Zoe awoke before dawn, her heart pounding with anticipation for the Fall Banquet. She had fallen asleep on the plush leather couch, anxiously awaiting Jackson's return from the border patrol. Their thorough search had yielded no results, and he had been gone for hours. Jackson shared his theories of mischievous teenagers or something more sinister lurking in the shadows. Unwilling to take chances, she had strengthened border security with additional patrols and magical barriers, ensuring no unwanted visitors could slip through. Despite these measures, the unsettling border alarm incident cast a shadow over their spirits, leaving both Jackson and her physically and emotionally drained.
But as the sun rose, a newfound determination surged through her veins. She was ready to take the next significant step in her relationship with Jackson. The thought of becoming his mate quickened her pulse, and she couldn't imagine a more perfect moment to express her feelings than after the magical atmosphere of the banquet.
Purposefully, she descended to the kitchen and poured herself a steaming cup of rich, aromatic coffee. Her mind raced through the extensive list of tasks she needed to accomplish. Everything had to be perfectly executed by noon, with no exceptions. The afternoon held an essential meeting with Belinda about her emerging powers, followed by preparations for the evening's festivities. Jackson, ever thoughtful, had arranged for a professional stylist to attend to her hair and makeup for the banquet. The gesture touched her deeply; previously, only her dear friend Katelynn had ever helped her with such preparations.
Working efficiently, she completed her chores just as the clock struck noon. The packed house had been transformed into an autumn wonderland adorned with warm oranges, deep reds, and golden browns. In the backyard, delicate twinkling lights were strung between the trees, creating a magical canopy overhead. Her heart fluttered with excitement. This would be her first ball and, more importantly, the night she would be officially introduced as Jackson's mate.
Taking advantage of the beautiful weather, she enjoyed lunch in the tranquil garden, anticipating Belinda's arrival. She could barely contain her excitement about sharing news of her Fey healing power. This extraordinary ability to heal through touch was more than just a power. It was a precious gift that filled her with wonder and purpose. The memory of first discovering this ability when healing Erica remained vivid, as was the more recent experience of soothing her sweet niece Piper's injured knee.
Belinda arrived precisely on time, carrying an intricately woven basket. She explained her need for specific herbs from the garden, sharing captivating insights about their magical properties and applications in various spells as they walked among the fragrant plants. Her eyes lit up with enthusiasm when Belinda learned of the young woman's healing ability. Such a gift, she explained, was scarce among witches, making her even more exceptional than previously known.
In a touching gesture, Belinda presented her with a leather-bound book detailing the rich history of Fey witches. The book had belonged to her mother, who had been fascinated by Fey witches and had devoted years to studying their unique abilities and traditions. Belinda mentioned gathering her mother's research materials to share. Her excitement was infectious as she discussed beginning the young witch's training in elementary magic. For now, Belinda advised her to immerse herself in the book's knowledge while continuing to strengthen her bond with Jackson. With sage wisdom, she explained that having a strong mate would significantly enhance her happiness and magical abilities.
She went upstairs, her heart fluttering with anticipation for the evening ahead. The prospect of preparing for such a momentous occasion, her first formal introduction as Jackson's mate, filled her with nervous excitement. She longed for a refreshing shower before the hair and makeup session. However, the allure of a warm bath proved irresistible. As she filled the luxurious tub with steaming water and fragrant bath oils, tension began melting away.
The moment her body slipped into the water, her muscles instantly relaxed, releasing all the accumulated stress from the previous day's events. The warm water embraced her like a comforting cocoon, and she drifted into a peaceful state of tranquility. She might have surrendered to sleep's gentle pull in the soothing warmth if her phone hadn't persisted. The familiar sound was her reluctant cue to emerge from the peaceful sanctuary.
She carefully selected an alluring set of lingerie, a matching bra and underwear ensemble purchased during a delightful shopping expedition with Katelynn and the other girls. The delicate lace and silk against her skin instilled confidence and sensuality. She wrapped herself in Jackson's plush robe, inhaling his comforting scent in the fabric, before returning to the bedroom.
