Chapter 122
Nora's POV
The question caught me off guard. I looked down at my hands.
"I don't know," I admitted. My voice sounded small. "His family—they're influential. I don't want to cause problems for you and Julian."
"Stop." Zachary's tone was firm but not unkind. "This isn't about causing problems. He attacked you on my island. That's on him, not you."
"But—"
"No buts." He crouched down so we were eye level. "You don't owe his family anything. And Julian certainly doesn't care about their money or influence. I promised Julian I'd keep you safe." His gaze intensified. "So I'll ask again. What do you want?"
I thought about Connor's arrogant smirk, his casual assumption that I'd be flattered by his attention. The way he'd grabbed my shoulder when I tried to walk away. The terror of realizing I was alone on that beach with someone who didn't respect the word "no."
"I want him held accountable," I said quietly. "I want him to know he can't just... do that to people."
Zachary nodded, satisfied. "Good." He straightened. "I also had someone retrieve the camera you threw at him. If there's any damage, I'll make him pay double. And..."
"I'll discuss this matter with Julian," he continued.
"No!" The word came out sharper than I intended. Everyone turned to look at me. I swallowed hard. "I mean—he's handling business matters. I don't want to interrupt him with this."
Especially when I could already imagine his reaction. Julian would be furious. He might do something rash.
Zachary studied me for a long moment. "With all due respect, Nora, this isn't something we can hide from him. He'd want to know. And if he finds out later that we kept this from him..." He shook his head. "That would be worse."
My stomach tightened. He was right, of course. But the thought of Julian learning about this, of seeing that protective fury in his eyes—
"I'll tell him myself," I said finally. "When he gets back. I just—I need to process this first."
Emily squeezed my hand. "That's fair. But Nora? You shouldn't carry this alone. That's not being strong. That's just being stubborn."
I managed a weak smile. "Aren't they the same thing?"
"Not even close."
Freya flopped into the chair beside me, her earlier rage giving way to concern. "For what it's worth, I think you're handling this way better than I would. If that creep had grabbed me, I'd have bitten his hand off."
Despite everything, I laughed. It came out shaky and a little hysterical, but it was genuine. "Thanks, Freya."
"Anytime." She paused. "Although between you and me? I'm still going to leave him a scathing review on every social media platform I can find. That asshole deserves to be publicly humiliated."
"Freya," Emily said wearily.
"What? I'm just being honest." Freya crossed her arms. "The Lopez family thinks they're untouchable. Someone needs to remind them they're not."
Emily turned to me.
"Want to go rest?"
"I don't want to rest." The thought of being alone with my thoughts right now was unbearable. "I want—" I paused, trying to figure out what I actually wanted. "I want to keep going. Stick to the plan. Don't let this ruin everything."
"Strong girl," Freya perked up. "How about swimming? Change of scenery."
"I don't know how to swim."
"We'll teach you."
I nodded, feeling steadier.
"That's my girl." Freya grinned. "Come on. Let's go find you a swimsuit that'll knock Julian's socks off when he gets back."
Despite everything, I felt my lips curve into a small smile. Maybe keeping busy was exactly what I needed right now. Something normal, something fun, something that had nothing to do with people who couldn't take no for an answer.
---
Freya emerged from the changing room with an armful of swimsuits, her massive luggage apparently containing options for every possible scenario.
"Try this one." She thrust a white bikini with delicate floral patterns at me. "It's perfect for your coloring."
I took it hesitantly. "Freya, I don't really do bikinis—"
"Which is exactly why you should try one." She waved off my protests. "You've got the body for it. May as well show it off."
Ten minutes later, I stood in front of the changing room mirror. The bikini fit surprisingly well. I looked... good.
"Let me see!" Freya called from outside.
I emerged reluctantly. Emily's face lit up.
"Nora, you look amazing."
"I feel half-naked," I admitted.
"You look hot," Freya corrected. "There's a difference." She circled me appraisingly, then sighed dramatically. "Why is it that some women just win the genetic lottery? Look at you two—curves in all the right places, perfect skin, and meanwhile I'm over here built like a twelve-year-old boy."
Emily laughed. "Freya, you're gorgeous."
"I'm compact," Freya grumbled. She turned to me with sudden intensity. "Okay, real talk. I've heard that having a boyfriend can make your chest bigger. Is that actually true?"
My face went hot. "What? No! That's not—"
"Because seriously, I need to know." Freya gestured at Emily, then me. "You're both in relationships, and you're both significantly more blessed in that department than I am. So is there some secret you're not sharing?"
"Freya," Emily said, exasperated. "That's not how biology works."
"Are you sure?"
"No." Emily grabbed Freya's shoulders, steering her toward the door. "We're not having this conversation. Nora needs to learn how to swim."
But Freya wasn't done. She turned back to me, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Although speaking of boyfriends... you and Julian haven't—I mean, he hasn't marked you yet." She made a vague gesture.
"That is none of your business," I said, embarrassed.
"So you haven't!" Freya crowed triumphantly. "I knew it. He never has another she-wolf's scent on him. Very restrained."
"Freya!" Emily's voice held a warning.
"What? I'm just saying, if you need any advice—"
"I don't," I said quickly.
"—because male wolves have certain... characteristics that human women should be aware of. Especially Alpha wolves. There are precautions you should—"
Emily physically pushed Freya away. "Now. We're going to have a discussion about appropriate topics of conversation."
I watched them disappear.