Chapter: CHAPTER 10RyderI hadn’t slept since the night she vanished.Aura.Her name had become a ghost in my mind, haunting the edges of every thought, and every decision. The pack moved on, the ceremonies went on, and Leona claimed her place beside me in the packhouse. But my wolf had grown restless, roaming inside me with sharp teeth and fierce snarls, lamenting the void she left behind. I should have killed her the night she ran. The thought slithered through my thoughts like a deadly serpent. But how could I? Aura was...mine. My mark burned on her body, a stinging reminder that she belonged to me, even if I was too much of a coward to claim her in front of the pack. Instead, I carried Leona around like a prize, a carefully chosen Luna to satisfy alliances and conventions. But every night since Aura disappeared, her scent has tormented my senses. It stuck to my blankets and soaked into my skin. No matter how much I tried to drown it out with others, it was her face I saw, her body I craved. The
Last Updated: 2025-04-24
Chapter: CHAPTER 9AuraLife might sometimes feel like it's balanced on a knife; if you make a mistake, everything will sever too deeply. However, I've begun to breathe again here with Kai, in this little village nestled between silent mountains and forgotten trees.I would wake up to the sound of Molly yelling at a slothful kitchen worker, the smell of pine and fresh earth wafting through the broken window, and the hum of Kai's old radio playing music from decades ago. Even when I'm freezing, this place is warm.I catch myself smiling sometimes.Not because the memories are gone. They’re still there, heavy like stones in my stomach. But because here, no one looks at me like I’m a mistake. No whispers of scandal. No accusing glares. No Ryder.And especially not Leona.I had never met somebody like Kai. The steady serenity in his presence caused the restless ache in my chest to subside for the first time in years. He talked more with his eyes than his mouth. Like a tune I nearly recognized, there was s
Last Updated: 2025-04-23
Chapter: CHAPTER 8Aura I barely had time to react. My pulse thundered in my ears, my wolf churning beneath my skin, but before I could shift or scream, Kai was there. One second it was only the Calen and me — the next, Kai’s palm clamped onto the scout’s wrist, his grip brutal. I didn’t even realize how hard I was trembling until Kai’s hand clasped my arm. “Let. Her. Go,” Kai said, his voice low, cold, and controlled, but I could feel the weight of something dangerous beneath it.Caleb, the scout, hesitated, straightening his shoulders. He probably wasn’t used to being challenged by anyone, let alone a stranger. “You don’t know who she is, mutt,” he spat. “She’s a runaway from Alpha Ryder’s pack. She’s coming with me.”My gut turned at the weight of those words, yet Kai didn't recoil. "I don't think so," Kai said coolly, but his tone had a piercing edge that made my heart race. "Because I'm now protecting her.”Calen sneered, stepping closer. “You have no authority to decide that.”Kai took a si
Last Updated: 2025-04-21
Chapter: CHAPTER 7Aura's POVIt had been a week since I stumbled into Ashbourne, and though my body still ached in places, the sharp edges of my fear had dulled. I was alive. Away from the pack. Away from Ryder. And yet, not entirely free.Kai had taken me in without asking for anything. He didn’t asked about the bruises I carried, or the times I woke up gasping, bathed in perspiration from memories that wouldn’t leave me. He let me sleep on the ancient couch in his small cabin and brought me meager meals—toast, tea, anything he could spare. But there was a distance in his eyes. A careful margin he kept between us. It wasn’t unkind, just... calculated. I tried to be appreciative. I tried not to gaze at him too long, though I couldn’t help it occasionally. Something about him pulled at a spot inside me that should’ve been broken, a place Ryder never reached, even when he claimed to own me. Kai,” I dared to say one morning in a soft voice. "Is there anything I can do to pay to help? I want to be a b
Last Updated: 2025-04-18
