Zara's pov The next few weeks passed in a blur of training and determination. I threw myself into every challenge Ryker and Adrian presented to me. But despite my progress, the threats weren’t going away. Ryker and Adrian made sure I knew that. My enemies weren’t just watching—they were waiting. The more I grow in strength, the constant threat looming over me. One night, after a particularly gruelling sparring session, Ryker found me sitting outside the training grounds, my back against a tree. My hair clung to my sweaty face, and my arms ached from hours of wielding a staff. “You’re pushing yourself too hard,” he said, handing me a bottle of water. “I don’t have the luxury of taking it easy,” I replied, taking a sip. The cool water was a welcome relief, but my voice was firm. “You said it yourself—these enemies aren’t just going to stop. I need to be ready.” Ryker crouched down in front of me, his piercing blue eyes studying my face. “You’re stronger than I’ve ever seen
Zara's pov The forest felt suffocating as we left the witch’s lair. The tension between the three of us was unbearable, and the silence stretched so taut I thought it would snap any second. I couldn’t think about what had just happened. I could still feel the remnants of the witch’s magic, like cobwebs clinging to my skin, and it made my stomach churn. I walked ahead, my footsteps quick and deliberate, trying to create some distance between myself and the two Alphas trailing behind me. Ryker and Adrian, the two pillars of strength in my life, had become two storms circling each other, each waiting to strike. “Zara, wait,” Ryker called, his voice low but insistent. “I don’t want to talk,” I snapped without turning around. “That’s too bad,” Ryker shot back, his tone sharp now, his footsteps quickening to catch up with me. “You can’t just walk away from this.” I whirled on him, my chest heaving with frustration. “From what, Ryker? From you? From Adrian? From the fact that my life
Mia's pov I stood by the glass window, a drink in hand, staring out into the vast, quiet forest that surrounded my side of the packhouse. It should have brought me peace, but tonight, like every other night, my thoughts were consumed by her. Zara. My twin sister. My other half. My eternal rival. I took a sip of the wine, the bitterness of it reminding me of the storm brewing in my chest. Zara. The name alone sent a wave of anger coursing through me. I should have been the one with the attention, the admiration, the power. Instead, it was always her—stealing the spotlight, stealing everything. Even now, after everything, she still managed to pull them in. Ryker and Adrian. Two of the strongest Alphas I had ever seen, drawn to her like moths to a flame. It was infuriating. I remembered the day I found out Zara was the chosen one. We were children then, playing in the meadow behind our home. The priestess had come to visit, an old woman with a strange, knowing look in her eyes. She
Zara's pov The 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 betrayals, 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. I wasn’t running anymore but I want to be free. This faraway pack, the Black Ridge Wolves, had no ties to my past, no knowledge of 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. All tanx to Alpha Adrian who introduced me to the alpha of the pack, he took me in without questioning me. 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 or carefull
Zara's pov It had been a month since I arrived at Black Ridge Pack, and for the first time in years, I felt like I could breathe. The isolation of the mountains brought a calm I hadn’t known I needed. There were no whispers of my bloodline, no hovering Alphas watching my every move, and no enemies breathing down my neck. I was no longer the frightened woman scrambling to survive. Here, I was just Zara, a wolf determined to forge her own path. Kael’s training sessions were brutal, but I welcomed the pain. It was a reminder that I was getting stronger, that I was no longer defined by my past. The wolves in this pack didn’t care who I had been or what enemies hunted me. They only cared that I pulled my weight, that I worked as hard as everyone else. But even in this haven, secrets had a way of surfacing, and Black Ridge held one that would change everything. The morning sun hit the mountaintops as I stepped into the training grounds, the cool mountain air filling my lungs. Kael
