I stepped out of the car, cradling Xavier in my arms as he slept soundly. My body ached from being seated for so long in the cramped space, and I could feel my joints and muscles protesting with every movement. Diego walked over to me as I gazed at the building before us.It was the part of the manor assigned to me as the head maid. It appeared desolate and devoid of life, except for a few butterflies that danced around the gardens and the birds that perched in the trees, filling the air with their cheerful chirps."Do you like it?" he inquired, and as I turned to look at him, I could sense a tinge of disappointment in his expression as he observed the condition of the place. "I would have chosen a better one for you..." he added, his voice tinged with regret."It's perfect," I interjected, cutting him off while offering an assuring smile. Although the building appeared old and showed signs of wear and tear, it was nothing that couldn't be overlooked, and besides, it wasn't as if it w
Before anyone could say another word, she dashed toward me, enveloping me in a tight hug and wrapping her tiny arms around my waist. As my hand gently brushed her hair, I couldn't help but wonder how she had ended up here, as a slave. I noticed the expressions of surprise on the faces of the slaves and the questioning look from Diego, but I wasn't perturbed.The little girl's grip around my waist tightened as if she feared I would disappear once more. “Please don't leave me again," she pleaded, her words filled with sobs. I raised my head to meet the gaze of the onlookers, their expressions a mixture of surprise and confusion, with murmurs filling the room.‘Bella, what are you doing here?" Diego inquired, his face showing signs of anger, ready to surface. He walked toward me and knelt down to Bella's eye level. "Who brought you here?" he asked, directing his question at Bella, who looked at him with a mixture of fear and hesitation."Uncle Diego," Bella began, trying to wipe away her
—ALPHA HAWTHORNE’S POV—The bar section was nearly empty, with me being the only one left. I made the decision to have a drink and attempt to clear my head, as thoughts of Aurora continued to occupy my mind. I had chosen to visit one of the most luxurious hotels in the area, and I was resolute in my decision.All the methods I had tried to forget Aurora seemed futile, and I was well aware that the only way I could numb the pain was by getting drunk. I craved a night of heavy drinking, a brief relief from the torment in my heart.My hand held a glass of wine, and I took a deep sip, finishing the contents before placing the glass back on the table. I furrowed my brows and sighed as I couldn't help but think about her.I was battling with an unfamiliar feeling, one I couldn't quite understand. It wasn't love; it felt more like guilt, pain, and an unending suffering that wouldn't stop. I was no longer the confident Alpha that made everyone scatter in fear at the mere sight o
He nodded and, placing the phone back into his pocket, held the car door open for me. I settled into the passenger's seat, and he took his place in the driver's seat. As I glanced at him through the rearview mirror, I couldn't help but notice his cold and distant gaze."Do you think she is the cause of all this?" he asked, starting the engine, and we sped toward our destination."That, I do not know, but I believe she might have some information," I replied, and he nodded with a look of understanding on his face.Soon, we arrived at a building that, in contrast to mine, appeared rather unremarkable. However, it was heavily guarded. Initially, the guards moved to stop us, but one glance at Ryan left them trembling in fear, much to my amusement.They gave us a pass, and we drove into the premises. As soon as we parked and I stepped out, I stared at the building, trying to take in its details. It was quite spacious from the inside and had an air of tranquility. This was the first time I
—3rd person pov— As the sun gave way to a crescent moon in the sky, it shone brightly, casting a different kind of illumination. The air grew colder, and patches of fog began to form, creating a mystical atmosphere. A wolf darted through the forest, its brown eyes gleaming with a trace of cold determination. It moved swiftly, and soon, a pack of other wolves joined in the pursuit. Their powerful paws left distinct prints on the ground as they chased after their prey. The lone wolf reached a cliff's edge, coming to an abrupt halt as it encountered a dead end. There was nowhere else to go, and it understood that taking another step would lead to certain death as it would plunge down the steep mountainside. The wounded wolf, its injuries apparent, turned to face the leader of the pursuing pack. Its eyes glared at the dominant wolf with a mix of anger and resignation, ready to confront its fate. The tall, obsidian-black wolf loomed over the injured wolf, a clear display of dominance.
