Ryker's pov The crackling of the fire in my office did little to warm the icy pit of regret in my chest. I stared at the reports scattered across my desk, each piece of information unraveling the web of lies I’d been blind to for far too long. Mia. Her name left a bitter taste in my mouth now. I’d believed her, trusted her, even let her whispers cloud my judgment about Zara. For years, Mia had portrayed herself as the perfect candidate for Luna—strong, supportive, and everything a pack could want in a leader. But now, piece by piece, the truth was revealing itself, and it was far uglier than I could have imagined. The first red flag had come from one of my top scouts. Mia had been patrolling the pack lands, loudly declaring herself as the Luna—my Luna. She even started giving orders to omegas, reshuffling responsibilities, and taking liberties only the Luna was entitled to. When I confronted her about it, she brushed it off with her usual charm. "I was only trying to help,
Mia's pov The pack house was quiet as I walked through its grand halls, my heels clicking softly against the polished wooden floors. The portraits of past Alphas lined the walls, each one staring down with an air of authority. Soon, my portrait would join them. The thought sent a thrill down my spine. For years, I had played the role of the sweet, innocent girl. The fragile one. The healer. The one who was never a threat. And it had worked beautifully. Zara, with her irritating self-righteousness, had always been too predictable. She wanted to save everyone, to be loved and adored. But me? I didn’t need their love, I wanted their respect. Their fear. And now, I was so close to having it. It hadn’t been hard to sway Ryker to my side. His guilt over Zara’s supposed betrayal had made him weak, his anger blinding him to the truth. A few carefully planted lies, a few strategic tears, and he believed every word I said. “She always wanted to be Luna,” I had whispered to him, my voice t
Zara’s POV: The air was cold as I stepped out of the dance studio, the sound of my footsteps echoing against the pavement. The city had an eerie stillness at this hour, the hum of distant traffic the only sign of life. It had been a long day, and my body ached in ways I hadn’t thought possible before. Adjusting my coat around my growing belly, I clutched my bag tightly and headed toward the bus stop. A faint sense of unease prickled at the back of my neck, but I pushed it aside. The city was unfamiliar, but so far, nothing terrible had happened here. You’re just tired, Zara, I told myself. But the unease didn’t fade. Halfway down the street, I realized I hadn’t seen a single other person. The quiet had shifted into something unnatural, and every instinct I had screamed at me to get to safety. My wolf, if she were still with me, would have been growling by now, warning me of danger. But the absence of her presence left me vulnerable and exposed. As I turned the corner, I caught si
Zara's pov The quiet hum of the car engine filled the tense silence as Adrian drove us deeper into the forest. My hands rested protectively over my belly, my thoughts spiraling as I tried to make sense of everything. Adrian had been clear earlier: “You’re not safe here, Zara. The human world can’t protect you. But my pack can.” It wasn’t the first time he’d mentioned his pack, the Silver Haven Pack, but now it carried a different weight. Adrian wasn’t just a helpful stranger or a Beta—he was the Alpha. The revelation had stunned me, but after everything that had happened, it somehow didn’t feel entirely out of place. Still, the idea of throwing myself and my unborn child into another pack’s hands filled me with apprehension. Packs weren’t safe, not for someone like me. I’d learned that the hard way. “Are you sure about this?” I asked, breaking the tense silence. Adrian glanced at me, his jaw tight. “Yes. My pack will protect you, Zara. No one will hurt you there. Not while I’m t
Ryker's POV The early morning sunlight filtered through my office window, reflecting on the dark wooden desk in front of me. The packhouse was alive with the usual hustle and bustle, yet my mind was anything but settled. For days now, I had been wrestling with the whispers around the pack, the new dynamics that Mia seemed to be orchestrating, and the quiet persistence of my mother. “Ryker, you should at least give Mia a chance,” my mother had said over breakfast that morning, her tone as soft as it was insistent. I sighed, leaning back in my chair, the memory of her words lingering. “She’s really changed, you know. The pack is beginning to warm up to her. She’s doing everything right. Hosting pack dinners, helping with the younger wolves’ training sessions, even volunteering to mend relationships with neighboring packs.” My mother had paused, her sharp eyes locking onto mine. “She’s proving she’s Luna material.” But I wasn’t convinced. Not yet. Mia’s sudden transformation had ca
Ryker’s POV The morning was unusually quiet, too quiet for my liking. The stillness felt suffocating, as though the air itself was conspiring to tell me something I didn’t want to hear. Lukas walked into my office, his expression uncharacteristically grim, holding a folded piece of paper. “Ryker,” he began, his voice hesitant. “What is it?” I asked, already bracing myself for the bad news. He handed me the note, his eyes filled with something I couldn’t quite place—pity? Regret? I unfolded the paper, the words scrawled in neat handwriting blurring as I read them: Alpha Adrian has officially welcomed Zara into his pack as an honorary member. For a moment, I thought my heart had stopped. The paper fell from my hands, fluttering to the floor as the weight of those words hit me like a tidal wave. “Adrian,” I muttered, the name tasting like ash in my mouth. Lukas cleared his throat. “We’ve confirmed it. Zara is in his territory. She’s… safe.” Safe? The word clawed at me.
