ANMELDENZARA “And who did they say put on the petition?” My father fired rapidly. I could see that he was very angry and he looked like he was about to spit flames from his mouth as he picked up his phone. Jae also looked pissed. “ This is all the handwork of that wussy headmistress.” Jae snapped. “ Why was the previous headmistress taken out?” I asked. That was a question that none of us had asked until now, he turned to me and his eyebrows twitched as he snapped his fingers. “ That's true.”“ We aren't meant to be bothered by that. Are we?” My father asked. He moved to grab the phone again but I was faster, I snatched the phone away from his hands as I shook my head and said, “ No, dad.” “ Why?” He asked, he stared down at me with annoyance. Even Jae gave in, “ Just let him.” I turned to him with an eye roll as I said, “ Is that how easy you switch sides?” He shrugged, leaning back in the chair as his hands moved to the folds that had formed on his forehead. He messaged it slowly as
ZARA’S POV“She’s so fucking weird,” I muttered under my breath as I tossed the bags into the car. Even as I was already inside, about to zoom off, I could see from the side mirror that she was still looking at me.“Selene.”Something clicked in my head as I stared back at her. What if it was Selene all along?I let out a soft gasp and kicked the accelerator without thinking twice. I didn't make any stops. As soon as I got home, I rushed to my room and pulled out a fresh sheet of paper.There was a pattern. There had to be.I started with the first accident because Jae had been driving and I remembered it too clearly. The tire didn't just burst. Police said someone had cut it. They said the damage looked like it could have been caused by a knife, maybe like the butterfly knife Jae bought for me. Except when they checked, they said it wasn't the same one. I underlined that twice. Not the same.Then there was the figure. I still couldn't decide if I'd actually seen someone standing acro
ZARAI didn't say anything to Selene. I picked up my drink, turned around, and walked away, hoping she'd understand that I wasn't interested in talking to her.She didn't."Zara."I kept walking."Zara, wait."I pretended I hadn't heard her and walked into the nearest store. I didn't even know what I wanted to look at anymore. I just needed her to stop following me.I moved through the first few aisles, picked up a handbag, looked at the price, and put it back. When I reached the next display, I glanced over my shoulder.Selene was still there.She hadn't even looked bothered by my ignoring her. She walked through the store at an easy pace, looking at things as though she'd come here with me on purpose.I turned back around and continued browsing.For the next few minutes, I tried to lose her.I moved from handbags to shoes, then to a rack of clothes near the back of the store. Every time I changed direction, Selene somehow appeared a few steps behind me. At first, I thought she was j
ZARAI didn't tell Dad about the dress.I knew I probably should have, especially after everything that had happened, but I didn't want another lecture about how I shouldn't be going anywhere alone. If I told him someone had gone through my things and deliberately cut up my favorite dress, he'd probably insist that I stay home until he figured out what was happening, and I wasn't ready for that.So I folded the dress, shoved it into my suitcase, and said nothing.The next morning, I went to class.I almost regretted it the moment I stepped onto campus.People were still talking about the accident. Some of them lowered their voices when I walked past, while others didn't even bother. I'd already heard three different versions of what had happened before I reached my classroom, and apparently the dead police officer had somehow become part of the story too.I ignored them.My first lecture dragged. I tried to concentrate on what was written on the board, but my eyes kept drifting toward
ZARAJae didn't move.He just stood there beside the bed, staring at her. One of the machines was still beeping, but the sound was flat and wrong, like it had forgotten that there was supposed to be a person attached to it. The room smelled like disinfectant, and the air conditioner was freezing my arms, but neither of us seemed to notice."Jae, we need to go."He shook his head slowly. "She—she was just talking. Zara, she was just talking to us.""I know.""No, you don't understand. She was awake. The doctor said she was stable.""And now she's dead."He looked at me like I'd slapped him. I grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the door before he could argue. He stumbled after me, looking back at the bed one last time before I dragged him into the hallway. We didn't stop until we were outside.The night air hit my face, but I still couldn't breathe properly. I leaned against the car while Jae stood a few feet away, both hands buried in his hair."She was fine," he muttered. "She was
ZARAThe ambulance ride to the hospital felt like it lasted forever.I sat in the back with Jae while the paramedics worked around the woman, checking her condition and keeping her conscious whenever she started drifting. I couldn't stop looking at her. Every few minutes, her eyes would close, and every time they did, I found myself wondering if she was going to open them again.She had said my name.That was the part I couldn't get out of my head.By the time we reached the hospital, the emergency team was already waiting for us. The doors opened, and the paramedics immediately wheeled her inside while another group of doctors followed. I took a step after them, but Jae caught my arm.“Let them do their job. There's nothing we can do in there.”“I know,” I muttered, even though I still wanted to follow.He looked down at my hands. “You're shaking.”I shoved them into the pockets of my jacket. “I'm fine.”“You've said that about five times today.”I didn't bother answering. I just sta
ZaraLast night, Alex stood before the entire Pack and declared that Selene had returned, that she was family, and that everyone would look after her.“Especially you, Luna Zara.”I did not understand then that what he meant was not responsibility, but permission.Selene moved in this morning.Not
CHAPTER ONEZARAHis tie is the first thing I notice.Green.Not the silver one my maids prepared to match my dress for the Pack’s annual Moon Festival.During the festival, the Alpha and Luna always wore matching colors. It was one of the oldest traditions in the Pack, a symbol of unity, stability
CHAPTER SIX ZARA I feel different immediately I wake up. I lay still on the bed for a few seconds and stared at the ceiling. Alex is gone. He prefers to leave before I wake up, or to pretend to be deeply asleep. My body feels lighter, and my senses feel sharpened. Something is different, in a
CHAPTER FIVE ZARA Every month, we hold an internal showcase where herbal remedies, new weapons and other advancements are presented and celebrated. I’ve been working on some herbal remedies, but I've decided to take a break this time. I was sceptical when the healers informed me Selene would be







