River hadn't slept at all.

He watched over Zoya as she stayed nestled beside him fast asleep for the past few hours. The lunch with her mother impacted her more than River thought. Right now, on her lovely face, was a crease of worry between her brows and her skin a bit pale. He had never seen her like that except whenever her parents were involved. He understood her concern since he too knew what fear an abusive parent can inflict on a child. He had seen Klaus take that kind of abusive all his life, but his siblings and River protected him many times. Zoya had no one and her fear wasn't going to comforted simply by telling her that she was safe, even though nothing would harm her with him by her side.

A vengeful chill hollowed into him the whole time he was here on the bed with her. River was fucking pissed at the shit Ellen Knightley pulled.

A ping went off and he knew it was his cellphone. He didn't need to check to know that it was Azura. He carefully slid out of bed so he wouldn't wake Zoya up. He got dressed and looked over once more to the bed where she slept on her side, curled up with the blanket before he left.

Leaving the cabin, he walked into the woods onto the trail and emerged on the large field where he saw the Centauri house. All the lights were glowing through the windows and spilled onto the glittering snow. It was close to six o'clock but it was quite dark outside and a ton of clouds blanketed the sky, so there wasn't any sign of the sun setting today. River crossed the field and saw the usual suspects lounging on the porch. Azura was waiting for him and so was Ryder, King had seemed to join them outside as well.

Ryder spotted River first. He climbed up the steps and joined them. They could see from his grim expression that his mood was far worse than they suspected. Ryder already knew that Zoya had met her mom today because River told him the day this whole date was arranged.

"How is she?" Ryder asked him.

River's blue eyes gleamed menacingly. "She's upset," he said.

King looked between the brothers. "What are we talking about?"

"It's Zoya," Ryder said. "She met her mother today."

King rolled his eyes at that and didn't even try to hide his cynicism. "Ugh, don't tell me her mother's a bitch," he remarked.

"Worse than a bitch," added River. "Did you get what I asked for?"

"Yup. The man she met today was Andrew Reed," Azura relayed the intel. "He's the son of a politician but both his parents are dead. He now works with Joe Knightley and has made himself quite comfortable with them. He even joins them for Sunday roasts."

River's entire body was revved with the thirst to kill this asshole. He dared to lay a hand on Zoya and talk to her rudely. He had seen everything through the security cameras inside the restaurant, which he had hacked quite easily.

"Why do you care about this guy?" asked Ryder.

"He touched Zoya," River gritted out.

They all grumbled a curse with him.

"What are you going to do?" King asked him.

"Kill him if I ever see him near her again," he said and King approved wholeheartedly.

"I'll hold the asshole down for you," King jested.

River grinned then too.

The door of the house creaked open and Gabriel stepped out. "What's going on?" he asked the moment he sensed the simmering tension.

"Zoya met her mom today and it didn't go well," River told him.

"I want to punch that woman in the face," Ryder grumbled. "She's a manipulative bitch who's gotten way too comfortable hurting Zoya."

"Who used to hurt Zoya?" Klaus's voice was heard then as he stepped onto the porch and faced them.

They all froze.

"It's nothing," King diverted but the tension was enough for anyone to touch.

"No, it's something," Klaus said as he read everyone's grim look. "What's going on with Zoya? Who hurt her?"

"Her parents," River revealed but regretted it the moment he had, because when the blood drained from Klaus's face, River felt as if someone punched him in the gut.

"Oh," his voice was faint. "Is she alright? Where is Zoya?"

"She's at the cabin asleep," River said.

His emerald eyes falling down and getting lost into his thoughts. "She shouldn't be alone," Klaus mumbled and went back inside.

"Klaus," King called after him and followed him.

"Klaus is right, she shouldn't be alone right now," said Gabriel. "Bring her for dinner."

"I will," said River.

They all went inside while River saw a figure moving from the door. The small pup ambled outside and looked up with his glassy blue eyes.

"Do you want to see, Zoya?" he asked the pup.

The pup's eyes gleamed with interest and River picked him up and took him down the porch steps back to the cabin.

River opened the door and let the pup in first who ran straight into the house and towards the stairs. He stayed a few steps behind the pup making sure that he didn't fall or get tired. The pup managed up the stairs fine and got into the room where Zoya was still asleep. River bent down grabbing the pup who was eager to see Zoya and placed him on the bed. He scuffled over the duvet and ran to Zoya, he sniffed around her and nudged his little head into hers.

River sat with them and waited until the pup successfully roused Zoya from her nap. He would have done it himself with other methods, but he let the pup have his moment.

Zoya's pretty blue eyes opened. "Hey, buddy," she grabbed the pup's face and kissed him before she looked up at River. "What time is it?"

"It's six o'clock," he told her.

Zoya played with the pup that got distracted with the duvet he was getting lost under. She pulled him back out and let him snuggle over a pillow beside her. She laid her hand on his small body and petted him for a while.

