Finally, in one decisive act, I had removed all of the constraints of my previous life, arriving in a land where everything could bloom again.
As we exited the chamber, Ezra stopped me one last time.
“Zara,” he began, but appeared to struggle to find the right words.
“It’s okay,” I said, surprised by how much I meant it. “We both get a second chance now.”
He nodded once, his expression unreadable, before turning and walking away.
I watched him leave, feeling neither joy nor sorrow, only a deep sense of rightness.
Here, in this new chapter of my life, I would have everything I didn’t need to share with anyone.
No one would risk disappointing me again.
I would live solely for myself: my body is my world, and my heart is my law.
No one could threaten or judge me.
But Ezra’s experience was diametrically opposed to mine; he, too, entered a new world—one that was vastly different from mine—but it was desolate and barren.
As we exited the Alpha Council chambers, he caught up with me in the corridor, his steps hurried and desperate.
“Zara…” he said, his voice softer than I’d ever heard it. “Since we’re no longer connected…”
He ran his hand through his hair, a nervous habit that I used to find endearing. “As a stranger now, I should still have the right to pursue you.”
His eyes had a determined gleam that I knew all too well.
“I will show you a man worthy of your love again. I will prove myself to you.”
His words irritated me, and despite everything, he still didn’t get it.
“Stop right there, Mr. Jackson,” I said with a smile. “If it were possible, I’d prefer never to see you again from this moment forward.”
I squared my shoulders, my wolf growling inside me: “Your disgraceful behaviour has sickened me enough already.” “Birds of a feather flock together. You and Alexa are clearly a better match. “I wish you happiness.”
The final words came out naturally, a social nicety I had said without thinking.
My heart twinged unexpectedly; Ezra’s happiness or lack thereof was no longer my concern, but the words had come from some deeply ingrained habit, a final echo of the woman who had cared so deeply for him.
Ezra’s brow furrowed, his face clouded with sadness. “But without you…”
I turned away resolutely, interrupting him before he could finish.
“Ezra, the world continues without anyone. Whatever ‘pain’ you can’t erase right now, time will help you overcome.”
I walked away without looking back, my steps becoming lighter as the distance between us increased.
Leaving Ezra behind never made me feel insecure; I had always handled the most important aspects of the pack’s business, and my skills and connections were more than enough to carve out my own territory.
Staying with him would have resulted in stagnation, whereas leaving meant growth.
I thrived at the Ashwood Pack from the start.
Alpha Rowan immediately recognised my administrative skills and promoted me to pack strategy advisor within my first month. By the third month, I was managing diplomatic relations with neighbouring packs, and by the sixth, I had my own office and a small team reporting to me.
