ZAREKI gulped, feeling a twinge of temptation. It was a lot of money. If I had it with me, I would spend it wisely, but I could not betray my boss and team.So, I asked the leader a question, my voice firm. “Aren't you aware that I work for someone else?” The leader shrugged his shoulders, seemingly untroubled by my statement. “I am aware, and Alpha Barral is. But it doesn't matter. Your boss wouldn't even pay you as much as we are willing to offer.” His voice was laced with a hint of disdain implying my boss was beneath him.I glared at him, my eyes flashing with anger. “I won't accept this offer.” “We can add more money if that's not enough,” he offered, but I was already turning to leave.“Your money means nothing to me. I won't be bought,” I said, my hand on the door handle.“And if you'll excuse me, I have important things to attend to.” With that, I walked out. But my exit was swiftly blocked by one of his men, stepping forward with a calculated move. I huffed, “Really? Yo
ZAREKTania breathed a sigh of relief and headed to her room, oblivious to my presence. Perhaps it was because I stood in a corner, blending into the shadows as I watched her retreating figure.I left the hotel and headed to my apartment to rest. It was a large apartment, one I bought while I was rich. Thank Goddess, I bought it before that Amelia's incident.I reached the apartment. When I tried to input my password, the door opened, revealing Ramirez's face.He reached for my hand, but I retracted, knowing too well that he would grab the expensive burger I bought.“How did you get here?” I asked. I didn't tell anyone about this apartment, and even if I did, I wouldn't reveal my password to him.“I broke in,” Ramirez replied, causing my jaw to drop. We break into pack houses, and warehouses, but not into our apartments.“What?!”“Why should we rent a place for our hideout when we can use your apartment?” Ramirez uttered. “You didn't even request for my permission.”“Why should I?”
ZAREKBruce and Ramirez looked like they'd been punched in the gut, their faces pale and disappointed. I knew my announcement was a bombshell, but I had to be honest.Bruce shook his head, his voice laced with disappointment. “Zarek, we thought you were one of us. A team player. Not someone who'd just get up and leave.”Ramirez chimed in, his tone bitter. “Yeah, you're just gonna walk away from everything we've been through together? That's not how it works, Zarek.”Lizzy's expression remained neutral, but her eyes bore into mine. “If that's the decision you've made, then we are fine with it.”“What?” Bruce and Ramirez chorused in unison.Lizzy replied bluntly, “If anyone is also willing to leave the team, you can. No one was forced to join in the first place anyway.”I took a deep breath, meeting their gazes. “Thank you, and I promise to see this mission through, no matter what.”Lizzy nodded, her expression serious as she grabbed the laptop from Ramirez.“Speaking about this mission
TANIA“You shameless brat! What did you do to Nikolas?!” Alpha Darwin thundered.I sighed, exasperated. “Dad, what are you talking about? I haven't done anything to Nikolas.”“Nikolas cut off his support with my pack and is seeking a shaman to sever your mate bond. How can you not know about this?” Alpha Darwin's voice was incredulous.I hadn't expected Nikolas to take such action. Of course, I wanted to sever the mate bond, but why would he do this without informing me?“That's news to me, Dad. Why am I being blamed for his actions?” I asked, frustration creeping into my voice.“Don't play dumb, Tania! Nikolas wouldn't do this without a reason. You must have provoked him!” Alpha Darwin growled.I rolled my eyes, even though he couldn't see me. “Oh, sure, blame the victim. That's rich, coming from you. You always taught me to stand up for myself, but now you're siding with him?”“Siding with him? He is the Alpha of Alphas! Are you even aware of what that status means? It's an honour t
ZAREKWe accomplished the mission. Ramirez and Bruce quickly took the Crystal Moon, as they decided to transport it to the Boss. They were eager to leave, because of the substantial amount Boss offered after he heard the great news. As I gazed into a random car's side-view mirror, my eyes flicked briefly to my reflection. A small smile crept onto my face as I thought about Tania - her bright smile and the way she made me feel.I smoothed a stray strand of hair into place and trailed my fingers through my brown hair to ensure that it was perfectly in place. I planned to meet Tania before going to my apartment.Suddenly, I felt an intense gaze on me. I turned back to see Lizzy approaching me with a questioning glance.“I was going to suggest a victory party,” She said, her voice low and thoughtful. “But you seem to have other plans.” I nodded, my mind already racing ahead to meet Tania. “It's a good idea, but I shouldn't join,” I replied, “It might give false hope.”Lizzy's expressio
TANIAI turned back to face Nikolas, and his expression twisted in disdain. His eyes narrowed, as if I had crossed the line, and a sneer played on his lips - a mixture of disappointment and disgust.It was as if he had expected better from me, and my smirk only fueled his outrage. I wore my satisfaction like a badge, basking in the reaction I had sparked in him.“Tania, I'm done here...” Zarek's voice trailed off, his words carried away by the wind as he stood by his car's trunk.Though I couldn't make out his remaining words, I knew he was ready to leave. I hurried towards the car, my shoes splashing in the puddles and squeaking on the wet asphalt beneath me. As I approached, Zarek walked around to the driver's side. He slid into the driver's seat, started the engine, and the sound of the rain pounding against the roof of the car filled the air.The drive to his apartment was filled with an uncomfortable silence.When we finally arrived, I was taken aback - his apartment was not
