(Azaria's Point of View)
I woke the next day with a sense of clarity that only the morning light could provide, yet the shadows of yesterday's revelations clung to me, heavy and suffocating. Despite the brightness streaming through the window, the weight of the choices I had to make hung over me like a shroud. Discharged from the hospital, I moved through the hallways with a purpose, each step echoing a silent vow to reclaim my life, even though part of me was still tangled in doubt and fear. The corridors, once familiar, now felt alien, as though I were walking through the final chapter of a life I no longer recognized.
Lilly had promised to stop by later for girl's night, something I needed more than I wanted to admit. After everything, I craved normalcy. It was hard to believe that a simple evening with my best friend could offer any kind of respite, but the thought of sitting down and pretending—if only for a few hours—that life was still manageable sounded like heaven.
The day unfolded with a strange sense of quiet. The routine tasks that had once defined my days felt more distant, like echoes of someone else's life. I found comfort in their mundanity, though, the same way a soldier might cling to a routine before a battle. There was something soothing in it, even if it was a temporary distraction from the looming decisions I had to face.
I kept myself busy, avoiding the places I knew Ethan would frequent. Even the thought of crossing paths with him sent my stomach into knots. His presence had become unbearable, not just because of what he had done, but because of what he represented—years of manipulation, control, and a twisted version of love I had never asked for.
By midday, I felt a migraine building, an unwelcome reminder of the stress that had been festering inside me for weeks. It wasn't as bad as the others, though, and I pushed through it, determined not to let my body betray my plans. I couldn't afford to break down now. Not when I was so close to planning my perfect escape in a few weeks.
As evening approached, the weight of the day began to ease, if only slightly. I focused on preparing for Lilly's visit, organizing the snacks and movies she had mentioned, trying to ignore the ever-present tension that coiled like a snake at the base of my spine. I needed this night to be normal, to forget about Ethan and the nightmare I was living in. I needed to laugh with my friend, to pretend for a few hours that I wasn't trapped.
But, just as I started to relax, a sudden and familiar pain struck me with the force of a sledgehammer, sending me to the floor in a heap. The agony was unbearable, twisting my insides and bending me double, threatening to tear a scream from my throat. I clutched at the floor, my nails scraping against the cold surface, trying desperately to hold onto something—anything—that could anchor me.
This time, though, something inside me shifted. Instead of fighting the pain, instead of struggling to stay conscious, I let go. I surrendered to the overwhelming darkness, allowing it to pull me under. It was as if I had given up control, relinquished my need to fight. The darkness enveloped me, and for a brief moment, I felt nothing but peace.
But it didn't last.
The peace was replaced by a searing heat, as though flames were licking at my skin from the inside out. My body jerked upright, and I screamed, the sound ripping through the silence of the room. I was sure I was burning alive, yet when I opened my eyes, I was safe in my bed, drenched in sweat but untouched by fire.
"Zari!"
Lilly's voice cut through the haze of pain, her hands gripping my shoulders as she knelt beside me. Her wide, frightened eyes met mine, and for a moment, neither of us spoke. The pain had subsided, leaving a hollow ache in its wake, but the memory of it still clung to me.
"Lilly," I croaked, my throat dry and raw from the scream. "What happened?"
She laughed shakily, trying to mask her fear with humor. "I leave you alone for a few hours, and this is what happens? You really can't stay out of trouble, can you?"
I managed a weak smile, the pain ebbing away slowly. "Guess the asshole is still mad about my threat," I murmured, closing my eyes as I laid my head back against the pillow.
"Asshole?" Lillian echoed, frowning in confusion.
I waved a hand dismissively, though the dark thought still gnawed at the back of my mind. Ethan. I hate this, he has found a way to hurt me, even daring to use this damned bond to remind me of his power. The idea was ludicrous, but the timing of the pain and the intensity of it… it all pointed to him. Maybe it will become his new way of manipulating me more, a new way to punish me when I object to him. Maybe Ethan had tapped into something darker, something more dangerous. And if that was true, then I was running out of time.
"He's angry," I whispered, my voice laced with the bitterness I felt deep inside. "I didn't talk to him after I was released. I didn't apologize. So, he's punishing me."
Lilly's eyes widened with shock. "Zari… that's not possible. You don't think he's…?" She trailed off, her voice filled with disbelief.
"I don't know what to think anymore, Lilly," I admitted, my heart pounding as the realization settled deeper into my bones. "But whatever he's capable of, I'm not staying here to find out."
The anger in my chest flared like wildfire, burning through the fear and pain that had threatened to drown me. I couldn't let him have this power over me, not anymore. Stay calm, I reminded myself. I have to be rational about this. I can't afford to be messy. I need to get out of here—quietly and efficiently.