"How are you feeling?" River asked her.

Zoya got up from the bed then, sitting cross-legged under the blanket. "I'm better than before," she said with a sigh. "You know I realized that you didn't ask me anything about what happened today?"

River already knew what happened between Zoya and her mother, so he wasn't going to push her into telling him or reliving it. Besides, it was her choice what she wanted to do. He knew how hard it must be on her to talk about her past. He sure as hell knew what that was like since most of his past was a dark blur too.

"Whenever you're ready to talk about it, I'm here for you," he said.

Zoya took another deep breath. "My mother didn't want to meet today to make amends. I think she arranged this whole thing just so I could meet a potential husband," she told him.

"Hmm..." his tone was even but cold.

"You're not mad?" she asked.

"There's no need to be mad because I never would've let that happen," he said.

"Is that so," she said sounding taken aback by his approach, "and why not?"

"You love me too much and I'm crazy for you," he confessed.

She smiled and hid her blush behind her hands. "But still, I need you to know that I'm done with my parents and they won't interfere in our relationship," she reassured. "I never want to see them again."

He nodded in approval. "Okay," he said.

Zoya eased the tension in her body and stretched her arms above her head, his t-shirt that he had put on her rose as she stretched. "I want a hot bath and lots of food," she said.

"We're having dinner at the Centauri's," he told her. "They wanted me to bring you."

"Can I have a bath first?" she asked.

Like he could deny his mate anything. River got up and went to her, he put his arms securely around her and picked her off the bed, taking her to the bathroom. He sat her down on the counter near the sink and went to the marble tub to turn the tap on. The water rushed out and spent a couple of seconds heating up to the perfect temperature for her.

"Here, put some of this in it," she said.

River grabbed the sparkling lilac bottle from her and squeezed the soap into the running water. The bubbles formed quickly and soon enough the washroom smelt of wisteria flowers and coconuts. Zoya had coiled up her hair and clipped it out of the way.

The water reached a good height and Zoya got off the counter stepping in front of the tub and him. River gently laid his hands on her hips, she stood with his shirt on and nothing else. She didn't hesitate before letting him take his shirt off her. He couldn't stop himself when he craved a taste of her skin on his lips, he kissed her neck and trailed down the curve of her shoulder. The soft glow of her skin, each and every curve of her called his name and their scents that were mixed together bewitched him. With her body so close to him, he couldn't contain the urge to take her right here and now. He'd go fast, bend her over the sink and claim her violently, but then, he'd soothe each ache with his lips before he consumed her slowly. However, he contained his urges and let his mate seek comfort from the bath for now.

Helping her into the tub, she sat down and submerged under the water and iridescent bubbles. River moved to the side and leaned against the counter. She sat with her legs spread out, she took water in her palm and poured it over shoulders and neck. The droplets glistened on her skin and the bubbles danced around her.

"Aren't you going to join me?" she asked.

River looked to his side at her. "Tempting me isn't a good idea," he remarked.

She bit back her smile. "The water feels really good," she baited.

"I'm sure it does," his voice was low and controlled.

She blinked innocently at him. "It'd feel better with you in here with me," she remarked.

That did it. River stripped off his shirt and pants getting in with her. He sat opposite of the tub, facing her charming smile and gleaming eyes. The water grazed just below his chest and he spread his legs out on either side of her, but his one leg was bent at the knee and pocked out of the water. Zoya leaned back and rested her head on the tub. Both of them simply enjoying the warm water and each other's presence.

River watched his mate rest and his wolf took great pride that she was safe with them. As they both sat, River's hands found her small foot in the water. He grabbed it and her eyes opened then, her dark lashes wet from the water were thick and long which shadowed over her cheeks and her intense gaze that watched him. He ran his fingers along the curve of her foot and kneaded the tension away, she let out a small whimper when he continued. He worked on getting her relief, he slowly moved from her feet to her ankle which fit in his grasp. He caressed up her calves that were soft like silk. Just before he laid her foot down, he kissed the top of her foot with his eyes locked to her mesmerizing gaze. He pulled himself back, his arms resting on the edge of the tub as he lost himself to her blue eyes and thought how he'd ever survive if he never saw them all the time.

Zoya's soft gaze fanned the blazing inferno inside him. She moved across the tub to him, settling between his legs on her knees, which he knew would feel uncomfortable due to the hard marble, so he put his knee down and grabbed her butt lifting her enough so she could straddle his hips easily. She put her weight on his thighs and her hands rested on his shoulders.

"I'm losing myself to you," she whispered.

River ran his hand along the lean length of her bare back. She arched forward, her breasts peeking out of the water calling to him. "Yet I keep finding more and more of myself in you," he answered back.

Zoya closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder. He felt her warm breath tickle his neck and he loved that small sensation, it was soft and sweet. River poured some water down her shoulders, letting the warmth ease her before he kneaded her tense nape. She moaned in relief and pressed closer to his touch. He continued over to her shoulders and down her back.

