Sitara POV
That night, after the bond between Zach and me weakened to the point of pain, I made a decision I should‘ ve made long ago–I left. I couldn’t endure another five hours of kneeling punishment, not when my heart was already in shambles.
In my weakened wolf form, I ran, my paws barely grazing the cold ground as I fled Moonviel territory. The journey eastward to my parents‘ pack, Blackthorn, took two days. My wounds, still raw and unhealed, ached with every step. My wolf and I both knew why. Zach‘ s emotional distance was suffocating, draining the very strength I needed to heal.
When I finally reached the Blackthorn border, I shifted back to my human form. My clothes were a bit dirty from kneeling down, my body pale and trembling, but the guards recognized me instantly. Without
60% 23:23
1/7
11:23
624
Six
hesitation, they let me in.
The moment I stepped into my parents‘ home, my mother rushed to me, her warm embrace pulling me close. “Sitara, are you
alone? Did any of Moonviel‘ s guards accompany you?” she asked, her gentle hand cupping my face. “You look so pale, and mess.”
My father entered behind her, his expression hard as stone. “She’s alone,” he growled. “The guards at the border told me as much. That bastard Alpha let my daughter travel unprotected? Does he not care about your safety? The way here are crawling with rogues!”
My mother’s face turned ashen, her lips trembling. “Sitara, did rogues attack you? Why do you look so weak?”
I forced a small smile. “I’m fine, Mama. I took a safer route away from rogue territory.”
But my father wasn’t pacified. His fists
60% 23:23
217
11:23
Six
624
clenched, and his voice boomed with fury.
“You traveled alone? If anything had happened to you, Zach would‘ ve paid for it with his life! I’d make sure his pack was left in ruins!”
“Pa,” I whispered, placing a hand on his arm. I knew he was only protective because I was his only daughter. “Please, can we not talk about him? I’m tired. I just want to rest.”
His expression softened, but his frustration lingered. “Do you still care for him? Ten years you gave to that man, Sitara. Ten years! And still, he doesn‘ t value you. That Alpha is nothing but an ungrateful—”
“Papa, stop.” My voice cracked, exhaustion seeping into every word. “I don’t want to hear his name ever again.”
My mother guided me to my room, her gentle hand resting on my back. But when she accidentally brushed against one of my lash wounds, I winced. Her eyes filled with alarm, and before I could stop her, she
60% 23:23
3/7
Six
unzipped my dress. The horror etched on
her face made my stomach churn.
“Who did this to you, Sitara?” she whispered, her voice shaking with anger and sorrow. Tears welled in her eyes, spilling over as she traced the angry red marks on my back. “Tell me! Who hurt my daughter?”
I hugged her tightly, unable to meet her gaze. “It’s my fault, Mama. I should‘ ve left long ago, but I kept hoping–foolishly- that he would choose me. But it hurts, Mama. It hurts that after everything, after ten years… he believed her over me.
My mother’s tone hardened, filled with righteous fury. “That man should be held accountable for what he’s done! Zach has hurt you in ways I can never forgive. If he wants war, I’ll give it to him!”
“No, Mama,” I said, shaking my head. “I don’t want anything to do with him. I don’t even want his name spoken in this pack. The memories of him–they hurt too
60% 23 23
4/7
Six
much.”
She sighed deeply, her resolve softening. “Fine. I won’t tell your father for now. But you’re staying here where you’ll be safe. Let me tend to these wounds. They‘ 11 heal faster with the balm.”
The next few days passed in a blur of celebrations and preparations for my arranged marriage. My parents had chosen. a mate from the Dierksheide pack, one of the strongest packs in the East. It was an alliance my father had been working lately, especially with the increasing rogue
attacks.
As I stood in front of the mirror in a wedding gown, my mother snapped a picture, her smile brimming with pride.
“Look how beautiful you are, my daughter. A true Luna.”
My father’s voice held warmth as he watched me. “Just like your mother when we were preparing for our wedding. I’ll never forget that night. It’s one of my
60% 23.23
5/7
Six
most cherished memories.”
His words stabbed at my heart, a cruel reminder of the dream I had clung to for so long. My parents were fated mates, a perfect union blessed by the Moon
Goddess. I had chosen my fated mate, too, but Zach shattered that dream into shards
too sharp to touch.
As I fought back the ache in my chest, my phone rang. My mother picked it up, frowning. “It’s an unfamiliar number. Do you want me to answer it?”
“No, Ma. Let me.” I took the phone, hoping it was Elisha. She was the only one I’d trusted with my new number before leaving Moonviel.
But when I pressed the phone to my ear, my blood ran cold at the voice on the other
end.
“Where the hell are you, Sitara?” Zach growled. “You changed your number? Did you really think I wouldn’t find out? If you
60% 23 23
6/7
11:23 A
don’t come back to the pack, I’lash Elisha!”
