went on, praising my late mother.My gaze swept over the ballroom. Ronan captured the attention of every wolf, who listened to him as if it was the greatest thing they had ever heard.A smile formed on my lips. Ronan could always find a way to have the crowd eat out of his hands.I sighed, shaking my head proudly. What would I do without him? He made sure that the ballroom was elegantly decorated with a perfect atmosphere.My gaze swept over the simple but elegant decorations.The whole ballroom was decorated in a navy blue scheme, and dim fairy lig
Nicolas POV"Did you get to see her?" I inquired while Ronan approached me to assist in welcoming the final guests. He was dressed in a navy-blue penguin suit, a white dress shirt, a black bow tie, and a plain golden mask to go with it."Not yet," Ronan replied as he shook a wolf's hand, wearing a black mask."I wonder what is keeping her," I asked, feeling frustrated. "Do you think she will miss this? We are about to start.""She'll be here," Ronan stated with confidence. "Luna Zara gave me her word that she would attend the ball."A heavy breath escaped my lips while a sharp electric spike rippled through my chest and down my body. My hands instinctively reached for my chest. The excruciating pain in my heart was becoming more and more frequent. I wasn't sure what was causing it."Are you okay?" Ronan asked, concerned.I nodded my head and swallowed hard. I forced myself to focus. My sad emotions lay heavy
Zara's POVAlthough I was a little embarrassed and uneasy lying on top of Luke, he didn't seem to mind at all."Feeling better?" He asked when my breathing wasn't racing anymore, and I got over the shock."I... I think so," I stammered incoherently. I hated it when I stuttered, giving away my nervousness.I shifted my weight to the side and tried to push myself away from Luke's chest, but my hand slipped. He grunted like a wounded animal beneath me as I crashed down on top of his chest."S-s-sorry," I muttered, embarrassed, and quickly rolled myself away from him. "I... I..."Luke pulled himself upright, coughed, and rubbed his chest. He then shifted his head to the side, watching me.Luke's face twisted in confusion, and an unknown emotion crossed his eyes."What are you doing here?" He eventually asked. His voice carried a mixture of excitement and worry.I sighed."I... I got lost..."
Zara's POVHuge green trees stretched far and wide around me, and a sense of calmness had formed around my heart.The forest has always been my happy place.I closed my eyes, and I inhaled deeply, taking in the earthy scent.A sad smile formed on my lips; I felt the wind softly tug on my hair, and the sunrays lightly kissed my face. I haven't been in the woods for some time, and maybe it will help me clear my head.I opened my eyes and scanned my surroundings."Where are we?" I muttered to myself as I scanned for any kind of clue. I wasn't sure where I was, but I felt kind of excited and scared at the same time.Kaya quietly observed me. Her eyes were dull, and her ears were hanging. She seems to be a bit depressed about leaving Nicolas like that, and I had a suspicious feeling that she wanted me to go back and confront him about the photo.But even she knew I wasn't emotionally strong enough to do tha