Semua Bab Scarred by fate : Bab 281 - Bab 290

Zahra's POVI run a bubble bath. No idea if I’ll even see a bath at Night Howlers, so this might be my last one for a long while. I take my time, soaking in the hot water until I prune. I wash my hair, apply a mask to both face and strands, and let the endorphins from my run keep my nerves at bay.Zanthe, sulking from the lack of bacon, has gone back to sleep. I think she’s giving me space to process. But I know she’ll be there if I need her.Afterward, I towel off and slip into a fresh pair of jeans and one of my new tops—a soft blouse in deep blue, covered in tiny pink flowers. It’s got a modest V-neck and floaty, ruffled sleeves. Slightly sheer, but not scandalous.Underneath it I’ve got on one of my new bras, the ones Alison insisted I needed now that I’ve “filled out properly.” Apparently, even my baby boobs deserve support. She showed me how to measure myself too, in case I have another growth spurt and need to order more. Because apparently, that’s a thing.I blow-dry and strai

Zahra's POVI wake to someone gently shaking my knee.“Zahra, honey, we’re nearly there,” Alison says softly.I blink my eyes open and realize we’re still in the car, driving. There’s a warm weight wrapped around my waist and pressure against the side of my head. It takes me a second to register: Xander is holding me against his broad chest, his head resting on top of mine, his breathing deep and even. Zach is slumped against the door on my other side, totally out cold. My face, however, is stuck to Xander’s t-shirt. With drool.Lovely. Goddess, I hope that won’t stain.I slowly sit up, limbs stiff, but surprisingly rested. Four hours of sleep in a weird position, but I feel decent. As I shift, Xander stirs, his face creasing into a frown before his eyes flutter open. Goddess, those eyelashes should be illegal.He smiles when he sees me watching him. “Hey,” he croaks, voice low and gravelly.Oh fuck me. That voice should be illegal too.“Hey,” I huff out, trying to sound casual. “We’r

Zahra's POVLucas looks grim. Alison looks like she’s just been slapped.“But Zahra is so young,” she says, breathless. “She’s still a child. You can’t expect us not to talk to her for three years!”Holt’s voice remains neutral. “You are, of course, welcome to contact the Academy to check in on her progress. But direct communication from her end is not allowed until year four.”I notice Astrid smirking at Alison’s words — the implication that I’m just a kid clearly delights her.Fan-fucking-tastic.“Um, Director Holt,” I begin, clearing my throat. “I’m enrolled in an online degree program at Crescent Vale. It starts in four weeks. Is there any way I can continue my studies during

Zahra's POVI head back upstairs to my room. A glance at my watch tells me I’ve got two hours until dinner, so I decide to unpack. I grab my case and head to the wardrobe.It’s surprisingly spacious. More than enough room for everything Alison made me pack—clothes, shoes, toiletries, and about seventeen “just in case” items. I roll out my white fluffy rug at the foot of the bed and toss my soft, pale blue comforter over the end. Just those two touches already make the room feel less like a prison cell.Next, I take my toiletries into the bathroom.The shower takes up one entire wall. The glass wall. The back of the shower is literally the forest-facing glass. I pray it’s one-way glass or that is seriously messed up. It’s massive too—easily big enough for four Xanders.

Zahra's POVI’m about to excuse myself and head up to my room—my sleepless night finally catching up with me, even though it can’t be later than 8 p.m.—when the dining room doors swing open and six people stride in.The entire room falls silent.Then, everyone stands up.Shit. Is the King here?Liam grabs my upper arm and whispers, “We stand for the Pack leadership team.” I nod, quickly getting to my feet.I turn slightly and spot Alpha Brice Anderson entering the room. Judging by everyone’s reactions, this is a rare event. Walking beside him is a shorter but just-as-burly man I vaguely recognize from the ball. Maybe his Delta?I don’t get a chance to figure it out because—“Zahra!”My name is practically yelled across the hall, and suddenly four massive blurs are charging straight at me.“What the fuuuuck,” Morgan mutters, not even trying to whisper.Brant, Arlo, Rolo, and Neil reach me at the same time and sweep me out of my chair. I’m hugged, passed around like a rag doll, and sque