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 Seris requested we do the ritual ina a room so I took her to an empty room in the pack house. The room was dark, lit only by the dim glow of a single candle Seris had lit in the corner. Her voice was soft but persuasive as she leaned closer to me, her eyes shimmering with something I couldn’t quite place. “You have to trust me, Zara,” she whispered. “The answers you seek are locked away in your memory. If you let me, I can help you recover them. You deserve to know who you truly are and why your power is so important.” Her words were tempting, the promise of finally understanding the emptiness in my mind pulling at me like a magnet. For so long, I had lived in the shadow of questions I didn’t have answers to—questions about my family, my power, and the life I’d been forced to live. Seris reached out, her fingers hovering near my forehead. “It’s just one spell, Zara. One little incantation, and it will all come back to you.” I hesitated, my instincts screaming at me
Zara's pov The clearing at the edge of the forest was eerily silent, save for the faint rustle of leaves and the distant cry of the wind. Seris moved with precision, drawing symbols into the dirt with a blade that glinted faintly in the moonlight. The symbols pulsed with energy, their glow rippling like water as she completed the intricate circle. I stood in the center, my heart pounding. The weight of the decision I’d made pressed heavily on me, but there was no turning back now. If the silver-eyed man was right, if there was something buried deep in my mind, I needed to know. Seris straightened, brushing dirt from her hands as she turned to me. “Once we begin, there’s no stopping,” she said, her tone serious. “The magic will force your memories to surface, but it won’t be gentle. You’ll have to face them—no matter how painful they are.” I nodded, my fists clenched at my sides. “I’m ready.” She gave me a long, searching look, then raised her hands, her voice low and melodi
Zara’s POV The room was dark, lit only by the dim glow of a single candle Seris had lit in the corner. Her voice was soft but persuasive as she leaned closer to me, her eyes shimmering with something I couldn’t quite place. “You have to trust me, Zara,” she whispered. “The answers you seek are locked away in your memory. If you let me, I can help you recover them. You deserve to know waho you truly are and why your power is so important.” Her words were tempting, the promise of finally understanding the emptiness in my mind pulling at me like a magnet. For so long, I had lived in the shadow of questions I didn’t have answers to—questions about my family, my power, and the life I’d been forced to live. Seris reached out, her fingers hovering near my forehead. “It’s just one spell, Zara. One little incantation, and it will all come back to you.” I hesitated, my instincts screaming at me to pull back, but I couldn’t deny the desperation I felt. I wanted to know. I needed to know.
Zara's POV I stared at the faint crescent moon mark on my wrist, its delicate curves glowing softly in the dim light. I’d never noticed it before, but now it seemed like it had always been there, quietly hiding beneath the surface of my skin. It felt strange, almost alive, like it carried a weight I didn’t understand. “Ryker,” I said, my voice shaky, “what does this mark mean?” He froze, his eyes locking onto the mark like it was a ticking bomb. His jaw tightened, and for a moment, he looked like he was trying to decide how much to tell me. “It’s… complicated,” he said finally, his tone hesitant. I stepped closer, holding out my wrist. “Don’t ‘complicated’ me, Ryker. You’ve kept enough secrets from me already. What does it mean?” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “The mark—it’s tied to your bloodline. It’s a symbol of the prophecy, Zara.” My heart skipped a beat. “The prophecy? The one about the ‘child of the crescent moon’? The one who’s supposed to restore balance an
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
Zara's pov The air in the room shifted, thickening like the moment before a storm. I felt it before I saw him—a strange, pulsing energy that made the hairs on my arms rise. The dim candlelight flickered wildly, shadows stretching unnaturally along the walls. Then he appeared. A tall, lean figure cloaked in white was standing in the doorway as if he had materialized from thin air. His presence was overwhelming, radiating an aura of raw power that sent a shiver down my spine. His long white hair cascaded over his shoulders, his silver eyes piercing into mine with an intensity that made it impossible to look away. I clutched the baby tighter to my chest, my heartbeat hammering in my ears. He stirred in my arms, but he didn’t cry. It was as if even he could sense the weight of the presence before us. “Who are you?” I demanded my voice firm despite the fear coiling in my gut. The man took a single step forward, his gaze never wavering. “My name is Arcturus,” he said, his voice deep a
Zara’s POV The words were carved into the wooden training dummies like a message from the dead. ZARA HIDES A SON. WHAT ELSE IS SHE HIDING? I stood there, frozen, as the pack murmured around me. My heartbeat pounded so hard in my chest that I felt like I couldn’t breathe. A son? My son? It wasn’t the first time I had felt this ache—this emptiness inside me, like something was missing, like a piece of me had been stolen. Because it had. The memory was gone. Ripped from my mind like a page torn from a book. But my heart knew. Somewhere, deep in my soul, I had always known. I had a son, and I had lost him. “Zara?” Ryker’s voice cut through my thoughts. His hand was on my arm, grounding me. “Are you okay?” I wasn’t. I could barely hear him over the pounding in my skull, the whispers of something just out of reach, something that I should have remembered but couldn’t. I turned to him, my throat dry. “Who wrote this?” His jaw clenched, his fury barely rest
Mia’s POV Darkness suited me, I thrived in it. While my dear sister basked in the light of her so-called redemption, I worked in the shadows, planting the seeds of her destruction. She didn’t see it coming. None of them did. But soon… they would. It had only been three days since I sent the anonymous letter, but already, I could hear the whispers spreading through the Crescent Moon Pack. Doubt.,Suspicion and Fear among the pack members. The pack had welcomed Zara back, but deep down, their trust in her was fragile. They had turned on her once—why wouldn’t they do it again? I sat at the edge of the forest, hidden from sight, watching as a group of elders gathered outside the packhouse. Their faces were lined with concern, their voices hushed. “She came back different,” one of them muttered. Another nodded. “She survived too much. And she never speaks of where she was or how she became so powerful.” “And that power,” a third elder whispered, “it’s unnatural.” I grinned, Pe
Mia’s POV Hatred wasn’t just an emotion for me—it was the very essence of my existence. It had been my constant companion, whispering in my ears since childhood, fueling the fire that burned inside me. Zara had taken everything from me. Our sibling’s love. The respect of our pack. The admiration of our people. Even Ryker, the Alpha who should have been mine. No matter what I did, no matter how carefully I laid my plans, she always found a way to survive. But this time… This time, I wouldn’t just break her. I would erase her. I sat in the dimly lit chamber of my hidden hideout, my fingers tapping against the wooden table, the rhythmic sound echoing through the silence. The scent of burning wax from a nearby candle filled the air, but even its warmth did nothing to cool the rage boiling inside me. I had done everything right. I had framed Zara for treason, turned the pack against her, and even manipulated Ryker into rejecting her. She had been exiled, thrown into the cold,
Ryker’s POV The scent of Zara’s blood still lingered in the air. It clung to my skin, burned into my memory like a curse I would never escape. I sat in my office, my fists clenched so tightly my knuckles turned white. The rage inside me simmered, barely contained, and no matter how many deep breaths I took, it refused to settle. Mia had dared to touch my mate. She had dared to spill Zara’s blood right under my nose, and I had let it happen. I slammed my fist against the desk, the wood splintering under my strength. This was my faul all of it. If I hadn’t been so blind, if I hadn’t believed Mia’s lies all those years ago, Zara would have never been cast out. She would have never been forced to fight for her life, never had to build herself back up from nothing. And now, even when she had come back, even after I had sworn to protect her, I had failed her again. Mia was a sickness, a poison that had embedded itself deep in our pack, and I had been too much of a fool to see it