Chapter 9: The Quiet Luna.

**Reika/Zara**

I spent most of the night perched near the window, my stare glued to the pale outline of the moon as it sank below the hills, giving way for the golden glow of dawn.

My body was still, chilly, but my mind raced, unable to shake the feel of gloved hands bruising my chin, the stifling presence of the stranger, the chilling mention of a captain, and the whispered accusation that Zara had gone rogue.

Who the hell was I inside?

And what had Zara gotten herself tangled in?

What was her main aim for coming close to the Alpha and how many others are involved in this?

As morning light crept over the manor, I pushed myself off the window sill, my eyes landing on the various corners of the room and began tearing through like a woman possessed.

I opened drawers, lifted rugs, slid my fingers along the carved baseboards—anything that could hide something, anything that would offer even the smallest clue to who Zara was and what secrets she died with.

I flipped through the books ar