TANIAI blushed at the sweet word, my heart skipping a beat. “Adorable” - it was the first time he'd ever called me that, and I felt like a fluttering butterfly had taken up residence in my chest. “Hmmm, should I be annoyed or flattered?” I teased, my grin spreading from ear to ear. “I think I'll choose flattered since you called me adorable!”Zarek's chuckle was music to my ears, his smile making my heart skip another beat. “Glad we cleared that up!” He switched off the hair dryer, and my heart sank, realizing he'd leave the room soon since my hair was dry. But I didn't want him to go.“I'll let you get settled in now,” he whispered, his eyes sparkling but with a tired look. “Good night, sweet dreams!”I nodded, my smile still plastered on my face, as I watched him slip out of the room. With a happy sigh, I snuggled into bed, feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.***I woke up to the gentle buzz of my alarm and reached over to switch it off. I checked my phone for any missed calls f
TANIAI turned to head out of the kitchen, but Zarek's tone froze me in track. “Now, you are trying to run off because you know you're not telling the truth.”“I'm not running off.” I sighed, feeling cornered. “You have an interview, don't you?” I asked, checking my phone for the time. “You're running late.”Zarek's expression turned warm as I said that. He bit into his toast and said, “Yeah, I should get going.”He was heading out the door when I heard him say, “Take care and don't get into too much trouble with your boss.” “I'll be an angel,” I responded, but my relief was short-lived, as I remembered I had to get to work. I hurried out of the kitchen, my pace quickening as I made my way to the bar. I wanted to make a good impression on my first day, and arriving early was a must.I reached the bar and took a moment to familiarize myself with the premises. As I looked around, I introduced myself to the staff, and they all greeted me with friendly smiles. One person stood out in
ZAREK The hall had emptied, leaving behind a quiet that felt almost sacred. The day had been full of energy and celebration, but now, with everyone gone, it was just Tania and me. The air was calm, and I could feel the weight of the moment settling in. I turned to her, my heart steady. This wasn’t going to be a surprise—after all, her mother had practically announced my intentions earlier. But that didn’t matter. What mattered was what I had to say, and how much I wanted to share this with her.“Let’s take a walk,” I suggested, squeezing her hand gently.She looked at me, her eyes warm and trusting, and nodded. We made our way up the grand staircase to the top floor, where the large windows offered a clear view of the night sky. The moon hung low, casting its soft light across the polished floors, creating an intimate, almost magical atmosphere.Tania turned to me, curiosity in her gaze. “What are you up to, Zarek?”I chuckled softly. “I know your mother already spilt the beans
ZAREK “Mum, what’s going on here?” Tania asked, her brows furrowing in concern.Tania’s mother looked up, a touch of defensiveness in her tone. “I was just discussing your engagement plans with Zarek. Don’t I have the right to know?”Tania opened her mouth to protest, but I stepped in to diffuse the situation. “It’s fine, Tania. There’s nothing wrong with discussing it. And yes, I do have plans to propose.”Tania’s eyes widened slightly with surprise, then softened as she looked at me. Her mother let out a sigh of relief. “Alright then,” she said, giving a small nod before walking away, leaving us in the midst of the bustling crowd.Tania tugged gently at my hand, guiding me towards the photo op area. As we walked, I couldn’t help but ask, “You’re not worried about the delay in the proposal, are you?”She shook her head, a light smile on her lips. “No, not at all. A normal relationship takes about two years before a proposal is made, so this is pretty standard. Besides, you’ve been
ZAREKTime passed, and the weight of justice finally settled.With Boss and Alpha Barral behind bars, the world felt a little safer, a little lighter.Then, a loud, booming voice echoed through the hall: “Alpha Zarek!”The words reverberated off the high ceilings and marble floors, sending a shiver down my spine.In an instant, the hall erupted into thunderous applause, a sound filled with appreciation and respect. I let the waves of applause wash over me, taking a moment to soak it all in.This moment felt surreal, almost like a dream, yet the warmth of the applause and the shining eyes of Xander and his Luna, Ziva, reassured me that it was real. The pride that radiated from them confirmed everything I had fought for.I took a deep breath, savouring the moment, then began my walk to the stage.The crowd parted, clearing a path for me, their eyes full of admiration and respect. As I climbed the steps, the weight of responsibility settled on my shoulders, but it was a burden I was re
