Chapter: Council SerenaLyon’s POVThe air inside the pack house was suffocating.I could hear the council members shuffling in—seven of them, all dressed in their formal robes, talking in hushed tones like vultures circling a wounded animal. The moment Zoey disappeared, I knew this day would come. A meeting to decide what to do with the Luna who dared to run away.Darian came to find me in my quarters. He knocked once and let himself in.“They’re all here,” he said quietly. “Waiting.”I didn’t look up. I was seated at the edge of my bed, elbows on my knees, eyes fixed on the floor like it held all the answers I needed. My jaw was tight, and my nails dug into my palms. I had been holding back the storm all day, but it was crawling up my throat now.“How’s the search?” Darian asked, even though we both knew the answer.“Dead end,” I muttered. Then I stood up so fast my chair screeched across the floor. “She escaped. She actually escaped.”I slammed my fist against the wooden frame of t
Chapter: A Place to BreatheZoey’s POVWhen Robin finally announced that we had reached the big city, I sat up straight in the truck and looked out the window.The streets were lit with tall lamps, and the buildings looked older, stronger, and more peaceful than the ones back home. My heart beat fast. I didn’t know if it was fear or relief. Maybe both. I placed my hand gently on my belly and sighed. The bump was barely showing, but I could feel the changes already.Robin caught the movement through the mirror and glanced at me.“Does Lyon know you’re with his child?” he asked quietly.I shook my head slowly. “No, he doesn’t.” “ Do you plan on telling your nana about it ?” “ Not yet …it’s a secret only you know about for now “Robin sighed heavily. His hands tightened on the steering wheel. “It’s dangerous, Zoey,” he said. “It’s dangerous to be on the run with an Alpha’s child.”I turned my head toward him. “What do you mean?”Before he could answer, I heard familiar voices from ahea
Chapter: The ScarfLyon’s POVIt had been weeks.Weeks since Zoey disappeared.Weeks since I heard her voice or smelled her scent.The entire pack house was quieter than usual. I had locked myself in my room and told everyone I didn’t want to be disturbed. I canceled every meeting, ignored every message, and refused to see anyone. I couldn’t face the council, not even my mother. I couldn’t face anything.I didn’t sleep much. I didn’t eat either. All I did was stare at the wall and think.Where did she go?Why did she leave?Was she okay?A loud knock interrupted my thoughts.“Lyon!” Darian’s voice came through the door. “Open the damn door!”I didn’t move.“Lyon, I swear—open this door now!”He kept banging. I sighed and slowly stood up. My body felt heavy, like I hadn’t moved in days. Maybe I hadn’t.When I opened the door, Darian was standing there with a stranger beside him.A hunter.Darian looked serious. “You need to hear this,” he said.The hunter stepped forward. His face was
Chapter — What Have I Gotten Myself IntoZoey’s POVIt had been weeks since I arrived at the human society. Life was slower here, quieter. The streets weren’t filled with wolves or warriors, and no one bowed when I walked by. Not that I even went out much. I stayed indoors with Nana, barely stepping out except for fresh air. I thought I’d feel safer, but instead, I felt… trapped. Maybe even lonelier than before.The worst part was hiding the pregnancy.Every morning I woke up feeling sick. My body was heavier, slower. My cravings were strange, and my energy—nonexistent. I tried to act normal, tried to smile and clean and help around, but I could see it in Nana’s eyes—she was noticing things.One afternoon, I was sitting quietly by the window, my hand resting gently on the small bump that was becoming harder to hide. I didn’t even realize Nana had been watching me the whole time. Her voice was calm, but serious.“Zoey,” she said softly, “are you pregnant?”My heart dropped. I didn’t lo
Chapter - The Sanctuary LawZoey’s POVI couldn’t sleep—not after what my grandmother had just told me. I read a lot when I was at Alpha Lyon’s palace, but I never came across this law. If I had my child, they would be able to find me that way. My son would be taken away from me, and I would be killed. I refuse to bring a child into this world only to die because I didn’t want him to be with his father.My mind quickly flashed to Alpha Lyon. What if I just went back? He wasn’t an abusive husband. He never treated me like a slave. We just lacked connection and emotional attachment. Maybe it was because he was never my mate. I remember how I used to lock myself in my room because my dreams of being with my mate had been shattered. I never, for once, thought that I would marry a man I wasn’t mated to. But Lyon, on the other hand, didn’t even care. I found out he used to have a mate, and that broke my heart even more. So he had experienced what it felt like… but I was compelled to marry h
Chapter —The Garden and the spy.Lyon’s POVThe palace was quieter now. Too quiet.The mourning days were officially over. The warriors were back to training, the maids moved around without tiptoeing, and the council had resumed their endless meetings. Everyone seemed to have gone back to their normal lives… except me.I buried myself in work—pack affairs, documents, territory patrol reports—but no matter how busy I kept myself, my thoughts always returned to her.Zoey.Her name still hurt to say.I stood by the large windows in my office, the same spot I always stood whenever I needed to think. It was an old habit. My eyes, as though they had a mind of their own, drifted down to the garden.Her garden.Of course, I had placed it where I could see it from my window. I told her it was for convenience, that she shouldn’t go far from the palace grounds—but the truth? I liked to watch her from here. It was always interesting. She’d dance around in the dirt like a child, singing to the pl
