TANIAI prayed silently to the moon goddess, then, I followed the masked man. My wolf urged me to check the mansion, but I was frightened. Even if nothing bad happened to Nikolas, I do not wish to return to being his confined mate.It's best I follow the masked man and find the way to Granelma Pack.I carefully stepped on the ground and followed the masked man. He seemed to be strong, and what can I do with my cuffed hands anyway?Soon, we reached the gate and I suddenly lost track of the masked man’s retreating figure. I can't even identify his scent, talk less of trailing his scent.Bang!A loud sound echoed behind me. I turned back. I spotted the same man who opened the stall door with a gun in his hand. He pulled the trigger once, but I was quick to dodge it before running.I ran to wherever my legs took me. But with every step I took, it seemed like that man took three times the step. I tried my best to run faster, but my legs felt wobbly and exhausted.I gasped for breath, and g
TANIA“If you are thinking about traveling to Granelma Pack now, it is not a good idea. The Bloodbath’s men are everywhere, searching for you,” The masked man spoke, causing my heart to squeeze.“Then is it possible to do what you did in the restroom? The man didn't see us, you did something, didn't you?” I asked.“Yes, I did. But it can't be used since it needs to be repaired.”I leaned forward, “Alright, can it be repaired right now?”He shook his head in response, “No, not now, and not in some months.”I sighed, feeling frustrated. ZIVAI screamed, staring at the silver-furred wolf that was my reflection. Even Anji heard my scream. She rushed into my room, with her eyes glancing at every spot in my room, then at me.“What’s wrong? I heard you scream!” She exclaimed, rushing towards me.I chuckled in relief, and touched her hands, “You won't believe this, Anji. I saw my wolf!”She moved her head back and chuckled, “Is this a joke?”“No! I'm serious!” I replied, but she looked dazed
XANDER“Fighting,” Alexei replied, and Ziva chuckled. My stomach churned at that moment. They behaved like they were family members... No, they behave more like a couple. Just as the rogue said, Ziva is the key to the Crystal Moon Guardian. She knew about it, but she continued to keep it to herself. That sneaky Darwin’s daughter!I will find out about everything... Soon! I just need to play along.While having breakfast, Ziva and Alexei continued to chat with wide smiles on their faces like I didn't exist. I almost snapped out in anger, intending to shove the table away and teach them some manners. Instead, I calmed myself and recalled my plans.“We just need to play along, Maz, and we will have the information to ourselves,” I muttered to Maz. “There is no need for a reminder. I'm focused and determined,” Maz growled.~~~Alexei and I reached the vast, racing field with tall grasses swaying in the wind. The sun is shining, and the sky is a bright, clear blue. I and Alexei stood a
ZIVAI was at the hospital, as concern and worry filled my heart at the sight of Alexei’s feet. He must be in so much pain, and the doctor had to put him to sleep.Then, Xander barged in, causing chaos and threatening the doctor. He boiled in rage and stormed out of the hospital.Gosh, he must be very worried, especially when he is the one who arranged the thistles on the field.As soon as he left, Lance turned to me. He scratched his head and whispered, “I think you should follow him.”“What?! Why me?” I asked quickly. Alpha Xander’s temper would only increase if I followed him since he despised me already. To be honest, he can murder me out of rage.“You are his wife,” Lance uttered, causing me to scoff.“Do you remember what happened the other time? He tried to kill me with that Agony Collar,” I replied, intending to remind him of the past occurrence.“Yes, that happened. But he admitted you to the hospital right away. Also, this is your duty as his wife.”“Beta Lance, you are very
ZIVAShould I call it magical or breathless? Words can't describe how I felt. Was it the giddy feeling? Or the butterflies that danced in my stomach? Yeah, both. ^^I smiled and recalled how he touched my cheeks. I touched them, feeling their warmth and I couldn't help but recall the whole kissing scene again. “Lady Ziva,” A masculine voice called out, jolting me out of the sweet memory. I glanced at the wall, and Lance came into view.“Alexei is conscious,” Lance spoke with a smile.“That’s great news,” I replied, and walked out of the small room, reaching Alpha Xander’s room. “But what about the poison? Did they find a solution?” I questioned, concerned about Alexei’s health.“There is no solution yet, but with Alpha Xander’s suggestions, the swelling reduced,” Lance narrated, while I nodded with excitement brimming in me.“Shouldn’t you be with Alexei then?”“Alpha Xander is with him. Though, Alpha seems calm.”I blushed. Was he calm because of the kiss?“I should take my leave
XANDERAn affair?Hold on, that's a better option than telling Alexei that I kissed Ziva. If I told him that I kissed Ziva, he might think of Ziva more as a family than our enemy and trust her blindly. But if I told him that I kissed a random she-wolf, he would roll it off his mind since it’s fine to have a mistress.“Yes, I have. Just today,” I replied. I placed the flask gently on the table and I unwrapped it.“Hm, I know Ziva will be annoyed if she finds out, so keep it a secret. She wouldn't like sharing you with another woman. But who is this person anyway?” Alexei began. He winked, “The person seems to be good at taming you.” Then, he snapped his fingers, “I guess it was the same kiss that made you calm.”“I guess so,” I replied, but he didn't stop talking.“What was it like? Rough?”I let out a sigh, “Alexei, don't cross the boundary with your nonsensical questions.”“Come on, it's just a harmless question!” Alexei spoke, as he glared at me, “Anyway, you are the one who made
XANDER“I will take my leave,” I uttered and moved away. Silently, I walked out of her room, but she wasn't even bothered. She returned to her phone, while I shut the door.I entered my room and sank into my bed. It was dark, and all that enveloped my mind was Ziva. I somewhat yearned for her scent and touch as I could not sleep.It was past midnight, but the kissing scene kept surfacing in my mind. I am to be blamed, I should have listened to Alexei and asked her for a night. But what if she instantly rejects it?“She is Darwin's daughter, remember?” Maz uttered, and I huffed.“I know,” I rolled my eyes, and reached for a pillow. I hugged it tightly and tried my best to sleep. Luckily, I dozed off.The next morning, the same feeling lingered in my mind. Hold on... We are married. I smirked.“Oh yeah, and you got married to her because you wanted revenge,” Maz echoed.“Yes. Also, I need to play along to get her to open up to me and tell me everything she knows about the Crystal Moon G
ZIVAI almost chuckled, “I can't feel or even shift to my wolf form, how am I supposed to be in heat?” “It is possible. Just stay away from him and focus on the deal.”“I will and you have nothing to worry about,” I smiled and reached for the door handle. I opened the door and left the room.Surprisingly, Alpha Xander seemed to be caring toward me. Since Alexei is at the hospital and Lance is busy with the pack, this gives me the perfect opportunity. Also, the maids mentioned that Alpha Xander would be at the pack training house now.I had doubts about one room, and I was eager to check it. The same room was the room for the welcoming ceremony where there was a broken fragment of a crystal-like object there. What if that is the Crystal Moon?!Sigh... I just want my Mum to be released as soon as possible.Last night, I was so worried about Nikolas and all I did was research about his pack. Sadly, there was no news about it... Perhaps that's because a werewolf's identity should be a se
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