Chapter Seven : Find Her
Kael’s POV I sat in my chamber, my fingers clenched so tightly that my nails dug into my palms. The room was dimly lit, the heavy curtains drawn shut, but I could still hear the voices outside. My warriors. My pack. They were trying to reassure me. “Alpha, you don’t have to worry,” one of them said. “You won the last fight. You can do it again.” “Yes, Alpha,” another added. “Darius was weak then, and he’s still weak now. Be rest assured that the seal would be given to you even if they had to do countless times” I wanted to believe them. I wanted to hold onto their blind faith in me. But I couldn’t. Because I knew the truth. Darius wasn’t weak. The only reason I had won that fight was because he had been drugged. And now, the truth had come out. The head elder had returned, and he wasn’t pleased. He had ordered the battle to be redone. This time, in his presence. And this time, Darius would be at full strength. I could already imagine it—his fangs bared, his claws tearing into my flesh, his rage unleashed. My wolf stirred uneasily inside me, sensing my fear. Yes. I was afraid. I wasn’t ready to leave this title that I just held. I stood up abruptly, my heart pounding in my chest. My warriors turned to me, their eyes filled with confidence, but they didn’t understand. They didn’t realize what I had lost. Zarina. She would have helped me if she were here. She would have counseled me, taught me, readied me. She always knew what to do. But she was not here. Because I had driven her away. I had humiliated her before everyone. I had rejected her like she was trash. And now… now I was the one who needed her. I swallowed my pride. I had no choice. I turned to my warriors, my voice trembling with desperation. "Bring Zarina back," I ordered. They exchanged skeptical glances. "Alpha, are you sure— Do you really think she would come back" "Bring her back!" I snarled, my voice echoing through the room. "If you still want me to be your Alpha, then go and bring her back." There was silence in the room. I could feel the doubt in their eyes. Some of them had witnessed how I had acted towards Zarina. They knew what I had done. But I was desperate. I closed my eyes and did something I never had before. I bowed my head. I'll reward whoever brings her," I said, my voice now soft. "Anything they want… land, gold, a high position. Just bring her back." They hesitated only a moment longer before nodding. "Yes, Alpha," they said in unison before hurrying out. I fell back into my chair, gripping the armrests tightly. Would she even come back? Would she even forgive me? I'd never felt so powerless. And I hated it.Chapter EightChapter Eight: The ContractZarina’s POVMy fingers tightened around the bathroom door handle, my body aching for a moment of peace. The exhaustion from the past few days weighed heavily on me. A long, hot bath—that was all I needed. Just a little time to forget everything, to escape, even if only for a while.But just as I was about to step inside, the door to the bedroom creaked open.My entire body tensed.I turned sharply, already knowing who it was. “Asher,” I snapped.He stood there, leaning against the doorframe, his tall frame filling the space. His skin was still damp from a shower, water droplets sliding down his toned chest, disappearing beneath the towel slung low around his hips. His muscles were carved, powerful, a silent display of dominance.A shiver ran down my spine.I tore my gaze away, my cheeks burning.“Knock next time,” I muttered, gripping the door handle tighter.His lips curled slightly, but there was no amusement in his eyes. “Knock?” He steppe
Chapter Nine: The Contractor And The ContracteeZarina’s POVMy hands still shook as I passed the signed contract to Asher. The paper felt heavier than it should. It wasn’t just ink on a page—it was my fate, my future. Asher took it without a word, folding it neatly, his dark eyes never leaving mine.For a moment, the silence between us was suffocating. My heart pounded, and I could feel the tension building in the air. It was the calm before the storm.Then, Asher’s voice broke the silence, low and firm, his words like a command. “The contractee must satisfy the contractor,” he said, his gaze piercing through me.My breath caught. I knew exactly what he meant. I felt the blood rush to my face. My body tensed as I stood there, frozen in place.I wanted to scream at him, to tell him I would never do what he was asking, but I knew better. He wasn’t the kind of man who took no for an answer.His gaze hardened as he took a step closer. “Take off your clothes,” he ordered, his voice cool,
