Chapter 5

Zara stirred, her body heavy and sluggish as she slowly regained consciousness. The blurred images before her eyes sharpened into a figure standing nearby. Her heart pounded violently in her chest as the remnants of a nightmare haunted her—a dream where she had kissed someone she had once rejected. Now, there he was, standing right in front of her.  

Calix.  

Disbelief clouded her thoughts. Was she still dreaming? How had she ended up here?  

Before she could process her surroundings, a voice interrupted from behind. A man stood beside Calix, his expression tense and his tone dripping with fury. “I honestly blame the Alpha for this,” he spat. “Should’ve let a wild animal get to her instead of letting her act like some damn witch here.”  

Calix’ face hardened, his posture stiff as he visibly restrained himself. The man, however, didn’t give him a chance to reply and stormed out, leaving an oppressive silence in the room.  

Now alone with Calix, Zara felt a swirl of conflicting emotions. Shame clawed at her chest, though she wasn’t entirely sure why. Every nerve in her body screamed for her to leave, yet her gaze kept drifting to Calix.  

Finally, she broke the silence. “I need to leave,” she said, her voice barely steady.  

Calix’ eyes lingered on her, confusion and hesitation flickering in his expression. Zara’s words tumbled out in a rush, sharp and unfiltered. “I don’t know if you saved me, and honestly, I don’t care. I don’t even know how I ended up here, and I don’t want to know. But this—this isn’t right. I’m married. My mate is waiting for me at home, and I can’t imagine what he’d think if he knew I was here…with you, my rejected ex.”  

She paused, her anger simmering beneath her words. “So, I’m leaving. If you saved me, fine, thanks. If not, keep the thank you.”  

Zara turned sharply, ready to bolt, but Calix’ hand rested gently on her shoulder, stopping her in her tracks. She froze at the contact—not because it was forceful, but because of the weight of it. He didn’t speak, and after a long moment, his hand slipped away.  

Without another word, she left, her mind racing and her emotions a chaotic mess.  

*******

The house was quiet when she returned to the pack’s mansion, the silence heavy and oppressive. Stepping inside, Zara felt a strange sense of alienation. This place was supposed to be her home now, yet it felt anything but.  

As she walked into the master sitting room, her foot brushed against something on the floor. Looking down, her heart sank. A pair of women’s underwear. Not just any underwear—her twin sister’s.  

Zara’s lips twisted into a bitter smile, masking the storm brewing inside her. The sight of that single item unraveled her composure. Anger surged through her veins as she snatched it up, determined to confront Leon.  

But halfway to his chambers, doubt crept in. Retracing her steps, she tucked the underwear away. Answers—she needed answers first.  

When Leon emerged from the master chamber, Zara’s emotions boiled over.  

“Where are you coming from?” he asked, his tone sharp and commanding.  

Zara’s laughter was bitter, cutting through the tension. “Are you seriously asking me that? Do you even care?” She took a step closer, her voice growing harsher. “You, the one parading my twin around like some trophy? You’ve got the nerve to ask me questions?”  

She placed the underwear on his shoulder. “Next time you’re done with your trash, clean up.”  

Leon brushed the garment off angrily, stepping closer with a menacing glare. Despite her pounding heart, Zara held her ground.  

“For the last time,” Leon growled, his voice thick with command, “where were you?”  

Zara’s laughter bubbled up again, harsh and mocking. “Oh, now you care? We’re in an open marriage, aren’t we? Open marriage, Alpha!” She threw her hands up in frustration. “You can’t ask me questions about where I go.”  

His eyes gleamed dangerously. “If this open marriage makes you a street prostitute, maybe you should start by serving me,” he snarled, grabbing her firmly.  

Zara’s struggles were in vain as Leon carried her to the bedroom. “Leon, stop!” she begged, tears streaming down her face. “You can’t do this!”  

Ignoring her, he pinned her to the bed, his grip unrelenting. “You’re my wife. No court will call this rape,” he said coldly, tearing her clothes as her sobs filled the room.  

The first rays of dawn broke through the windows as Zara lay motionless, her tears dried into streaks on her face. Leon, indifferent to her pain, had left without a word.  

It was that moment that solidified her resolve. She would make him pay. For every betrayal, for every humiliation, for every moment he had stripped her of dignity.  

The days stretched into weeks, and the weeks into a month. Zara watched as her husband flaunted his relationship with her twin sister, Lyra. The two moved about the mansion without shame, their actions cutting deeper into Zara’s wounded heart.  

But today, Zara decided she would no longer be a silent victim. Today, she would confront them both.  

******

Drunken laughter echoed through the mansion as Leon and Lyra stumbled inside late at night. Zara’s hands clenched into fists as she watched them, their intimacy blatant and shameless.  

“What the hell is this?” she demanded, her voice shaking with fury.  

Neither of them answered. Instead, they collapsed onto the couch, their laughter a cruel mockery. Unable to bear the sight, Zara retreated to her room, her gaze falling on a bottle of wine.  

For the first time, she drank, the burn of alcohol a fleeting distraction from her pain.  

Grabbing her keys, Zara fled the mansion, her vision blurring as she sped down the highway. The alcohol dulled her senses, but not enough to miss the figure suddenly standing in her path.  

Her foot slammed on the brakes, but the car skidded, colliding into a construction block and finally stopping. Her heart raced as she stumbled out, dread clawing at her throat.  

Lying on the ground was a figure. Blood pooled beneath him.  

Her breath hitched as she turned him over, her worst fears confirmed.  

It was Calix.