MasukFifty chapters. When I started Zlata's story, I never imagined so many of you would walk this far with her — through the dungeon, the ashes, and everything she's clawed her way toward since. Thank you. Truly. Every comment, every tear, every "I hate Travis" has kept me writing. We're nowhere near the end — her reckoning is only beginning. If this story has its hooks in you, please leave a vote or gift if you can — it helps new readers find Zlata, and it means the world to me. See you in the next chapter. 🐺 With Love, Zoia
5 years after Zlata The soft breeze caressed my skin, and the scent of roses filled the air. The roses I'd planted myself were in full bloom — red, white, and blushing pink. "I'm sorry I haven't come for a while. The healer put me on bed rest, so I came as soon as I was cleared." I lowered myself onto the grass, which took some doing. Now that my due date was close, I could barely move at all. My belly had been enormous when I carried my son. This time, I was the size of a whale because there were three of them in there. Girls, this time. "Your nephew is beside himself about his baby sisters. All his playmates are boys — he's been informed there will be dolls, and he's decided to be gracious about it." Fiorella and Jordan had Alaric, and then James a few months later, and the boys were inseparable. Tessa had a boy. Colin and Angelina had two. Rafe was one of Maverick's closest friends, and now Julia and Harley were expecting a girl of their own, so half the palace nursery was q
ZlataThe first rays of sun were caressing the cold soil. Julian held my hand as we walked toward Thalia's cell.My steps were heavy, and heavier still was my heart.Memories of my childhood home surfaced. Ten-year-old me, swinging my legs, excited as the scent of my favourite pumpkin pie fills my nose. My mother brings the pie in and cuts it with a smile, and she sets the first piece on my plate, and my heart flutters. I am getting something first. A piece of my favourite pie. Not Thalia. Me.And then a fork comes down, crushing the beautiful piece. Thalia puts the forkful into her mouth and giggles. Tears well in my eyes."Aurelia, don't be dramatic. It's only a piece of pie. You have a whole baking tray of it."Yes. It was only a piece of pie — and Thalia took it the way she took everything in my life, one thing at a time."You're sisters. You should share," my mother said softly, stroking Thalia's hair, while behind her back, Thalia poked her tongue out at me, mocking, because she
JulianZlata gripped our son's hat until her knuckles went white, her chest heaving as she struggled to breathe."Angel. You need to rest. You gave birth five hours ago.""I'll rest when my son is in my arms." She said it without looking at me, and then she froze, receiving a mind-link. "Nadine is here."She was already moving before I could argue.Nadine stood in the corridor outside the ward with four witches of the Council around her and an iron collar at her throat. Fiorella, Jordan and Chase waited beside them — and Fiorella was holding a bundle against her shoulder.Thalia's son. Born this morning, three floors from where mine had been taken, sleeping through all of it in the arms of the woman who had begged me to let her keep him.I made myself look away."Your Majesty," Nadine said, with a nod that was almost respectful."Help me find my son and I will vouch for you to the Council," Zlata said."The Council doesn't take promises, and neither does the work." Nadine's mouth twit
ZlataI don't remember my legs going.One second I was looking at an empty box with a folded blanket still holding the shape of him, and the next I was on the tiles with no memory of getting there, and there was a sound coming out of me I had never heard a person make."Where the hell is my son?" Julian roared, and the walls actually rattled.I hadn't seen his face. That was the thought I couldn't get past. Four hours old, and I had never once seen my son's face, and someone had already taken him.Julian barked orders, and the corridor filled with running warriors. Somewhere behind me, Tessa was crying. Ivanna had both hands over her mouth. Jordan and Harley were already gone, moving.Then Julian was on the floor with me, gathering me up against his chest."We will find him," he said into my hair. "Angel. Look at me. We will find him."And underneath the tears, something colder began to rise.“Think,” Coco said.She wasn't howling. That was the frightening part. She had howled for Mav
JulianI was already running before I understood why.Zlata's pain came down the bond like a blade going in under my ribs, and I was out of the council chamber mid-sentence, taking the east stairs four at a time with Elders shouting somewhere behind me.Inside Luna's quarters, Zlata was half-conscious on the floor with Tessa, Julia, and Fiorella panicking around her."She's about to give birth!" Tessa exclaimed, grabbing my hand, digging her nails into my flesh without realising it."Impossible. She isn't due for—"The words died in my throat as I saw the puddle spreading beneath her. Liquid and blood, and far too much of it.I scooped her into my arms and ran."Zlata, wake up." She didn't react. Her eyes stayed shut, the long lashes trembling as her eyelids moved restlessly beneath them. "Angel. Look at me."Cold sweat broke across my forehead. It couldn't be. We had survived Valeria's schemes, her sister's ambush, the rogues. My queen could not die on me now. Not from this. Not from
ZlataFour months later"You're eating not for two but for four, Your Majesty," Tessa laughed, and my fork froze mid-air.I'd only had a club sandwich, a Caesar salad, and a slice of cheesecake. Not so much… well. It was a lot, considering I'd had breakfast two hours ago."Dear, ignore her. Eat as much as you want," Julia said.I sighed. Tessa, usually plump, had somehow lost weight while pregnant, and with seven weeks still to go, she looked like a woman on a magazine cover. I, on the other hand, was due in a fortnight and had the shape of a large balloon. I looked down at my swollen feet and set down a fork loaded with brownie.Julia leaned over for a glass of water, and as her collar slid, I gasped, spotting a fresh mating mark.Julia went pink. "Harley and I mated yesterday," she mumbled."Congratulations! Took you long enough," Tessa said. "The poor man was terrified you'd never accept him.""I'm a mother. I wanted to be sure Rafe was comfortable with him first.""Oh, Rafe adores
Aurelia The healer was stunned when I asked to be discharged."Luna, your injuries are severe. Without your wolf, you are healing at a human pace. I strongly recommend you stay hospitalized for at least a week."One more week in this forsaken pack? I couldn't stay a second longer. I shook my head f
Aurelia I spun around. She was clutching her stomach, sobbing loudly as the china and soufflé lay scattered across the floor."You tried to poison me!" she yelled. "You're jealous that I have a pup and you wanted to kill him!"Travis, my mother, and Jordan rushed in as if they had been waiting behi
Aurelia"Alpha, the Luna was indeed in the clinic today for a check-up," the healer began, giving me a dismissive glance. "But she is not pregnant. In fact, her uterus is far too weak; she will never be able to conceive."I blinked, my heart hammering against my ribs. I could feel the soft, steady h
AureliaThe scent of antiseptic hit my nostrils, and my eyes flew open. My mother's displeased face was the first thing I saw."Finally awake?" she spat.No "How do you feel?" No "What happened?" Just words that sounded like a criminal accusation. My father stood next to her, arms folded, his expres







