Zara'pov The air inside the room was suffocating, heavy with an unspoken dread. The cries outside weren’t human—they were the growls of enraged wolves, a chorus of chaos that clawed at my nerves. My arms ached from holding Thorold so tightly, but I refused to loosen my grip. His tiny chest rose and fell with the steady rhythm of sleep, his innocence presence melts my heart. This wasn’t how I imagined motherhood. No one prepared me for nights like these, where I sat trembling with my child in my arms, my heart splitting between overwhelming love and bone-deep fear. They were out there for him—my son, my perfect boy, who had somehow become the center of a storm I didn’t understand. A loud crash from outside made me jump. The door flew open, and Adrian stormed in. His expression was grim, his usually composed face shadowed with urgency. “What’s going on, Adrian?” I asked, my voice breaking. His eyes darted to Thorold, who stirred but remained asleep, and then to me. "Stay here
Zara's pov The days that followed were a blur of pain and emptiness. My heart shattered into pieces too jagged to mend. Thorold was gone, and I was a mother without her child. The hours melted into one another, yet the agony stayed sharp, relentless, and consuming. I barely moved from the corner of the room where I had fallen the night he was taken. Adrian had found me there, clutching nothing but air, my cries so raw they scared even him. He had asked me who had come and what had happened, but I couldn’t answer. "A man," I had whispered, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. "A man came for him." Adrian’s sharp gaze pinned me, his Alpha instincts pushing him to demand the truth, but I held my silence. How could I tell him the full truth? How could I explain the unearthly presence of Arcturus, his power, and the cold finality of his words? If I told Adrian, he would rally the pack to chase after Thorold, and the consequences… the consequences could destroy us all. So I kept it t
Zara's POV I thought the worst was over. I thought I could start rebuilding the shattered pieces of my life after losing Thorold. I was wrong. When news reached me of Alpha Ryker’s crusade, I didn’t know how to feel. Ryker, the mate who had rejected me with such cruel finality, was now rallying warriors to fight those who had threatened my son. The same man who had cast me aside, leaving me broken, was now charging into battle for a child he had no claim over. I didn’t know whether to feel anger, confusion, or gratitude. The first I heard of it was from one of Adrian’s advisors. I was sitting outside my cabin, the cool night air soothing my restless nerves, when the advisor approached. His face was pale, his eyes darkened with exhaustion. “Alpha Adrian wanted you to know,” he began cautiously, “Alpha Ryker has assembled warriors from neighboring packs. He’s leading them into battle against the remnants of Elizabeth’s forces.” I stiffened, the name alone enough to make my blood
Zara's Pov The morning was quiet, the kind of stillness that felt foreign in a life filled with chaos and grief. I sat by the window of my small cabin, staring out at the dense forest beyond. The sun was high in the sky, it was beautiful, but it did little to calm the storm inside me. Thorold’s absence was a constant ache, a hollow space in my chest that refused to heal. Each passing day without him chipped away at my hope, but I refused to let despair consume me completely. I had to keep going—for him, for myself. Nora stirred in my mind, her presence a steady warmth that I clung to like a lifeline. She had been my anchor these past few weeks, a reminder that I wasn’t entirely alone. "You’re stronger than this, Zara," Nora whispered. “I don’t feel strong,” I murmured aloud, my voice barely audible. "That doesn’t mean you aren’t," she replied, her tone gentle but firm. "And you’ll see it soon enough." I sighed, resting my forehead against the cool glass. The pack had bee
Ryker's pov The first thing I felt was warmth, a gentle pulse radiating through my chest. My body felt lighter, as if the weight of death had been lifted. Slowly, my senses returned—distant sounds, the faint scent of herbs, and then a voice. Her voice. “Zara…” My eyes fluttered open, heavy and reluctant. The blinding white of the room stung at first, but it didn’t take long for my gaze to find her. She was slumped against the bed, her face pale, her body frail. “Zara!” I sat up too quickly, a sharp pain shooting through my side. I ignored it, focusing entirely on the woman beside me. Her breathing was shallow, her energy so depleted it made my chest ache in ways I hadn’t felt in years. My hands trembled as I reached for her, gently lifting her onto the bed. She weighed so little, her body limp in my arms. It was then I saw the toll her actions had taken on her. The dark circles under her eyes, the way her once-vibrant glow had dimmed—she had given everything to save me. And I
Zara’s POVThe evening sun dipped low over the Crescent Peak mountains that framed Ryker’s pack territory. I stood at the edge of the packhouse courtyard, watching as the warriors trained in the distance. My heart ached, but my resolve was firm.I had come here for a reason, and that reason had been fulfilled. My son was safe, my point was made, and the lingering resentment that tethered me to this place had run its course.But leaving wasn’t easy. This place had once been my home. Ryker had once been my world. And now, I was about to walk away from it all.It wasn’t a decision I made lightly. Over the past few days, I’d tried to convince myself that I could stay for a little while since Adrian's pack reminds me so much about my son, I that I could find a place within Ryker’s pack again. But every interaction, every glance from his pack members, reminded me of the rejection I’d faced.Ryker had cast me out when I was at my most vulnerable. Pregnant and alone, I had survived, and I had
