Zara's POV

the house was eerily quiet as I entered through the front door. I removed my heels and dropped it on the floor.

Something about the silence made my stomach tighten with unease; the house was too still I felt a strange tension in the air

something wasn’t right. I just got back from my impromptu business trip, hoping to surprise my husband, Ethan.

I could smell strawberries and oud, the familiar scent of home, but that didn't shake the unease in my stomach. I glanced at the wedding photo hanging on the wall near the staircase, and I sighed.

Two years ago, we were happy, or at least I thought we were. It felt like it was decades ago. I had my dream wedding, but it had slowly turned into a nightmare

. I removed my coat and tossed it on the chair. The house was so quiet, too quiet. I couldn’t hear Ethan’s usual presence, the sound of the TV playing, or him making coffee in the kitchen. It was unsettling.

I walked towards the bedroom, deciding to check on him. Maybe he had slept off. I walked into our room and froze.

I couldn't breathe as I stared at them Ethan. My husband. Naked. His body intertwined with another, Jade. My best friend.

Jade wrapped her legs around Ethan's waist as Ethan thrust deep into her, their bodies melting into each other in sync.

That felt too familiar She was laughing, her back arched in that way that made my stomach turn. Ethan had never touched me like that, like he craved me. He gripped her thighs possessively as if Jade were his.

moans filled the room, and I could hear their skin slapping against each other. My legs failed me, so I fell to the ground.

I felt the ground shift beneath me. What was this? My world crumbled as I froze at the doorway Jade looked at me with no remorse, her eyes widened, pretending as if she was surprised.

"Oh sweetie, you are back? I think Your husband prefers me.” I stood there like a robot.

I couldn't speak I just stood there in disbelief. Ethan didn’t stop. He didn’t even look at me. He kept pounding into her like I wasn’t even there.

“Zara,” he said, his voice flat. He didn’t look ashamed.

“You’re early.”

Early? I was standing in the doorway, watching the two of them, and he had the audacity to act like it was nothing. Jade laughed again, her voice low and mocking.

“You didn’t even see it coming, did you? How gullible can you be, Zara? This has been going on for months. Ethan and I... We’ve been planning this.”

I was shaking. My heart hammered in my chest. They had been planning this? Ethan finally pulled out of her, moving to the side of the bed with a lazy stretch. His gaze shifted to me then. There was no remorse in his eyes.

Only apathy. Nathan lit a cigarette; he took a long drag and smiled.

"You were never wife material, Zara, just a gullible puppet, my puppet. “But you're still useful.” I blinked, still processing the words. “What? What are you...”.

Before I could talk, Ethan lunged towards me, grabbing my hair as he yanked me closer to him. Ethan lunged towards me, grabbing my hair as if he was about to rip my head from my neck Jade walked towards me, she blocked the entrance. I could see the evil smirk plastered on her face.

"I should've known you were a fool, Zara, too gullible.

Always acting like the perfect wife and friend." Ethan snarled, HIs hot stinking breath fanning my cheeks.

“You think you’re worth anything? You are just a pretty puppet, something to show off to my friends and keep for a while." Jade stepped closer, her laughter cruel. “Let her breathe, Ethan. No need to rush things.”

Ethan didn't care; instead, I was forcefully pulled closer. His lips were inches away from my ear. "You’re nothing, Zara."

He muttered harshly, venom in his voice. "You never were; you are just a worthless piece of trash, and I don't need you anymore."

I gasped, struggling for air, trying to pry his hand off my neck.

Hot tears ran down my cheeks as I choked. I couldn't believe this was happening to me. The man I had trusted with my body and soul was trying to kill me.

I had to fight back; everything can't end like this, so I kicked Ethan as hard as I could. He stumbled back, his grip loosening just enough for me to escape from his grasp. I dropped to the floor trying to get as much air as I could get.

" Zara, you are so pathetic, Jade muttered angrily, moving closer to me, her eyes flashing with anger. "You shouldn't have come back."

I tried to get up. I needed to get out of here, I thought to myself. I needed to escape.

Immediately, I ran towards the door. Jade reached for me, but she was too late. I ran down the hallway, panting heavily. I slipped, but that didn't stop me.

I could see Ethan following me, he was mad. "Fucking stop her right now."

Jade’s shrill cry followed. "She must not get away." Jade screamed.

I ran down the stairs, my heart pounding loudly. I was almost at the front door when a hand yanked me back forcefully. MY body slammed into the wall, pain shooting through my entire body.

"No," I shouted

"You think you can just run away like that? uh? Ethan asked me. "You fucking belong here, bitch."

I fought back; I wasn't going to let him in.

"Let me go." I screamed, trying to get out of his grip. But Ethan was too strong; he just laughed at me.

“No chance, Zara. You’re not leaving. Not now.”

I gathered all my strength and kicked him right in his crotch. he screamed in pain, loosening his grip on me. I ran towards the door as tears streamed down my cheeks.

I ran without looking back. It was cold and dark, but I didn't care. The old railing tore my skin. I could hear their footsteps behind me as they shouted my name, but I didn't dare wait a minute. I ran through the empty streets as adrenaline coursed through my body.

My bare feet hit against the cold concrete floor, but I didn't care; all I cared about was escaping.

My body shook in fear and despair; I could feel tiredness seeping in, but I couldn't stop. I could feel blood trickling down from my nose and feet; my skin was tired. I took in sharp breaths trying to calm myself, but it didn't help.

My vision was getting blurry, but I couldn't stop. The only thought I had was to get far away. To escape from the two people, I trusted with my life.

I had no idea of where I was running to; my world had been crushed, and I had nothing left.

I fell to the ground, my vision blurry. I saw it. A distant light in the distance.

A mansion.

The light flickered from behind the trees, and my heart leapt with a shred of hope. Maybe help was there. Maybe… maybe it was my chance.

I moved forward, falling through the woods. The branches cut my skin, tearing my arms

but I barely noticed the pain anymore. I could only focus on the light.

I saw him.

A huge figure stood at the castle gates, covered by the shadows; he had no clothes on.

his eyes glowing like molten gold.

His gaze locked onto mine, predatory and intense.

I didn’t have the strength to keep going. I collapsed in front of him, my body giving in to the exhaustion, the blood loss, and the pain.

The last thing I saw before I blacked out was his boots stepping forward, solid and unyielding.

“Take her to my bed,” Alpha Rael commands. “She’s mine now.”