FAZER LOGIN***ZANE'S POV***I had barely reached the corridor when I stopped. Ella was somewhere ahead of me. I could still sense her scent, faint but familiar, and my wolf was urging me to follow it. Every instinct inside me insisted that I should catch up with her, get her alone, and find out who she really was.I took another step before the absurdity of what I was doing finally registered.What the fuck was I doing?I stopped completely and looked down the corridor. I was the Alpha King of Ashen Kingdom, and I had just abandoned a hall filled with visiting Alphas because a woman reminded me of someone I had banished six years ago. Was I missing Isabella so much that a familiar scent was enough to make me lose my sense? Was I seriously about to chase another man's wife through my own palace simply because she had the same eyes as the woman I once called my mate?I rubbed a hand over my face. This was ridiculous.Isabella was gone. I had made that decision myself, and I had never questioned it
**ISABELLA'S POV**The closer we came to Ashen Kingdom, the harder it became to keep my attention on the road ahead.I sat beside Terrence in the carriage, with Zachary resting against me. He had been talking excitedly about the summit since we left Blue Moon, asking questions about the other Alphas and whether he would get to see their wolves. I had answered whenever he spoke to me, but my mind was elsewhere. The familiar landscape brought back a feeling I had spent years trying to leave behind.I kept my hands folded in my lap and watched the trees pass outside the window. I had promised myself that returning here would not affect me. I had a different face, a different name, a family waiting for me, and a life I had built with my own hands. None of that changed the fact that every mile brought me closer to a place I had never wanted to see again.Terrence reached across the seat and rested his hand over mine."You've been quiet."I turned to him. "I'm just a little tired."He studi
**ZANE'S POV** The grand hall was already filled with visiting Alphas when I took my position beside Monica. As Alpha King, I was accustomed to receiving the leaders of other territories. Some came seeking alliances, others came to discuss disputes, and a few simply wanted to maintain their relationship with the kingdom. Whatever their reasons, they all understood the importance of showing respect when they entered my territory. I greeted each delegation personally, exchanging pleasantries before allowing Tyrone to escort them to their seats. "Your Majesty, Alpha Terrence of the Blue Moon Clan has arrived." I turned toward the entrance. Terrence walked in with two guards behind him. I recognized him from previous gatherings, although we had never had much reason to interact beyond official matters. He approached with a respectful smile. "Your Majesty." "Alpha Terrence. Welcome to Ashen Kingdom." We clasped hands. "It's an honor to be here," he replied. I was about to welcome
Isabella's POV “Zachary, if you put one more biscuit in your pocket, you will have to explain to Mrs. Collins why her entire tin has disappeared.”My son froze beside the counter, his small hand halfway into the biscuit tin. He looked at me, then at the biscuit he had already managed to hide in his pocket, apparently weighing the consequences of his actions. Behind him, Mrs. Collins, one of my regular customers, burst out laughing.“I was saving it for later, Mama.”“You have been saving biscuits for later since you learned how to walk.”“But I get hungry later.”I gave up pretending to be stern and lifted him onto the stool beside the counter. After wiping the crumbs from his cheek, I handed him a small plate with two biscuits on it.“These are yours. The rest belong to the customers.”He accepted the arrangement with a satisfied nod, while Mrs. Collins shook her head in amusement.My mornings at the inn rarely passed without something demanding my attention. The dining room needed
SIX YEARS LATER ZANE'S POVSix years had passed since I tore the crown from Isabella’s head and banished her from the Ashen Pack. The decision had changed more than I had anticipated, though I had spent years refusing to examine the consequences.I stood by the massive arched windows of the Alpha’s study, staring out over the sprawling stone courtyard. Below, guards moved between the buildings while servants hurried about their duties. The kingdom remained strong, its borders secure and its people prosperous, yet the silence that followed me into my private chambers was something I had never learned to tolerate.My inner wolf shifted restlessly beneath my skin, his displeasure a constant presence I had long since grown accustomed to ignoring. He had never accepted the severed bond, and neither time nor my efforts to bury the past had persuaded him otherwise.“Zane! Are you even listening to me?”Monica's voice cut through my thoughts. I didn't turn around.“Zane!”Her heels clicked s
Isabella's POVA month had passed since Terrence brought me to the Blue Moon Clan, and I was beginning to feel settled. I had found a cleaning job at an inn near the market, and although the long hours left me exhausted, I was getting used to the work. At least I could earn my own money while living under Terrence's roof.He had never made me feel like a burden. We often shared dinner when his duties allowed it, and our conversations had become something I looked forward to. For all his authority as Alpha, Terrence was easy to talk to, and I had come to trust him as a friend.That evening, we sat together at the dining table while he told me about a merchant who had wasted nearly an hour arguing over a simple dispute.“You should have seen his face when I ruled against him,” Terrence said, shaking his head. “Apparently, he expected me to change the rules because he didn't like them.”I laughed. “Perhaps he thought you would eventually get tired of listening to him.”“I nearly did.”Hi