Chapter Ten: Tension and DesireZarina’s POVI woke up with a start. My heart raced as I realized I wasn’t alone. The warmth of someone’s body surrounded me. I blinked, trying to adjust to the dim light of the room. It took a moment for everything to come back to me—the contract, the strange and powerful bond between me and Asher, the alpha I’d never asked for.As I shifted slightly, I felt his arm around me, holding me close. My breath caught in my throat. I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t be feeling this way. But his touch was comforting in a strange, confusing way.I quickly tried to slip away from his embrace, but just as I moved, his arm tightened around me, pulling me back. I froze, my heart pounding. He stirred, his eyes still closed, but his voice was soft and low, “Where do you think you’re going?”“I—I’m sorry,” I stammered, trying to free myself. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”Asher didn’t let go. His grip on me was strong, possessive, and I couldn’t help but feel a strange ki
Chapter Eleven: Not One of ThemZarina’s POVI sat on the edge of the bed, brushing my hair with slow, shaky hands. The morning light was soft, slipping through the curtains like a quiet whisper. My heart felt heavy for reasons I couldn’t explain. Last night had shaken me. The way Asher held me. The way his voice softened when he asked about my past. The way he looked at me like I was something more than just a name on a contract.A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.“Asher?” I asked quietly.He opened the door without waiting for permission. He always did that—like this room was his too, like I was his.He looked different today. Still sharp. Still strong. But his eyes held something I couldn’t name. Guilt, maybe. Or fear.“I wanted to see you,” he said.My heart skipped. “Is everything okay?”He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he came closer and sat beside me. I tensed, unsure. But then his hand found mine—warm, steady.“You looked upset last night,” he said softl
Chapter Twelve: Don’t Touch Me If You’ll Let Me BreakZarina’s POVI didn’t run.I walked—slow, quiet, broken—until I reached the room. And then I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, staring into the empty silence.I didn’t cry at first.I just stood there, trying to breathe through the heaviness in my chest. My hands shook as I reached up to untie my hair. My fingers failed me. I gave up. I sat on the edge of the bed like my bones couldn’t carry me anymore.Everything they said kept replaying in my head.“What’s your family name, dear?”“Her kind can’t lead packs, you know that.”“Are you sure about this girl?”I bit my lip to stop it from trembling. But it didn’t work. The tears slipped out anyway.Why did it hurt so much?I never expected them to love me. I never thought they’d hug me or say I was perfect for their son. But I didn’t expect to feel so… unwanted. Like I didn’t even deserve to stand in the same room.And him.Asher.He stood there, silent. He didn’t fight
Chapter Thirteen: The Price of Silence Zarina’s POV I woke up slowly, my eyes blinking against the morning light that streamed through the window. As I stretched out, I reached for Asher beside me, but he wasn’t there. My hand brushed against the cool, empty space he had occupied only hours ago. A sudden chill ran through me, but I shook it off, pushing myself up in bed. I couldn’t help but smile to myself, remembering last night—how he had kissed me, how he had held me close, as if I was the most important thing in the world. But now, I was alone. The smile faded from my face, replaced with a dull ache in my chest. I stood up, my feet softly landing on the cold wooden floor. I needed to see him. I wanted to see how he is doing. I could already feel the emptiness in the house, the quiet pressing in. He had to be somewhere. I tiptoed through the halls, trying to be as quiet as possible, not wanting to disturb anyone. When I reached the living room, I stopped. I could hear vo
Chapter Thirteen: A Very Stubborn Heart Asher’s POV I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the floor like it could help me. The room was too quiet. It didn’t feel like home anymore. Not without her. Her scent still hung in the air—soft, sweet, just like her. It made my heart ache. She wasn’t gone from the house. But she was gone from me. From my arms. From my world. She wasn’t talking to me anymore. No more gentle smiles. No more shy glances. She had shut me out completely. And I deserved it. But it hurt. it hurt so much. So much. I missed her laugh. I missed her voice. I missed the way she would look at me like I was more than just an alpha… like I was a man worth loving. Now she wouldn’t even look at me. I leaned back on the bed, covering my eyes with my arm, trying to stop the heaviness in my chest. But it didn’t stop. It only got worse. My wolf was pacing inside me, howling softly for her. “Zarina…” I whispered. Just saying her name made something inside me b
