Zenab awoke with a pounding headache, the room entirely unfamiliar and inducing a brief moment of panic—until the comforting scent grounded her. Every inch of the space was infused with Sander's distinctive aroma. As she took in the surroundings, the décor, accented with dark hues, unmistakably reflected his personality. Although Zenab usually preferred vibrant colors, she found herself liking the palette shades used in the room. Rising to her feet, the world tilted slightly, prompting her to pause and regain her balance. Once the dizziness subsided, she made her way to what she assumed was the bathroom. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, suggesting that everything must have transpired the day before. "Red?" she called out. Upon entering, she discovered a bathroom that was every woman's dream. Having been accustomed to luxury given Dave's status as an alpha, this level of opulence exceeded all her expectations. She could easily imagine herself unwinding in the bathtub with a g
"My problem is dim-witted women like you who think they can take what's mine. Sander belongs to me, and nothing you do will change that," she declared with a smug smirk. "By the end of the day, it'll be my name on his lips, just as it has been since he severed his bond from that woman rotting in the dungeon." Zenab felt a jolt of surprise knowing Miles was in the dungeon, but she pushed it aside to deal with later. For now, she needed to confront this woman. Without hesitation, Zenab closed the distance and drove a punch to her midsection. The woman, unprepared, doubled over in pain. "You little bitch!" the woman screamed. Zenab fixed her with a steely glare. "Listen carefully. The next time you think of flinging insults at me, you should reconsider. If you ever spew such nonsense again, I'll make sure you regret it, and I'll display your skin as a trophy. I won't tolerate disrespect, especially from someone as insignificant as you. Consider this your first and last warning." Wit
Her smile faltered at his tone, and she nodded. Following Micael, they soon found themselves in the pack's dungeon. Miles was shackled to the floor, the arrogant, stunning woman Zenab was accustomed to now a memory. They spotted Dave, Jaymie, and Brennan waiting together alongside a man she guessed was the doctor. He appeared to be in his fifties, his hair streaked with gray, but he was fit and surprisingly handsome—if you were into older men. "Alpha, Luna," the doctor greeted Sander and Zenab. At this, Dave turned sharply, and a brief flash of pain crossed his face. Zenab quickly averted her gaze, choosing to focus on the doctor instead. Jaymie left her mate's side and came to stand beside Zenab, taking her hand and squeezing it in a gesture of support. Zenab didn't need to fake her concern; she was genuinely worried. If there was a baby and it turned out to be Sander's, it would alter everything. Brennan nodded at her in acknowledgment, and she smiled back—it was hard to hold a
Just then, Mylene, known for her sharp tongue, walked by, casting Zenab a scathing look. Zenab returned the glare, unfazed. If Mylene thought intimidation would work, she was in for a surprise. "Don't mind her. She's held a torch for Sander since they were teens and is bitter he never saw her as more than a fling," the blue-eyed woman confided. "I'm Lesley, Micael's mate. We haven't been properly introduced since I was visiting my parent's pack when you arrived," she said, extending her hand. Zenab shook it, now understanding why Lesley seemed so familiar. "Zenab, but you already know that," she said sheepishly, and the woman just smiled widely. "You can call me Zen, though." They chatted for a while, and Zenab quickly found herself liking her. Zen reminded her so much of Jaymie, with their bubbly personalities and their unique ability to put anyone at ease. After about thirty minutes, Zen left, asking Zenab to promise they would hang out later. Zenab decided to check on Emeral
Meanwhile, Dave stared at the woman he once believed loved him. She looked far from her usual impeccable self. Her hair had gone unbrushed for days, and her skin appeared pale and ashy. Even though her clothes had changed, they were nothing like her typical designer ensembles; it was clear she despised that. After the paternity tests were revealed, Sander had handed her over to the council for trial, accusing her of drugging him, taking advantage of him, and lying about the child she was carrying being his. Given his status as a prominent alpha, the council responded quickly, taking her into custody while she awaited trial. "Why Miles? Tell me why," he asked, unable to suppress the tremor in his voice. He was permitted this visit solely because he was her mate. Despite everything, he couldn't resist coming to her; he needed to understand why she had done this to him, to them. Nobody knew he was here; otherwise, this visit would not have been sanctioned. She shrugged dismissively.
