ZIVA
With the bald man’s statement, my eyes widened as fear gripped me. Did I gulp that black liquid?“Now, look at that. You drank it in a go,” the man spoke in a mocking manner, confirming my doubts. He forced the drink into my mouth, while I was gasping for breath, and I foolishly gulped it.My heart raced.He mentioned that he mixed something into the drink. Gosh! It is not just an ordinary drink, or alcohol then.I took a step away from the man, and my legs wobbled, like they were exhausted.That is strange.My legs never feel wobbly even after I worked tirelessly back then.“No worries, I will help you,” I heard the man utter. I raised my gaze to look at his ugly face, but when I did, his face doubled... Or maybe tripled or quadrupled. I'm confused!!!The bald man’s hand hit my shoulder and I fellXANDERThe taste of the whiskey was bitter and the alcohol in it gave a warm and tingling sensation on my tongue. As I sipped the whiskey, the anger seemed to leave my body. Peace enveloped me as I sipped, causing me to focus on the present moment.I heard the sound of the heavy wooden door opening, the hinges creaking as the door slowly swung open. My ears perked up, and I turned to see who had entered the bar. Lance walked in, his eyes blinking rapidly as they adjusted to the dim light of the bar. I watched him survey the room, his gaze finally coming to rest on me. He approached the bar stool and sat down opposite me as his chair scraped against the wooden floor."Rough day?" he asked.I glanced up, ensuring that my expression was cold, just as the way I felt to his question. "Mind your business," I replied quickly, not caring if my tone was
XANDER“Is everything okay?” the driver asked, glancing at Ziva in the rear-view mirror.“Just keep driving,” I said firmly, and the driver obeyed, turning his attention back to the road.I leaned over and pressed the button that rolled down the passenger window, hoping that some fresh air would help Ziva feel better. Wind gushed into the car, and a sigh of relief let out from Ziva’s lips just as I expected. “Much better...” she uttered softly, her eyes closed and her head resting against the headrest. Then, I could analyze her properly. Her dress was unbuttoned, almost exposing her skin, so I told her.“Button up your dress,” I spoke, keeping my eyes fixed on the trees outside the window.“Done!” I heard her chuckle. I turned, facing her only to spot more buttons on her dress that were undone. With that, she chuckled like a baby.
XANDERI opened the drawer with a smooth glide, revealing the contents inside. Without wasting time, I picked up the syringe, needle, and the small bottle that accompanied it. Hastily, I inserted the needle into the bottle, and pulled back on the plunger, drawing the liquid in the bottle into the syringe.I inserted the needle into the vein in my arm, and pushed the plunger.As soon as I injected the liquid into my vein, my hands became weak. I dropped the syringe involuntarily, and slumped, with darkness creeping at the edges of my eyes.“Finally taking a break from pack works, uh? I guess Mr. Workaholic decided to have some time for himself.” Lance mind-linked.“Shut it, it’s too early for this,” I replied, flickering my eyes open.“Early? it's late afternoon.” Lance mind-linked back.“Afterno
ZIVAThe Alpha is as cold as he has always been. But today was somewhat different. His eyes didn't speak anger this time, he seemed to be more worried than angry. I walked out of the dining hall, having eaten my food to my satisfaction.I reached the staircase, attempting to go to my room, and prepare for the guest Alpha Xander spoke about. As I took a step, about to ascend to my room, I heard a whisper from somewhere nearby. It was followed by a low chuckle, as if someone were trying to hold back their laughter.“Lady Ziva looked so cute!” the voice squealed again, this time even louder.“Shh!” another voice hissed with an annoyed tone. “Do you want everyone to hear you?”I moved back, turning toward the direction of the voices. Then, I realized that the owners of the voices were in a room. I crept closer to listen. Pressing myself against the
ZIVAI looked at Anji’s phone screen, wanting to see the pictures she talked about. Some pictures appeared on the screen, causing my jaw to drop at that moment.It was a picture of Alpha Xander carrying me in his arms. The picture swiped off and a new photo appeared on the screen, this time showing me lying on a bed, Alpha Xander's face hovering just above mine. We were both gazing at each other, and there was no sign of anger or coldness in his eyes while he was staring at me. His face spelled more of peaceful.I grabbed Anji’s phone from Anji and gazed at the huge amount of reactions the pictures had. The comment section alone was filled. It prompted my mind to read the comments and when I did, I only saw good comments. The comments were filled with admiration, but they also mentioned that they had never seen me among celebrities or billiona
ZIVAI gazed at the pop-up and spotted Sender - Unknown number. Weird? I looked down at the message and the first line was, [From Alpha Xander]I almost screamed at the sight of his name. Was Anji right? Did she really give him my phone number?Oh, goodness, should I check the message or simply ignore it for my mental peace's sake? I do not want to see anything that will put me down and make me feel like trash, as Alpha Xander makes me feel. What can I do then? The message might contain a piece of important information.I paced to and fro in the room, with my hand rubbing my chin as I thought. I thought, and checking Alpha Xander’s message was the right decision. Carefully clicking on the message box, a message application appeared, one I'd never seen before.I guess that the messages at the bottom were from Al
ZIVAAfter the whole dancing and ceremony ended, I excused myself, feeling frustrated with the heaps of glittering sand that were dashed at my body.Surprisingly, as soon as I left the place, my phone rang with Dad's name and a love emoji on the screen. It was a call from Alpha Darwin. Finally!I pressed the answer button instantly. Then I spoke clearly, my voice tinged with annoyance. “Weren't you ignoring my calls, Alpha Darwin?”“Why would I ignore my daughter's call? I was busy,” Alpha Darwin replied, causing me to scoff.“I need to speak with you,” I uttered, trying to keep my frustration and anger in check.“Right now?” Alpha Darwin asked.“Yes, now. Face to face,” I insisted.“Alright, but you're new to the pack. Will you know the way around?” Alpha Darwin inquired, concern evident in his voice. He must be pretending to care about me, because of the fear of being overheard. Ugh... He is just like Tania, perfect family!Rolling my eyes, I snapped, “Anji will come with me.”“Did
ZIVACrystal Moon?“What are you talking about?” I questioned, with curiosity tinged in my voice. I was a bit confused with what the Crystal Moon meant when he spoke that way, and he mentioned that I would be stealing it.“For some months now, Xander has been triumphant during some wars with other packs, and I've been curious. I'm certain that he deals with magic, and the Crystal Moon is with him.” Alpha Darwin narrated in a low tone.“What's this Crystal Moon you are chanting about?” I questioned, feeling annoyed. Suddenly, he stood and clasped his hand on my mouth.“Shush, people can hear you.”Alpha Darwin uttered, causing a quizzical look to appear on my face.Is the Crystal Moon so powerful that I can't say it out loud?“Sit,” Alpha Darwin ordered, as he gestured to the other chair. I sat and he sat on the opposite chair.“Many years ago...” Alpha Darwin uttered. I sighed inwardly. This was what happened whenever he wanted to tell a bedtime story. At that time, I was younger, and
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