Chapter – Alpha KaelZoey’s PovWho exactly is Alpha Kael? I knew almost all the powerful Alphas in the country and surrounding regions—Lyon always had one business or another with them. They would feast in the palace, so I was familiar with many faces and names. Every harvest season, dozens of Alphas would troop into the palace with their Lunas. I remember the beautiful dresses I wore—but not once did Lyon compliment me.During those feasts, I had to speak to the Alphas. I knew their names. But I had never heard of an Alpha Kael.“Alpha Kael? Who is he?” I asked, scratching the back of my head. I didn’t want to seem ungrateful. They had found a solution, and here I was asking questions. But I needed to know who this man was. Honestly, I was thinking about the consequences of the sanctuary law. I was going to be taken away from my grandmother—again.“Why do you ask that?” Nana said. I couldn’t tell if she was angry or confused. It felt like everything that had happened to me was still
Chapter: The Dinner GuestLyon’s POVI wasn’t in the mood for visitors. I had barely made it through the day without losing my temper, and now my father was bringing the whole family over for dinner—again. Not just him, not just my mother. He was also bringing Serena.Of all people… Serena.I stood by the window in the dining room, watching the driveway, arms folded. My jaw clenched the moment I saw my father’s black SUV pull in. Darian was already seated at the table, slowly sipping his wine, clearly picking up on my mood. He didn’t say a word, but the look on his face told me he knew I was ready to snap.“She’s with him,” I muttered under my breath.Darian raised an eyebrow. “Serena?”I gave a tight nod.“You said it was just dinner.”“That’s what I thought.”The doorbell rang a second later. A maid rushed past to get it, and I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. But as soon as I heard Serena’s voice echo in the hallway, my hands curled into fists.She walked in behind my fathe
Chapter — Unwanted Guest Lyon’s POV“Are you seriously dragging me all the way to the city for this?” Darian groaned, slamming the car door harder than necessary.I didn’t reply. I just walked ahead, hands in my coat pocket, sunglasses on, ignoring the way the wind slapped my face. I wasn’t in the mood for his whining today.Darian caught up beside me, his steps loud and dramatic. “I mean it, Lyon. This is a waste of time. She’s not here. It’s just a coincidence. Maybe you saw someone that looked like her.”I stopped walking and gave him a side glance. “I didn’t ask you to come.”He scoffed. “And leave you alone to make stupid decisions? I came so I can say ‘I told you so’ when this blows up in your face.”We walked into the hotel lobby, the cold glass doors closing behind us. The place still looked exactly how I remembered it — clean, modern, a little too fancy, and filled with the kind of people who smiled too much.Darian looked around. “Nice hotel. Still doesn’t mean your missing
Chapter –Evacuation Zoey’s POVI was still brushing my hair when the door flew open.Kael barged into the room, his brows pulled tight, his eyes sharp and full of urgency.“Start packing,” he said, walking straight to my wardrobe like he owned the place.I blinked, frozen in place. “What?”“Pack your things, Zoey. Now.”I stood up slowly. “Why? What’s going on?”He didn’t answer right away. He was already pulling out a few of my clothes and stuffing them into a small suitcase like time was running out.“Kael!” I shouted. “You’re scaring me. What happened?”His assistant, Margo, ran into the room just then. “Alpha Kael, please calm down. She’s a pregnant lady. You can’t be throwing things around like this.”Kael took a deep breath and stepped back. His hands were still shaking. “Sorry,” he muttered. Then he turned to me. “Just trust me, okay? We need to go now.”My heart started racing. I moved toward the bed, confused and nervous. “Kael, please talk to me. What is happening?”He walk
.Chapter – The Hotel owner Lyon’s PovSerena lay in bed beside me, her soft hand brushing against my chest. I knew what she wanted. But I couldn’t. Not tonight. “I just want to hold you,” she whispered.I shifted away. “I’m tired,” I said, voice low and distant.She sat up. “Tired? Or is it something else? You barely looking at me, Lyon. What’s going on?”“Nothing,” I answered, standing up and grabbing my robe. “Go to bed.”Before she could say more, I left the room.The hallway was quiet. My bare feet brushed against the cold floor as I walked slowly. My eyes fell on a room at the end—the room that used to be Zoey’s.I stopped. Something tugged at my chest.I reached for the doorknob and turned it. The room creaked open.But it wasn’t hers anymore.It had been turned into a storage space. Boxes were piled up. Old furniture and paintings leaned against the wall. Everything that once smelled like Zoey was gone. Her scent, her touch, her little things—gone.I closed the door quietly.