Zenab recognized the familiar citrus scent when she heard the door open, a clear sign that Dave had arrived home. She remained seated, not bothering to stand. What was the point? She was well aware that he wouldn't appreciate the gesture or even desire it.Zenab was taken aback by Dave's return. She seldom saw him these days and when their paths crossed, he often ignored, avoided, or lashed out at her. His absences grew so frequent that Zenab sometimes forgot she had a husband. Only the constant ache in her heart reminded her that she shared her life with someone—a mate who no longer desired her.Dave's footsteps approached the dining room. Zenab sat at the table, cradling a cup in her hands. She didn't look up as he got closer, nor when he stopped nearby. He tossed some documents onto the table, prompting Zenab to finally raise her eyes."What are these?" she asked cautiously, meeting his dark, cold gaze. His expression was one of indifference, a stark contrast to the man who had env
It shattered Zenab's heart to think that her own daughter no longer referred to her as "Mommy." These days, she was merely known as "her," as if reduced to the status of a servant in her own family.Dave's eyes softened as he looked at their daughter, Emerald. "Go to my room, honey. I'll be there soon, and then we can leave," he said tenderly.Their shared love for Emerald was the only common ground left between Zenab and Dave. Emerald was the perfect blend of both parents, with her reddish-brown hair—a heritage of Zenab's red locks mixed with Dave's brown—and his deep, obsidian eyes."Are we going to Mommy Miles? I love staying with her," Emerald said, her voice bubbling with excitement. Each mention of Miles as "mommy" pierced Zenab's heart a little deeper.Emerald hadn't referred to Zenab as her mother for months. She hadn't spoken to her or allowed Zenab near. Zenab's own daughter now favored another woman over her. Just like Dave, Emerald seemed to want nothing to do with Zenab.
"You don't mean that, Emerald. I'm your mommy," Zenab cried out, her tears flowing uncontrollably.Why did it feel like her heart was being torn to shreds, like it was being turned into minced meat?"You are no longer my mommy. I only have one mother, and that is Mommy Miles!" Emerald declared firmly, then turned her back on Zenab and ran to Miles.Miles enveloped Emerald in her arms, glaring at Zenab while whispering soothing words as if she were the biological mother, leaving Zenab feeling like an outsider, the woman who had ruined their happy occasion.Zenab couldn't believe Emerald had just denounced her in front of guests. How could her daughter do this to her? And how could Dave allow it? How could they choose Miles over her? The remaining fragments of her heart crumbled even further; she doubted anything could ever mend it.Before Zenab had a chance to collect her dignity, Dave was suddenly at her side. He seized her arm in a painful grip, dragging her away."Please, Dave..." s
Meanwhile, Dave stared at the woman he once believed loved him. She looked far from her usual impeccable self. Her hair had gone unbrushed for days, and her skin appeared pale and ashy. Even though her clothes had changed, they were nothing like her typical designer ensembles; it was clear she despised that. After the paternity tests were revealed, Sander had handed her over to the council for trial, accusing her of drugging him, taking advantage of him, and lying about the child she was carrying being his. Given his status as a prominent alpha, the council responded quickly, taking her into custody while she awaited trial. "Why Miles? Tell me why," he asked, unable to suppress the tremor in his voice. He was permitted this visit solely because he was her mate. Despite everything, he couldn't resist coming to her; he needed to understand why she had done this to him, to them. Nobody knew he was here; otherwise, this visit would not have been sanctioned. She shrugged dismissively.
Just then, Mylene, known for her sharp tongue, walked by, casting Zenab a scathing look. Zenab returned the glare, unfazed. If Mylene thought intimidation would work, she was in for a surprise. "Don't mind her. She's held a torch for Sander since they were teens and is bitter he never saw her as more than a fling," the blue-eyed woman confided. "I'm Lesley, Micael's mate. We haven't been properly introduced since I was visiting my parent's pack when you arrived," she said, extending her hand. Zenab shook it, now understanding why Lesley seemed so familiar. "Zenab, but you already know that," she said sheepishly, and the woman just smiled widely. "You can call me Zen, though." They chatted for a while, and Zenab quickly found herself liking her. Zen reminded her so much of Jaymie, with their bubbly personalities and their unique ability to put anyone at ease. After about thirty minutes, Zen left, asking Zenab to promise they would hang out later. Zenab decided to check on Emeral
Her smile faltered at his tone, and she nodded. Following Micael, they soon found themselves in the pack's dungeon. Miles was shackled to the floor, the arrogant, stunning woman Zenab was accustomed to now a memory. They spotted Dave, Jaymie, and Brennan waiting together alongside a man she guessed was the doctor. He appeared to be in his fifties, his hair streaked with gray, but he was fit and surprisingly handsome—if you were into older men. "Alpha, Luna," the doctor greeted Sander and Zenab. At this, Dave turned sharply, and a brief flash of pain crossed his face. Zenab quickly averted her gaze, choosing to focus on the doctor instead. Jaymie left her mate's side and came to stand beside Zenab, taking her hand and squeezing it in a gesture of support. Zenab didn't need to fake her concern; she was genuinely worried. If there was a baby and it turned out to be Sander's, it would alter everything. Brennan nodded at her in acknowledgment, and she smiled back—it was hard to hold a