Zara’s POV Adrian’s pack was nothing like what I’d expected—it was warm and welcoming, a sharp contrast to the fractured, tension-filled environment I’d left behind. Still, no matter how kind everyone was, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was an outsider trying to fit into a puzzle where I didn’t quite belong. But I was determined to try. “Zara, over here!” one of the younger wolves called as I helped unload supplies from a truck near the packhouse. I turned, smiling at Lily, a teenager who had quickly latched onto me like a younger sister. She waved enthusiastically, her energy contagious, and I found myself smiling despite the knot of unease that still lingered in my chest. “I’m coming,” I called back, setting the last of the boxes down. Life in Adrian’s pack had been an adjustment, but I’d slowly started finding my footing. I joined in on community efforts, helped with organizing pack events, and even sparred with some of the warriors during training. Adrian encourage
Zara’s POV The days that followed were a whirlwind of tension and unease. Selena’s veiled hostility grew sharper, her actions more calculated. She wasn’t just trying to unsettle me anymore—she was testing boundaries, pushing limits. And I couldn’t help but feel that her efforts weren’t just about me; they were about Adrian too. I tried to focus on my place in the pack, pouring myself into helping wherever I could. Adrian had trusted me to make a life here, and I wasn’t going to let someone like Selena push me out. But my resolve only seemed to fuel her fire. Late one evening, after a long day helping the healers, I stepped into the packhouse’s common room, only to find a group of wolves gathered in hushed conversation. They glanced at me as I entered, their voices falling silent. “What’s going on?” I asked, trying to keep my tone light. Lily, sitting on the edge of the couch, looked up with wide eyes. “It’s the southern patrol,” she whispered. “They were ambushed near the bo
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 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
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'pov The realization hit me like a thunderstorm in the middle of the night. I wasn’t safe. My son wasn’t safe. And no matter where I went or who I leaned on, the danger would follow. I sat in the quiet of my office, staring at the empty club floor below. The echoes of past battles and whispered threats filled the air. Ryker and Adrian had always been there to protect me, but how much longer could I rely on them? How many more times would they put their lives on the line for me while I stood helplessly by? The thought churned my stomach. “Enough,” I whispered, gripping the edge of the desk. Nora stirred in my mind, her voice steady and firm. "Finally. I’ve been waiting for this, Zara." “For what?” "For you to stop running and start fighting. You’re stronger than you think, and it’s time you proved it—to yourself and to everyone else." Her words ignited something in me. The fear that had shackled me for so long began to morph into something else: anger. And beneath
Zara'pov The aftermath of the battle left the club in ruins. Broken glass and overturned tables littered the floor, the faint scent of smoke and ozone clinging to the air. Ryker’s wounds were deep but manageable, though his expression was grim as I helped him to a chair in the back office.“Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked, pressing a damp cloth to his temple where a gash had left a streak of blood.“I’m fine,” he muttered, wincing slightly. “But we need to talk.”“No kidding,” I snapped, pacing the small space. My emotions were a whirlwind—fear, confusion, anger, and something else I couldn’t quite name. “That man—whatever he is—said I don’t even know who I am. And now you’re saying I’m some kind of chosen one? What does that even mean, Ryker?”He looked at me, his blue eyes filled with a mix of frustration and concern. “It means you’re more important than you realize, Zara. Your bloodline has always been special, but you… you’re the culmination of it. The Moon Goddess marked you
