Nicolas POV
“Friends and beloveds,” a priest’s voice chimed in my ears, while sad whimpering surrounded me.
“We have gathered here today to honor our dear Beta John. Death has taken away a genuinely
wonderful pack member, and more importantly, a loving mate and father…”
My heart clenched in my chest. Everything seems so unreal. I struggled to comprehend Beta John’s
absence. He sacrificed his life to save mine, and now I was standing next to his open grave giving him
my last respect.
My hands clenched into fists. He deserves more than just respect. He deserves to be revenged.
I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. Yet the same scene flashed before my eyes-Beta John’s last
moments.
“That should have been me,” I muttered under my breath. His brutal death leaves an indelible mark
on my memory. “He sacrifices himself to save mine.”
“Are you okay, Alpha?” Ronan mused next to me. He must have heard me mumble to myself. Since
we discovered I couldn’t shift, he has remained by my side.
I internally sighed.
If Ronan discovers that Ray has disappeared from my mind, he will lose his composure. He wouldn’t
let me out of his sight, nor let me leave the pack house. It was unheard of that a wolf could lose his
wolf.
I felt empty, cold, and alone. Ray’s absence was taking a toll on my mental and emotional state.
“No,” I replied honestly. “I am not.”
“Are you not feeling well? Would you like to leave?” He asked, placing his hand supportively on my
shoulder.
I didn’t hesitate. I could feel everyone’s disapproving gazes on me. They blamed me for their beloved
Beta’s death.
My gaze shifted to where Levi stood holding his mother in his arms. His two brothers’ arms encircled
the two of them. When Lev’s mother learned that her mate had died to save me, she didn’t even
flinch at the news. However, now, here at the funeral, she seemed almost relieved, as if she was
proud of what he had done.
Her soft eyes shifted to me. A small, tender smile followed on her lips. There was no resentment
readable in her eyes-just pure love and hope.
“Yes,” I finally replied.
Ronan nodded to the group of warriors, and he started steering me toward the fleet of cars.
Ronan opened the car door for me, and I quickly got in, feeling emotionally and physically spent.
Was I becoming human more and more?
How much time do I have left?
I sighed; my eyes turned toward the roof of the car.
I let out a long and tired breath.
Will I have time to say goodbye to my friends and family? Will I be able to say my goodbye to Zara?
I sighed hopelessly. My heart is breaking painfully in my chest at the thought that I would never see
her again.
Levi spoke to her moments after the attack, and then she disappeared once more without any trace.
Levi went to find her, finding only Luke. They were ambushed, and she escaped into the forest.
I couldn’t bear to think of what had happened to her.
Was she still alive?
Was she well? Was she hurt?
I shook my head knowingly. I would have been in excruciating pain if she had died and crossed over.
How will I be able to track and find her now? I don’t have any wolf abilities left.
My heart pinched, and tears well up in my eyes. How could everything spiral so out of control?
I miss Zara. I truly miss everything about her. My heart ached and longed for her.
My fingers started feeling numb, and my body started having this strange pin-and-needle feeling. A
moment later, my body experienced the most excruciating pain, which persisted for only a few
seconds. The pain had become a regular occurrence, as if someone was purposefully electrocuting
me from within.
Ronan got into the car, followed by one of the warriors. He gave me one look, shaking his head.
“Sit back and relax, Alpha,” he mused from the driver’s seat. “Lay back your head and close your
eyes. Take a deep breath and calm your mind. We will be home soon.”
I nodded and did exactly what Ronan said. I slowly closed my eyes, feeling exhausted-an aftermath
of being in excruciating pain.
Worry and exhaustion gnaw at me. I haven’t slept much after Zara left, and it was merely impossible
with everything that was going on.
My mind drifted off as exhaustion took over, but all I could see was an endless river of red.
Blood.
That was now the color of the beautifully decorated ballroom.
My gaze moved over the sea of dead rogues. Their bodies scattered on the white, now red marble
floor. The salty iron smell of blood burned the insides of my nose, making me want to puke.
“Nicolas!” Zara’s hysterical voice chimed in my ears.
Was I hallucinating?
Was it part of his plan to taunt me like that?
“Alpha,” Ronan called for my attention, and I lifted my gaze to look at him. “Luna is here….”
I slowly turned around, seeing her standing at the door, her gaze fixed on me.
She came!
My heartbeat quickens as I step in her direction.
“Zara?” Her name slipped over my lips, and I threw my arms open to her.
Happy tears made their way down my cheeks.
She is alive and well!
“Yes, it’s me,” she replied, walking down the blood-drenched path. “I am okay.”
My gaze swept over her as she came closer. She looked so perfect in the red dress, yet something
felt off.
“Where were you?” I asked, observing her as she got closer. She looked and sounded like Zara, but
she didn’t walk or talk like her.
“Levi mentioned an attack on you. Did you manage to escape?” I continued.
She chuckles as she reaches me. Her hand caresses my face. There are no sparks, no tingles, and no
warmth in her touch. I shiver at the coldness from her.
“Always so serious, Alpha Nicolas,” she said, drawing me down to her level. “I, your true and fated
mate, don’t even receive a warm welcome home. We should celebrate my return…. Don’t you think I
deserve that…?”
I knitted my eyebrows in suspicion. The Zara I knew was witty, but she never liked drawing much
attention to herself.
I pushed her away to an arm’s length. This isn’t Zara. I was sure of it. And her face twisted in anger.
“The real Zara would be delighted to receive her return with my unwavering embrace.” I responded.
A loud, angry screeching noise filled the room, and I cupped my ears to block out the sound.
My gaze landed back on the fake Zara. She had a sinister grin on her lips.
“Nice try,” she said. “But this time, you won’t succeed. You will not survive…”
Everything around me went dark. My breathing slowed while everything turned cold.
I am dying… This must be the end…
Someone abruptly grabbed my shoulder and shook me lightly. A horrific scream escaped my lips as
my eyes opened. My heart raced and pounded uncontrollably in my chest.
Ronan looked at me wide-eyed and startled at my response.
“You were dreaming, Alpha,” he calmly said. “What has spooked you?”
“Where are we?” I asked, ignoring the question as I pushed myself into a sitting position and looked
out the window. “Are we home?”
“Not yet,” Ronan answered, sounding guilty.
“Then where are we?” I snapped, feeling annoyed.
“Beta John’s house,” he replied.
“Why?” I barked.
Ronan gazed out the window, and I followed his gaze to see what he was looking at.
Levi’s mother was standing on the porch, waving us in. She looked as if she needed to discuss
something important with us.
“Did she leave the funeral?” I asked, bewildered. She was acting more and more abnormal for a wolf
who has just lost her mate.
“She and her family left after the ceremony,” he replied. “You have been sleeping-”
I nodded.
“What does she want?” I asked.
“She wants to discuss something with you….”
****