ZAREK The agony only intensified, radiating through every fibre of my body like a wildfire. My breath quickened, coming in short gasps, and I clutched the necklace tighter.My knuckles turned white as I struggled to maintain control.The wolf within me clawed at the surface, a primal force that I could barely contain.Tania's voice, once so soothing, now felt like a distant echo in a storm. “Zarek, I'm here. Please, just breathe,” she pleaded, her hand still resting gently on my back. But her touch, instead of calming me, only stoked the fire. I could feel the heat rising, my vision darkening as the transformation threatened to take hold.“No... not now...” I muttered through gritted teeth, fighting to keep control. But the more I resisted, the stronger the urge became. Memories of my parents' lifeless bodies, the blood, the guilt—all of it fueled the rage within me. My body convulsed, muscles straining as I fought to keep my wolf at bay.Tania moved closer, her voice filled w
TANIA I was deeply concerned when Zarek suddenly transformed. I feared for his safety and well-being, worried that he might harm himself. This was the first time I had witnessed his transformation since the incident at Nikolas's pack. When the transformation reversed, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. But I knew I had to find a solution to prevent it from happening again. So, I took it upon myself to seek help and soon met a doctor who recommended a specialist in shape-shifting. Although I didn't disclose the full details of what happened, I mentioned that it was a transformation-related issue, and the doctor agreed to connect me with the expert.****A few steps away from Zarek, I watched him eat, gathering the courage to bring up the topic weighing on my mind.“I need to talk to you,” I finally said, my voice hesitant but determined.Zarek looked up from his plate, concern flashing in his eyes. “I'm listening,” he replied, his tone gentle but alert.“Zarek,” I began, reac
ZAREKGiven my struggles with controlling my transformations and the associated risks - hurting Tania, I agreed to Tania's suggestion. I mean, seeking help from a specialist seemed wise, especially since I was still on the hunt for Ramirez and Bruce's murderer.With that in mind, Tania and I arrived at a sleek, modern building nestled in a quiet corner. The sign above the entrance read “Medical Arts Building.” We stepped inside the building, immediately greeted by a friendly receptionist. She welcomed us with a warm smile and directed us to the specialist's office.Afterwards, Tania and I made our way to the elevator. As soon as we stepped inside the elevator, Tania's face lit up with a bright smile that she could barely contain. “We're finally here,” she exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement. She seemed to realize she was more enthusiastic than I was, and her bouncing slowed to a gentle sway. Her gaze scanned the elevator with slight anticipation, and she rubbed her han
ZAREK I took a step closer to her, trying to bridge the gap between us. Then, I sat down next to her on the floor, hoping to be closer and more intimate.“But hey, we get a chance to be together during your busy schedules,” I said, trying to shift the focus to a more positive note.Tania's gaze narrowed, her anger still simmering. “You think a simple apology and a cute comment will fix everything?” she asked, her voice dripping with scepticism.I reached out to her, trying to connect.However, she smacked my hand away, causing me to wince in pain. “Ouch!” I exclaimed, surprised by her sudden movement.“Don't shift the subject. You think my efforts are useless,” Tania said, her voice laced with hurt and frustration.“I don't,” I replied, pausing to collect my thoughts. “Actually, I only agreed to this suggestion because of you. But I know those doctors, and they won't fix my wolf. They would only chase me out, call some asylum, or maybe the cops.”“Well, now this doctor is differen
ZAREK Karen turned and led us to a nearby stairwell, just a short walk from the elevator.As we walked, Karen chatted lightly, trying to distract us from the stress of the situation. I appreciated her effort, but my focus was on Tania. I was relieved to see that she looked happy and at ease, a stark contrast to the worried face she had before we reached this building. Her eyes sparkled as she smiled, filling me with a sense of joy. As we entered the stairwell, the quiet, carpeted space enveloped us. Its soft lighting was a welcome respite from the drama of the elevator malfunction. With Karen leading the way, Tania and I followed close behind, our footsteps quiet on the plush carpet of the stairwell. We climbed a few flights of stairs and reached the specialist's office on the upper floor. Karen opened the door to a cosy waiting room, and we stepped inside. The room was filled with comfortable chairs and calming decor, and a few magazines lay on a coffee table. Karen gestur
ZAREKI furrowed my brows, confusion etched on my face.What?Just moments before, Dr. Everett had been eagerly sharing the success story of a patient who had mastered control over their transformations. Now, his words seem to contradict everything he said earlier.“It isn't?” I asked, hoping I'd misunderstood.Dr. Everett nodded, his expression unchanging. “No, it's not.”Instantly, my brief spark of hope was quenched, replaced by simmering frustration. This is ridiculous. I knew it was too good to be true.“Gosh, I should have known this is just a waste of time,” I scoffed, trying to hide my disappointment. Other specialists wouldn't even bother because nothing can be done about it.Dr. Everett's expression remained calm despite my rants, but his voice took on a hint of firmness. “Wrong. Something can be done about it, but it isn't easy,” he explained, his words halting my rant. I took a deep breath, calmed myself, and decided to listen attentively.What did I have to lose anyw
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
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
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