Chapter Title: "Prove It"Zarina's POVI sat by the window in my room, staring out into the dark sky. The stars were hidden behind thick clouds, and everything was chilly. My heart was sinking. I couldn't breathe right, couldn't get him out of my mind.Asher.He wasn't there in my life as he used to be, maybe Cara is getting his whole attention now. It was as if everything between us had shattered, and I had no idea how to glue it together. How to glue us together. I could still feel his touch from last night, his heat on my skin, but it all felt so distant now. So unreal.I wanted to be able to believe him. I wanted to be able to believe he was sorry, but I did not know how. How could I after what he had done? After what he had agreed to?I closed my eyes and took a shaking breath. The pain in my chest did not go away.Suddenly, the door burst open. I did not even need to look up to know who it was."Asher," I whispered, my voice barely audible.He didn't speak right away. He just s
Chapter 92: The Party StartsZarina's POVI stood in front of the mirror, brushing my hair slowly. My hands were trembling slightly. I did not know why. Maybe it was the way Asher gazed at me when I told him that I was going to Cara's birthday party. His eyes were piercing, worried. He did not shout. He did not argue. But his silence said so much more than words could.She's up to something," he had told me earlier that day. "Zarina, I know she went to you as a friend. I know she apologized. But please… be careful. Don't trust her so easily."I had nodded, my hand over his. "I'll be careful. But I don't want to live in fear. Maybe she really means it this time. Maybe she's changing."He didn't complain, but I saw how his jaw clenched. I knew he didn't believe so.Still, I was already dressed. I wore a soft blue dress that flowed down to my ankles. There was something calming about it. Maybe because my mind had been anything but. I'd been fatigued lately. Weak. My head would spin somet
Chapter 91 : he WarningZarina's POVI was sitting in the pack living room, the soft hum of the house enveloping me, but my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. It had been a day or two since Cara came by, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. Every time I thought about the way she'd looked at me, the way she'd apologized… it felt too good to be true. But maybe I was thinking too much. Maybe this was the start of something new. Maybe she was actually changing.Asher walked in through the door, his tired eyes scanning the room before they settled on me. I knew something was wrong — his jaw was tight, and his eyes had that glint, that edge, like he was hunting for something.“Zarina," he said, his voice low, warning already present in it. "I need to talk to you."I looked up from the book I had been pretending to read. My heart skipped a beat. "What is it?He crossed the room, his boots thudding on the wooden floor, and stood in front of me. He didn't sit down, just
Chapter 89 – The InvitationZarina's POVI wasn't feeling well that morning.My head was dizzily spinning a bit when I stood up from bed, and my stomach was. wrong. Not how you're ill as in how you dash for the bathroom but how something inside you just does not feel quite right. I sat on the edge of the bed, hands in my head, and breathed deeply. I thought maybe it was stress. Too much thinking. Too much crying. Too much aching in my chest about it all.Asher left early. I never asked where he was going. I knew he was trying to fix it all again, try to keep the pack together, try to protect me and the kids. That's all he ever did. And I loved it.But love couldn't stop the way I felt that morning. Hollow. Lost. Weary.But still I rose. I went to check on the kids, then cleaned the little sitting area by the rear of the house. I needed to move. To breathe. To keep going.I didn't expect I'd be seeing her again so soon.But then, just shy of noon, the front door softly knocked. I stiff
Chapter 89 : The ApologyZarina's POVI did not anticipate having her at my door.It was a peaceful morning. Asher had departed early to meet the patrol leaders, and the house was quiet. The children were outdoors playing with the nanny, and I was ironing clothes in the cozy living room. I was drained, both physically and emotionally. Everything was too much to endure.Then there was a knock.Not the typical kind. Not loud, not persistent. Just… soft. Gentle. Almost like the person on the other side of the door didn't want to scare me.I opened it carefully.And there she was.Cara.Her face was altered—exhausted, melancholy, not angry as typical. Her dark hair was loose, and she had on a simple gray cloak. No trinkets. No cosmetics. She looked… human. Sort of harmless.My heart skipped in my chest, and I gripped the doorjamb tightly."What do you want?" I whispered."I just. I want to talk," she replied. She was talking low and trembling. "Please, Zarina. I'm not here to fight. I swe
