Zara POV

I arrive at the hospital before Timothy. The VIP room reeks ofStella's perfume and false innocence.

She's sitting up in bed when I walk in, and her smile turns predatory. "Zara. I knew you'd come. You're too scared of Timothy to disobey."

"Is that what you think?" I let out a cold laugh.

Her face twists with rage. She grabs a pillow like she's going to throw it at me—then freezes. The door handle turns.

Instantly, her expression melts into something soft and wounded. "Zara, I don't blame you," she says, voice dripping honey. "I know my relationship with Timothy upsets you. Let me apologize, okay?"

"Save your performance." Nausea churns in my stomach. "The Oscars should've given you a statue by now."

I pull a stack of photos from my bag and throw them at her face. "Look at what you've done. You think I'll keep tolerating you?"

"Zara, enough!" Timothy bursts into the room and positions himself in front ofStella like a shield. His eyes blaze gold—Havoc rising to the surface. "When are you going to stop?!"

But something's off. His wolf's energy feels... conflicted. Not aggressive toward me, but chaotic. Confused.

"Timothy..."Stella cowers behind him, tears streaming. "Don't blame Zara. I made her angry. It's all my fault!"

"Zara!" Timothy's face turns murderous. Alpha command bleeds into his voice, trying to force my submission. "Stella's so kind to you. Why do you keep attacking her?"

'His wolf is fighting him,' Raven observes quietly. 'Havoc doesn't want him to command us. Can you feel it? The Alpha order is weaker than it should be—his own wolf is resisting.'

I barely notice. I'm too focused on my anger.

"Kind?" I throw my head back and laugh. The sound echoes harsh and broken. I pull out another stack of photos and throw them at Timothy's chest. "Look at these. Your 'kind'Stella sends me photos every single time she's with you. I've been silent this whole time. I didn't expose your disgusting affair!"

Photos scatter across the floor. Timothy stands frozen, then slowly bends to pick one up.

It's him sleeping, eyes closed.Stella's head rests on his shoulder.

Timothy stares at it for a long moment. His jaw clenches. His wolf's energy pulses—angry, but not at me.

"What is this?" His brow furrows. "This isn't—I just fell asleep on the couch. Nothing happened—"

"And this one?" I throw another photo at him. "Fresh from the shower. What did you do with her after that? Your preciousStella told me to use my imagination. I bet it was wild."

Timothy's face goes rigid. Disbelief flashes across his features. He turns toStella. "What is she talking about? I didn't do anything that night. I just took a shower!"

'Lyric's scent shifted,' Raven murmurs. 'Sour. Like fear masked by sweetness. She's lying.'

"I was joking with Zara!"Stella shrinks under the blanket, voice small. "I didn't think she'd take it seriously!"

"Perfect excuse," I say, voice dripping venom. "I didn't come here to apologize. I came to make this cheating bastard—Timothy Sterling—sign the divorce papers."

I turn toStella, letting every ounce of my contempt show. "Stella Taylor. You seduce other women's husbands. You destroy marriages. You're nothing but a homewrecking slut. This man disgusts me now. I don't want him anymore. You like him so much? Take him. He's yours. I hope you choke on him."

I face Timothy. My voice goes cold as winter. "Alpha. Sterling. Sign the papers."

"Zara!" He's panicking now—I can see it in the way his pupils dilate, the way his wolf surges beneath his skin. But he still tries to dominate me with volume. "Are you serious right now? You pushedStella down the stairs. That's attempted murder!"

"Apologize toStella. I'll forget this happened. We'll go home. I haven't eaten properly in two days!"

"You haven't eaten in two days?" Tears burn behind my eyes. I shake my head slowly. "What about me, Timothy? Did you ever think about what you put me through?"

Raven whimpers in my mind, but she doesn't argue anymore.

"Go ask your mistress to cook for you." My voice doesn't shake. "As for how she fell—you don't believe me? Fine. Check the security footage on the stairs. Timothy Sterling, is it really that hard to sign a piece of paper?"

He stares at me like I'm a stranger. His mouth opens. No sound comes out.

He didn't expect this. Didn't expect me to be resolute.

"Timothy!"Stella's still crying, reaching for his hand. "It's all my fault. If I hadn't fallen for you first, none of this would've happened! Timothy, let me go. Choose Zara. I'll leave..."

I almost admireStella's acting. The pitiful expression. The heartbroken tears. It's working on Timothy—I can see the guilt warring with confusion in his eyes.

Despite his obvious reluctance, he pulls the crumpled divorce agreement from his pocket. His hands shake as he smooths it out.

His wolf's energy spikes—wild, almost desperate. But Timothy's face hardens with determination.

Then he signs it.

"I'll give you three million," he says, voice hoarse. His hands are still trembling. "And the villa. When you regret this, you can come back anytime."

"Regret?" I take the papers from him. A cold smile curves my lips. "Timothy Sterling, I'd rather go to hell than regret divorcing you."

As I turn to leave, I feel it—a pull from his wolf. Havoc reaching for Raven one last time.

'Let him go,' I tell her.

And she does.

I walk out of the hospital room clutching the signed agreement.

I feel hollowed out. Bloodless.

Three years of marriage, ended. The pain goes bone-deep.

I kept my face strong in there, but now I can't breathe. The world feels vast and empty, and I'm standing in the center of it, completely alone.

No. Not alone.

'We have pack,' Raven reminds me gently. 'We have family.'

I pull out my phone with trembling hands and dial. "Grandpa," I choke out. "I want to come home."

A long sigh on the other end. Then his voice comes through warm and indulgent. "My little princess. You're finally awake?"

"I was blind." Sobs tear out of my throat. "He couldn't see my devotion. I couldn't warm his heart—"

"Send me your location," Grandpa says. "I'll have your cousin come get you."

The dam breaks. I press my hand over my mouth, but the sobs won't stop.

Three years of pretending I was enough.

Three years of hoping he'd see me.

It's over.

Raven curls around my consciousness like she's trying to hold me together. 'We're going home.'

"Home," I whisper. "Yes. We're going home."

For the first time in three years, the word actually means something.