Chapter 115: With Her ChildrenZarina's POVI don't know how I managed it.How I was able to pack clothes for three little ones with shaking hands. How I took them out one by one in the middle of the night without being detected. How I found the strength to walk for hours in woods, mud, and icy air with nothing but fear in my heart and hope in my hands.But I did it.I did it because I had no choice.Because I did not wish them to be raised where their mother was walked all over—where their mother was treated as if she was nothing. Where a woman like Cara could put her foot on me and laugh, and people would look on.I did it because I wouldn't let my babies grow up and think that was okay.We walked for what seemed like forever.The triplets were exhausted, sleepy, disoriented. Karly hung on to me, holding my hand in a death grip. Zaya simply repeated over and over that we were going to the lake for a picnic, just like before. Kairo—poor little Kairo—fell asleep in my arms, his head o
Chapter 1104: She's Not HereAsher's perspectiveIt was a cooler morning than normal.I half-heartedly pulled at my shirt, yawned, and stepped out of the packhouse bedroom. The corridors were quiet—abnormally quiet. I glanced at my watch. It was late. Almost noon.Zarina always had breakfast ready by now.There'd always be the soft triplets' laughter, the scent of tea or something sweet on the stove. Zaya'd be chasing Karly. Kaya'd be sitting in her lap, refusing to eat until somebody read to her.but todaySilenceI scowled and went down to the ground floor. Perhaps she was late. Perhaps she'd taken them out into the fresh air. That explained it.I then halted at the bottom of the stairs.It wasn't well received.it stood. empty. Not just quiet—empty.No toys scattered around the floor. No clothes drying near the fireplace. No half-opened book children would place on the couch.I checked the kitchen.Cold. The stove had nothing on it.I called out. “Zarina?”There isn't.I shouted
Chapter 113: I Can't Stay Where I'm Not Wanted(Zarina's POV)The bruises on my arms weren't the worst part.Not the dirt in my hair, not the dress ripped to shreds and clinging to my body, not even the spit on my face that no one wiped off for me.It was the look in my children's eyes.Karly had stood before me, fists clenched, small body trembling. Zaya and Zain had cried, yelled, pleaded with them to stop leaving me alone. And through it all, I was unable to do anything. Humiliated. Alone.The pack I committed myself to. watched.Seen as Cara, in front of the wolves my partner and I had hunted, dragged me out of the trees and used me, "useless," "a placeholder," "a pity Luna who was never actually picked." She struck me. She stood on my dress. She poured cold water and then wine over me.And then she spoke the words. Out loud and clear."You don't belong here. Asher marked me. I'm the Luna now. This pack is mine. This home is mine. And you—" she leaned in, her smile venomous, "—yo
Chapter 112- Broke Me in Front of EveryoneZarina’s PovThe moon hung over the treetops. The stars were tiny witnesses, looking down from on high--looking down over the night that shattered me completely.I'd just come back from the woods. I hadn't told where I was going, not even to the twins. I needed to see it with my own eyes. The clearing. The smell. The reality that my son tried to shield me from.I've found it. A his and hers fragrance set. Brand new.I walked back home with my hands that shook. But my heart? It hadn't been beating in a very, very long time. Maybe the day he started to lie. Or the day that I pretended that I hadn't seen.I sat quietly on the porch of the small, quaint cottage where Asher had moved me. Away from the packhouse. Away from everything I'd ever known to call home.And then, I heard voices.Footsteps. LaNo. not laughter. MockingBefore I could stand up fully, they came into view.Cara. A group of pack women. The same women that used to refer to me as
Chapter one hundred and one : I Just Wanted Mommy to Smile(Karly's POV – Zarina and Asher's little boy)Mommy doesn't smile anymore.She once smiled when I did silly faces. When I tripped and cried out, "Oops!" she would laugh and kiss me on the nose. She once danced with me in the living room, spinning me around until I spun around and laughed on the floor.But now… she doesn't.She just sits beside the window. Her eyes stare out, like waiting for something. Sometimes she utters things such as, "He's late again," or "Why didn't he say goodbye?"And sometimes, when I don't notice, I catch her hastily wiping her tears.I don't like it.Mommy used to be happy. Now she's… not.I asked her, "Mommy, are you okay?"She smiled very little. Extremely little. "I'm okay, baby," she said to me. But I knew she was lying.I spoke to my sister, Zaya. She is my twin sister. She said, "Maybe Daddy did something."And she said to me, "Maybe we should find out."I did not want to be in trouble. But I
..Chapter 110- The Shame They Want Me to CarryZarina's POVThe morning sun wasn't completely up when I woke. My eyes were heavy, my head throbbing from last night. Asher had come home late again. I didn't ask much. He was tired. He smelled different.But I didn't say a word.I told myself I would wait.I told myself he would tell me the truth when he was ready.I slipped out of bed as quietly as possible, not wanting to awaken the twins. They'd finally fallen asleep after a evening of confusion. "Why isn't Daddy home?" "Why didn't we get to go to the party too?" "Why doesn't anybody play with us anymore?"I had no replies. I had nothing but silence.I wrapped a shawl around my shoulders and stepped out into the morning. It was cool, and I took deep breaths, attempting to allow the crisp scent of the woods to calm my nerves. I needed peace. A little peace, at least.And then I heard a cry.A faint whimper—a noise from the side of the house.I rushed to it, my heart already racing. A