CHAPTER 1: THE HEART'S BURDEN

Zara’s POV

“Why do you do this to me, Jax?” I screamed into my pillow, my voice muffled by the fabric as tears streamed down my face. “Why do you hate me so much?”

My cries tore through the silence of my room as my emotions consumed me, wave after wave crashing until I could barely breathe.

My heart belonged to him long before I even understood what love meant. And over the years, I had poured every ounce of my being into seeking his attention. His approval. His affection. But he never once looked at me the way I wished he would.

Why does he act like I don’t exist?

Am I not beautiful enough?

Am I not strong enough?

Does he think I’m too young… too immature?

I’ve kept my heart untouched for him. I’ve saved every part of myself, all my firsts, all my hopes… only for him. So why does he reject me so cruelly?

Tears fell again, hot and endless, as I collapsed to my knees. I pressed my hands over my face, trying to hold myself together, but the ache in my chest was too heavy.

“I hate him,” I whispered to no one. “I hate him so much.”

But it was a lie.

A lie I told myself because the truth—that I loved a man who would never love me back—was too unbearable to face.

I cried until I could cry no more. Until my body felt hollow and my head spun with exhaustion. My hands trembled as I tried to get up, but my limbs gave out. Everything inside me was empty. And as the room blurred, I felt the crushing silence pull me under.

And there… in that quiet darkness… I waited.

Waited for the Moon Goddess to explain why she gave me a heart that beat only for someone who would never claim it. 

* * * * *

Third Person POV

A small voice broke through the heavy silence of the room.

“When will Uncle Jax come back, Dad?”

Ty knelt beside the little girl, brushing a stray curl from her forehead.

“As soon as his work in the other continent is finished, baby girl. He’ll come home to us soon.”

“But… I already miss him,” she whispered, fighting tears that betrayed her brave smile.

Ty’s heart ached at her longing.

“Uncle Jax loves martial arts and dancing, right? How about we surprise him when he returns?”

Her eyes lit up with hope.

“What kind of surprise, Daddy?”

“You’ll train hard and show him your skills. He’ll be so proud to see you strong and brave.”

The little girl beamed and wrapped her arms around him tightly.

“Please train me, Daddy. I want to be strong for Uncle Jax.”

Ty smiled warmly but cautioned gently, “You’ll need all your strength, princess.”

“I’m willing to do anything,” she vowed softly.

* * * * *

Zara’s POV

“Princess… wake up,” Dad’s voice was soft, shaking me gently.

I was too weak to open my eyes, my body a fragile shell of exhaustion and hunger.

“She needs food and water, Ty. She hasn’t eaten or drank properly in days,” Ingrid said, her voice calm but worried.

“No… this can’t be,” Dad whispered, disbelief heavy in his tone.

My dads were gay. Daddy Kai was the Alpha of the Diamond Heart pack and Uncle Jax’s brother while Dad Ty was Daddy Kai’s dragon warrior and Uncle Jax’s best friend.  Daddy Kai, or Dy, as I called him, and Dad Ty, aka Dad, were the pillars of my strength but for now no one could save me from the spiral of misery I had fallen in.

I tried to sit up, only to feel a wave of dizziness crash over me. My head hit the bed’s headboard painfully, and I gasped.

“Zara!” Dad’s alarm broke through the haze as he pulled me close.

“It hurts so much, Dad,” I sobbed, clinging to him.

“I know, baby. I know,” he soothed, holding me tight. “Let’s get you something to eat.”

Ingrid left the room, leaving Dad’s gentle presence to anchor me.

“Zara,” he whispered, brushing hair from my face, “I won’t ask why you pushed yourself this far. Just promise me—you’ll never do this again. You are stronger than you believe.”

I nodded, the sting of his concern a small comfort in the storm.

“Dad… is there something wrong with me?”

“No, my princess. Nothing is wrong with you. Sometimes the world confuses us, and so do people’s actions. But I raised a fighter. You’re strong, capable, and in five days, you’ll become a woman. That’s something to be proud of.”

His words warmed the cold ache inside. I wrapped my arms around him, whispering, “I love you.”

“I love you more,” he smiled before stepping away to give me space.

I sat there, holding onto hope like a lifeline.

You can go to hell, Jax Stone, I thought bitterly, rising with new resolve.

In five days, I would find my true mate—and leave this pain behind.

* * * * *

Zara’s thoughts

People at school see me as a spoiled, popular girl with admirers. They don’t know the truth.

For thirteen years, I’ve trained secretly at the Dragon’s Training Academy—the hidden branch Dad built for us. I’ve sacrificed everything, saving all my firsts, all my dreams, for the right mate.

I’m seventeen now, and in five days, I turn eighteen. The day my mate will be revealed.

Then I will be free.

Free from the ache of loving someone who refuses to love me back.

Who needs a man who never even glances my way?

Since rumors about me dating school captains started, Jax’s coldness turned to outright avoidance. He can’t even stand to be in the same room.

Does he think I’m unworthy? Impure?

But with my cousins, he’s warm, joking, caring. Why not with me?

Why can’t he see me?

I’ve hidden much of my power, as Dad and Dy told me to, but even my visible achievements are unmatched. Still, Jax treats me like I’m nothing.

People fear me because of my reputation—but they don’t know I protect them, even at my own cost.

I’ve always accepted their judgments silently.

But not anymore.

If he won’t have me, then I don’t need him.

Let him stay lost in his pride and silence.

Because this time, I’ll be the one walking away.