Zara POV

Willie's car pulls up to Grandpa David's estate. The mansion blazes with light, and he's waiting at the front door.

Grandpa David Fros. Fire Moon Pack Alpha. Billionaire. He had two sons and one daughter—my mother.

Ten years ago, Mom and I were in that accident. Someone saved me—I thought it was Timothy. But Mom died.

Dad remarried without telling me. I hated him for his fickleness. Never went back.

The moment I step out of the car, Grandpa opens his arms. "My little princess finally came to her senses. I can rest easy now."

"Grandpa!" I throw myself into his embrace, sobbing. "I'm sorry. I made you worry. I said I'd give it three years—if I couldn't make Timothy Sterling love me, I'd come home. I kept my promise."

"It's over now, sweetheart." His hand smooths over my hair, gentle and familiar. The Alpha power radiating from him feels like safety. "You can take over the companies I set aside for you. And my shares. You're the Fire Moon Princess now."

'Home,' Raven sighs in my mind. 'We're finally home.'

"Zara!" My cousin Lacy's voice rings clear and bright. She's walking toward us, arms outstretched. "Welcome back, sweetheart!"

"Lacy!" I pull away from Grandpa and launch myself at her. "I missed you so much!"

"You finally decided to come back?" She pinches my cheek affectionately. "I told you Timothy Sterling wasn't reliable. Believe me now?"

"Yes." I bite my lip, holding back tears. "I was wrong. I shouldn't have been so fixated on marrying him just because I thought he saved my life."

"Baby." Lacy pulls me close, rubbing soothing circles on my back. Her wolf—gentle and warm—brushes against Raven in comfort. "Are you sure you didn't mistake him for someone else? You said your savior had a scar on his left hand. Timothy doesn't have one."

Her words hit something I've been avoiding.

She's right. I did notice that. Ten years ago, I clearly saw the scar on his left hand. When I met him again, it was gone.

But I remembered his face. I was so sure. I convinced myself the scar must have faded over time.

Now that I'm free of that blind, desperate love—I'm not so certain anymore.

"Hey, don't zone out on me." Lacy waves her hand in front of my face. "I really hope you did get the wrong guy. But forget him for now. Look at what you're wearing. This won't do. The Fire Moon Princess can't dress like this."

She lifts my skirt hem with mock horror. I glance down at myself.

Oh god. She's right. I'm still wearing the plain clothes from yesterday. I look like a maid.

"Lacy, take Zara shopping tomorrow," Grandpa says, pressing a bank card into my hand. "Clothes, jewelry—whatever you want. If this isn't enough, I'll give you more."

"This is plenty, Grandpa. Thank you." I kiss his cheek, and he beams.

The next morning, Lacy takes me to an upscale shopping center.

We've barely entered a designer boutique when her phone rings.

"Sorry, babe. Work emergency." She holds up her phone apologetically. "Look around. I'll be right back."

I nod. Lacy's a famous actress—I understand her schedule.

The past three years, I locked myself in Timothy's house. Cooking, cleaning, managing everything. I rarely entered stores like this anymore. Looking at these beautiful clothes and jewelry, I can't help but laugh bitterly.

Why did I tolerate that life? Why did I endure the Sterling family's endless humiliation?

I try on several outfits and decide to buy them. I'm chatting with the sales associate about this season's styles when a shocked voice rings out behind me.

"Zara? What are you doing here?"

I turn around.

Perfect. Timothy's mother and sister.

Esta rushes over and snatches the bank card from my hand. "Zara! How dare you shop here! How much did my brother give you?"

"Give it back." My voice goes cold. "That's my card. Not your brother's."

"Isn't it the same thing?" Esta sneers. "Without my brother's money, where would you get this?"

"Exactly," Fiona—Timothy's mother—chimes in. "If my son wasn't supporting you, you'd still be starving in the countryside!"

"I'll say this once more." My eyes turn ice-cold. "This card is mine. It has nothing to do with the Sterling family."

"Yours?" Esta spots the shopping bags beside me and shrieks. "Zara! You couldn't afford this much! You stole Timothy's money!"

"No wonder you haven't been coming to do housework!" Fiona snaps. "You stole from my son and went on a shopping spree!"

"I didn't!" My voice comes out low and dangerous. Raven snarls inside me. "I divorced Timothy. What I do is my business."

"Divorced?" Fiona laughs like I told a joke. "You clung to my son so desperately. You'd never leave him."

"This is fake," Esta declares. "She stole Timothy's money. I'm calling him right now."

I don't want to see Timothy. But they need to hear the truth.

I sit on the lounge sofa, chin high. "Go ahead. Call him. I want you to know the truth too."

Esta makes the call. Within fifteen minutes, Timothy bursts through the door.

His tie's loose. His shirt buttons are undone. He looks rushed.

He's not at the hospital with his preciousStella? Surprising.

When he sees me, tension flashes across his face. His eyes—still slightly golden from Havoc's presence—lock onto mine. "Zara. Where did you go last night?"

"How is that your business?" I smile coldly. "I only need you to explain to your family that we're divorced. I didn't take a single cent from you. Tell them to return my bank card."