-AURORA’S POV-As I walked past the group of omega slaves who were diligently carrying out their tasks, I forced a smile and acknowledged their gestures of respect with a nod. Despite my privileged upbringing, I had never considered myself superior to anyone, and this situation was new to me.I held onto Xavier, who was either chuckling or crying, while Bella joined some of the maids to lend a hand. Despite my attempts to dissuade her and encourage her to rest, she refused and insisted on coming along, leaving me with no choice but to comply with her wishes."I'm sorry, Mistress," an omega stammered after clumsily bumping into me, causing a tray to slip from her grasp. She hastily bent down to retrieve it, then nervously met my gaze, fear evident in her eyes."It's alright, and please, you can address me by my name," I reassured her, and she nodded before walking away.Bella walked in, tugging at my dress while I glanced down to look at her. "Mummy, come, you'll want to see this
—Alpha Hawthorne’s Pov—Sitting before the roaring fireplace, I closed my eyes and let myself be enveloped by the soothing sound of crackling flames. It brought a sense of peace and warmth that was much needed in that moment.I was dressed in a deep red robe, the rich fabric flowing around me. In my right hand, I held a wine glass, its contents swirling gently as I stared into the vibrant orange flames. My legs were casually crossed, a personal habit of mine that I found comfortable. In my left hand, I held Aurora's note.Beside me, the butler stood ready, awaiting my command. He held a bottle of wine and poured it into my glass as I requested, his movements precise. He retreated silently once I'd had my fill. With a deliberate motion, I folded Aurora's note and tossed it into the flames. I watched it burn, turning to ash and disappearing into the fire. There was nothing left of it, just as there was nothing left of the past.The crackling of the flames filled the room, enveloping it
Aurora stood before me, her eyes filled with disdain as she cast a piercing gaze my way. Her black eyes narrowed as she clutched a baby tightly. I reached out to touch her, but she forcefully pried my hands away from her shoulder, tears streaming down her cheeks.Behind her, there was a dense cloud of fog. She maintained her unwavering gaze on me, slowly retreating into the mist. I attempted to follow her, shouting her name desperately, but my efforts were in vain.A sudden loud noise jolted me awake. I glared at the door, and to my surprise, Alex was in my room, his expression filled with apprehension.I didn't require him to explain the situation as the low growls resonating from the courtyard were enough to inform me that my home had been invaded by rogue wolves, a thought that thrilled me. I tossed the duvet aside, beads of sweat forming on my forehead.“Stay inside!” I ordered, my ears now picking up the sounds of battle. My guards were already engaged in trying to stop the invad
Walking into a coffee shop with a bag slung over her shoulder, a young woman wearing a red leather jacket and sporting vibrant red hair took a seat in a corner. She observed the other customers before she gazed out the window at the white snowflakes falling from the sky. She was grateful that she had prepared for the snow and could enjoy her coffee in peace. Thirty minutes later, her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen, letting out a sigh as she muted the call. She wanted to savor the tranquility of the moment. It had been twenty years, and she could barely remember anything. A soft smile graced her lips as she stared at a waitress approaching her, her nametag displaying the name 'Aurora.' "We will be closing soon, miss," the waitress informed her, and she nodded with understanding. "You can keep the change. Thank you for the coffee," she said, offering a reassuring smile as she handed the waitress some bills. "I used to know someone with that name," the red-haired woman sa
I found it difficult to wrap my head around what I had just heard, and I swallowed hard. The idea that Hawthorne might have been dying at the time he had wanted me gone was a heavy burden to bear. How could I have missed it if what he said was true? He had never shown any signs of weakness; he always appeared strong to me. Hawthorne let out a sigh and looked at me, while I stared back, not with pity, but with complete shock. "You were dying?" I asked, my tone making it clear that I wasn't readily accepting his explanation. Even if I considered the possibility that he was telling the truth, I couldn't forget how he had initially treated me, claiming me as his mate and then rejecting me. He had never seemed to care about my feelings despite being aware of them, so why should I care about his now? "Yes, Aurora, I was dying. I wanted to tell you how I truly felt. I love you, Aurora," he confessed, and time seemed to stand still. I couldn't tell if my hearing had failed me, as I struggl
_Aurora’s Pov_ Seated before the mirror, I absently combed my damp hair with one hand while clutching onto Jonah, the brown teddy bear that Bella had given me when I was sent away from the orphanage. It was the closest thing I had to her, and I wasn't ready to let go of it. Xavier remained in his crib while a maid attended to him. It had been weeks since Bella's death, and I was consumed with guilt. I blamed myself for her death, and my negligence was about to exact an even greater toll. I gently placed the comb on the table and brought the teddy bear up to my nose, inhaling its faint but comforting scent, reminiscent of Bella. A sigh escaped my lips as I gazed at the teddy bear's stitched right eye, and I carefully set it down on the table when I heard a knock at the door. "Come in," I said, and the door handle turned. I stood up and faced the maid, who had entered with a phone in hand. "You have a call," she informed me, and I nodded before reaching out to take