The makeup artist Jackson had arranged proved exceptionally talented and personable. Her refreshingly subtle approach created a naturally enhanced look rather than heavy, dramatic makeup. With expert precision, she emphasized the young woman's eyes, making them appear more luminous, and added just the right touch of color to her lips. Her hair was styled with equal finesse, artfully securing the top portion while allowing the rest to cascade down her back in soft, elegant curls. Once the artist completed her work, she eagerly went to the closet to don her dress.
Standing before the full-length mirror, she was momentarily stunned by her reflection. The overall effect was breathtaking; everything came together perfectly. The dress embraced her curves in all the right places, while her hair and makeup complemented the look flawlessly. She felt wonderful, both inside and out. After slipping into her heels, she gave herself one final, appreciative glance before heading downstairs to join the festivities.
The packed house pulsed with energy, filled with guests from various packs. Her heart warmed at seeing Eric and Beth's other sons. She was delighted to see Erica's father among the visiting pack members. Throughout the evening, she witnessed several magical mate connections unfold, including her brother Ryker finding his destined partner, Talia, from the Blue Moon pack located an hour north of them. While standing with her siblings, they were approached by a man who introduced himself as the Alpha of the Raeven River pack. He took her hand in a formal greeting, pressing his lips to it in what should have been a courteous gesture.
"A rare beauty you are," he declared, his tone making her skin crawl with discomfort. His predatory gaze left her unsettled, prompting her to politely excuse herself and seek out Jackson's reassuring presence.
She found him by the bar, engaged in conversation with Max. Upon her approach, Max offered a playful whistle and wink, drawing Jackson's attention. The sight of her caused Jackson's eyes to flash black several times before he managed to control his wolf's immediate response to her appearance.
"Does that mean you like my dress?" she teased, enjoying his reaction.
In one fluid motion, he moved toward her, his arm snaking around her waist to pull her close against his chest. A low, possessive growl rumbled through him as his hand traced a path up her back.
"You look amazing," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear, sending delightful shivers down her spine.
"Wait till you see what's under it," she whispered back, her voice filled with promise.
The music started, filling the air with its enchanting melody. Jackson turned to her with a warm smile, extending his hand in invitation. "Would you like to dance?" he asked, his eyes twinkling affectionately. Without hesitation, she placed her hand in his, and he guided her gracefully to the dance floor. She caught glimpses of familiar faces as they moved. Katelynn and Johnny were swaying together, lost in their own world, while Ryker and Talia shared tender glances. As the current song drew close, some couples drifted away while others formed new partnerships.
In this moment of transition, the Alpha from earlier, the one whose presence had unsettled her, approached with calculated steps. His eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made her stomach churn as he extended his hand, requesting a dance. Before she could respond, Jackson positioned himself slightly before her, his protective instinct evident in his stance. "No," he stated firmly, "she is hungry."
With practiced ease, Jackson led her away, his hand protectively clasped around hers as they made their way to the elaborately decorated food table. As they began filling their plates with various delicacies, Jackson leaned in close, his voice low and serious. "Stay away from that Alpha," he warned, concern evident in his tone. "He's bad news. The only reason he's here is because of council protocol, which requires all Alphas to be invited. His reputation is… troubling, to say the least." She nodded in understanding, sharing her earlier encounter and the unsettling feeling he had stirred within her.
Finding a quiet spot at their table, she ate, savoring the carefully prepared dishes. Jackson excused himself to handle some official business, such as a border treaty discussion with another Alpha that required his attention as the King of all Alphas. These diplomatic responsibilities were part of his role in maintaining peace and order among the packs.
Her solitude was short-lived as the mysterious Alpha from before claimed the seat beside her. "I am Wyatt," he introduced himself, his voice carrying an undertone that set her on edge.
