Sitara POV
I didn’t respond to Hazel’s words and ended the call without hesitation. She tried calling again and even sent texts, but I didn’t bother reading them. Instead, I deleted everything. Then, I blocked her number.
Once, I would’ve been compassionate enough to let her stay in the pack, let Zach protect her, and do everything I could to befriend her. But Hazel always made me out to be the villain. So fine. If she wants me to be the villain, I’ll gladly play the part–she deserves it.
My mom came into the room, her face clouded with worry.
“Ma, what’s wrong?” I asked, moving closer to her.
“Zach’s here,” she said, her voice tight. “He’s trying to see you, but the guards
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turned him away. I made sure of it. After everything he’s done, I won’t let him near you.”
I smiled softly, grateful for her protectiveness. She’d been my rock through it all. I didn’t want to see him. I was done with him.
Or so I thought.
Later that day, I was at the pack market, picking out some sweet treats, when someone suddenly grabbed me and dragged me into a nearby alley. My wolf bristled, ready to fight, but the scent that hit me froze me in place.
It was Zach.
How the hell did he get into our pack‘ s territory?
He looked like a mess–his hair was unkempt, his chin was covered with a stubble he normally shaved clean, and his bloodshot eyes were hidden beneath the hood of his coat. He barely resembled the
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turned him away. I made sure of it. After everything he’s done, I won’t let him near you.”
I smiled softly, grateful for her protectiveness. She’d been my rock through it all. I didn’t want to see him. I was done with him.
Or so I thought.
Later that day, I was at the pack market, picking out some sweet treats, when someone suddenly grabbed me and dragged me into a nearby alley. My wolf bristled, ready to fight, but the scent that hit me froze me in place.
It was Zach.
How the hell did he get into our pack‘ s territory?
He looked like a mess–his hair was unkempt, his chin was covered with a stubble he normally shaved clean, and his bloodshot eyes were hidden beneath the hood of his coat. He barely resembled the
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confident, put–together Alpha I’d once adored.
“Sitara,” he said, his voice trembling with longing. He cupped my face in his hands, his touch shaky. “You weren’t kidding… you‘ re really leaving me for good. It’s killing me. I know I pushed you to this, and I’m so sorry. Please… tell me you‘ re not serious about getting married.”
His hopeful eyes searched mine, desperate for an answer. But all I saw was the broken
man who had destroyed me–who had let Hazel destroy me.
I pushed his hands away and took a step back. My voice was cold, unyielding. “Yes, I am. And it’s the best decision I’ve ever made after wasting ten years of my life on you.”
Pain flickered across his face. He gave me a small, sad smile. “You don’t mean that. Please… don‘ t do this. I know I hurt you, but I was an idiot for trusting Hazel. She
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lied to me, Sitara. I should’ve believed you–chosen you–every time.”
He reached for my hand, but I stepped away. His voice cracked as he pleaded,
“What do you want me to do? Tell me, and I’ll do it. Just come back to me. I didn’t cheat on you there was nothing between Hazel and me. I was just protecting her because of her father’s threats. That’s all it ever was! Please… you‘ re not like this. What changed?”
I locked eyes with him, letting my wolf‘ s strength seep into my voice. “Do you know what happens to something that’s torn apart, Zach? You can‘ t piece it back. together again.”
His watery eyes met mine, and his wolf’s pain bled through. “But it can be rebuilt, Sitara,” he whispered desperately. “It might not be the same ink and paper, but what we have–it’s still the same. You know I love you. You know we‘ re fated mates.”
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I laughed bitterly, tears stinging my eyes.
“Rebuilt? No, Zach. You didn’t just tear us apart you twisted the knife while I was bleeding. Your actions screamed louder than any of your meaningless words. Do you even realize how much it hurt? You promised me you’d never hurt me, and yet you did over and over again. I’m done hoping for something that will never change. I’m done letting you hurt me.”
My voice broke as the pain I’d buried for days surged to the surface. Tears fell freely down my cheeks, my wolf howling inside. with the weight of it all.
Zach’s tears matched mine as he tried to reach for me, but I stepped back, refusing to let him close. He exhaled shakily, his voice raw and broken.
“Sitara… don’t do this. Please.”
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Ten