Zara's pov The days following the stranger’s appearance passed in a blur of tension and uncertainty. Kael had been on edge ever since, his already stern demeanour hardening further. Patrols around the Black Ridge Pack’s territory doubled, wolves on watch twenty-four hours a day. I threw myself into training with an almost obsessive focus. Every punch, every claw strike, every shift into wolf form was a reminder of what was coming—and of what I had to do to survive. But even as I pushed myself to exhaustion, the stranger’s words haunted me. "Your son is not the only one they’re after." I have a son. But I still don't remember anything about him. The cryptic message gnawed at the edges of my thoughts, leaving me restless. Who else could they possibly want? What connection did I have to this mysterious Veil? Kael had been helping me search for answers, combing through old texts and records in the pack’s library. But so far, all we had were fragments—whispers of an ancient order
Zara's pov The howl echoed across the mountains, carrying with it a chilling sense of inevitability. Every wolf in the clearing froze, their eyes snapping to the forest beyond. My heart thundered in my chest, my claws digging into the dirt as I tried to calm the rising panic. “Stay here,” Kael barked, his voice sharp and commanding. He turned to the gathered wolves. “Patrol teams, spread out! No one gets past the borders!” The wolves shifted seamlessly into their forms, powerful bodies melting into fur and claws, before disappearing into the trees. Only Kael and Seris remained by my side. “They’re moving faster than I thought,” Seris muttered, her blue eyes scanning the horizon. “What do they want now?” I demanded, my frustration breaking through the fear. “They already made it clear they think I’m some kind of threat. Why not just attack outright?” Seris didn’t answer immediately. Her gaze flicked to Kael, then back to me. “Because they want something more than you.” I
Zara's pov The silver-eyed man’s words replayed in my mind, each syllable twisting like a dagger in my chest. The ache he’d awakened—the one I hadn’t realized had always been there—was impossible to ignore now. He’d planted a seed, and no matter how hard I tried to shake it off, it grew, rooting itself deeper into my thoughts. “What did they take from me?” I whispered again, my voice trembling. Kael crouched in front of me, his scarred face shadowed by worry and frustration. “Zara, don’t let him get inside your head. He’s manipulating you.” “What if he’s not?” I shot back, my voice sharper than I intended. “What if there’s something I’m not remembering? What if—” “What if it’s a trick?” Kael interrupted, his tone firm. “The Keepers thrive on deception. Whatever you think you’re missing, they’ll use it to weaken you. Don’t give them that power.” I wanted to believe him. I wanted to convince myself that the silver-eyed man was lying, that this hollow ache was just another cruel tr
Zara’s POV The road back to Atlas’s pack felt surreal. For six months, I had lived in a distant pack, training and healing, away from the chaos of my past. No threats, no whispers of Mia, no enemies lurking in the shadows. But I had been restless. Something inside me ached, not with fear, but with longing. I wanted to belong. And I knew where I belonged. The closer I got to Atlas’s territory, the more my wolf stirred inside me. She had been restless, urging me to return to the man who had once claimed me. Atlas had given me the freedom to leave, never demanding my return, but I knew he had never given up on me. I stood at the border, inhaling the familiar scent of pine, fresh rain, and something uniquely Atlas. A warmth spread through my chest. Then, a deep, commanding voice rang through the trees. “Zara.” I turned to see him. Atlas. He stood there, powerful and unwavering, his golden eyes locked onto mine. My heart skipped. He was the same man I had left behind—broad shoul
Zara’s POV The whisper echoed like a breath across my skin, soft and cold, raising goosebumps along my arms. My eyes snapped open, the velvet shadows of the room pressing in close, and yet… nothing moved. Atlas slept beside me, steady and unaware, his arm draped protectively across my waist. My breath caught. I sat up slowly, careful not to disturb him, and stared into the moonlit darkness that filtered through the windows. No footsteps. No movement. No sign of life beyond these walls. But I had *heard* it. A voice. Not imagined. Not dreamt. Real. Find me. My hands trembled slightly as I swung my legs off the bed, quietly tiptoeing toward the balcony. The breeze outside kissed my skin, stirring my nightgown as I gripped the stone railing. The forest beyond looked as peaceful as ever. And yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something—*someone*—was calling to me. Not a threat. Not Mia. Not Selene. This felt… older. Familiar in a strange, bone-deep way. “Zara?”