"I'm Zoe," she responded cautiously, maintaining her composure.
"Zoe Carmichael, daughter of Daryl Carmichael?" he questioned, his words sending ice through her veins.
Her fingers nervously fidgeted with her napkin as her mind raced. How could Alpha Wyatt possibly know her father's name? The urge to find Tyler grew stronger with each passing second, but she remained frozen.
Wyatt's voice cut through her mounting anxiety. "He told me you were a gift," he mused, his eyes studying her intently, "but he never mentioned your beauty." His words trailed off into mumbled observations about her powers, each syllable increasing her discomfort. Relief flooded her as Jackson returned, and she instinctively shifted closer to him, fighting the urge to seek the complete safety of his embrace.
Jackson, attuned to her distress through her pleading look or rapidly beating heart, wrapped his arm around her protectively, drawing her against his solid frame. Wyatt retreated slightly at this display of possession, his demeanor subtly shifting.
"Would you like to dance?" Jackson offered, providing an escape from the tense situation. She eagerly accepted, and they spent the following few songs moving together on the dance floor, his presence gradually calming her frayed nerves. However, the revelation about her father weighed heavily on her mind. He couldn't possibly be out of prison, could he?
As the final dance concluded, she decided to act on her concerns. "I'm going to talk to Katelynn," she informed Jackson. However, she intended to find Tyler and share this disturbing development. The situation with Wyatt and the mysterious reference to her father had deeply unsettled her. Additionally, she wanted to foster a connection between Katelynn and Ryker.
With swift fingers, she typed an urgent message on her phone, requesting everyone to meet her by the BBQ area. This conversation could not wait, and they needed to address this potential threat immediately.
She watched Katelynn, Tyler, and Ryker walk to the backyard, their silhouettes casting long shadows in the dimming evening light. Her heart pounded frantically as she paced back and forth across the wooden deck, her fingers nervously intertwining with the hem of her dress. The weight of this new information sat heavily on her shoulders, and she desperately needed her siblings' perspective to make sense of it all.
"What's wrong?" Katelynn asked, her voice laced with concern as she studied her sister's troubled expression.
Taking a deep breath, she forced the words out. "Alpha Wyatt knows about me, and he knows who our father is."
"What?" they exclaimed in perfect unison, their faces reflecting her shock and horror.
Tyler's expression darkened dangerously, his fists clenching at his sides. "I will kill him," he growled, his protective instincts flaring.
"Kill who?" a deep, familiar voice interrupted behind her, making her jump slightly.
She hadn't noticed Jackson's approach, too consumed by her swirling thoughts. Her stomach twisted with anxiety about his reaction to this revelation.
"Alpha Wyatt knows about Zoe's powers; he also knows who her father is," Ryker explained to Jackson, his voice tight with tension.
"How?" Jackson demanded, his expression growing increasingly concerned.
She shook her head helplessly. "I don't know," she admitted before recounting everything Wyatt had said during their encounter. Jackson's jaw tightened as he listened, and he quickly ushered them toward his office, mind-linking Cole and Max with instructions to bring Alpha Wyatt for an immediate discussion.
In the kitchen, Katelynn met Johnny, who informed her that Beth had taken charge of the children and was tucking them into bed. His presence beside her was unwavering. Johnny understood the dark depths of their father's evil nature.
As they made their way through the hallway, Ryker's mate Talia appeared, her eyes questioning. Ryker, clearly torn, gently explained that he'd join her in the living room after the meeting concluded. He was determined to protect her from the darkness of their past, at least for now.
"This is not how I want her to learn about our past," Ryker confided in his sister, his voice heavy with regret.
She nodded sympathetically, understanding the weight of his words. There were countless painful secrets they'd kept buried and so many dark memories they'd tried to shield others from. The thought of unraveling these carefully guarded truths made her heartache. Still, with Alpha Wyatt's unexpected knowledge of their family's history, they might not have a choice anymore. Their past catches up to them, whether they're ready or not.