ZAREK I held my breath. Alpha Rowan? I had heard of him—a powerful Alpha who was supposed to have been killed along with his wife. But this? It didn’t make any sense.“That’s impossible. He and his wife were killed,” I said, my voice barely audible.“They were,” Lizzy confirmed, her eyes darkening with the weight of the truth. “Nikolas’s father and boss conspired to kill Alpha Rowan and his wife as part of a twisted plan to seize power. When the plan went south and Boss was discarded, he hid the truth from you to protect his own agenda.”The room felt like it was spinning, with the walls closing in as the reality of her words sank in. I felt like I was falling, unable to grasp anything solid. The man who raised me, who trained me, who I trusted—he’d kept this from me my entire life. I had lived in the shadow of a lie. “So, everything I thought I knew... was a lie?”Lizzy nodded; her expression pained. “He kept you in the dark because he didn’t want you to know where you really
ZAREK Tania’s breath hitched, her eyes searching mine for any hint of a joke. But this was no time for jokes, no room for lies.“Assassins?” she whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief.“Yes,” I confirmed, leaning in closer, my tone even. “We’re trained, skilled, and we do whatever it takes—robbing, stealing, destroying.”“The man Lizzy killed was sent to take us out. He murdered Ramirez and Bruce, and he wouldn’t have stopped until he succeeded.”As I spoke, I watched as Tania’s expression shift—a collision of shock and confusion. I could see her trying to piece it all together with the revelation I had just dropped. “What? This whole time?” She asked.I nodded, feeling the weight of my own words. I never wanted her to find out like this. Not like this. But there was no going back now. “I never wanted you to find out this way, but it’s the truth. There’s more, though, Tania.” I paused, grappling with the right words. How do you explain the darkest parts of yourself to so
ZAREK We stood there for a long moment, wrapped in each other's arms, the tension and fear melting away.The tremble in Tania's shoulders stilled, and when she finally pulled back, her eyes, once clouded with tears, had cleared.“I met Lizzy recently,” she whispered. The words startled me, and I felt my pulse quicken.“Lizzy? Is she alright?” I asked, searching her face for answers.The thought of anything happening to Lizzy sent a jolt of panic through me. I needed to know if she was okay.Tania nodded, “Yes, she came here with me.”As she spoke, the tightness in my chest eased, replaced by a wave of relief. If Lizzy was with Tania, then she had to be safe.Afterwards, I noticed that she shifted her gaze to what was behind me. Her expression shifted to a mix of relief and something else.Concerned, I followed her line of sight, and turned to see Lizzy.She stood in the doorway, her eyes locked on me. She didn't seem hurt or weary. She seemed rather strong. Stronger than I remembered
ZAREK The memory of the man on the phone lingered. Whoever he was, he felt more like a conspirator.And then there was Dr. Everett, standing before me with that unnerving calm, as if everything was perfectly under control.Something didn’t add up.“Are you even a specialist?” The question slipped out before I could stop myself.Dr. Everett’s expression turned mocking. “That’s a good question.” He leaned in, his eyes glinting with amusement. “Is the Medical Arts Building even real? Am I the real Dr. Everett?”My mind raced. The Medical Arts Building isn’t real?Confusion clouded my thoughts. “What are you talking about?”“This is all just a game,” he said with a casual shrug.“What?” I said, bewildered.Dr. Everett’s back was now turned to me as he moved towards a distant table.“Wait a minute,” I said slowly, dread creeping in. “You’re not Dr. Everett, are you?”He didn’t respond; his focus absorbed in whatever he was searching for. The metallic clinks filled the silence.Then, his l
ZAREK The pungent smell of blood jolted me awake, making my stomach turn. I immediately started coughing uncontrollably, and blood spilt out of my mouth with each rasp.Even when I tried to push myself up, my arms barely responded, quivering under the strain.I felt weak—far weaker than usual. Had I injured myself during the transformation?I shook my head slightly, trying to recall. But the memories were hazy, blurred by pain.The only clear memory was how I had hurt Tania—or, worse, maybe even killed her.The thought hit me like a sledgehammer: my claws slicing through the air... her lifeless form.I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block out the images, but they burned behind my eyelids, searing into my mind.I forced myself to focus, to push past the rising wave of guilt. I had to find out where I was and what had happened. But as I shifted, pain flared in my wrists, snapping me back to the present.I looked down and saw silver cuffs clamped tightly around them.Why am I cuff
TANIA I slowly opened my eyes, only to be stabbed by a bright light that made me wince. For a moment, I lay there, trying to let my senses adjust.Taking a deep breath, I raised my head and attempted to sit up, but the effort sent the room into a dizzying swirl of colours and shapes. My strength faltered, and I fell back against the pillow, my head sinking into its softness.As I lay there, my hand instinctively moved to my cheek, where a dull ache pulsed beneath the surface. I traced the tender skin, feeling the faint ridges where claws had raked across it.The memory of that searing pain was still vivid, as was the look on Zarek's face—his eyes wild and uncontrolled, filled with a terror I had never seen before.A shudder ran through me at the thought, and my heart began to race. Despite the dizziness, I forced myself to sit up again, driven by my concern for Zarek.I needed to see him.I sat up, and slowly, the room gradually came into focus. I took in the sterile white walls