TANIADetective James's words stirred a flood of memories. I thought back to my previous conversation with Nikolas, the details slowly resurfacing.With them came the tension, rushing back like a wave, and my body reacted instinctively - my fists clenched, knuckles turning white as the pressure built.Steeling myself, I forced a neutral expression and turned to the detective.“It was just a normal conversation,” I said, trying to sound casual. “We greeted each other and asked how we were doing.” I paused, choosing my words carefully.Meanwhile, Detective James listened intently, his pen poised over his notebook as he took notes. “Did he mention meeting anyone or having any plans for later that night?” he asked, his eyes locked on mine, as if searching for any hint of deception.I shook my head, frustration bubbling up inside me. “No, he didn't say anything specific.”The detective nodded, his expression unreadable.“We noticed that you were the last person Nikolas contacted accordi
TANIAWe headed to the hospital together, Zarek insisting on coming along despite my protests. I had initially wanted to face Nikolas alone, concerned about dragging Zarek into an already complicated situation. However, as we settled into the detective's car, his presence beside me was surprisingly comforting. What once felt like a daunting task now seemed almost effortless with him by my side.I couldn't help but think that if I let him, he'd gladly deliver some well-deserved punches to Nikolas.As the detective drove, I glanced at Zarek, who seemed lost in thought. His gaze was fixed on the passing scenery, but his eyes seemed to hold a thousand-mile stare. His hand rested on his knee, fingers drumming absently before curling into a tight fist. The slight movement spoke volumes about the tension building inside him.I wondered what was on his mind, trying to guess what had him so tense.Then, I remembered the flash of anger in his eyes when I told him Nikolas was alive. He wa
ZAREK**FLASHBACK**When Tania called about going to the station for questioning, I felt a surge of concern and guilt. I hadn't expected the police to investigate Nikolas's incident, and their sudden interest only angered me. It seemed hypocritical - when Tania reported Nikolas, the police barely batted an eye, but now that he was injured, they were going overboard to find out who hurt him. “What if they accuse Tania of murder based on her recent conversations with Nikolas?” I thought, my mind racing with worry.Hastily, I agreed to meet Tania at the station as I pushed the unsettling thought aside. Also, I was grateful that I had deleted Nikolas's video and vile messages the other night.I moved out of the Red Sox bar and prepared to meet Tania at the station. Just then, I received disturbing news from a trusted friend and partner in crime: Nikolas survived. What?!I couldn't believe it, neither did my friend who had sabotaged Nikolas's communication network.Sigh, I thought I'
ZAREKA few days later, I received a message from the professional proposal planner I had hired. He inquired about my absence at the garden, the place I had chosen for the proposal. Swiftly, I explained that something unexpected had come up on that same day, and I had to change my plan. He promptly offered an option - a rescheduling option because i didn't go through with the proposal.I could reschedule the proposal for a later date, with an additional fee.I agreed to the option, aware that proposing might be too much for Tania to handle right now. I wanted our proposal to be a perfect, special moment, not something rushed.I suggested we take a break and enjoy a relaxing day together. “How about we ride the Ferris wheel on our day off?” I asked Tania. She agreed, and soon we found ourselves strolling hand-in-hand through the park, surrounded by laughter and colourful lights.The towering Ferris wheel was the first thing that caught my attention, its riders' screams of excitem
ZAREKAs Tania and Ziva walked away, the excitement bubbling in my mind began to fade. It was replaced with nervousness about facing Xander. I didn't know what to do or how to speak to him; he knew my identity as a thief and assassin. He could easily reveal my identity to Tania, and he's not someone who could be threatened or bought into silence.I cleared my throat and mustered enough courage.Then, I turned to Xander and said sweetly, “Hey, long time no see.”He replied, his eyes narrowing slightly, “Certainly, Tania is not aware of what you do for a living.”“Rude, but yes.” I continued, forcing a smile. “And it's not what I do for a living; it's what I did for a living. That is the past.”“Past?” Xander said, sarcasm dripping from his tone, “Yet, you think it's unnecessary to tell your girlfriend. How loving.” Calmly, he walked away, but I followed, walking right next to him.“I know I did a lot of terrible things,” I admitted, my voice softening. “But we can put it aside and
ZAREKAt dawn, I entered the gym in my apartment, ready for my daily workout. Tania was already there, dressed in fitted leggings and a supportive sports bra, focusing on her yoga poses. She had recently switched to exercising to maintain her figure, and I had encouraged her to pursue her goal. As I began my push-ups, I noticed Tania had stopped her routine and was rummaging through the storage cabinets. “What are you looking for?” I asked, my voice laced with concern.Tania replied, “My towel.” I approached her, and together, we searched for it. After a minute of searching, I found it and handed it over to her. As I turned back to the storage cabinets, my eyes landed on a black duffel bag. My heart sank, fearing the worst. I glanced back to ensure Tania was out of sight before unzipping the bag, my curiosity getting the better of me. As I opened it, my mind racing, I was met with a shocking discovery: an arsenal of guns lay inside. My heart skipped a beat as I realized the
ZAREK I couldn't believe what I saw. “Goddess, please, let these be fake images,” I whispered, my eyes scanning the photographs for any sign of photoshop.But the details in the photographs seemed too real - the angle of Bruce's arm, the look of shock on Ramirez's face. I recognized the background, too - the abandoned warehouse in Nikolas's pack, a place my boss often used for meetings. A chill ran down my spine as the truth began to sink in. Then, I turned to Jake, my gaze clashing with his. “What are these?” I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady. Jake's response was laced with satisfaction. “Surprising, right?” he said, his tone dripping with smugness. I felt a surge of panic, my heart racing as my wolf stirred beneath the surface.But I knew. I knew it was true. The evidence was too convincing, the location too familiar. Ramirez and Bruce were really gone. I struggled to keep my composure, but my mind raced with questions. How could this be? Why would anyone...?
ZAREK Jake's eyes flashed with anger and hurt, but he knew better than to cross me.He took a deep breath, his face twisted in a scowl before spitting out his words.“Fine,” he spat, his voice venomous. “I'll tell you. I knew Lizzy was staying in an old warehouse in Nikolas's pack. I thought it would be easy to get to her, but when I arrived, I found chaos. Everything was destroyed, and then I saw them... Ramirez's and Bruce's corpses.”I shook him, my grip on his collar tightening. “What else?”Jake didn't respond and his eyes darted around the room. “What else?!” I growled.He let out a sigh of frustration and replied, “I took pictures as evidence since I knew you wouldn't believe me otherwise.”Then, I raised an eyebrow, sceptical. “And what makes you think I'll believe you now?”Jake's face twisted in desperation. “Screw you, Zarek. I have no reason to lie. I'm just asking for your help, not your trust. Lizzy's in danger, and I don't know how to protect her.”I narrowed my eyes.
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