Ten Years of Lies, One Final Goodbye

Sitara's POV

“You're being mean, Sitara,” Alpha Zach said in a tone laced with displeasure.

“For what?” I asked, innocently, while Hazel stood behind him with that mocking smile of hers.

“To Hazel. I’ve told you before—don’t be mean to her. You’re always jealous, and honestly, I’m tired of it. You don’t understand, do you?” His grip on my arm tightened, enough to make me wince. “Why is this so hard for you?”

“I’m not jealous, Alpha Zach,” I replied evenly, though my wolf growled softly inside me, urging me to lash out. “I understand, and don’t worry about it.” The words tasted bitter, but I swallowed them down, forcing myself to stay calm. I wanted to tell him it didn’t matter anymore—that I was leaving, that I was getting married. But why bother? He wouldn’t care.

He released my arm, his hand moving to caress my cheek, a gesture that once made my heart race but now felt empty. “Trust me, Sitara. I won’t hurt you. Stop thinking these negative things about Hazel and me.”

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing bitterly. Trust him? Won’t hurt me? Those were the very things he’d broken over and over in the past six months. If I had died yesterday from those poisonous berries, I was certain he wouldn’t have shed a single tear.

When I reached the packroom, the children ran to me with excitement, their bright smiles momentarily easing the ache in my chest. Goddess, how I’d always dreamed of having my own pups—Zach used to promise me we’d have them one day. But those promises were as empty as his touch now.

I’d miss these kids. Leaving them hurt more than I thought it would.

Later, I checked my phone for the messages, another one from my parents asking about wedding details—what flowers I wanted, the style of my dress, and whether I preferred a delicate wreath or a veil.

Since I was a teenager, I’d always loved wedding preparations. I’d even planned Sinna’s wedding—Zach’s sister—five years ago when she married into the Duncan Pack. Now she had two beautiful sons and a loving mate. And me? Ten years of loving Zach had given me nothing but heartbreak. If I’d let my parents choose my mate back then, I might’ve had three pups by now, maybe even a husband who cherished me. Instead, I was here, humiliated and betrayed by the man I thought I’d spend forever with.

At the pack market, I bought gifts for the kids and for Elisha, one of the few friends I had left here. Two warriors helped carry the packages back to the manor when they saw me struggling, their silent kindness a balm to my bruised heart.

Zach spotted the gifts as soon as I returned, his sharp eyes narrowing. “What are those for? Who are they for? And this...” He held up a letter handed to him by a messenger. “What's this wedding the messenger mentioned?”

I took the letter from him, recognizing my my mother’s handwriting. “I think it’s time we talked, Alpha Zach,” I started, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me. “About the marriage—”

Before I could finish, one of the warriors entered in a rush.

“Alpha, Hazel’s not in her room. We can’t find her anywhere in the packhouse.”

Zach’s expression shifted instantly, his face filled with worry. Without another word, he turned and left, chasing after Hazel like she was the moon itself. He didn’t even say goodbye.

I took the gifts to the children and Elisha, forcing a smile as I handed them over.

“You’re leaving, aren’t you?” Elisha asked softly, her voice tinged with sadness as she tried to shield the kids from our conversation.

“I have no reason to stay, Elisha,” I said, my voice breaking slightly. “The Alpha has chosen someone else. I need to move on.”

“What about the children? They love you, Sitara. And I... I’ll have no one to help me teach them,” she whispered, her green eyes pleading with me.

“I’m getting married, Elisha,” I explained, though the words felt foreign in my mouth. “I can’t stay here anymore.”

“Who?” she asked, her tone holding a flicker of hope. “Is he better than the Alpha?”

I paused, unsure how to answer. My wolf remained silent, a sure sign that this was the right decision—leaving Zach and the pain behind. “I hope so, Elisha. I really do.”