“Aurora, he is here.” Monica announced, and from the tone of her voice, it was evident that she was feeling anxious. I didn’t respond, instead, I continued to gaze at the dressing mirror. I found myself lost in thought, pondering about Hawthorne’s well-being and contemplating what he would do. How might he respond upon discovering that his partner sought refuge with a rival pack, carrying his unborn child? My right hand subconsciously rubbed my stomach as I observed it in the mirror. It had only been two weeks since I had joined Monica at the Orphanage, assisting her with the children. “Aurora!” she called once more, this time her voice carried a higher pitch. Her tone reeked of increased anxiety, effectively jolting me out of my thoughts. “Just a moment!” I yelled in reply, simultaneously applying lip balm to my chapped lips. After smacking them together, I gave my hair a gentle brush. Staying in the Manor for a few days, I had come to understand how the system worked here. To su
—ALPHA HAWTHORNE’S POV—As I stood before the mirror, fastening my cufflinks, I stole a momentary glance at my reflection. The eyes staring back at me held an air of indifference. My jaw ticked as a knock sounded on the door.I refrained from responding, and once more, the knock echoed through the room. This time, I cocked my head to the side. “Come in.” I uttered, my gaze fixed upon the mirror before me.Margret walked into the room. Although I couldn’t see her as she stood behind me, her scent was something I would recognize. I turned to stare at her, trying my hardest to conceal my emotions as I didn’t want to appear weak before my servant.“”My lord,” she uttered with a tinge of panic, her head bowed as her gaze fixated on the floor before her.“Speak.”“Lord Ryan has arrived,” she declared, and I acknowledged her statement with a subtle nod, my expression revealing no surprise. His presence was expected, as he was due to provide updates on the search for my mate’s where
Noticing my bewildered expression, she smiled and then let out another sigh. “Well, my relationship with him isn’t as flawless as people might assume.”“He’s your mate?” I inquired while sipping my wine. She nodded hesitantly, then sighed and turned towards the bartender. “Seems like I’m destined for a gay guy,” she commented with a sad chuckle, gazing off into the distance.I glanced at the young man once more, our eyes meeting briefly before he excused himself. He approached us and inclined his head in my direction. His neatly trimmed black hair and cleanly shaven beard gave him the appearance of a true gentleman, radiating both elegance and humility, in my estimation.“Alpha Hawthorne, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said, extending his hand for a handshake. I accepted his gesture as Sharma smiled, although her smile seemed tinged with pain. “I’m Lucas, and this is my fiancée,” he introduced, and I nodded in understanding.“It’s a pleasure meeting you too, Lucas,” I replied, my ga
“Hawthorne?”Ryan’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. Glancing beside me, I could see the questioning look on his face. I turned to survey the scene: everyone was engrossed in conversations or dancing, while others were engaged in gambling.”“Yes?”“What are you going to do?' he asked. Staring ahead, I noticed the young lad sitting at the table with his friends. I closed my eyes, attempting to quell the impulse to approach and carry out what I had imagined.I spotted the lad's father engaged in a game of chess with some affluent individuals. After glancing at Ryan and then returning my gaze to the young boy, I approached him with purpose. Though I wouldn’t mind Killing anyone that would stand in my way, attacking the lad would only make the situation more difficult than it is.“Alpha,' the lad and his friends chimed in unison as they rose to their feet, yet my gaze remained locked onto the red-haired figure.“What’s your name?” I inquired softly, my hands discreetly concealed behin
—AURORA’S POV—Walking through the sea of intoxicated partygoers, I navigated the room with a tray of wine in hand, wearing an expression of discontent. I understood that this was a necessary means of surviving in this environment, yet the thought of being compelled to serve at Harrison's club didn't sit well with me.This was were most of the top dogs could be seen, drinking and flirting to their heart content. Someone approached me, a beta male. Selecting a glass from the tray, he held my gaze with intensity as I averted my eyes.I observed his lips moisten as he sampled the wine, all while keeping his focus on me. If I were less experienced or as innocent as I once was, I might have interpreted this as a simple appreciation for the wine's flavor. However, I knew better. As I began to move away, he seized my unoccupied hand, compelling me to come to a stop."What's your name?" he inquired, as I quickly scanned the surroundings, grateful that we were out of the
His gaze rested on me for a few seconds before he let out a low chuckle. He ran his fingers through his hair and then glanced back at Zaine, who was already walking away.“Do you think I’m stupid?” he asked, raising a brow as he shifted his focus back to me. He appeared displeased, as if my words had irritated him. “Show me your mark.”“What?” I questioned, completely unaware of what he meant. A mark? This was the first time I had come across such a term. Well, I had overheard a few conversations about it before, but I never took the time to inquire about its meaning.“Yes, your mark. The mark your mate leaves on you, as a sign of ownership,” he explained. Then, as if his patience had worn thin, he brushed my hair aside to inspect my neck. “Well, what do you know? Your mate didn’t leave a mark on you. Tell me, why is that?” he inquired, but I didn’t respond right away.“He didn’t love me,” I replied, but his expression remained unchanged as he gazed at me with indifference. He face pa
A sudden knock on the door jolted me awake. The room was filled with the fragrance of fresh flowers and the inviting aroma of steaming food. A woman entered, a tray of dishes in her hands, accompanied by a warm smile. She carefully placed the tray on the table beside my bed and spoke, "Courtesy of the beta," her smile never fading."Where... where am I?" I asked, propping myself up against the bed frame."You are at the beta's house. He asked me to ensure you're taken care of and to assist you in getting some clothes once you've rested," she responded before walking away and heading toward the window. Parting the curtains, she allowed the light to filter in, gradually illuminating the dim room. The sudden brightness caused me to shield my eyes momentarily, allowing them to adjust to the light."Where is Diego?" I asked, but she didn't answer. Instead, she moved to a wardrobe at the side of the room, rifling through the clothes until she selected a black gown with a slit at the hem and
Exiting the boutique, I walked over to where Ruth stood. The numerous shopping bags appeared to be a handful for her. "Ruth," I called out to capture her attention, just as the chauffeur moved closer to assist her with some of the bags."Hmm?" she replied, turning to face me after passing the bag to the chauffeur. Wiping a few beads of sweat from her forehead, she let out a sigh of relief. "Is something the matter?" she inquired, her smile gradually fading as she registered the slight frown reflected on my face ."What happened?" I queried, and she gazed at me in confusion. "What happened back there with the cashier?" I pressed further, genuinely curious about the situation. Even though I had known Diego for weeks and we were close friends, it didn't mean I truly comprehended everything about him. There were facets he kept concealed, and it was only fair considering I had my own share of secrets."You worry over nothing, Aurora," she responded, her smile gentle as she tugged me along
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