"My problem is dim-witted women like you who think they can take what's mine. Sander belongs to me, and nothing you do will change that," she declared with a smug smirk. "By the end of the day, it'll be my name on his lips, just as it has been since he severed his bond from that woman rotting in the dungeon." Zenab felt a jolt of surprise knowing Miles was in the dungeon, but she pushed it aside to deal with later. For now, she needed to confront this woman. Without hesitation, Zenab closed the distance and drove a punch to her midsection. The woman, unprepared, doubled over in pain. "You little bitch!" the woman screamed. Zenab fixed her with a steely glare. "Listen carefully. The next time you think of flinging insults at me, you should reconsider. If you ever spew such nonsense again, I'll make sure you regret it, and I'll display your skin as a trophy. I won't tolerate disrespect, especially from someone as insignificant as you. Consider this your first and last warning." Wit
Zenab awoke with a pounding headache, the room entirely unfamiliar and inducing a brief moment of panic—until the comforting scent grounded her. Every inch of the space was infused with Sander's distinctive aroma. As she took in the surroundings, the décor, accented with dark hues, unmistakably reflected his personality. Although Zenab usually preferred vibrant colors, she found herself liking the palette shades used in the room. Rising to her feet, the world tilted slightly, prompting her to pause and regain her balance. Once the dizziness subsided, she made her way to what she assumed was the bathroom. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, suggesting that everything must have transpired the day before. "Red?" she called out. Upon entering, she discovered a bathroom that was every woman's dream. Having been accustomed to luxury given Dave's status as an alpha, this level of opulence exceeded all her expectations. She could easily imagine herself unwinding in the bathtub with a g
Meanwhile, Dave remained in Sander's territory, staring into the void. The incident—Zenab's outburst and attack on Miles—had concluded. Zenab had been sedated and taken to their room, while Miles had been consigned to the pack dungeon. A profound coldness enveloped him. He felt utterly lost. How had things reached this point? He'd believed he possessed everything—his mate and daughter—only to discover it was a cruel deception. How could Miles betray him like this? He'd trusted her, given her a second chance after she'd chosen Sander a decade ago. Yet she cheated on him. How could everything unravel so completely? He heard footsteps, but remained leaning against the balcony, staring into the endless night. "You alright, Dave?" Brennan, his beta and Jaymie's mate, asked. How could he answer? He was adrift, unable to define his emotions. Was this normal—this emotional paralysis after such a devastating event? He felt numb yet raw with pain. "I don't know, man...I just don'
Zenab stared at Miles, a woman who'd been a constant irritant since her return. Her hatred burned fiercely, especially now, so close to restoring her and Red's normalcy, only to have Miles ruin it. Fury consumed her; "angry" was a vast understatement."You can't mark her. I won't allow it," Miles insisted."Where do you get off thinking you can allow me to do anything?" Sander retorted coldly, causing Miles to flinch, her bravado dissolving.They were surrounded by Sander's pack, none of whom seemed to welcome Miles. Growls and menacing stares indicated a readiness to attack. Miles must have been truly reprehensible to inspire such animosity.Sander stood beside Zenab, unfazed, his gaze cool and calculating. While outwardly calm, Zenab knew the beast within—a predator poised to strike unexpectedly."Zenab!"Dave's voice cut through the night. He looked like a charging bull, having likely shifted to reach them so quickly—or perhaps he'd been nearby.He joined them, protectively envelop
"You may now kiss the bride," hung in the air—a dread Sander had carried since the day began. He didn't do kisses. Never had, never would. He wasn't a virgin; he had sexual encounters, but that was the extent of it. His lips never touched a woman's body, a peck on Miles' cheek being the closest he'd come.The joyous guests erupted in cheers, eager for a display of affection—a display that wasn't going to happen. Sander stared at Zenab; her eyes were wide with panic, her mouth agape, like a deer caught in headlights. She was clearly unsure what to do, waiting for his cue.He wrapped an arm around her waist, his other hand cupping the back of her head. He smoothly swung her around, shielding them from the guests' view. This suited him perfectly.Instead of kissing her lips, he kissed her neck. Given their height difference, the guests wouldn't notice the deviation from a proper kiss. Their enthusiastic cheers confirmed their belief in the charade.A tremor ran through Zenab's body, caus
"Would you please hold still?" Jaymie muttered, struggling to tie the laces of Zenab's wedding gown.Zenab's frustration erupted. "I can't!" she exclaimed. The day of her wedding had arrived, and she was a bundle of nerves, fidgeting uncontrollably, plagued by anxieties.The preceding week had flown by in a blur. Following the mall incident, she'd decided to design her own wedding gown, unwilling to risk another potentially dangerous shopping trip. Her company specialized in design; it was a logical solution to utilize her own employees' skills.Examining her reflection, Zenab was delighted with the result. She'd chosen a princess-style gown: a long-sleeved, high-necked illusion dress, adorned with rhinestones and delicately hand-sewn flowers."You look absolutely stunning," Jaymie whispered, her gaze reflecting Zenab's beauty. "Sander won't be able to take his eyes off you."Zenab grasped Jaymie's hand, squeezing it firmly. "Thank you, Jaymie."Indeed, she looked breathtaking. The dr