-Alpha Hawthorne-"Leave."I heard a stern command, and though my eyes remained closed, I recognized Ryan's voice. Opening my eyes, I saw his back turned to me as he carried a tray of food. He moved quickly to a nearby table, placing the food on it, and then made his way to the window.As I lay there, memories of the previous night rushed back, and I couldn't shake my annoyance at the fact that Ryan had sided with Vera against me. Nothing could change that reality.I attempted to sit up, but the intense pain in my side was impossible to ignore, and a pained grunt escaped my lips as my brows furrowed. Ryan tilted his head in response to the sound of my voice. He gazed out the window again before lowering his gaze to the window pane."I know you hate me right now," he admitted, and he wasn't far from the truth. The pain in my side was the only thing preventing me from getting up and venting my frustrations on him."You betrayed me!" I yelled at him, and he turned to star
—3rd person’s pov—As Vera and Hawthorne exchanged words, Ryan remained in the background, observing silently. He couldn't help but imagine the horror his best friend must have experienced upon discovering that he was seemingly working alongside the enemy.The reality, however, was quite different. Ryan had not willingly allied with Vera; he had been forced into this situation. During Hawthorne's prolonged absence, he had been left alone with Vera, and in that time, he had found his mate.His mate was an Omega wolf, and her innocence had drawn him in. Recognizing the undeniable mate bond between them, they had chosen to embrace their connection and had formed a relationship.Ryan's thoughts were consumed by his mate, and she had managed to capture his heart, holding it as her most precious possession. He was entranced by her beauty until the day she was abducted, while he was away for a meeting.He had searched tirelessly for her, vowing to annihilate anyone who played a role in her d
I was left utterly stunned by her words, unable to comprehend the situation as I scrutinized her face. The single question that dominated my thoughts was "how?" How was it possible that she was the same maid I had once sent to prison?Her brown eyes bore into mine with an intensity that felt like daggers ready to strike. I struggled to believe that the beta standing before me was the same woman who had worked for me in the past. It made no sense; why would her father allow his own daughter to work as a slave in my Mansion?"Then you were aware of your father's scheme?" I inquired, and her gaze wavered slightly as she took a step back. I continued, "Have you ever considered what kind of father would exploit his own daughter to achieve his goals?" I hoped to appeal to her sense of reason.Her voice cracked as she responded, "I had a choice, and I made it. He didn't force me into it." She looked up at me, her eyes once again filled with pain. "Our plan was to let him eliminate you and be
—Alpha Hawthorne’s POV—My eyelids fluttered open, revealing a dimly lit room with a single light bulb hanging directly above me. Panic set in as I realized I was securely strapped to a chair. My attempts to break free seemed futile. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead, and my body was drenched in sweat.My shirt had been forcibly removed from my body, and in the dim light, I could make out a table ahead. If I had to guess, I'd say I was being held here for the purpose of torture. The faint but unmistakable odors of blood and sweat hung in the air, indicating that someone had likely endured suffering in this very place before.Usually, breaking loose from these restraints wouldn't have been a big deal for me. But, my suspicions started to mount as I realized I was dealing with the effects of Wolfsbane poisoning. This poisonous substance could seriously weaken a wolf, and if it got shot straight into the bloodstream, it could even be deadly.I couldn't tell if it was d
For a few fleeting moments, silence enveloped the room as our gazes remained locked. I could feel a lump in my throat, and a strange, uneasy sensation settled in my stomach.I couldn't... I couldn't believe that all this time, my real father was actually alive and not deceased as my mother had told me. He sat right before me, his expression marked with regret and pain, while my eyes were undeniably blurred by the tears that had welled up.Should I call him Dad or Alpha Riel? This was the first time I had ever seen the Alpha show weakness. No, it wasn't weakness; he was emotional. I was stunned, unable to believe that I had been with my father all this time and had never once suspected it.But my mother despised my father so intensely. She told me how he had rejected her to be with another woman. She made it clear to me that she was mistreated by my father. No, she never concealed anything and had openly shared every negative thing he had done to her.I knew she was hurting, but she ha
-Aurora’s pov-I sat down on a chair, my head resting on my fist, one leg crossed over the other. The events of last night, and the fact that Bella was missing, weighed heavily on me. I had little appetite and couldn't bring myself to go to work.George had left with Diego to search for her, and Alpha Riel was also involved in the search. I wanted to go too, but Diego had asked me to stay behind for Xavier's sake. With Bella gone, it felt like only a matter of time before Xavier might disappear as well.Sitting there, I contemplated whether Hawthorne had any involvement in Bella's disappearance but dismissed the thought as it didn't make sense for him to target a girl who wasn't his. I pondered who could have taken her and for what reason."Ma'am," a maid called, bringing me back to reality. It was then that I realized warm tears were streaming down my cheeks.I found myself crying, tears streaming down my cheeks without my awareness. The maid offered me a cup of coffe