Chapter - The Sanctuary LawZoey’s POVI couldn’t sleep—not after what my grandmother had just told me. I read a lot when I was at Alpha Lyon’s palace, but I never came across this law. If I had my child, they would be able to find me that way. My son would be taken away from me, and I would be killed. I refuse to bring a child into this world only to die because I didn’t want him to be with his father.My mind quickly flashed to Alpha Lyon. What if I just went back? He wasn’t an abusive husband. He never treated me like a slave. We just lacked connection and emotional attachment. Maybe it was because he was never my mate. I remember how I used to lock myself in my room because my dreams of being with my mate had been shattered. I never, for once, thought that I would marry a man I wasn’t mated to. But Lyon, on the other hand, didn’t even care. I found out he used to have a mate, and that broke my heart even more. So he had experienced what it felt like… but I was compelled to marry h
Chapter —The Garden and the spy.Lyon’s POVThe palace was quieter now. Too quiet.The mourning days were officially over. The warriors were back to training, the maids moved around without tiptoeing, and the council had resumed their endless meetings. Everyone seemed to have gone back to their normal lives… except me.I buried myself in work—pack affairs, documents, territory patrol reports—but no matter how busy I kept myself, my thoughts always returned to her.Zoey.Her name still hurt to say.I stood by the large windows in my office, the same spot I always stood whenever I needed to think. It was an old habit. My eyes, as though they had a mind of their own, drifted down to the garden.Her garden.Of course, I had placed it where I could see it from my window. I told her it was for convenience, that she shouldn’t go far from the palace grounds—but the truth? I liked to watch her from here. It was always interesting. She’d dance around in the dirt like a child, singing to the pl
Chapter – Alpha KaelZoey’s PovWho exactly is Alpha Kael? I knew almost all the powerful Alphas in the country and surrounding regions—Lyon always had one business or another with them. They would feast in the palace, so I was familiar with many faces and names. Every harvest season, dozens of Alphas would troop into the palace with their Lunas. I remember the beautiful dresses I wore—but not once did Lyon compliment me.During those feasts, I had to speak to the Alphas. I knew their names. But I had never heard of an Alpha Kael.“Alpha Kael? Who is he?” I asked, scratching the back of my head. I didn’t want to seem ungrateful. They had found a solution, and here I was asking questions. But I needed to know who this man was. Honestly, I was thinking about the consequences of the sanctuary law. I was going to be taken away from my grandmother—again.“Why do you ask that?” Nana said. I couldn’t tell if she was angry or confused. It felt like everything that had happened to me was still
Chapter: The Dinner GuestLyon’s POVI wasn’t in the mood for visitors. I had barely made it through the day without losing my temper, and now my father was bringing the whole family over for dinner—again. Not just him, not just my mother. He was also bringing Serena.Of all people… Serena.I stood by the window in the dining room, watching the driveway, arms folded. My jaw clenched the moment I saw my father’s black SUV pull in. Darian was already seated at the table, slowly sipping his wine, clearly picking up on my mood. He didn’t say a word, but the look on his face told me he knew I was ready to snap.“She’s with him,” I muttered under my breath.Darian raised an eyebrow. “Serena?”I gave a tight nod.“You said it was just dinner.”“That’s what I thought.”The doorbell rang a second later. A maid rushed past to get it, and I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. But as soon as I heard Serena’s voice echo in the hallway, my hands curled into fists.She walked in behind my fathe
Chapter – The Face Behind the NameZoey’s POVI couldn’t sleep.I tossed. I turned. I sat up. I got back down. Nothing worked. My thoughts just wouldn’t let me rest.I had made my decision—I was going to move in with Alpha Kael. But that didn’t stop the fear.What if he was worse than Lyon?What if he turned me in?What if I made the wrong decision—again?The night felt endless. My room was quiet, yet my mind was loud. The moonlight poured in through the window, and I just kept staring at it like it would whisper the right answer to me.By the time the sun started to rise, I was already sitting at the edge of the bed, fully awake. My fingers were laced together tightly on my lap, my shoulders tense. I heard voices outside and walked to the window. It was Tiara—she was standing by her car, throwing a small bag into the back seat.Without thinking, I rushed out of the room.“Tiara!” I called out as I stepped into the soft morning sun.She turned to look at me. “Hey, you’re up early.”“A
Chapter – The Damsel in DistressZoey’s POVThat’s Alpha Kael?I instantly took a step back, hiding behind a rack of cake jars. He didn’t notice me. Or maybe he did and just didn’t react. I watched from the corner, my heart thudding in my chest. So this was the man I was supposed to live with?He didn’t look like a cruel Alpha. He didn’t look like Lyon. In fact, he looked more human than any Alpha I had ever seen. He even smiled when he talked to Tiara. His voice was deep but kind.Tiara moved toward him and said, “I haven’t seen you around lately.”“I was out of town,” he replied, looking around the place with a warm expression. “Things came up. But I missed your cake.”“Let me guess,” she grinned, “Your usual?”“You know me well,” he nodded.They shared a friendly laugh as Tiara began slicing the cake. I stood frozen. Watching. Wondering.What kind of man is he? How does he run a pack without rules, warriors, or palaces? What would living with him be like? Would he judge me? Would h
Chapter – Not a Damsel in Distress, Just Zoey . Zoey’s POVAll day at the cake bar, my mind refused to stay still.Even as I served customers, packed slices, and wiped down tables, my thoughts kept drifting back to him. Kael. The way his eyes met mine. The way he said, “We should get to know each other.”What kind of Alpha says something like that?It wasn’t just his words that stuck with me—it was the way he said them. Calm. Soft. Like he didn’t see me as a problem or a burden. He saw me as… a person.Even when I tried to focus, my thoughts would circle back. His smile. The way he leaned casually on the counter like this place was his second home.Kael was different. And that scared me a little.By evening, the air outside had cooled. Tiara and I closed up the cake bar, locking the doors and flipping the sign to Closed. She held her purse and looked at me.“Wanna take the long way home?” she asked.I nodded. I needed fresh air—space to breathe.We ended up at the small park nearby.
