Chapter: EPILOGUE Avery's POVThe late afternoon sun bathed the garden in soft golden hues, casting a warm glow over rows of blooming hydrangeas, roses, and lilies.Every seat was filled, family and friends gathered beneath an arch woven with white fabric and delicate greenery. Soft music floated in the air, a gentle tune that carried laughter, hope, and all the emotions neither Asher nor Avery could quite put into words.Avery stood at the far end of the aisle, her hand clutching a small bouquet of peonies, her favorite. Georgia had insisted they were perfect for her. Laurel smoothed the soft lace sleeve of her dress one last time and gave her a wink before stepping back. The twins stood near Asher and Nolan in matching suspenders and little bow ties, trying to look serious but clearly bubbling with excitement.She took a shaky breath.The dress was not elaborate, nothing like the one she had imagined as a little girl. It was simple, soft ivory satin, gently hugging her shape before flowing to the g
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-11-20
Chapter: 149.Avery's POV Dinner at the Storm mansion was nothing like Avery remembered dinners being. They weren’t stiff or quiet or awkward, filled with measured words and judging glances. No, this was something else entirely. The long oak table was crowded, the air warm with laughter and the smell of roasted chicken and garlic bread. Glasses clinked. Kael had already spilled his juice twice. Neal and Noel were giggling about a secret joke only they understood, and Georgia had her hair tied in a loose bun, her smile softer than Avery had ever seen.Asher sat beside Avery, his hand brushing hers every now and then beneath the table, a silent reassurance that she still hadn’t imagined it all, that this was her life now. Her real life.Laurel was seated across from her, cutting up Kael’s chicken while the boy alternated between chattering and shoving bread into his mouth. He was a sweet kid, smart, and a little shy when he’d first arrived. But tonight, he seemed to belong as naturally as the oth
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-11-20
Chapter: 148.Asher’s POV The words hit him, not like a shock, because he already knew, but like a gentle confirmation of something sacred he had held quietly, painfully, hopefully in his heart for months.He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. Her eyes were wide, bracing for rejection or disbelief. It made something burn hot inside him, protective, fierce.“I know,” he said softly.Her breath caught. “Y-you… already know?”He nodded.“When? How?” Her voice was a whisper of confusion, maybe even fear.Asher exhaled slowly. “From the very moment I saw Neal at the shopping mall.” His lips curved, faint and bittersweet. “His blond hair… the same shade I had when I was six. The same curls. The same dimples.” He paused, emotion tightening his voice. “He looked exactly like me. They both do.”Avery stared at him in stunned silence. He could almost see the thoughts rushing through her, shock, disbelief, relief, guilt, hope. They all flickered in her eyes like shifting light.“And Noel?”
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-11-20
Chapter: 147.Asher’s POVAsher stared at her, breath caught in his throat, as if the world had paused just to let her words sink in.Pregnant.The soft echo of that single word seemed to linger in the air long after Avery spoke it.Her eyes were wide, unfocused, almost dazed. Her lips parted slightly as though she herself could not believe what she had just said. Her fingers drifted down to touch her stomach in an unconscious, gentle motion, like someone seeking reassurance that what they realized was real and not imagined.Asher’s heart began pounding in a slow, heavy rhythm that made it difficult to breathe. He moved closer without realizing it.Avery licked her lips nervously. “I just realized,” she said softly. “It hit me when I felt the nausea earlier. And then I counted. The days. The symptoms. It makes sense now.”The room around him faded into a distant blur. The hum of the machines, the faint footsteps in the hallway, even the soft breathing of the boys asleep on the couch. All of it shra
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-11-20
Chapter: 146.Avery’s POVThe knock on the hospital room door was soft, almost hesitant. Avery had just managed to settle herself back on the bed, the slight nausea that had lingered since the morning finally easing. She looked up, expecting another nurse or perhaps the doctor, but was stunned silent when the door opened and Grandfather Wellesley stepped inside.He was dressed in his usual pristine suit, his silver cane tapping softly against the floor as he walked in. His expression was not as cold as she remembered it, though still reserved.“Good afternoon,” he said, voice gentle but formal.Avery blinked, her heart skipping slightly. “Mr. Wellesley… I wasn’t expecting you.”He nodded, as if that much was obvious. “I imagine not.”She instinctively sat up straighter, adjusting the blanket over her legs. She hadn’t seen him since before all this. The last time she had spoken to him was when she had walked out of the Wellesley home, after discovering the truth about herself.And now, the real Av