Chapter: The Truth Zoey’s PovWhen I opened my eyes, the light stung.Everything was hazy at first—my head ached, and my body felt heavy. I blinked a few more times before the ceiling came into focus. I wasn’t in the wardrobe anymore. I was in bed. Soft covers were pulled up to my chest, and the room was calm.Kael sat in the chair beside me, his brows furrowed, eyes tired.He looked like he hadn’t slept.“You’re awake,” he said quietly.I tried to sit up, but my body wouldn’t move as fast as I wanted.Kael leaned in and gently helped adjust the pillows behind me.“Are you okay?” he asked.I nodded slowly, but he didn’t look convinced. His jaw was tight. His hands rested on his knees, clenched.“I thought something happened to you, Zoey. You locked your doors. Your windows. I had to call the hotel’s security system to unlock your room. I found you unconscious in the wardrobe.” His voice cracked a little. “You scared the hell out of me.”“I’m sorry,” I whispered.His eyes searched min
Chapter - I Saw HerI saw her.I’m not even saying that in a dreamy, maybe-it-was-just-in-my-head kind of way.I saw her.Zoey.Her eyes—those same eyes that used to look at me like I hung the moon, and later like I broke her heart—stared back at me from the top window of that hotel. Only for a second. Maybe even less. But that was all I needed.She was alive.I tried to go up there. I really did.The moment our eyes met, I pushed through the crowd of guests and made my way to the edge of the ballroom, where the hallway opened to the elevators. I told the security I needed to go up. I even told them I left something up there. They didn’t budge.“Sorry, Alpha, but access is only granted for event areas tonight. We can’t allow guests to wander into other hotel wings.”I wanted to break through them. I almost did.But I stopped.Not because I didn’t want to cause a scene, but because Serena had already started one.“Lyon!” she yelled from across the hallway, storming up to me in her heel
Chapter- The Hotel Guest Zoey’s Pov Two months had passed since I moved into Kael’s hotel. The days had become softer, slower. I was getting closer to the time I would give birth—just two months to go. Kael wouldn’t let me lift a finger anymore. He said I needed to rest, that the baby needed calmness. I didn’t argue. Truthfully, I was tired all the time.My world had grown small, but peaceful. I had my own little garden out by the corner of the west wing. Kael gave me the space and even brought flowers from the market so I could plant them. Every morning, I would go out there, barefoot on the grass, breathing in the scent of fresh earth. It reminded me of who I used to be—just a quiet wolf girl who loved green things.Kael and I had gotten closer too. We weren’t formal anymore. There were no stiff greetings or awkward silences. We took long walks, sometimes around the garden, sometimes around the quiet hallways of the hotel when the moon was up and the guests had gone to sleep. He
Chapter: The Mark I FeltZoey’s POVI shot up from the bed with a scream. My chest burned, and I could feel the sweat on my skin like I’d been running for miles. My breath was ragged, like I was choking on something I couldn’t see. My hand pressed against my chest, right where my heart should be steady—but it was pounding.The door burst open.Kael ran in wearing a shirt that looked like he’d just thrown it on halfway down the hall. His eyes were wide with worry.“Zoey! What’s wrong?” he said, rushing to my side.I couldn’t even speak. My throat felt like it was closing up. I just shook my head and held my chest, the pain still there, dull but steady. Almost like something had been taken away from me.“I don’t know—I just—I felt something,” I whispered.Kael sat on the edge of the bed and reached for my hand. “You’re shaking.”“I know.”“Was it a nightmare?”“No,” I said quickly. “It wasn’t a dream. It was real. I felt it.”He looked confused. “Felt what?”My lips trembled. I didn’t w
Chapter: The Vows I Didn’t MeanLyon’s POVThe palace was buzzing with energy, but none of it belonged to me.Flowers draped the marble columns. Gold ribbons lined the chairs. Musicians played soft music in the garden courtyard where the ceremony would take place. Servants ran around, perfecting every detail. My mother made sure everything looked perfect—like a royal wedding should.And yet, I stood in my chambers, staring at my reflection with no excitement in my chest.I looked like a groom. Dressed in an embroidered black robe, trimmed with silver. My hair was neatly tied back, my jaw cleanly shaven. Everything about me was prepared to look like I was happy. But I wasn’t.There was a knock at the door, then Darian strolled in without waiting for permission. Typical.“You look like you’re about to attend a funeral,” he said, walking straight to the window.I didn’t answer.He turned around and smirked. “You know most people smile on their wedding day.”I gave him a dry look. “Do I l
Chapter: Secrets in the WalkZoey’s POVThe cold air in Kael Hotel felt sharper this time. I hadn’t been gone long, but something about walking through those glass doors again made me feel like I was stepping back into something unfinished.I stood near the reception, a little nervous. I hadn’t exactly left on good terms last time. I expected cold stares or awkward silence, but Kael came out from the back hallway with a warm smile on his face.“You came back,” he said.I nodded. “I did.”There was a short pause. I looked down at my shoes.“I wanted to say I’m sorry,” I said quickly. “For how I left. I wasn’t trying to cause problems.”Kael tilted his head. “You didn’t do anything wrong, Zoey.”I looked up at him. “But—”He cut me off gently. “Seriously. You were going through something. Anyone could see that.”His voice was calm. Kind. Just like always.Still, I wasn’t myself the last time I was here. I’d messed up a simple order, and the staff’s yelling had pushed me over the edge. I