Chapter: CHAPTER 6AuraI was adrift. Or perhaps tumbling. I felt as if I was in a state of death or dream, with no weight in my body. My limbs were too heavy to move, my throat was scratchy and dry, and my head was pounding. But beneath me was warmth—solid, constant warmth. And a smell. It wasn't like the rogues or the forest at all. Earthy, reminiscent of wild herbs and wood wet by rain. A smell that drew me in.“Hey… you’re okay. You’re safe now.”A voice said. Steady, low, and soft. The forest's stinging cold was driven away by a soft, constant warmth. Then I felt the softness of a firm yet unexpectedly cozy bed beneath me. It had a subtle earthy and pinewood scent, not at all like the pungent, overpowering smells of the packhouse.I opened my eyes slowly and blinked against the dim light in the tiny space. Above me was a hardwood ceiling with uneven, rough grain. The aged floors were illuminated by a tiny beam of daylight that spilled in through a small window. This place was silent, old, an
Last Updated: 2025-04-17
Chapter: CHAPTER 5Aura's POVAs I stood at the edge of the pack's border, my breath shaking in my chest, the moonlight shining over the dense forest with a glittering sheen. I slung my tiny, hurriedly packed backpack over one shoulder. I had gripped the strap so hard that my fingertips were raw. It hurt every step I took away from the packhouse, but the farther I went, the more confident I got. I can't stay.Ryder refused to see me. Like a queen asserting her throne, Leona had made her presence known, and I was the ghost that floated through the corridors with a secret that could destroy everything. A child. His child.God knows I had made every effort to get in touch with him, to inform him. However, I was turned away by the guards outside his office, and the wolves who used to look past me now didn't try to hide their sneers. To them, I was nothing. Less than nothing. The Alpha's plaything, now thrown away. It was also made apparent that I had lost my position in the pack with Leona present
Last Updated: 2025-04-07
The Billionaire's Pawn
I never wanted to be his wife.
I hated Roman Blackwood because he was untouchable, conceited, and ruthless. However, When my father’s debts threatened to destroy us, I had no choice but to sign the contract that bound me to him. My freedom was just another possession in his universe.
His words, his rules, and the gloomy fire in his eyes caused me to doubt my sanity. To withstand his icy indifference and the violent intimacy that left me simultaneously breathless and broken, I tried to be invisible.
But, his betrayal was worse than his cruelty. In the fine print of our marriage, I discovered the truth: I wasn't just his wife. I was a pawn in a game I don't understand. And when I challenged him, his cold grin made it clear that I meant nothing to him.
So I ran.
I believed I could leave the man who broke me and start a new life. But Roman doesn't lose and forgive. He is now chasing me, saying he is a different person and pledging atonement.
However, when I discover a secret that he has kept even from himself, I realize that the monster I escaped from may be the only one who can protect me from what lies ahead.
Because when Roman Blackwood threatened to destroy anyone who attempted to take me away from him, he wasn't lying.
Even if it's me.
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Chapter: EPILOGUE The sun rose gently over the expansive estate, its golden rays beams through the wide windows and highlight the serene scene within. Naomi sat in the garden, her laughter blended with the soft chirping of birds. She held two small babies in her arms, their gentle coos bringing the distinct sound of fresh life into the room. Two years had flown by, a tapestry of hardships, victories, and emotional moments. The happiness and tranquility they had worked so hard to achieve suddenly eclipsed what had seemed like an endless struggle. Roman came out onto the terrace and looked at his wife and kids, his eyes warming. Naomi looked up, her eyes full of love, her smile radiant.With a hint of surprise and fatigue in her voice, she muttered, "They're already asleep." Roman approached and lowered himself next to her. With the same gentleness that one could reserve for the most delicate of treasures, he removed the small boy from her arms. “He’s going to be as strong as his mother,” Roman mu
Last Updated: 2025-02-15
Chapter: CHAPTER 110A Wedding to Remember Roman's POVThe room was bathed in a warm glow as the morning sun came through the drapes. I awoke to the distant bustle of the city and the faint sound of birdsong, but nothing could compare to the woman who lay next to me. Naomi's chest rose and fell with each gentle breath, her face relaxed in the kind of peace that came only after storms.Today was the day. I didn't feel like I was being pulled down by the past. Instead there was an enormous sense of expectancy, as if I were on the brink of something significant, something that would change my life. I moved a little, brushing a stray strand of hair from Naomi's face. She stirred and opened her eyes meeting mine."Morning," she said in a sleep-smoggy voice. "Morning," I replied, my voice soft but tinged with excitement. I couldn’t help the smile that appeared on my face. "You ready to become official Mrs. Blackhood?" A smile twisted her lips, and she stretched languidly before supporting herself on on
