Zach’s POVThe weight of confusion and unease hung heavily in the air as I paced back and forth in my room. Somehow Mara had appeared before me claiming to be my mate, which had left me with more questions than answers. Deep down, I knew that something was amiss, something that didn't align with the bond that mates were supposed to share and instead I had felt that special feeling with Kayla.I couldn't shake the feeling that Mara had manipulated our connection somehow, that she had tampered with the natural order of things. It was an unsettling thought, one that gnawed at the edges of my mind and sent shivers down my spine. I needed answers, and I needed them from her directly.Summoning all my courage, I sought out Mara, finding her alone by the edge of the palace garden. Her eyes, usually filled with warmth and affection, were distant and guarded. She seemed to sense my approach, her body tensing before she turned to face me."Mara," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil
Zach’s POVShe had been desperate for a connection, for someone to fill the void within her, and in her desperation, she had crossed a line that should never have been crossed.Tears welled up in my eyes as I absorbed the magnitude of her confession. The pain of betrayal mixed with a strange sense of empathy, for I could see the torment etched on her face. She had made a grave mistake, driven by her own inner demons.My childhood friend had betrayed me in this way and now I was never going to trust her for any reason.She was nothing to me now. She was an imposter."Why did you do this?" I asked quietly, my voice filled with sadness. "Why didn't you trust me enough to be honest from the beginning?"Mara's shoulders slumped, her eyes downcast. "I was afraid," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Afraid of rejection, afraid of being alone. I thought if I could forge a connection, even a false one, it would fill the void within me. But I was wrong, so terribly wrong."My hear
Mara’s POVThe pain of betrayal and guilt weighed heavily on my heart as I watched the man I loved, the alpha, storm out of the garden. Tears streamed down my face, blurring my vision as the reality of what I had done began to sink in. I had lied to him, lied about our bond, and now I was paying the price—losing the love of my life.It was all my fault. I had done the unspeakable, breaking the trust that held us together. The bond between mates was supposed to be sacred, unbreakable, a connection that transcended all else and I had faked that. I had tarnished the friendship we shared with my deceit, and now I was left feeling broken and alone.I replayed the moment in my mind, the words tumbling out of my mouth, each one a painful reminder of my betrayal. I had convinced myself that I was taking what was rightfully mine, that the truth would only cause pain, but in reality, I had only created more pain by lying. My intentions may have been misguided, but the consequences were real.
Zach’s POV“It’s your alpha who thinks the old ways are better than the new ways of fighting,” Lucas said, which had Mateo laughing.“Not you too,” laughed Mateo. “I’ve had this argument with him before but he wouldn’t listen to me. We’ve fought a couple of times and although he wins, that’s only because he’s stronger.”I looked up. “It’s not because I’m stronger, it’s only because the old style of fighting has covered every single aspect of fight and chooses the part of peace and not war.”“That seems dumb,” said Mateo. “Trust me, if you had the new techniques that are very deadly, no one would stand a chance at defeating you. You can take them down within a second.”“Do you want in on this as well?” I asked him. “I’ve got a lot in my head right now and I just want to distract myself so I would not think about anything at the moment.”He started to get rid of his shirt as I smiled. Now this was more like it. I would drag this fight out to defeat them.I took a deep breath and faced L
Zach’s POVThe room seemed to tremble in response, as if acknowledging the strength of my presence. My beta faltered for a moment, his confidence waning as he realized the full extent of my power.But he was not one to back down easily. His attacks grew more desperate, fueled by a combination of fear and determination. He aimed for my weak spots, attempting to exploit any opening he could find. Yet, I defended each strike with calculated precision, deflecting his blows while maintaining a steady offensive stance.A series of rapid strikes brought me closer to victory. I anticipated his moves, countering with a speed he had not expected me to have. His movements grew sluggish, his stamina fading. I could see the frustration on his face, a realization that his mastery of new styles could not compare to the tried and true.With a final burst of strength, I delivered a powerful blow to his chest a second time, sending him crashing to the ground and this time, his chest exploded open as
Lucas’s POVRemembering every detail of that day still brought joy to me but I still loved thinking about it.My eyes had immediately fallen upon the captivating figure moving through the crowd. She was a vision of sensuality, dressed in a short gown that left little to the imagination. The fabric caressed her curves, clinging to every inch of her body, accentuating her feminine charm.Her gown, a tantalizing display of seduction, barely grazed the mid-thigh, showcasing her long, toned legs. The fabric shimmered under the dim lights, drawing attention to her every movement. It was a delicate balance between revealing and teasing, leaving just enough to the imagination to ignite desire.The neckline of her gown plunged, revealing a hint of the luscious swell of her breasts. The fabric delicately hugged her upper body, emphasizing her graceful posture and the gentle curve of her waist. It was a dress that exuded confidence and a mastery of allure.Her hair rolled down her shoulders i
Lucas’s POV “Hey,” she smiled at me. “You came back.”“I did,” I said while looking at her. If we weren’t in a public place, I would have gripped her butt and kissed her with my tongue going far down her throat, but I had to keep myself under control.This was not the place for that.“What do you want me to get for you… beta,” she said which told me that she knew who I was.I sighed and looked away to distract myself from how stupid I felt for not telling her the truth.“Listen, I can explain…”“It’s okay. I’m over it. I just don’t know why you would not tell me anything.”“Can we talk?”“I’m busy. And I doubt my boss would let me go off work.”I smiled. “I am the beta of this pack. Your boss can’t let you go off work if I asked?”That was an authority move I pulled there but I didn’t want her to see me as weak. “Can we… talk?”She agreed and took a break from work as we walked to the table at a secluded balcony.There, we sat down and stared at each other for a few seconds.“You’re
Zach’s POVI stood alone on the balcony, my thoughts consumed by the complexities of my relationship with women as a whole.Why did they have to be so complicated? I had done nothing to deserve this kind of torture.I was sure Lucas or Mateo didn’t have this kind of problem.Why me?As the alpha, the weight of my responsibilities often overshadowed my personal life, leaving little room for emotional vulnerability. It was a lonely existence, one that even my own father struggled to breach.But I was sure my father didn’t go through this kind of pain.Lost in my contemplation, I was startled when my father joined me, his presence both comforting and unsettling. We had always had a strained relationship, our roles as current alpha and former alpha creating an unspoken wall between us. We rarely communicated like a typical father and son, and our interactions were often laced with tension.He looked at me, his eyes filled with a mix of concern and understanding. "Zach, I can see that so