Chapter – A Picture on the WallLyon’s POVThe room was full of laughter.Alphas from different territories were gathered in the grand hall, dressed in their finest, standing tall with their Lunas by their sides. Except me.I stood alone.I could feel the weight of their glances, their curious eyes flicking in my direction, wondering why the great Alpha Lyon had shown up without his wife. Some whispered. Some raised eyebrows. One even asked me quietly, “Is everything alright with your Luna?”I didn’t answer, They were acting like they haven’t heard the news of her death to ask me stupid questions?I gave a tight smile and nodded, the kind of smile that lies through clenched teeth.She used to be here. Zoey.Every time we attended events like this, she stood beside me. She never said much, but she was always there—calm, composed, and quietly strong. I remember how I used to think her silence was a weakness. Now, I’d do anything just to hear her quiet voice again.I walked to a corner o
Chapter - Old Friends Zoey’s POVI stood at the palace steps, waving as Kael, Tiara, and Nana disappeared into the distance. My fingers stayed lifted long after the car was gone—like part of me wasn’t ready to lower them. Not ready to face what lay behind me.Inside.Home… again. Or whatever this was now.I sighed and turned. The long hallway stretched like a tunnel of silence. My son was upstairs, asleep. For now, he was safe. That was the only thing keeping me grounded.Just as I took my first step back into the corridor, I heard it—a voice I hadn’t heard in so long. A voice that hit my heart like a rush of sunlight.“ Lady Zoey!”I turned sharply, and there she was.“Myla!” I gasped.My favorite maid. No—my friend.She came rushing at me, and we collided in a tight hug. We squealed like children, spinning each other just slightly, laughing in disbelief and emotion.“Do you know how I cried when I heard you were dead?” Myla whispered, still clinging to me.I pulled back, brows fur
Chapter - A Goodbye That LingersZoey’s POVIt was time for them to go back , My Nana and Tiara has a cafe to run and Kael had his hotel to run , it was me that needed to be here so they were leaving today : Kael, Nana, and Tiara stood by the house entrance, they were ready to leave. Now, I had to stay. Alone.Nana walked up to me first, cupping my face with both hands like she always did when I was a little girl. Her hands were warm, trembling slightly. “Be strong, Zoey,” she said softly. “You’re doing this for him. Only for him.”I nodded, biting the inside of my cheek to stop the tears from falling. “I know.”She leaned closer and whispered, “Don’t let the palace break you. Don’t let him break you again.”Then she turned to Lyon.“Promise me,” she said sternly, as if she was still speaking to any normal man , not an Alpha. “Promise me you’ll let her visit. She’s not your prisoner.”Before Lyon could even respond, I said quietly, “He knows that. I’m not a slave. I’m just… living
Chapter _ Reinstating The First Luna Zoey’s POVI jolted awake.My heart pounded in my chest as I turned to my son, his small form nestled beside me on the bed. I reached out, my fingers trembling as they hovered over his chest. No rise. No fall. I leaned in, pressing my ear close to his mouth—nothing.“No,” I whispered, panic seizing my throat. “No, no, no.”I shook him gently. “Lyon Junior? Baby?”Still nothing.A scream tore from my lips, raw and primal. “My baby!”The door burst open. Lyon was the first to enter, his eyes wide with alarm. My nana followed, then Kael, Tiara, and Darian. Robin had gone home to his wife the night before.I was on the floor, clutching my lifeless child, sobbing uncontrollably. “It’s my fault,” I cried. “I shouldn’t have come back. I shouldn’t have brought him here.”Lyon knelt beside me, his hands trembling as he reached out. He wrapped his arms around both of us, holding us close.And then, a sound—a wail, sharp and piercing.I pulled back, eyes wid
Chapter_A A life on a thread. Zoey’s POVMy legs were shaking.I didn’t even realize I was crying until I felt the cold air on my wet cheeks. My breath came in shallow bursts, my chest rising and falling as I stumbled into the front hallway.They were all there—waiting.Tiara. Robin. Kael. My nana. And my baby, curled up in Nana’s arms, calm for the first time in days.Kael rushed forward the moment he saw me.“Zoey? What happened?” he asked, voice tight with worry.“Did he hit you?” Robin snapped, his fists already clenched like he’d charge back in without hesitation.I shook my head quickly, wiping my face. “No… We just—argued.”That was an understatement. We screamed at each other like animals. Years of pain exploded in one room, and even though it shattered something inside me, it also freed me a little.“I yelled,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “He yelled back. That’s it.”My knees gave in, and I squatted down right there in the hallway, pressing my palms to the groun
