Chapter 39 Mending What Was Broken
Chapter 39 Mending What Was Broken
Zoe stood just outside the packhouse, the evening air cool against her skin. Her arms were folded loosely across her chest, her expression guarded—but calmer than it had been in days. The front doors opened, and Jacob stepped out first. Zack followed behind him. Zoe’s eyes immediately moved to Zack. There was something different in his posture. Less tension, more… resolve.
He stopped a few steps in front of her “I’m staying,” he said, no hesitation, no arrogance, just certainty. Zoe blinked, “…What?” Zack rubbed the back of his neck, glancing briefly at Jacob before looking back at her. “I’m staying here,” he repeated. “To help.” Zoe studied him carefully. “Why?” Zack didn’t look away this time. “Because this matters to you.” The words landed softly—but deeply. “And”, he added, “Jacob helped me when I needed it. It’s only fair that I return the favour.”
Zoe’s chest tightened slightly. Jacob crossed his arms, watching the exchange with quiet approval. Zoe exhaled slowly. “…Alright.” That was all she said. But something in her tone had softened, and Zack noticed.
The next few days passed in a blur of work, real work. The kind that left your body aching and your mind too tired to overthink. Zack threw himself into rebuilding broken homes and damaged structures. Training grounds that had been torn apart. He worked alongside the warriors, lifting, fixing, rebuilding—without complaint, without ego, without expecting recognition, and people noticed. Meanwhile, Zoe spent most of her time at the pack clinic.
The smell of herbs, antiseptics, and healing filled the air as she moved from patient to patient, bandaging wounds, comforting families, and helping the healers wherever she could. Angela, the Blue Mountain pack doctor, watched her closely one afternoon. “You’ve grown,” she said softly. Zoe smiled faintly “I had to.” Angela nodded. “You’ve become exactly what our pack needed.” Zoe didn’t respond, but the words stayed with her.
That night, after a long day, Zoe returned to her old room, and it hadn’t changed much, simple, familiar, safe. She sat on the edge of the bed, staring out the window at the moon hanging high in the sky, and her expression softened. “Moon Goddess…” she whispered. It had been a while since she’d spoken like this, since she’d asked for anything, but tonight felt different. “I don’t usually ask for things,” she continued softly. “But… if you’re listening…” She paused, choosing her words carefully. “Please… give Jacob a good mate.”
Her voice wavered slightly. Someone who will heal him. Someone who will make him smile again.” A small breath left her “He deserves that.” Silence followed, but somehow— It didn’t feel empty, it felt heard.
Days turned into a week, and slowly, without Zoe even realising it, something shifted between her and Zack. It wasn’t sudden, it wasn’t dramatic, it was… gradual, quieter.
He’d bring her water during long hours at the clinic. She’d check on him when he pushed himself too hard rebuilding. They spoke more—not about the past, not about pain—but about small things, real things, and, for the first time, Zoe saw him differently —not as the boy who rejected her, but as a man trying to become better, and it scared her because part of her…It was starting to fall.
Her phone buzzed one afternoon, Zoe glanced down and smiled, Jessica was calling. She answered immediately, “Hey.”
“FINALLY,” Jessica’s voice came through dramatically. “Do you plan on ever coming back, or should we just replace you as Luna?” Zoe laughed. “Relax, drama queen.” In the background, she heard James. “She’s not coming back,” he said loudly. “We’re stuck doing all the work,” Zoe smirked. “Oh, poor you.”
“You have no idea,” James groaned. “Jessica is the worst. She keeps saying, ‘This is Zoe’s job.”
Jessica snorted, “Yeah, we didn’t sign up to be acting Alpha and Luna!” Zoe laughed softly, shaking her head. “I’ll be back soon.”
“Soon, better be soon,” Jessica warned. “Or I’m dragging you back myself.”
“Noted.” The call ended, leaving Zoe smiling to herself. For the first time in days, things felt… lighter. The final night came faster than expected, and the pack gathered for dinner, not a celebration but something close. A moment of peace after chaos, long tables filled the main hall with food, drinks and laughter, with voices overlapping.
Zoe sat beside Jacob, Lucas was across from them, and Zack was a few seats down—but close enough, close enough that she could feel him even without looking. Jacob raised his glass. “To survive,” he said. The pack echoed him, “To survive.” Lucas smirked, “And not letting Zoe leave without visiting again.” Zoe rolled her eyes “I’m not that special.”
“Yes, you are,” Lucas said immediately, and the table murmured in agreement.
Zoe blinked, caught off guard. Jacob smiled softly, “You gave this pack more than you realise.” Zoe looked down at her glass, quietly, and Zack watched her. Something in his chest was tightening because, for the first time, he truly understood what she meant to them and why she couldn’t walk away.
Later that night, the hall slowly emptied. People said their goodbyes, one by one, hugs, smiles and promises to visit. Zoe then stepped outside for a moment; the cool night air wrapped around her, and she breathed deeply, taking it all in. Footsteps approached behind her; she didn’t need to turn. “Leaving tomorrow,” Zack said quietly. “Yeah.” “You okay with that?” Zoe hesitated, then nodded, “I think so.”
Silence settled between them, not uncomfortable, just… honest. Zack stepped closer “Thank you,” she said. Zack looked at her “For what?” he asked, “For staying, for helping.” A faint smile touched his lips “It wasn’t just for you.” He said, “I know.” Another pause, then “But I’m glad you were here,” he added. Zoe’s heart skipped, just slightly, and she looked away, hiding it “…Me too.” And for the first time, the distance between them didn’t feel like a wall; it felt like something that could be crossed one step at a time.