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 note weighed heavily in my hand, its simple words echoing in my mind: “Stop searching, or you’ll regret it.” Whoever sent it wasn’t bluffing. The message wasn’t just a warning—it was a threat, and I couldn’t ignore it. Ryker had been pacing the room since the letter arrived, his movements sharp and deliberate. “We have to assume they know what you’re looking for,” he said, breaking the silence. “They?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly. “Who do you think sent it? The Keepers?” “Most likely,” he replied, stopping to face me. His jaw clenched. “But there’s a chance it’s someone we haven’t accounted for yet. A third party.” “Third party?” The idea sent a chill through me. “You mean someone who isn’t with the Keepers or us?” He nodded, his eyes narrowing. “There are other factions out there—smaller, more secretive groups who want the prophecy for themselves. If one of them found out about your brother…” The thought was too much to bear. I stood abruptly, my hands
Zara’s POV The sound of footsteps grew louder, crunching against the fallen leaves outside the cabin. My heart raced, and every instinct screamed for me to run, but I planted my feet firmly on the ground. Not this time. James tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, his eyes scanning the single window. “There are at least six of them,” he said in a low voice. “They won’t stop until they have you, Zara.” Ryker moved beside him, unsheathing his dagger. “Let them come. They’re not leaving alive.” I swallowed hard, glancing at Seris. She stood near the door, her expression unreadable. “Do you have any of your tricks up your sleeve, or are you just here to watch?” I asked her. She smirked, pulling a small vial of shimmering liquid from her cloak. “Relax, darling. I’m not completely useless.” Before I could ask what the vial did, the door burst open. Three men stormed in, their faces twisted with grim determination. They were armed with swords and daggers, their movement
Zara’s POV The weight of the letter sat heavily in my pocket as we moved through the dense forest, each step crunching against the fallen leaves. The night air was thick with tension, and though none of us said it aloud, we all felt the same thing. We were being followed. James walked ahead, his steps sure and silent, as if he knew this land better than anyone. Ryker stayed close beside me, his hand never straying far from his dagger. Seris, on the other hand, moved like she had no care in the world, humming under her breath as if we weren’t running for our lives. I couldn’t shake the feeling that the note—Trust no one—wasn’t just a warning. It was a test. And I wasn’t sure any of us would pass. We reached the ruins of an old stone outpost deep within the forest, hidden by thick vines and moss-covered walls. It looked like no one had been here in centuries, but James insisted it was safe. “Stay inside,” he ordered. “I need to check the perimeter.” “I’ll go with you,” Ryker sa
Zara’s POV The silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. My mind raced as I stared at the woman standing at the edge of the pit. Elena. James’s supposed sister. I could feel the tension rolling off James in waves. His fists clenched at his sides, his entire body rigid as if he were trying to hold himself together. “You’re lying,” he finally said, his voice cold and detached. “I don’t have any other sister besides the twins.” Elena arched a brow, unimpressed. “Believe what you want, brother, but denying the truth doesn’t change it.” James took a step forward, his jaw tightening. “If you’re my sister, where have you been all these years?” She smirked. “Now that’s the right question.” Before James could press her further, Ryker cut in. “As fascinating as this family reunion is, maybe get us the hell out of here first?” Elena let out an exaggerated sigh. “Fine. But don’t say I never did anything for you.” She turned and disappeared from view. A moment later, a rope la
Zara’s POV The battles, the betrayals, the endless running—it all had to stop. I was tired of looking over my shoulder, tired of losing people I loved. The Keepers had haunted me my entire life, and now, with the truth about my family and our bloodline finally out in the open, I knew what had to be done. We had to finish this. The hidden sanctuary where we took refuge had become a war room. James, Elena, Seris, Ryker, and I spent days strategizing, gathering intelligence, and preparing for the final stand against the Keepers and the unknown traitor who had been lurking in the shadows. “I say we stop being on the defensive,” James said, arms crossed. “We go straight to their stronghold. End this before they get another chance to regroup.” Seris sighed, twirling a dagger between her fingers. “Direct, dangerous, and reckless. I like it.” Ryker glanced at me. “Zara?” I met his gaze and nodded. “No more hiding. We take the fight to them. But we do it smart. We set the trap th
Zara’s POVThe tension in the room was suffocating. Ryker stood in front of me, his eyes dark with frustration, his jaw clenched so tightly I could see the muscles twitch. I had just refused his offer—his invitation to join the Crescent Moon Pack.Silence stretched between us, thick and heavy, as if we were standing on opposite sides of a battlefield. And in many ways, we were.“You’re serious about this,” he finally said, his voice low, almost dangerous. I crossed my arms, my chest tightening. “Yes, I am.” His nostrils flared. “You really want to stay away from the pack? From me?”My throat tightened at his words, but I forced myself to stand tall. “I don’t want to be part of a pack that cast me out so easily, Ryker. That turned its back on me when I needed them the most. When you—” I cut myself off before I could say it, before I could let the pain show.But it was too late. He heard it in my voice.Regret flickered in his eyes. “Zara…”“No,” I interrupted, shaking my head. “I c
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