Sitara’s POV

It hurt knowing, that Alpha Zach Ashford, the man I gave ten years of my life to, had no intention of marrying me.

I stayed in his pack for a decade, clinging to his empty promises—that I was his chosen mate, that he loved me, that I’d be his Luna. But all those words meant nothing the moment she arrived.

Hazel Frowley.

She came clutching a letter from her father, begging Zach to shelter her temporarily because the Crescent Pack had been attacked. She wasn’t safe. From that day on, Zach’s attention shifted entirely to her, as if I no longer existed.

After returning to the pack's healer, I called my parents. I never thought I would still be alive.

“Ma, I agree to marry the mate you've chosen for me,” I said.

I sighed heavily, the memory two days ago clawing at my mind,

It was the Moon Festival, a celebration Zach and I always shared together. But now, with Hazel in the picture, I’d become nothing more than a shadow. I remember the glass of wine he handed me that night, his expression devoid of the warmth it once held.

“Drink this, Sitara. Don’t embarrass me in front of the Werewolf King’s council,” he muttered, shoving the glass into my hands.

The moment I brought it to my nose, I smelled it. Berries. The sickly-sweet scent made my stomach turn.

“Zach, I—”

“Just drink it,” he snapped, already turning his attention back to Hazel, who was laughing softly, her voice like nails scraping against my ears.

Berries. He’d chosen a wine made from the one thing that could kill me—all because she liked it. And because I loved him so much, because I wanted to support him even if it cost me my life, I drank it.

The wine burned my throat immediately. My lips began to swell, my chest tightening as my airways constricted. I tried to breathe, but every gasp felt like swallowing glass.

The music played on, the beat of drums and the strumming of guitars—the music Hazel loved.

Through blurry vision, I stumbled toward Zach. My wolf howled in agony, feeling my pain as if it were her own. I saw him standing with Hazel, her small arms wrapped around his. They laughed together, looking more like a mated pair than I ever had with him.

“Zach...” I managed to whisper.

He glanced at me briefly, then turned his attention back to Hazel.

“No more wine, Hazel. You’re already tipsy,” he said gently, his voice filled with concern. The way he looked at her… it was the way he used to look at me.

Pain sliced through me, sharper than the reaction coursing through my body.

“Alpha Zach... I’m not feeling well,” I choked out, the taste of blood pooling in my mouth. My hands clutched at my throat as I struggled to breathe. “Please… take me to the healer. I—”

“Sitara, what—”

Zach took one step toward me, but then Hazel whimpered.

“My stomach hurts, Alpha Zach! It hurts so much!” she cried.

Zach’s attention snapped to her instantly. Without hesitation, he scooped her into his arms as if she were made of glass.

“Hazel, what’s wrong? Tell me,” he murmured, his voice tender.

I watched helplessly as he cradled her, his eyes filled with worry. My vision blurred further as tears spilled from my eyes. My wolf whimpered, her spirit breaking alongside mine.

“Alpha Zach!” I called out, my voice barely a rasp.

The room went quiet, all eyes on me. Zach turned, irritation flashing in his gaze.

“What do you want, Sitara?” he snapped. “Can’t you see Hazel needs a healer? Stop being so jealous. Stop pretending like you’re dying.”

Jealous? Pretending?

The words hit me harder than any physical blow.

Blood dripped from my lips as my legs buckled beneath me. I swayed, barely able to stand. You would rather let me die than save me, Zach. You said you loved me… but I hate you. I hate you so much.

As the world around me faded to black. Will I die here?

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.

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.”