Zara'pov The next night, the club was packed again, a sea of bodies moving to the rhythm of the music. I kept myself busy at the bar, pouring drinks and exchanging polite smiles with customers, but my mind was elsewhere. Ryker had been conspicuously absent for two nights, and though I hated admitting it, the emptiness he left behind was palpable. I was wiping down the counter when a strange scent hit me—earthy, ancient, and faintly metallic. It wasn’t wolf, human, or vampire. It was… different. Nora bristled instantly. "Something’s wrong," she growled. I turned slowly, scanning the room. Everything seemed normal, but I trusted Nora’s instincts. She was rarely wrong. As I moved to check on the VIP section, the lights flickered. Just once. Enough to send a ripple of unease through the crowd. Then I saw him. A man stood near the edge of the dance floor, dressed in a sleek black suit. His features were sharp, his pale skin almost glowing under the club lights. But it was his eyes
Zara'pov The next week passed without incident. I had convinced myself that Ryker’s visit was a one-time occurrence, a fleeting moment of curiosity that wouldn’t repeat. But I should have known better. Ryker wasn’t the type to make casual appearances, nor was he the type to leave anything unfinished. The first time he returned, it was subtle. I noticed him sitting at the far end of the bar, nursing a drink, his gaze sweeping the club but always landing back on me. I ignored him, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. The second time, it was more obvious. He was in the VIP section, laughing and talking with a group of his warriors. Every now and then, I’d feel his eyes on me, like a weight I couldn’t shake. By the third time, his presence had become impossible to ignore. It was a busy Friday night; the club was packed with humans, werewolves, and other supernaturals. The air buzzed with energy, the music a constant thrum that seemed to sync with my pulse. I was behi
Zara's pov The club was alive, pulsing with energy and music that seemed to vibrate in the walls. Our nightclub was a sanctuary, a neutral ground where werewolves, humans, and other supernaturals could mingle in peace. It had taken years to establish this kind of harmony, and it was one of the few things in my life that I could truly say I was proud of. Adrian had left the human world, his protective instincts finally satisfied after ensuring I was no longer in immediate danger. He had lingered longer than usual this time. I knew he cared, but I also knew he had other responsibilities as the Alpha King. For the first time in days, I felt like I could breathe without the weight of someone else's concern pressing down on me. I was halfway down the grand staircase that led to the main floor when one of the waitresses, a young girl named Emily, called out to me. “Ma’am Zara!” she said, hurrying toward me, her expression a mix of panic and uncertainty. “What is it, Emily?” I asked,
Zara’s POV The air in the office was tense, charged with a dangerous energy. Adrian stood in front of me, his stance protective as the hooded figure revealed himself. His sneer was unmistakable—a rogue, his scent tinged with blood and rebellion. Adrian’s voice was low and menacing. “Who sent you?” The rogue chuckled darkly, his eyes glinting with malice. “You already know the answer, Alpha.” My stomach twisted as Adrian’s expression darkened, his aura flaring with raw dominance. “Logan,” he growled. The rogue’s grin widened. “He’s not done with her. Do you think hiding her here would keep her safe? Logan always finishes what he starts.” My heart pounded, and my wolf bristled at the threat. Adrian’s men stormed into the room, their weapons ready, but Adrian raised a hand, signalling them to stop. “Take him alive to the pack and deliver him to Logan dead,” he ordered, his voice sharp. “I want him to see what happens when you threaten someone under my protection.” The rogu