Chapter eighty

Zach’s POV

“Hey Zach,” the woman in a tight red gown smiled at me. “How have you been?”

Her eyes were filled with recognition and a hint of surprise.

As our eyes locked, I felt a jolt of nostalgia and realization. It was her - my childhood friend, Mara. Memories of laughter-filled playdates and shared adventures flooded my mind, and a smile slowly spread across my face.

How was it that she was here? This was a surprise.

Was she back to the pack? Was she here to celebrate with me? So many questions that held no answer but I still wanted to know much about her.

“May I join you?” She asked as I sat up and nodded, hurriedly wiping the smudge from my face from the foam caused by the drink I had been downing.

“You look pretty,” I smiled as she blushed, settling into the seat.

“Thank you,” she said, filling the empty space with her vibrant presence.

The years melted away as we exchanged warm greetings. It had been a long time. She had been thirteen when she left the pack breaking my heart