"That feels good," she muttered.

"I can make you feel even better," he enticed.

"I don't doubt it," her voice hinted mischief.

River ran his fingers down her neck, he was tempted to lick the droplets of water rolling over her breasts. He gently continued his way over the curve of her breast, the hardened peak and to her stomach. She quivered in response and her legs held on tighter to his body, he lowered his fingers to the top of her core, she braced herself as her hand clenched onto his shoulder.

River watched her, a smile playing on his lips as he saw her using all her strength to remain calm. He teased her a little, his fingers lingered away from her core until she lifted her hips for him.

"Do you want me to touch you?" He bemused.

Zoya bit her bottom lip. "Yes," she breathed out softly.

But River still didn't move, not until 'please' rolled off her lustful lips. Yet he was prepared that she wouldn't because she didn't like giving up to him, which was always fun to witness.

"Please..." she suddenly whispered with her eyes closed and her breath quickening.

River's control snapped and he obeyed her heart's wish and her body's desire. He cupped her hot core in the water, his fingers pushing into her deep and she arched her body into him, her glistening breasts pressed against him. She rocked her hips on his hand, taking what she needed from him and he let her. He'd always let her take what she wanted from him. Helping her reach that high only he could give her, he watched as she threw her head back and moaned hotly. He kissed her neck, using his teeth along the lines of her throat, leaving his mark on her. Her hand raked into his hair, holding his head to her neck, as he thrusted into her core.

River suckled on her soft skin when he felt her tightening heavenly around his fingers. "Are you ready?" he asked.

"You know I am," she moaned.

He grinned because he did. "Then come for me, baby," he commanded softly.

Her body listened to him. She came on his hand, her body beautifully arching into him as she rode out the wave. He watched her through that, holding her when she fell on him for support. River took his fingers out only after she was done and let the warm water ease her core.

River looked up meeting her eyes, both of them losing their senses to each other, and they didn't kiss. Their lips lingered over the others; so close that River could sense her breath on his mouth, it was like he used her to take his next breath and it seduced her into his heart.

River couldn't take it any longer. He got both of them onto their feet and he went under the shower to rinse off the suds. As soon as they were cleaned off, he shut the water off and he got them out. He took her to his bed where he could make love to her.

River kissed her softly, but with enough desperation to show her that he could never get enough of her lips on him. He unclipped her hair, letting the waves fall down her back as he guided them back to the bed. He fisted her hair and held her head right where he wanted her. Her sweet taste was all his to explore and consume. He could never give her up to anyone because her body and soul was all his.

Inching back to the bed, they both fell and he towered over her lithe body that had stolen his peace of mind. Her curves were graceful lines that embedded themselves into his heart that now even if he closed his eyes he could see her. He was rough with his touch, gripping her waist and her breasts. She laid underneath him, trusting him with her body and she was so beautiful. He didn't know who was kneeling for who but it was clear that he was at her mercy.

"Pick... my mouth or my cock?" he asked gravelly against her lips.

"Both," she said tenderly.

River didn't waste another fucking second and gave what his mate hungered for. He didn't tease nor slow down. He gripped her hips and spread her legs to fit his wide shoulders between her. He put his mouth on her and went to work. Her taste spilling down his throat and he didn't quit. He let all of her into him and made sure that she was squirming with pleasure. Her head was thrown back, her hands gripping the sheets and she was losing her mind. He rubbed her clit with his tongue and it throbbed, ached and begged him to continue. He was drinking her essence and didn't let it go to waste, he pushed his fingers into the core finding more than ready for his hardened shaft.

He knew the exact moment she was about to come and let her orgasm hard before he pushed her legs back and thrusted his shaft into her sensitive core.

"You're going to kill me," he whispered carnally.

She cried out his name and he growled in response to the hot, slick core fisting his shaft, it was unbearable and intense enough to break him. He used his arms to hold himself above her, as he railed into her core not holding back. He needed to feel her deep and how her body fit his perfectly. He didn't have to do anything except let her feel him and he drowned in her. This moment could last forever. He was losing his mind in this bond.

River bent down and kissed her neck, the sweet taste of her melted him. He bit down and marked her. He didn't stop there, he continued down to her breasts and took his time marking each one. She held him, her fingers in his hair and her eyes on him. And as he thrusted into her body, she lifted her hips to meet him. There was something dangerously hot about the way Zoya fucked him even though she was restrained under him. She controlled his arousal with her eyes and he was buried deep inside her yet he craved to be closer. He wanted all of her marked by him and his wolf howled in agreement.

"I can feel your wolf," she moaned.

River spread her legs further with his thighs and leaned down with his lips above hers. "That's because he's been watching you this entire time," he said.

Zoya stared into his eyes, but it was like she was facing his wolf rather than River. "You could let him out," she said.

River kissed her lips softly. "You don't want that," he said.

"I'm not scared of your wolf," she said against his lips.