Chapter - The Long Held RageLyon’s POV“ i want to have a word with Zoey…” i said and they all started to speak among themselves. “Everyone out,” I said, my voice low and final.The room stirred. Nana moved first, carefully lifting Lyon Jr. from my arms. I didn’t want to let go, but I needed to do this without him in the middle. “ Let’s go ..” She said to the other people she came with , That Kael bastard was glaring at me . “ Zoey will you be okay ?” He asked and i rolled my eyes.“ Do you see me with any weapon to harm her ?” “ Well you are the man that ripped people apart with his hands “ Kael fired back , Zoey moved closer to him and whispered. “ i will be fine …” Serena stood frozen while the rest was leaving .“No,” she snapped. “I’m staying. I deserve to—”Darian stepped forward and took her gently by the arm. “Not now, Serena.”“Don’t touch me!” she hissed.But Darian didn’t argue. He didn’t scold her. He simply whispered something in her ear—quiet enough I couldn’t he
Chapter-Judgement DayLyon’s PovThe palace filled up faster than I imagined.Elders, councilmen, pack leaders from every wing of the northern territory—all packed into the high-ceilinged hall like vultures circling prey.Me.Their eyes burned into my skin like torches, and the air pulsed with judgment. They didn’t wait for protocol or permission.The yelling started instantly.“You dare show your face here?”“She’s a disgrace!”“Lock her up!”“ You deceived all of us “ “Send her back to wherever she came from!”All aimed at me—spit-flecked words, righteous fury, sharp as knives. The walls trembled with their noise.And Lyon… he just stood there.Silent.Rocking our child in his arms as though none of this concerned him.My child.Our child.My son who nearly died because I stayed hidden for too long.I clenched my fists at my side, swallowing the fire rising in my throat.Nana slipped beside me and gave my wrist a soft squeeze. “Don’t say a word,” she whispered, her voice a thread o
Chapter -: “Is That All?”Zoey’s POV“Lyon… Long time, no see.”The words left my mouth before I could stop them.Long time, no see?What kind of idiotic, casual thing was that to say to the man you ran away from . My lips froze mid-curve, suddenly aware of how small I felt.My heart was doing somersaults in my chest. My palms were sweaty where they held my son—our son. Lyon Jr. stirred softly, his lashes fluttering against his cheeks. He didn’t know the chaos his presence had just ignited.And then—“WHAT is going on here?”A familiar shriek ripped through the courtyard like nails down a chalkboard.Serena.She stormed in like she owned the place, even though her presence felt entirely out of place in the middle of something this… sacred.Her gown swished around her ankles. Her arms were dramatically clutching her side, no sign of the ‘back pain’ that had crippled her moments ago.Nana—sweet, loyal Nana—stepped forward, clutching the shawl wrapped around her shoulders. Her voice was
Chapter _: She’s Back and on a Random Day ?Lyon’s POVThere was something wrong with Darian.Not in a loud, obvious way. It was the kind of wrong that crept in slowly — quiet, uneasy. His shoulders were always stiff now. He barely slept, barely talked unless I asked him something directly. And whenever his phone buzzed, his whole body twitched like it was a bomb waiting to explode.Today, it buzzed again.We were seated in the war room going over reports on the southern outpost — something about border tension and possible rogue movement. Darian wasn’t even paying attention. His eyes kept flicking down to the table where his phone lay face up. When it lit up again, I saw the way his jaw clenched.He stood up suddenly, almost knocking his chair over.“I’ll just step out and take this,” he muttered.I raised an eyebrow. “Since when do you take calls outside?”Darian froze.He turned halfway, trying to force a smile. “It’s nothing important.”“Then sit down and take it here,” I said, ke
Chapter - The EveZoey’s POV“Promise me you won’t take Lyon back.”Kael’s words lingered in the air long after he said them.His voice wasn’t angry. Just… tired. Tired in the way someone gets after holding too much in for too long.I didn’t say anything.I couldn’t.I stared at the floor for a while, the hem of my shirt wrinkled in my fist. The room felt heavier with each passing second.“I need to check on my baby,” I whispered, barely looking at him.He didn’t try to stop me.Didn’t even ask for an answer.Instead, he grabbed his keys and said, “I’ll drive.”The car ride back home was quiet. Not the peaceful kind of quiet — the heavy kind. Like the silence knew what we were both afraid to say out loud.I rested my head against the window, watching the city blur past.Bright lights, crossing headlights, people moving like they weren’t carrying the kind of weight I had sitting on my chest.“Do you think I’ll survive this?” I asked suddenly.Kael didn’t look surprised by the question.