Chapter 3

Zara’s pov

As soon as Ryker stormed out, slamming the door, the silence felt suffocating. I stood there, heart breaking all over again.

“I knew it,” I said softly to Luna Diana. “He never loved me—just saw me as a friend. I thought I was different, but I was wrong.”

Luna Diana's expression softened, allowing me to continue.

“Even when we were younger, I convinced myself it wasn’t personal. But now, I see he never really saw me. And now…” I touched my stomach, where our child grew.

“I need to leave this pack,” I said firmly. “Not just for me, but for my baby. If I stay, we won’t survive.”

Luna Diana’s eyes widened, but she nodded. “What do you need, Zara?”

“I have some savings from part-time work when i was in the university. It’s not much, but it’s a start. I just need help getting to the human world, somewhere I can hide and raise my baby.”

After a long moment, she sighed. “I’ll help you. There’s someone I know at an art institution looking for someone with dance experience. You can work there and bring your child along.”

My chest tightened with gratitude. “Thank you,” I whispered.

Luna Diana embraced me. “You’ll be safe, and your child will have a chance at a better life. I’ll make sure of it.”

Tears streamed down my face, but for the first time, I felt a flicker of hope—a chance to rebuild, not just for me, but for my child.

As I stepped out of the pack hospital, a chill wind swept through the air, bringing the sharp scent of pine. I clutched my small bag tightly, nerves on edge. Luna Diana had arranged everything—the ride to the portal that would take me to the human world, where a new life awaited.

My heart raced as I spotted the car approaching, and I hurried toward it, avoiding eye contact with anyone who might recognize me. I couldn’t risk being stopped.

But just as I reached the curb, I froze. Ryker stood in front of me, his piercing gaze cutting through the air. Panic surged through me. *He wasn’t supposed to know.* I scrambled to come up with a lie, but before I could speak, he addressed me first.

“Don’t bother,” he said coldly. “I know my mom is sending you to the human world.”

My breath hitched, and I stood frozen, unsure of what to say.

“Just don’t show up in front of me again. If you need help finding a job, contact Nathaniel, the leader of the werewolf organization in the human world.”

I was stunned by the unexpected offer. Maybe this was Ryker's way of showing he still cared, even a little.

I opened my mouth to thank him, but his next words stopped me cold.

"That's from your sister," he said. "Don't waste her effort."

The fragile hope I’d felt shattered instantly, replaced by a fiery wave of anger. My hand moved before I could think, and the sharp crack of the slap echoed in the still air.

Ryker’s head turned slightly from the hit, but his expression stayed unreadable.

“I don’t need your pity,” I spat, my voice trembling with anger and hurt.

I climbed into the waiting car, refusing to look back even as tears blurred my vision. This is the last time I’ll cry over him, I promised myself, gripping the seatbelt tightly.

Ryker Blackmore was my past. The future awaited—and I was determined to face it alone.

As the plane soared through the clouds, I leaned back in my seat, exhaustion washing over me like a tidal wave. For the first time since everything fell apart, I finally had a moment to breathe. My fingers trembled slightly as I unlocked my phone and opened my photo gallery.

There it was—an old picture of me, Ryker, and Mia when we were just kids. Ryker’s rare, boyish grin shone brightly, his arm slung protectively around Mia’s shoulders. I stood on the other side, beaming up at them both, unaware of the rift that would one day tear us apart.

The memory brought a bittersweet ache to my chest. That photo wasn’t just a snapshot of my childhood; it was a reminder of everything I’d lost—my home, my family, my bond with my wolf, and the unrequited feelings I’d carried for Ryker for so long. And now, I was leaving it all behind for an uncertain future in the human world.

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I stared at the screen. My thumb hovered over the delete button, hesitating for a moment before I finally pressed it. The photo disappeared, and with it, a small part of me felt like it had been erased too.

“Rough day?” a smooth, deep voice broke through my thoughts.

I glanced to my side, startled. A man had taken the seat next to mine, his striking green eyes meeting mine with an easy smile. He was undeniably handsome, with dark, wavy hair that fell slightly over his forehead and a confident air about him.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude,” he said, noticing my surprise. “I just figured you might want to talk. Flights can be pretty boring otherwise.”

I managed a small smile. “Yeah, you could say that.”

We exchanged a few more words, and I learned that his name was Adrian, and he was headed to the same art institution I was. “Dance?” he asked with an arched brow when I mentioned my background. “I’m guessing you’re good if they accepted you.”

I chuckled lightly, shaking my head. “I’m not sure about ‘good,’ but it’s something I’ve worked hard at.”

He grinned. “Well, looks like we’ll be neighbors. I live just a few blocks away from the school. Small world, huh?”

I nodded, feeling slightly more at ease for the first time in days. We exchanged contact info before falling into a comfortable silence.

As I put my phone back into my lap, a notification popped up on the screen. My breath hitched as I read the message from ‘Crescent Moon National Bank’

“Notice: Your account has been temporarily frozen due to administrative action. Please contact customer support for further information.”

Panic coursed through me as I stared at the screen, rereading the words, hoping I’d misunderstood. My stomach twisted into knots. That account held all my savings—the money I had been counting on to survive in the human world.

Adrian’s voice broke through my spiraling thoughts. “You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I forced a smile, shaking my head. “It’s nothing,” I said quickly, my voice tight.

But as I clutched my phone and reread the notification in secret, dread settled deep in my chest. This wasn’t just bad luck. Someone had done this deliberately—and I had a sinking suspicion about who it might be.