Ten Years of Lies, One Final Goodbye

Sitara’s POV

When I opened my eyes, the faint smell of herbs filled my nostrils. I was lying on a soft cot in the healer's house, and the elderly healer smiled warmly at me.

"Good thing you were brought here in time," she said, her voice gentle but firm.

I tried to respond, but my throat felt raw, and no words came out. The pain I’d felt before was gone, but a deep exhaustion lingered. My wolf… I couldn’t feel her. She was too weak, and we had both nearly died.

"You should never drink anything with berries again. It’s poison to you, child," the healer scolded lightly, patting my cold hand. "Elisha brought you here, begging me to save you. You’re supposed to be Alpha Zach’s future Luna. You must take better care of yourself."

Her words were kind, but they stung. Future Luna. A title I once believed in, a dream I had cherished for so long. Now, it felt hollow.

The healer handed me a small vial. "This potion will help. Take it three times a day for the next two days, and you’ll recover."

I managed a small nod, grateful for her care. I spent the day resting in the bed, the quiet allowing me to gather my thoughts. But my fragile peace was shattered when the door creaked open, and Zach walked in.

His face, once a source of comfort and adoration, now brought a pang of pain. He looked weary.

He knelt beside my bed, taking my hand in his. "Sitara, thank the Goddess you’re okay. I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner. Hazel… she’s been so sick, and she needed me to stay with her."

The words stabbed at my heart, reopening wounds I thought couldn’t hurt any more. I wanted to scream, to tell him how close I’d come to death while he was busy with her. But the words wouldn’t come.

Zach caressed my cheek, his touch achingly familiar. For a moment, I let myself believe it was just for me. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t.

"I’ll visit you again soon," he promised, standing up. "But I need to check on Hazel. Alpha Maxon’s daughter deserves my protection, and I don’t want anyone saying I neglected her. You understand, right? Don’t be jealous. This is just my duty."

He kissed my forehead softly, like he used to, and then he was gone. Gone to her.

But he never came back after.

I heard from Elisha—one of the teachers in the pack—that Zach had left with Hazel to handle some dispute in another pack. The news crushed me. Once, I was the one he leaned on, the one he trusted to stand by his side. Now, Hazel had taken my place.

As I sat in the quiet of my chamber, my gaze fell on the wooden box where I kept the 498 love letters Zach had written me. Each letter had been a testament to his love, a promise that when it reached 500, he’d propose.

But it had been six months since the last letter.

My hands trembled as I touched the box, the weight of my memories too heavy to bear. Finally, I closed it and stood. I couldn’t stay in this room filled with broken promises and shattered dreams.

I made my way to the entrance of the pack house, hoping the fresh air and the presence of the Were kids I taught would soothe my aching heart. But I stopped in my tracks when I saw him.

Zach stood there, laughing with Hazel. He was helping her carry a basket of fresh apples, his smile brighter than I’d seen in months.

Once, the sight of them together would’ve sent jealousy coursing through me. Now, I just felt… empty.

Hazel noticed me first, her sweet smile widening as if she hadn’t stolen everything from me. "Sitara! Would you like some apples? Beta Muxim gave them to us. Alpha Zach said you love apples."

Zach turned, smiling at me like nothing had changed. "Sitara loves apple pie," he said.

I shook my head, keeping my voice steady. "No, I don’t like it."

His smile faltered. "What? You do. We both love it."

"No," I repeated, my tone firm. "You do, but I don’t."

Hazel’s face twisted into a mock expression of hurt. "Did I do something wrong, Sitara? I just wanted to share."

Her voice grated on my nerves, but I forced a polite smile. I saw through her facade, the way she played the victim so effortlessly. Every time I refused her kindness, Zach treated me like I was terrible at his precious Hazel..

"Sitara," Zach snapped, his voice sharp. "Hazel’s only trying to be nice. Can’t you make an effort to get along with her? She’s been nothing but kind, and you’re being unreasonably rude."

I swallowed the bitterness rising in my throat. Once, I would’ve argued, tried to defend myself. But I was tired. So, so tired of always being the one to apologize, of always being dismissed.

"Thank you for the apples, Hazel," I said, forcing gratitude into my voice as I took three from the basket. "I’ll be heading to teach the Were kids now."

I turned to leave, but Zach grabbed my arm.