Chapter Title: The Weight of LeadershipThe moon was low in the sky, casting a pale light over the packhouse. Inside, the air buzzed with tension. I sat by myself in my study, the weight of what had occurred during the day oppressing me.The elders were gone, their words lingering within me. The Red Moon Pack was cutting all ties with us. No further supplies. No trade. It was all due to the choice I had made to be with Zarina. I drew a hand over my hair, irritation welling up within. Had I erred? Would I have done better with Cara? Would keeping the peace been better that way? The very thought plagued me.And yet I thought about Zarina's tear-streaked face, her silence, her unwaivering belief in me. She was my companion. She had given birth to our pups. She was the future of the pack.The elders, though, did not view it so. They saw her as danger, as a vulnerability. They saw her as the reason that the pack failed.I leapt up, pacing the room. The pressure in my chest was too much to
Chapter 87: The Breaking PointZarina’s PovI sat in the quiet room of the pack house, my mind swirling with thoughts I couldn’t escape. The weight of everything happening around me—everything that had changed in our lives—was becoming unbearable. The constant tension, the constant pressure. I could feel myself unraveling.Asher and I had gotten this far, but with everything that had happened with Cara, the elders, and the pack… I didn't know how I could continue to live like this. I had tried to be strong for him, for the children, but my heart ached. The stress was more than I could manage.I knew Asher would do all he could to protect me and the children, but would it be enough in the end? I was torn between clinging to the life that I had with him and the fear that the chaos would never leave.And then the solution hit me, so forcefully it shook me to my foundations. If sex with Cara would harmonize the pack, then maybe Asher should just go and do it.I felt sick to my stomach jus
Chapter 86: The pack future Asher's POVI was in my office, my hands clenched tightly around a tumbler of whiskey, my head spinning with all that was happening of late. It had been a long day, one full of tension, puzzlement, and the overpowering desire to protect what was mine. Zarina seethed, perplexed by everything, and I had not the least idea of what to tell her that would make it better. Every day was a battle, but the war had not yet begun properly.Then my phone rang, shattering my daydreaming. The screen lit up with my mother's name, and for an instant, my heart skipped a beat. I had not spoken to her for some time. I had no idea what this call would be about, but I didn't have to guess very hard to figure that it wouldn't be something straightforward.I sighed and answered the call, trying to conceal my emotions."Yes, Mother?" My voice was level, but the constriction in my chest betrayed me."Asher, I need to talk to you," my mother stated sternly, but I sensed a quiver of
Chapter 85: Asher's ChoiceI walked in the night, my brain foggy, and my heart heavy. The weight of the day, the pack's need, and the pain of it all happening around me had started to strangle me. I considered everything Cara and I had been through at that moment. Her family pressure, the needs of the pack, and my choices.But the more I dwelled on it, the more I couldn't get the image of Zarina and the babies out of my head. The way they regarded me, the way Zarina smiled, the way the children depended on me for everything. The idea of giving that up, of taking Cara, it didn't sit right. Each time I tried to envision it, the only thing that popped into my mind was Zarina's face, her warmth, and how everything felt complete when we were together.I stopped on the trail, where moonlight filtered through leaves at the edge of the woods. It was quiet. Too quiet.Cara.Her face seemed to flash through my mind, the soft, honeyed tone she always had, her elegant hands, yet even with all of
Chapter 84 : The BattlesAsher's POVThe day had been long. Tension was thick in the packhouse, and my mind continued to spin with it all—Zarina's battle, Cara's machinations, the threats on the horizon. I had promised Zarina that I would always be there to protect her, and yet it felt like I was failing her. There was so much beyond my control, so much that I did not understand, and all I wanted to do was keep her and our children safe.I rested against the side of the bed, the weight of the day weighing on my shoulders. My eyes wandered to Zarina, who was lying there with our triplets. They were wrapped in warm blankets, their tiny bodies curled up against her. The peaceful sight of them all curled up together was the only solace in the midst of chaos.Zarina was exhausted too. She had been through so much recently, attempting to assist me, attempting to keep our family intact while the world around us seemed to crumble. I could see the characteristic signs of her fatigue—the faint