In the meeting room, the elders sat in their usual seats, looking serious and unhappy. Some looked angry, while others seemed pleased with themselves. The room buzzed with quiet complaints as they talked about what happened the day before.
“This was bound to happen,” one elder said, sounding dismissive. “I knew keeping that girl here would bring nothing but trouble.”
“She’s dangerous,” another agreed. “We should never have let her stay in the first place." And now, look—our pack was attacked because of her.
The room was filled with quiet agreement. Some people nodded, looking pleased, while others looked serious. Then, an elder said, "Let's vote on it. For the safety of the pack, Zeph must be sent away. This isn’t up for debate, and even Terran cannot overrule us on this.”
Terran sat at the head of the table, tapping his fingers at a steady beat on the table, and his face gave away nothing. Just as he was about to talk, the doors burst open.
Zeph strode in.
The murmurs stopped instantly.
She looked around the room, her eyes burning with anger.
"Isn’t this interesting," she said.
"All of you are whining about me, yet you have not even expressed gratitude to Terran for saving your lives during the attack."
A few of the elders felt uneasy, while others frowned in disapproval of her interruption.
As she moved toward the big table, she continued, "You are so anxious to blame someone,"
“You act as if I invited those people to attack. As if I had control over what happened. When is the truth? You all hid behind Terran’s strength and his warriors’ sacrifice while he fought to protect you.”
Silence.
One elder scoffed. “You speak as if you’re innocent.”
“Innocent?” Zeph laughed—short, humorless. “You want to talk about innocence? Fine. You want to know the truth about me so badly? Then listen.”
She placed her hands on the table, leaning in. “The pack I came from never wanted me. I was nothing more than a cursed omega to them. The mate I thought I had was killed, and I was blamed for his death.”
A few elders exchanged glances.
“But it wasn’t enough for them to strip me of my place. No.” Her voice was razor-sharp. “They tormented me. They took everything I had. And yet, you think I am the problem?”
Her eyes moved to Terran. “And as if that wasn’t enough,” she added, "Karex's father wanted to use that information to control me." Terran's jaw clenched tightly.
“He told me I should convince you to take Karex as your mate,” she said, looking directly at him. That was his leverage. "He thought he could force me to do what he wanted," she said. The elders gasped in shock. Even those who wanted to send her away now looked unsure.
Zeph exhaled, shaking her head. “I will leave this pack. "But not because of you entitled fools and your ridiculous accusations.” She straightened, her voice unwavering. "I'll leave because I don't want to put innocent people in harm's way," she said. Then she turned around and quickly walked toward the doors. Terran immediately stood up. “Zeph—”
She didn't stop or look back. She pushed the doors open and left the room. Terran, ignoring the elders' whispers, quickly went after her as she stepped outside the meeting hall.
“Zeph, wait.”
She kept walking. “I don’t have anything else to say, Terran.”
He sighed, stepping in front of her to block her path. “There is. Look, I understand why you want to leave. But I can’t let you go if you’re just going to wander from one place to another without protection.”
Zeph crossed her arms. “I can handle myself.”
Terran gave her a knowing look. “I never said you couldn’t. But you know as well as I do that the Kota pack won’t stop looking for you. You need a place where they won’t reach you.”
Zeph hesitated as she knew he wasn’t wrong.
"What is your plan? "The Kota pack won’t give up easily," she asked carefully.
"There's one place they haven't been able to get into," Terran said. "A territory that's still safe."
She looked confused. "And you know that because?" He smiled slightly. "I have informants everywhere." Zeph thought for a moment, then sighed. “Do you really think I will be safe there?”
“I know for a fact you will be safe there.” His expression softened slightly. "Please, as a friend, just let me do this one thing." She breathed out sharply, rubbing her forehead. "Alright. "I'll go where you say." Terran nodded, but she noticed a tiny sign of tension in his jaw. He doesn’t look happy about it.
"When do you want to leave?" he asked.
"Tomorrow morning."
"Ok. "I'll take you there myself," Terran said firmly.
Zeph shook her head immediately. “That is not happening. "Your pack needs you here, especially after what happened.”
Terran’s expression hardened. “And you think I’ll just let you go alone? I won’t do that.”
“Terran—”
"I insist, Zeph," he said in a gentler but firmer tone. It is not only about you. I will hold myself responsible if something were to happen to you. Zeph sighed, realizing that there was no need to argue. He is truly concerned about me. She could see why he felt guilty. She moved in closer, kissed his cheek tenderly, and placed a gentle hand on his chest. "I get it," she said in a whisper. Terran breathed out slowly, his eyes getting softer as he looked at her. "When things calm down," he said quietly, "maybe we'll get a chance to be together." Zeph felt a pang of sadness in her chest.
I wish I could believe him. But deep down, I feel like fate wouldn't be that kind. She gave a small smile and nodded.
Terran looked closely at her face, as if he knew she didn't really believe him. But he didn't say anything more. She stepped closer and hugged him tightly. He held her warmly, making her feel safe, and for a moment, they both forgot about their worries. When they pulled away, neither of them said a word. I hope this issue dies out soon.