Zara’s POV The road back to Atlas’s pack felt surreal. For six months, I had lived in a distant pack, training and healing, away from the chaos of my past. No threats, no whispers of Mia, no enemies lurking in the shadows. But I had been restless. Something inside me ached, not with fear, but with longing. I wanted to belong. And I knew where I belonged. The closer I got to Atlas’s territory, the more my wolf stirred inside me. She had been restless, urging me to return to the man who had once claimed me. Atlas had given me the freedom to leave, never demanding my return, but I knew he had never given up on me. I stood at the border, inhaling the familiar scent of pine, fresh rain, and something uniquely Atlas. A warmth spread through my chest. Then, a deep, commanding voice rang through the trees. “Zara.” I turned to see him. Atlas. He stood there, powerful and unwavering, his golden eyes locked onto mine. My heart skipped. He was the same man I had left behind—broad shoul
Zara’s POV The air was crisp as I stood at the edge of the territory, my heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and nervous excitement. It had been six months. Six months of silence. Six months of peace. No threats, no whispers of Mia, no shadows lurking in the corners of my mind. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, I was free. And I was ready to go home. Atlas stood before me, his golden eyes burning with unspoken emotion. He hadn’t changed—still as strong, still as breathtakingly commanding as the day we met. But there was something softer about him now. Something that told me he had waited for this moment, hoping, yet never forcing me into a decision I wasn’t ready to make. But I was ready now. “I never thought I’d see the day,” Atlas murmured, his voice deep and rich. “Zara, you’re back.” I stepped closer, inhaling his familiar scent—pine, rain, and something uniquely his. “I never should have left in the first place.” His jaw tensed, his hands
Zara’s pov I didn't sleep that night. Mia’s face haunted me—her rage, her twisted conviction, the chilling emptiness that had replaced the sister I once knew. Her words echoed in my mind, each syllable a thorn I couldn’t dislodge. By morning, I felt hollow, a shell of nerves and guilt. The sun broke through the window of my cabin, washing everything in harsh, indifferent light. The pack was already stirring outside, but their presence felt distant. I didn't know what to do. Arcturus’s warning weighed heavy on my chest. Mia’s threat was real, and if I didn't stop her, Black Ridge—everyone I cared about—could be dragged into the chaos she was willing to unleash. And yet, the thought of raising a hand against her, of becoming her executioner, twisted my stomach into knots. I forced myself to the training grounds, hoping that physical exhaustion might drown out the conflict in my head. Wolves of all ages gathered in clusters, sparring and practicing, their laughter and banter cut
Zara’s POV The moment Arcturus vanished, a strange silence filled the room. The weight of his words lingered in the air, pressing down on me like an unseen force. "When the time comes… you must be the one to end her." Mia. My own sister. My greatest enemy. I exhaled sharply, trying to steady my breathing. Ryker was watching me, his golden eyes unreadable. “Are you okay?” he finally asked. I wanted to say yes. I wanted to pretend that the knowledge of my fate didn’t shake me to my core. But I was shaken. Because deep down, I knew the truth. Mia wasn’t just going to fall. She was going to take everything with her if I didn’t stop her first. The eerie silence didn’t last long. Because a second later, a deafening boom shattered the air. The walls trembled. The glass windows cracked. Ryker and I exchanged a sharp look before sprinting toward the door. Outside, chaos had erupted. The night sky was painted red with flames. Smoke billowed from the western side of the pac
Zara’s POV The banner with Mia’s threat still hung at the entrance of the Crescent Moon Pack’s territory, a constant reminder that she wasn’t done. She wanted my son. She was willing to burn everything down to get him. But she would fail. Because I wouldn’t let her win. And she had underestimated one thing—my son wasn’t just any child. He was being protected by forces she could never understand. The moon was high in the sky when I finally allowed myself to rest. The pack had doubled their patrols, warriors were stationed at every corner, and Ryker had personally ensured the borders were sealed. Still, sleep didn’t come easily. I turned in bed, staring at the ceiling, listening to Ryker’s steady breathing beside me. The weight of the pack, the war that was coming, the fear of what Mia might do next—it all pressed down on me. I exhaled, closing my eyes, trying to force myself into sleep. Then, suddenly— A shift in the air. The temperature in the room dropped. And I felt
Zara’s POV The pack meeting was over, but the air still crackled with tension. I had done what needed to be done. I had told them the truth about my son, shut down their doubts, and made it clear that no one would question me again. But despite my victory, I couldn’t shake the unease settling in my bones. This wasn’t over, Not by a long shot. I barely made it halfway back to my house before I heard footsteps behind me. I sighed. “What do you want, Ryker?” He fell into step beside me, hands in his pockets, green eyes sharp. “You didn’t hesitate, did you?” I glanced at him. “Why would I?” He scoffed. “Most people would have softened the blow. Given the time to process.” “I’m not most people, Ryker,” I said simply. His lips quirked up slightly. “No, you’re not.” We walked in silence for a few moments before he spoke again. “I meant what I said back there, Zara. I won’t push you to tell me where he is.” I studied him carefully, searching for any deception. But all I saw was…
Zara’s POV For too long, I had lived in the shadows of my past—haunted by memories I couldn’t grasp, by an emptiness I couldn’t explain. But now, I remembered. I knew the truth about his whereabouts. I had a son. And no one—not Mia, not the pack, not even Ryker—could change that. My son was safe, hidden away where no one could reach him. And now, it was time to let the pack know the truth. Without fear. Without regret. “Call for a pack meeting,” I said firmly. Ryker’s head snapped up from where he sat at his desk. His eyes flickered with something between surprise and suspicion. “Why?” I crossed my arms. “I have something to say.” He leaned forward, studying me carefully. “Zara, if this is about—” “It’s not up for discussion, Ryker.” My voice was steady and controlled. “Call the meeting.” There was a long pause. Then, slowly, he nodded. “Fine,” he said. “We’ll meet in the clearing at sundown.” I turned to leave, but his voice stopped me. “You’re different,” he murmur