Last Updated: 2025-02-15
Chapter: CHAPTER 109A Safe HavenRoman's POV As I watched Naomi move gracefully across the room, I sipped my coffee while leaning on the kitchen counter. Her hair was in an untidy bun, and she was humming gently. Her appearance in one of my baggy shirts caused an inexplicable sensation in my chest. “Did I ever tell you how hit you look in that?” I asked, my voice low and teasing.A sneer tugged at Naomi's lips asshe looked over her shoulder. “Flattery this early in the morning, Roman? What do you want?” I put down my mug and laughed. “Nothing. Just stating the truth.” She rolled her eyes and returned to scrambling eggs on the stove, not bothering to cover her smile. The air was thick with the aroma of spices and butter, and it surrounded me like a cozy blanket. Simple, peaceful, and unguarded moments like these served as a reminder of our progress. But, the weight of something unsaid hung over me even as I took it all in. “Naomi,” I started, my tone more serious now. Her brow furrowed sli
Last Updated: 2025-02-15
Chapter: CHAPTER 108The Wedding PreparationRoman's POV I stood in the doorway of our bedroom, watching Naomi sleep, her chest rising and falling in a regular beat. Her skin was glowing golden as the early morning sunshine crept through the curtains. In sharp contrast to the commotion we had experienced to get here, she appeared calm.I felt contentment for the first time in a long time, something I had not experienced in years. It wasn't the kind that accompanied short-lived triumphs or meaningless accomplishments. This was quieter, deeper, and completely connected to the woman in front of me.Now it was more than just contract or a deal, I want a formal wedding with her. She had brought light into my world of calculated risks and cold decisions. And for her, I wanted to be more than the man I’d been. more than the man I had been for her.But how could I make it special without complicating it? I didn’t want grandeur or anything that felt impersonal. Naomi deserved something that reflected her—simpl
Last Updated: 2025-02-15
Chapter: CHAPTER 107 Naomi’s Gallery ReopensNaomi's POVThe gallery was alive with conversation and excitement, and it was around me like a cozy hug. I was standing close to the door, my fingers shaking a little as I held a flute of sparkling cider. But it wasn't fear. It was a sense of expectation. With work of love, the new gallery rose from the ashes of the one Elijah had destroyed. I had designed every detail with Roman's assistance, making sure it reflected both my art and my journey. The space was warm and inviting, with exposed brick walls that gave it character and high ceilings that made the room feel spacious. Each sculpture was softly lit by track lighting, and the romance was enhanced by the gentle creaking of the natural wood floorboards beneath the feet. This gallery offered a more personal touch than the previous one's sleek and modern vibe. Roman had insisted on a handcrafted sign above the entrance, and I’d chosen the name carefully: “New Hope Studio.”Along with my work, local a
Last Updated: 2025-02-15
Chapter: CHAPTER 106 The Proposal Naomi's POVMy heart hammered in my chest as I was standing in the dark room. There was an oppressive, uneasy silence.a “Roman?” My voice shook a little as I called out again, but I made an effort to speak steadily.No response.I hesitantly stepped closer, letting my toes touch the cool ground. My heartbeat's faint sound, a constant reminder that I wasn't dreaming, filled the silence."Don’t overthink it," I whispered to myself, though my body refused to relax. Something about the sudden darkness felt calculated, deliberate. I inhaled deeply and moved toward the bedroom door, feeling my way through. My fingers touched the wall's edge as I went slowly and carefully. The silence was nearly deafening, and the air felt heavier with every stride.A loud click reverberated throughout the house as I entered the corridor that led to the sitting room, and the lights flickered back on. I froze, blinking to avoid the unexpected brightness.And then I saw it. The sitting room
Last Updated: 2025-02-15
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