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-11-20
Chapter: 145.Avery’s POV The woman swallowed hard, guilt tightening her voice. “Someone else… someone working against Henry must have known about the meeting. They must have been watching. And when I didn’t arrive, they mistook you for me.”A chill crawled down Avery’s back.“They took you from the bar,” the woman said softly. “lead you to the hotel room I was meant to enter. You were drunk, confused… and they thought you were me.”Avery’s eyes widened, a helpless whisper escaping her. “But the accident…”The woman nodded slowly, grief tightening her jaw. “The van. The hit. That part wasn’t meant for you either. They were targeting me because of what Henry gave me. But you were the one they followed that night.”Avery felt her stomach twist. Her breath came in shallow gasps.“I had no idea who you were,” the woman added, tears filling her eyes. “I only knew that someone had survived the accident. I didn’t know your name. I didn’t know your story.”Avery stared at her, unable to speak, unable to b
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-11-20
Chapter: EPILOGUE I year later The wind blew again, this time stronger than the first. Alister adjusted the thick fur cloak on Luciana’s shoulders and smiled as she buried her head in the crook of his arms. In her condition, she wasn’t supposed to be there but she was as stubborn as him. “Do you think she’s looking down on us and regretting what she did?" Luciana mumbled. Alister sighed; he knew that Ophelia regretted what she did and that was why she had killed herself, but he didn't know whether she had found peace in the afterlife. “I hope she found peace after all”, he mumbled. “ I miss her…the kids too” Luciana said. Alister nodded. He wouldn’t admit it, but he also missed her. He had forgiven her for what she did and would have loved it if Ophelia knew that she was forgiven. They stayed that way for a while before someone cleared their throat behind them. He knew who it was even before he turned to face the person. Elijah was standing there with a white rose in his hands, Ophelia’s favorit
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2023-08-31
Chapter: chapter 80Alister’s POVThe fight is in full force, and so far, the Black Moon pack seems to be holding their own. He looked around the fighting ground once again and couldn’t spot his uncle Helster. He knew his uncle’s wolf by now. If Helster’s wolf wasn’t on the battlefield, then where was he?A rogue charged at him, and he pounced on the wolf, tearing its spine away from its body and killing it instantly. The more Rogues they fight and kill, the more additional Rogues charge out of the woods.He saw Elijah finishing off another rogue, and his mind linked to him.“Helster is not here; why?”Elijah turned around and shifted into his human form. He ran back to where Alister was standing, already shifted into his human form.“I wouldn't want to believe that he’s hiding." Alister said.Elijah shook his head and said, “He wants the pack; he’s not hiding. I think he wants to sneak into the pack from another border. Catch us unawares." he said.Just then, as Alister wanted to respond, Peter’s
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2023-08-31
Chapter: chapter 79Luciana’s POVElder Haruto is dead. Wilson had said to her last night after he had returned to his house. He was now the head of the council and would preside over their case. She felt relieved that things were indeed working in their favor.Luciana shifted in her chair. She was waiting for their case to be called, like every other person who was there. She looked around, trying to see if Alpha Reed was already there, but she didn’t see him.Maybe it was a good thing that they would meet inside and not out in the open, she didn't know if she could control herself if she saw him out there in the open.“Black Velvet Pack!" a werewolf standing by the door called.She saw an Alpha stand up and walk into the room where the hearing was being held. Their case was the next one; she had seen the order earlier when Wilson had spoken to her.She pulled the folder out and held it firmly on her lap. The future of their pack depended on her, and as much as she had been the one who had caused all th
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2023-08-30