Zara’s POV I stood at the edge of Adrian’s pack territory, the soft rustle of leaves and the occasional howl in the distance the only sounds around me. Adrian’s pack, the Silverfang, had been my refuge after Ryker banished me. It was here that I rebuilt myself, piece by piece, finding strength I never knew I had.Adrian had been a constant, unwavering support. He didn’t ask for explanations or press for anything more than I was willing to give. But now, standing here with the weight of my decisions pressing down on me, I knew this moment would hurt us both.I made my way to the main packhouse, my steps heavy with the burden of what I was about to do. Adrian had been kind enough to offer me a place to stay after my recent ordeal, but I couldn’t linger. Not anymore.The packhouse was quiet, most of the warriors out training or tending to their duties. I found Adrian in his office, bent over a desk cluttered with maps and reports. He looked up as I entered, his piercing green eyes softe
Zara’s POV The soft rustling of leaves outside Adrian’s office filled the silence after my declaration. I could feel his gaze boring into me, his emotions an open book. Hurt, frustration, and desperation radiated off him like waves crashing against my resolve. But even as I said the words, as I promised myself I would leave Silverfang, a part of me hesitated. A part of me felt tethered to this place, to the safety and warmth it offered, and to Adrian—the man who had saved me from the depths of despair."wait I heard Adrian's voice." Adrian exhaled sharply, breaking the silence. “I can’t let you leave, Zara. Not like this, it's about the offer." I turned to face him, my brows furrowing. “Adrian, we’ve been through this—” “No, you’ve been through it,” he interrupted, his voice firm but not unkind. “You’ve fought battles you shouldn’t have had to fight, and you’ve carried burdens no one should carry alone. I won’t stand by and let you leave when there’s another way.” I crossed my
“Liam, it’s time for you to transfer to the Blood Moon Pack school,” my father declared, his voice steady. I stared at him, a storm of emotions brewing inside me. “But Dad, why? I don’t see why I have to move schools!” Confusion and anger tangled within me like vines, tightening with every word he spoke. My father, Alexander, known for his no-nonsense demeanor, explained, “It’s crucial. You need to learn from other packs. To become a great leader, you must navigate the complex world of werewolf politics.” He had a point, but even so, his words felt like a punch to my gut. There was no room for negotiation; it was a necessity. My father wanted me to sharpen my skills, and this new school seemed the perfect place for that growth. “Don’t worry, Liam. You won’t have to reveal your identity. I’ve arranged everything for you,” he continued, an edge of reassurance in his voice. But his words did little to ease my reluctance. “And Isabella, the daughter of Alpha Lucas from the Moon Sto
I stood in the doorway, watching my mother, Victoria, confront Ethan. Her words were sharp and filled with malice, stirring a familiar dread in my stomach. “There’s a rumour you’ve found your mate and plan to leave the packhouse. Is that true, Ethan?” she demanded rudely. “Yes, Mom. I found my mate last night and was going to tell you and Dad later,” Ethan replied politely. “How many times do I have to remind you that I am not your mother?” she said harshly. “I’m sorry, ma'am,” Ethan replied, looking down. I could see he was affected by our mother’s cruel treatment. His once bright eyes were now dull and lifeless. I felt a crushing sense of worthlessness too. Anger surged within me towards our mother. How could she be so cruel? Didn’t she realize she was hurting her own family? It pained me deeply that she refused to accept my brother. My mother was always cold and calculating, focused solely on power and control. She loves me, but mainly because I am her son and the future al
I stood in the doorway, watching my mother, Victoria, confront Ethan. Her words were sharp and filled with malice, stirring a familiar dread in my stomach. “There’s a rumour you’ve found your mate and plan to leave the packhouse. Is that true, Ethan?” she demanded rudely. “Yes, Mom. I found my mate last night and was going to tell you and Dad later,” Ethan replied politely. “How many times do I have to remind you that I am not your mother?” she said harshly. “I’m sorry, ma'am,” Ethan replied, looking down. I could see he was affected by our mother’s cruel treatment. His once bright eyes were now dull and lifeless. I felt a crushing sense of worthlessness too. Anger surged within me towards our mother. How could she be so cruel? Didn’t she realize she was hurting her own family? It pained me deeply that she refused to accept my brother. My mother was always cold and calculating, focused solely on power and control. She loves me, but mainly because I am her son and the fu
