TANIAZarek's voice sounded low and gentle, but it hit me like a poisonous dagger. I blinked, preventing any tears from falling.“You are overreacting,” My wolf said, and I nodded slightly. Yes, I was exaggerating.I wanted Zarek as a temporary distraction, like I had with other werewolves to get over my ex-boyfriends. But he was different - poor and compassionate.If any seer mentioned I'd like a poor man, I'd stomp my feet.Poor meant weak in my mind. I couldn't possibly be attracted to someone who couldn't provide for me. But Zarek's presence made me question everything. For the first time, I wondered if I had been wrong to judge someone based on their wealth and status.Finally, I mustered the courage to speak. “If you made your stay in this pack temporary because of me, you should reconsider your decision. I won't try to return to this bar, let alone see you,” I said calmly.With that, I turned and walked away, my heart heavy with disappointment.~~~~“Look at that, she returned
TANIAThe following day, I woke up with a wide smile on my face. My mind was racing with thoughts about the dress I would choose and I felt relieved!Best day ever!I had breakfast with Nikolas, and just like I planned, I waited for him to begin the conversation about the Moon Gala. Meanwhile, I pretended to be unaware.“Didn't you receive any message last night?” Nikolas began.I raised my head and replied, “What message?”Nikolas cleared his throat quietly. “Well, we were invited to the Moon Gala, and I know you will be interested in it.”“Tsk, we?” I said, my tone dripping with sarcasm. “What about your darling Delilah? Is she too embarrassed to address other Alphas and Lunas?” Nikolas's eyes turned serious, but I didn't stop there. I flashed a mischievous smile at him, and added, “I know she's a big failure-”He cut me off, irritation evident in his tone, “Tania, can we just discuss without mocking Delilah?” “Honestly, I'm not mocking her. I'm just intrigued. I mean, why would y
TANIA“Zarek?” I whispered and my heart skipped a beat. I took in the familiar sight of Zarek's broad back and dark brown hair, and I knew that it was him instantly. His voice, his broad back... It seemed as though they were plastered in my mind.My face grew warm when I noticed that he was fine. He didn't seem to be hurt or in pain. I felt a sense of relief wash over me, and then... I couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked, even in his simple clothes.My wolf whispered, “We came here to get our dress for the Moon Gala, not drool over Zarek.”But I couldn't help myself. I found myself wondering what he'd look like in finer attire. “He is just so handsome,” I thought, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks. If the Moon Goddess had blessed him with wealth, I would have attempted to win him over. Perhaps I would have even tried to seduce him.“Oh, please! Have some dignity, Tania,” my wolf said.“What's with the talk about dignity? That's what I did to get food on the table while I
TANIAI froze. Is Zarek coming here? Then, the voice paused, while Zarek's voice trailed off. Sigh, I worry too much. He can't be allowed to enter the VIP lounge, because he needed to have a special membership or be a premium customer, which he clearly wasn't.Just then, my assistant approached me, her eyes cast downward. “Ma, I paid for his items like you instructed,” She spoke, her voice laced with innocence.Instantly, I shot her a stern look. “I told you to pay for his items not discuss with him,” I said, glaring at her.An apologetic smile appeared on her face. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you.” I waved my hand, dismissing her fake concern. “Forget it. Let's just focus on finding the perfect dress for the Moon Gala. That's what we're here for anyway.”She nodded and led me to the designer section, where we spent the next hour browsing through exquisite gowns.As we were about to leave the section, I noticed a dress that caught my eye - a stunning, one-of-a-kind piece that
TANIAMy eyes widened in disbelief. What?! Why would Nikolas be recognised as the leader among Alphas?! I mean, Nikolas is an irresponsible he-wolf who is not even capable of dealing with his pack. If it were not for Delilah and his other Beta, the pack would have sunk beyond anyone's expectation.As Nikolas completed his speech, two women dressed in outstanding attire marched forward, their high heels clicking on the floor.They held a small transparent box that showcased a fragment of the powerful Crystal Moon. Unlike the other fragment that was taken away from Granelma Pack, this fragment was glowing and it emitted a dark, dominating aura.“To the Alpha of Alphas, here is to more happiness and celebration,” the host announced, his voice booming through the ballroom. Another round of applause filled the air, and the box was handed over to Nikolas. Nikolas smiled from ear to ear, his deep, smooth voice echoing through the ballroom as he thanked the host. But when I looked at the cr
TANIAI took a deep breath and stood my ground. “No, Mum. I won't do it,” I said firmly, looking her straight in the eye.“Tania, you're making a huge mistake,” Mum replied in a soft tone.I shook my head and continued, “I'm not making a mistake. I deserve better than all these. Nikolas may be a wealthy Alpha, but he's also an evil asshole who only cares about himself. I've been with him, so you can't understand or know what I've been through.”Mum parted her lips to speak, but I cut her off, “We won't talk about Nikolas or having a pup. And that's final.”ZAREKTania and Nikolas walked towards the stage as their names were announced. Meanwhile, I watched them with furrowed brows. I was confused. The host called Tania Nikolas's mate. She is not his mate, right?“Zarek, we've got a situation!” Ramirez's voice crackled through my earbud. “Nikolas is transporting the Crystal Moon to his pack tonight!”His voice trailed off as his next statements came out as blabbers. I wasn't focused on
ZAREKRamirez's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched as he spoke, “Then what do we do? We can't just give up now.”I sighed, rubbing my temples. “Think about it, Ramirez. Nikolas has already outsmarted us once. He's not going to make it easy for us to get to the Crystal Moon now. And even if we manage to get to the Crystal Moon's truck, we'll be walking into a trap,” I told them.Bruce spoke up, his voice calm and rational. “Zarek's right, Ramirez. We need to come up with a new plan. We don't even know the whereabouts of the supposed right truck.”Lizzy nodded in agreement. “Also, we aren't sure if the Crystal Moon was even taken to the supposed truck. Possibly, it's still in the pack, or somewhere distant.”I paused, my mind racing. We needed to get out of there, and fast. Nikolas had the upper hand, and we couldn't let him have that powerful fragment to himself.I thought back to our previous encounters, trying to recall any details that could help us now. And then, it hit me - Nikolas's
TANIAI turned around and Nikolas walked out of the bathroom in haste. He had a frown on his face as he looked down at my hands. I moved away to avoid him seeing the document. But, Nikolas hastily approached the bed and pushed the pillow aside, revealing the document I hid.I wanted to speak, but I hesitated as he took the document and returned to the bathroom. I heard the soft roar of the toilet flushing, followed by an unsettling gurgle like something was being sucked down the drain. He had clearly disposed of the document, and I realized I couldn't find answers in them. The sound of the shower drummed on like a steady rhythm, giving me an idea of what I needed to do. I don't need the documents to get answers when Nikolas can spill out the truth himself.Just in time, I heard a knock on the door, an alert that Nikolas's food had arrived. The food was his dinner. He was a picky eater and had skipped eating at the Gala. I had anticipated this. Thankfully, Mum had tucked a powdere
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