Chapter: chapter 78Alister’s POVIt was hard. Knowing that his mate was somewhere in the council, doing what he was supposed to be doing, was hard. It had been hard letting her go, and even now, he had to restrict himself from entering a car and driving to the council." Daddy… I want to pee." Keita said, tapping his leg.Alister rolled his eyes, looking down at the boy. “You just did that like five minutes ago”, he mumbled.Keita frowned. “I know, but I still want to go. Mom would be upset if I peed on myself,” he said, pouting his lips.Alister shook his head. Either Keita was missing his mother and didn’t know how to communicate his feelings, or he was trying to be difficult and frustrate him. He suspected it was both.“Fine, let’s go”, he said, picking Keita up. The moment he moved to leave, Omar jumped up from the chair and followed them. Alister sighed. It was going to be hard trying to pull Omar away from him when the time came to defend the pack, and Luciana was not yet back.Thankfully, the re
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2023-08-30
Chapter: chapter 77Reed’s POVReed arrived at the council the next morning. He could feel his victory, and that gave him the confidence to enter the council building. He still had time before the hearing, so he decided to pay a visit to Veronica, his mother.Her office was not far from the academy. He climbed the stairs and walked down the hallway until he got to her door.He knocked twice and waited for her response before pushing the door open and entering the small office. His mother was sitting behind her desk, and she looked like she had never aged since he last saw her.Veronica lifted her head and the surprise on her face was obvious. He didn't blame her for being shocked at him standing in her office; he too would be shocked if he were in her position.Growing up, they never had the best mother-son relationship. She was more like a figure who was just there beside his father. He hated her for that—for not loving him like every other mother loved their children.She pulled the glasses off her fac
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2023-08-30
Chapter: chapter 76Luciana’s POVLuciana closed the zipper of her luggage with a sigh. She was ready to leave, but her heart couldn’t bear to see them all as she was leaving. She could hear the different voices gathered in her living room to bid her goodbye.She sighed and dragged her luggage out of the room, walking down the stairs.“Oh Lucia." Ophelia mumbled, coming up to her to envelope her in a huge hug. Luciana buried herself in the hug.It wasn’t that she was going away from the council for long. Hell, she was just going to be gone for two or three days, so she didn't understand why they were all acting like she was going to be gone for a year.“Take care of yourself and my boys,” she muttered close to Ophelia’s ears.Ophelia nodded her head and released her. “I will. Stay safe,” she said, taking the luggage from Luciana and carrying it outside towards the waiting car.Alister was the next one to come up to her. He was holding Omar, who had refused to let him go and was clinging to him.“You can
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2023-08-30
Chapter: 174.Anthony’s POV I could see Celeste’s lips curl slightly, a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. She was confident, assured, ready for this to go her way. I had to stay calm. I had to hold steady.Mr. Daniels continued with care, “Mr. Carter, is it not true that any fall in figure skating, particularly during high-risk throws, carries inherent risk for both athletes? That even the most careful execution can still result in injury?”“Yes,” he said, though Carter added quickly, “but proper timing reduces risk.”“Correct,” Daniels said, nodding slightly. “And is it possible that Anthony was fully prepared, performing as trained, but the risk inherent to the maneuver still resulted in an accident?”Mr. Carter paused again, then nodded slowly. “It is possible.”I allowed myself a tiny exhale, just small, almost unnoticeable. Another small crack in the wall of accusations.Daniels pressed on, softly, deliberately, “Mr. Carter, you mentioned watching the footage and noting that Anthony’s reactio
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-02-14
Chapter: 173.Anthony’s POVI stared at him with a mind almost blank from shock, listening to how certain, calm, and sure he sounded, while my mouth opened and closed again because I wanted to speak, to argue, to shout that he was wrong, but I knew I could not, not now and not here.The lawyer nodded. “In your professional opinion, Mr. Carter, did Ms. Harrison make any mistakes that contributed to the fall?”Mr. Carter did not hesitate.“No,” he said firmly. “She executed her role exactly as trained.”My chest tightened painfully. He did not even look at me when he said it. Not once.“And to be clear,” the lawyer pressed, “you believe the fall occurred because Mr. Vale failed to catch her in time?”“Yes,” Mr. Carter answered.One word. Simple. Final. I felt like the ground had shifted under me, a dull ringing filling my ears as I stared at him, because this was not just anyone speaking.This was the man who had trained us every day, the man who had watched our practices, the man who had once told