I stood in the doorway, watching my mother, Victoria, confront Ethan. Her words were sharp and filled with malice, stirring a familiar dread in my stomach. “There’s a rumour you’ve found your mate and plan to leave the packhouse. Is that true, Ethan?” she demanded rudely. “Yes, Mom. I found my mate last night and was going to tell you and Dad later,” Ethan replied politely. “How many times do I have to remind you that I am not your mother?” she said harshly. “I’m sorry, ma'am,” Ethan replied, looking down. I could see he was affected by our mother’s cruel treatment. His once bright eyes were now dull and lifeless. I felt a crushing sense of worthlessness too. Anger surged within me towards our mother. How could she be so cruel? Didn’t she realize she was hurting her own family? It pained me deeply that she refused to accept my brother. My mother was always cold and calculating, focused solely on power and control. She loves me, but mainly because I am her son and the future al
I stood in the doorway, watching my mother, Victoria, confront Ethan. Her words were sharp and filled with malice, stirring a familiar dread in my stomach. “There’s a rumour you’ve found your mate and plan to leave the packhouse. Is that true, Ethan?” she demanded rudely. “Yes, Mom. I found my mate last night and was going to tell you and Dad later,” Ethan replied politely. “How many times do I have to remind you that I am not your mother?” she said harshly. “I’m sorry, ma'am,” Ethan replied, looking down. I could see he was affected by our mother’s cruel treatment. His once bright eyes were now dull and lifeless. I felt a crushing sense of worthlessness too. Anger surged within me towards our mother. How could she be so cruel? Didn’t she realize she was hurting her own family? It pained me deeply that she refused to accept my brother. My mother was always cold and calculating, focused solely on power and control. She loves me, but mainly because I am her son and the future al
I stood in the doorway, watching my mother, Victoria, confront Ethan. Her words were sharp and filled with malice, stirring a familiar dread in my stomach. “There’s a rumour you’ve found your mate and plan to leave the packhouse. Is that true, Ethan?” she demanded rudely. “Yes, Mom. I found my mate last night and was going to tell you and Dad later,” Ethan replied politely. “How many times do I have to remind you that I am not your mother?” she said harshly. “I’m sorry, ma'am,” Ethan replied, looking down. I could see he was affected by our mother’s cruel treatment. His once bright eyes were now dull and lifeless. I felt a crushing sense of worthlessness too. Anger surged within me towards our mother. How could she be so cruel? Didn’t she realize she was hurting her own family? It pained me deeply that she refused to accept my brother. My mother was always cold and calculating, focused solely on power and control. She loves me, but mainly because I am her son and the future al
My new pack was quiet, far quieter than I had expected. Nestled deep in the northern mountains, it was isolated from the chaos of the outside world. After everything that had happened—the attacks, the betrayal, and the overwhelming presence of Ryker and Adrian—I had made the decision to leave. To truly be free of everyone and everything that had defined my life up until now. All thanks to Adrian who introduced me to their alpha and he willingly welcomed me without questioning me. I wasn’t running anymore, I just want to be free. This faraway pack, the Black Ridge Wolves, had no ties to my past, no knowledge of who I was or what I had endured. They didn’t care that I was the “chosen one” or that I was hunted by enemies I couldn’t fully understand. They only cared that I was willing to work. That was all I wanted. To work. To train. To become stronger than I had ever been. The training grounds here were nothing like what I was used to. There were no neat rows of equipment
My new pack was quiet, far quieter than I had expected. Nestled deep in the northern mountains, it was isolated from the chaos of the outside world. After everything that had happened—the attacks, the betrayal, and the overwhelming presence of Ryker and Adrian—I had made the decision to leave. To truly be free of everyone and everything that had defined my life up until now. All thanks to Adrian who introduced me to their alpha and he willingly welcomed me without questioning me. I wasn’t running anymore, I just want to be free. This faraway pack, the Black Ridge Wolves, had no ties to my past, no knowledge of who I was or what I had endured. They didn’t care that I was the “chosen one” or that I was hunted by enemies I couldn’t fully understand. They only cared that I was willing to work. That was all I wanted. To work. To train. To become stronger than I had ever been. The training grounds here were nothing like what I was used to. There were no neat rows of equipment
My new pack was quiet, far quieter than I had expected. Nestled deep in the northern mountains, it was isolated from the chaos of the outside world. After everything that had happened—the attacks, the betrayal, and the overwhelming presence of Ryker and Adrian—I had made the decision to leave. To truly be free of everyone and everything that had defined my life up until now. All thanks to Adrian who introduced me to their alpha and he willingly welcomed me without questioning me. I wasn’t running anymore, I just want to be free. This faraway pack, the Black Ridge Wolves, had no ties to my past, no knowledge of who I was or what I had endured. They didn’t care that I was the “chosen one” or that I was hunted by enemies I couldn’t fully understand. They only cared that I was willing to work. That was all I wanted. To work. To train. To become stronger than I had ever been. The training grounds here were nothing like what I was used to. There were no neat rows of equipment