Chapter 38 Where Her Heart Still Belongs

Chapter 38 Where Her Heart Still Belongs
The forest felt quieter on the way back, not peaceful—just… heavy. Zoe ran beside Jacob, their wolves moving in sync, cutting through the trees with practised ease. Ethan and Audrey followed close behind, but Zoe barely noticed them. Her focus was on Jacob—on the steadiness returning to his stride, on the way his presence slowly shifted from broken to controlled. He was coming back, not fully, but enough.

As they neared the packhouse, Zoe slowed, shifting back into her human form just before stepping into the clearing. Jacob followed, his expression more composed now, though exhaustion still lingered in his eyes. He looked at her properly then, really looked, and something clicked. “Zoe…” he said softly. She met his gaze “What are you doing here?” There was no anger in his tone, just confusion. Zoe gave a small, tired smile “I came for you.” The words were simple, but they carried everything. Jacob’s expression softened, but only for a moment before he shook his head slightly.

“You shouldn’t be here,” he said quietly. “You need to go back to your mate.” Zoe crossed her arms lightly, her expression firm. “I will,” she replied. “Once everything is settled here.” Jacob frowned, “Zoe—” 

“He can cope without me for a while,” she cut in gently. “I’ll call him once things calm down.” Jacob studied her, and he knew that look, stubborn, unmovable, just like always, and a faint sigh left him. “Lucas is worried,” he said instead. “Let’s get back.” Zoe nodded. Together, they walked toward the packhouse. As they approached, the air shifted, tension, familiar, sharp.

Zoe’s steps slowed because standing at the front of the packhouse was Zack. His eyes locked onto her instantly, relief, anger, fear all at once, and then he moved. He rushed toward her, pulling off his shirt mid-step and wrapping it around her shoulders the moment he noticed she had shifted back without clothes. Zoe blinked in surprise. “Zack—” 

“What are you doing here?” he demanded, his voice tight. “How did you even get here?”

His hands lingered on her shoulders for a second longer than necessary. Like he needed to make sure she was real. Zoe pulled the shirt tighter around herself, meeting his gaze evenly. “I came to take care of something,” she said. “That doesn’t answer my question.” She exhaled. “The ‘how’ part? A friend helped me. Provided a helicopter.” Zack’s brows furrowed. Nothing about Zoe was ever simple. “I can’t go back yet,” she added before he could continue. “I need to help fix things here.” Zack’s expression hardened instantly.

“Fix things?” he repeated, disbelief lacing his tone. “This isn’t your pack anymore, Zoe.” The words hit Zoe’s eyes, darkening them. “It is my pack,” she shot back. Her voice rose slightly, emotion breaking through. “I made a home here. I made friends here. I built a life here.” Zack clenched his jaw. “That was before—” 

“Don’t,” she snapped. The warning in her tone stopped him. “Don’t make me bring up the past, Zack.” Silence fell between them, heavy, tense, and Zack looked like he wanted to argue.

Like he had a thousand things to say, but before either of them could continue— “Alpha!” Lucas’ voice cut through the moment. He came rushing out of the packhouse, relief washing over his face the second he saw Jacob. “Thank god,” Lucas said, running up to him. “We were worried.” Jacob gave him a reassuring look. “I’m fine.” Lucas let out a breath, nodding, then Jacob placed a firm hand on Zack’s shoulder. “Lucas, continue organising the funerals,” he said calmly. “I’ll have a word with Zack.”

Lucas glanced between them, sensing the tension, but he nodded, “Got it,” and just like that, Jacob guided Zack away.

Jacob’s Office

The door shut behind them, and silence lingered for a moment; then Jacob leaned back slightly against his desk, crossing his arms. “Zack,” he began calmly, “you need to understand something.” Zack ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. “I understand enough,” he muttered. “She ran off and came back here—” 

“She came here for me,” Jacob interrupted, which stopped him. Zack looked at him. “She came because I needed her,” Jacob continued. “Just like she’s always done.”

Zack’s jaw tightened. “She’s my mate,” he said. “And she’s her own person,” Jacob replied evenly, which hit harder than Zack expected. Jacob’s voice softened slightly. “Zoe has been helping me since the day she entered this pack,” he continued. “She took on responsibilities she didn’t have to. She stood beside me… even when I didn’t deserve it.” Zack stayed quiet, listening. “For two years,” Jacob added, “she acted as Luna in everything but name.” Zack’s eyes flickered, that… He didn’t know.

Jacob studied him carefully “She didn’t just live here,” he said. “She built something here.” A pause, “And now that something is falling apart.” Zack exhaled slowly, his frustration starting to shift into something else, understanding, reluctance. “…I didn’t think about it like that,” he admitted. Jacob nodded. “I know.” Silence stretched between them again. Then Zack spoke. “I don’t like her being here without me,” he said honestly. “Not with everything going on.”

Jacob smirked faintly “You think I do?” That earned the smallest huff of amusement from Zack, “But she’s not weak,” Jacob added. “You know that.” Zack nodded reluctantly. “I do.” Another pause, then Zack straightened slightly. “Let her stay,” he said. Jacob raised a brow “And I’ll stay too.” That surprised him, Zack continued. “You sent your warriors to help me,” he said. “It’s only fair that I return the favour.” Jacob watched him carefully “And?” he prompted. Zack sighed, “And… maybe this is my chance, actually, to understand her.”

Jacob’s expression softened “There it is.” Zack looked at him “I messed up,” he admitted quietly. “More than once.” Jacob didn’t argue that. “But I’m trying,” Zack added. “I just… I don't want to lose her again.” Jacob nodded slowly. “Then don’t.” Zack frowned “That’s it?” “No games,” Jacob said. “No lies. No shortcuts.” “And no more stupid decisions.” Zack huffed, “…Fair.”

Jacob stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Help me fix this pack,” he said. “And maybe… you’ll fix things with her along the way.” Zack nodded. “Yeah.” For the first time since arriving, he felt like he was doing something right, and for the first time, he wasn't just fighting for his mate. He was fighting for something she loved too.