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-02-13
Chapter: 172.Anthony’s POVThe courtroom felt impossibly cold, even though the air was heavy with tension. The kind of cold that sinks into your chest and makes your bones ache. I sat at the defendant’s table, staring down at my hands. My lawyer, Mr. Daniels, was beside me, flipping through papers, calm and methodical. Across the room, I could see her, Celeste. She looked composed, flawless even, like nothing in the world could touch her. But her eyes were sharp, calculating, full of purpose, and for the first time in a long time, I felt that knot in my stomach tighten.The judge entered, rapping the gavel once. “Court is now in session. We will hear the case of Celeste Harrison versus Anthony Vale.”I exhaled slowly, trying to calm the tightness in my chest. The whispers of the courtroom settled as the clerk read the claim.I turned to look at Isaac who was seated at the back, his posture straight, his expression calm in that way that always made it seem like he was ten steps ahead of everyon
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-02-12
Chapter: 171.Anthony's POVI watched as the panel exchanged glances. Some of them scribbled notes, others nodded silently. The tension in the room was thick, and I could feel it pressing against me. Every second felt longer than it should. I shifted slightly in my chair, careful not to draw attention, careful not to let anyone see how fast my heart was pounding.One of the members, an older man with a lined face, spoke first. His voice was slow, deliberate. “But what about public perception? The media coverage has been intense. Sponsors, fans, and other athletes may question participation under these circumstances.” He continued. “How can we ensure this does not reflect poorly on the federation or the country?”Isaac did not hesitate. His voice was calm, but there was an edge of authority in it that made the room quiet immediately. “Public perception can be managed. There is no evidence to suggest that either athlete is incapable of performing at the highest level.” He defended.When they open
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-02-11
Chapter: 170.Anthony’s POVI walked into the meeting room and immediately felt the tension pressing against me. The room was sterile, every surface polished, every chair stiff and uninviting. On the far side sat the federation panel. I could see the serious lines on their faces, the little nods exchanged between them. Each one of them carried the weight of decisions that could make or break careers. Their expressions were polite, almost neutral, but the kind of neutral that could slice open the truth without warning.On our side, Samantha walked in next to me. She had no bandage on her ankle. Not that I could tell. Not that anyone could tell. She carried herself like she was fine, like the injury never happened. Her back straight, head high, eyes forward. I could feel the tension radiating off her in little pulses. Her calm was deliberate. I had no idea what to make of it. On one hand, I wanted to reach out and tell her to be honest, to stop pretending. On the other, I understood her reason
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-02-10
Chapter: 169.Anthony’s POV “You are,” I admitted. “And you are right. I will be okay. Because I have you reminding me.”He gave me a small, satisfied nod. “See? I told you.”I pressed my hand to his back, feeling the steady warmth of him. “You are a smart little man, Jaden. Really smart.”“Yeah,” he said, leaning closer, “and I can be even smarter. I will make sure you never feel alone. Ever.”The certainty in his voice made my chest ache in a good way, and I held him a little tighter. “I will try not to feel alone either, buddy. I promise.”He hummed, thoughtful, then muttered, “Maybe I should get a notebook, write down all the smart stuff I notice.”I laughed, shaking my head. “You probably should. You might end up teaching me a few things.”He smiled, proud of himself, and snuggled closer against my side. “I will. Because I am smart like that.”We lay there quietly for a few minutes. His breathing was slow and even, relaxed in a way I envied. He did not know what was happening. He only knew t
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-02-09
Masuk