Nyrie, my wolf, stirred in the back of my mind, her presence a soothing balm against the storm of emotions swirling inside me. Her strength was my strength, and together, we would make it out of this.
Lilly's hand tightened around mine, pulling me out of my thoughts. "We'll figure this out tomorrow. I booked us a Spa day and informed the Alpha that we will be gone for the day," she said, her voice steady with determination. "But first, let's focus on tonight. You need a break from all this… a night to relax."
I nodded, grateful for her insistence on distracting me, even though my mind was already plotting. Tonight, I will gather my strength, but tomorrow, I will create my plan and act. I have spent too many years as Ethan's prisoner, trapped in a life I never wanted. It is time to break free.
As Lilly busied herself with setting up our makeshift retreat, I reflected on the years we had shared together. Our friendship had been forged in fire, born out of mutual pain and the unspoken understanding that we were both survivors. She had always been more than just a friend—she had been my sister, my confidante, the one person who had never judged me for the choices I had been forced to make.
"Hey, remember that time we snuck into the archives to read the forbidden histories?" Lilly called out, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
I couldn't help but laugh at the memory. "How could I forget? We almost got caught by the head librarian, and did get caught by Jennifer. I thought she was going to snitch to Margaret for sure."
Lillian snorted, plopping down beside me on the bed. "Good times," she said, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "I kinda miss those days. Things were simpler then."
"Were they?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "We were always getting into trouble or getting beaten. Remember when we stole those horses and rode out to the border?"
Lilly burst out laughing, clutching her stomach. "Oh god, yes! I thought we were going to die when Jennifer's guards chased us down. Your wolf came out for the first time that day, didn't she?"
I nodded, a smile tugging at my lips. "Yeah. Nyrie wasn't having any of that nonsense. She nearly tore the reins in half trying to take control. Thank heavens Marcellus was able to calm her. "
The shared laughter was a balm to my soul, a temporary reprieve from the darkness that had consumed my life. For a brief moment, I let myself get lost in the memories, in the joy of simpler times when we were just two girls defying the rules for the thrill of it.
"We should do something fun tonight," Lillian said suddenly, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "How about we start with your favorite movie, and then we can do some serious pampering? You know, face masks, nail painting—the whole works."
I nodded, grateful for the distraction. "Sounds perfect," I replied, forcing a smile as I sat up. The movies and the skincare routine were small comforts, but tonight, they felt like armor—something to protect me, even if just for a little while.
As the night progressed, our laughter filled the room, lightening the weight that had settled on my chest. We watched the movie, barely paying attention as we chatted and shared stories from the past. The banter was genuine, even if the looming threat of Ethan's control lingered in the background.
Lilly regaled me with stories from her day, her voice becoming the soundtrack to my silent planning. "And then Marcus tried to teach the recruits this ridiculous defensive maneuver, but he ended up falling flat on his face!" she laughed, shaking her head at the memory. "He's lucky none of them reported it."
I laughed along, picturing the scene in my mind, but part of me ached with envy at her ability to find joy in the pack's daily life. My own experiences were so far removed from the lightheartedness she described. For years, I had been playing a dangerous game, navigating the treacherous waters of pack politics and Ethan's ever-tightening grip on my freedom.
But tonight wasn't about that. Tonight was about finding some semblance of normalcy in the chaos, even if it was fleeting.
Later, as we painted our nails and applied face masks, I could feel my resolve hardening. The life I had known, the role I had played as Ethan's Luna—it was all coming to an end. His betrayal had cut deep, but it had also given me the final push I needed to sever the ties that bound me to him. No longer would I be the obedient Luna, silenced by tradition and duty. I was ready to fight for my freedom.
"I'm really glad we did this," Lillian said softly as the night drew to a close. Her eyes were heavy with the weight of unspoken emotions, her voice tinged with a sadness that mirrored my own. "It's been too long since we just relaxed like this."
"I agree," I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. "Let's not wait so long next time."
She nodded, her smile small but genuine. As she gathered her things to leave, I felt a pang of sorrow for the normalcy I was leaving behind. Lilly, this room, the simple joys of a girl's night—these were things I had cherished, things I would miss.
But the path I had chosen was irreversible. I couldn't stay here, not after everything Ethan had done. I couldn't sacrifice my freedom for the comfort of familiarity.
After Lilly left, the silence of the room enveloped me. I lay back on my bed, staring up at the ceiling, the plans for my escape etched firmly in my mind. Tomorrow, I would begin setting them into motion. There was no turning back now.