Kael’s POVThe house was lively than usual asI stepped into the welcoming giggles of my kids from the building.The office had drained me, my mind clouded with never-ending decisions and problems that seemed to have no solution. It was indeed a hectic day. Pushing open the door, the sight that met my eyes brought a momentary pause to the exhaustion. Georgia was with my twins, her face softened as she interacted with them. The two small babies giggled and shrieked to her plays.“Ruth, prepare the kids’ meal,” Georgia said, straightening up as soon as she noticed my presence.The caregiver, Ruth, nodded, giving the children a warm smile before disappearing into the kitchen. Georgia, however, remained smiling as she approached.I didn’t acknowledge her immediately. Instead, I sighed, walked over to the couch, and sank into it, my hands running through my hairs. The silence between us stretched only for some minutes before she broke the silence.“Did you see the news?”I exhaled sharply,
Georgia’s POVI stood frozen as Kael spoke. “I don’t have much time left,” he added. Kael let out a slow breath before looking up at me, his eyes softer than I had ever seen them. “I’ve been diagnosed with an incurable disease,” he said, and just like that, the air was knocked out of my lungs.I stayed calm. I knew all this so I wasn’t shocked.“I’ve known for a while now,” he continued, watching me carefully. “That’s why I adopted the kids. I wanted to make sure they had someone, someone who would love them, protect them. Someone who wouldn’t leave them alone in this world. And I wanted an heir in my name”I stepped forward. I tried to speak but no words came. He shook his head, silencing me with a look. “You are the only family they have now. And you…” He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “You are the only person I trust with them.” He stepped closer, standing in front of me.“They need you,” he said and took another step closer. “And I need you to love them as if they we
Georgia’s POVKael was now lying down in the coma bed.I sat beside him as I reached for his hand. It was cold, lifeless in my grip. My chest ached, and my eyes burned from the tears that had been pouring. My vision blurred as I looked at his face. It was pale and still. The beeping of the heart monitor was the only sign that he was still here, still alive.“Kael,” I whispered, my voice breaking as I tightened my grip on his hand. “Please, please open your eyes.”My tears fell onto the hospital sheets, darkening the pristine fabric. He didn’t move. He didn’t even flinch.“It’s me, Georgia,” I continued, choking on my words. “I’m your wife. I remembered everything. Every little piece about us.”I sniffled, brushing my free hand against my wet cheeks. My other hand remained wrapped around his, unwilling to let go.“I remember, Kael,” I whispered. “I remember everything now,” I confessed. “The pregnancy I once had… they were your babies.”A fresh sob wracked my body as I squeezed his fin
Georgia’s POV When I opened my eyes, I felt different. I had fallen asleep earlier. But what I didn’t understand was where I had woken up. I was lying down in the hospital with oxygen infused in me. Just as I was about to scan around, my eyes landed on the heart beeping machine and then, I heard a voice.“She’s awake.”A voice pulled me further into consciousness. My eyes flickered toward the source, and I saw a man in a white coat approaching. A doctor. “Congratulations,” he said, stopping beside my bed. “You’ve been in a coma for ten days.”His words barely registered. My head throbbed. I parted my lips, but no words came out.Coma? I was utterly confused. The doctor gestured beside me, and my gaze followed reluctantly. A clear bassinet stood there, and inside, two babies lay sleeping.“Your babies are doing great.” No. This wasn’t right. A few minutes ago, I was with Kael. And now…this? This hospital bed?A suffocating panic clawed its way up my throat.“And Kael?” My voice was
Georgia’s POVDays passed in a blur.My time in the hospital had been nothing short of a nightmare, being injected with one drug or another that forced me into restless sleep, always waking up weak and confused. Every time I asked about Kael, I was met with the same dismissive responses. Lucy, Damien, even my father, all of them. And today, finally, I was leaving.The doctors gave me some final instructions, things about rest, recovery, and my supposed “hallucinations” but I wasn’t listening. My mind was already focused on leaving, on finding Kael. Damien stayed close, his presence suffocating. The moment I was wheeled out of the hospital, a sleek black car was waiting, and before I could even ask where we were going, Damien gently took my hand and said, “You’ll be home soon.”I should have asked what he meant. I should have demanded answers. But exhaustion weighed heavily on me, and I leaned back against the seat, letting my thoughts swirl into a tangled mess.It was only when the c
Damien’s POVThe night was still, the only sound was the soft rustle of the curtains swaying in the midnight breeze. Georgia lay beside me, her back turned, her breathing steady, at least until the quiet, stifled sobs began. At first, I ignored them, willing myself back into the half-sleep I had been in. I woke up feeling irritated.I didn’t ask what was wrong. I knew.“Kael…” she whispered through her tears.My jaw clenched. Of course, it was him again. The ghost of a man who had never even existed outside of her mind. A delusional man from her coma. And yet, she mourned him as if she had lost the love of her life.I turned on my side, staring at her trembling sobbing shoulders. “Seriously?” My voice was cold, rough from sleep.She didn’t stop crying or spared me a glance. Didn’t even acknowledge me.“Georgia.” I snapped this time, pushing myself up on one elbow. “Are you seriously waking me up for this?”“I miss him,” she choked out, her voice small and fragile.That was it. That w
Georgia’s POVI tried to leave his grip, but he held me tight, his fingers digging into my arm like iron shackles. His cold eyes bore into mine, as if I were nothing more than an inconvenience. Then he spoke, his voice void of warmth.“You are coming with me, now.”The command sent a shiver through me, not because of the words themselves, but because of the way he said them, so unbothered, as if my struggle meant nothing.“No,” I snapped, my heart pounding. “Let me go.”His grip tightened. My skin burned under his touch, the pressure sending sharp pain through my wrist.“Damien,” I called, my voice cracking despite my attempt to sound firm. “Let go of me.”For a moment, he simply stared at me, his face unreadable. Then, without warning, he yanked me forward. My body lost balance, and before I could catch myself, I was crashing to the floor.Pain exploded through my knees and palms as they hit the cold tiles. A sharp gasp left my lips, my breath catching in my throat. I looked up at hi
Georgia’s POVI sat on the couch, my hands clenched together in my lap as I stared at the floor. Lucy sat beside me. For a moment, I didn’t know where to start. The memories were all tangled in my head, a mess of emotions, moments that didn’t belong to a past that others believed in. But I knew. I knew.“His name is Kael?” She asked, looking serious. I nodded, “Yes, Kael,” I said his name softly. “I remember him, Lucy. Every single moment.”Lucy didn’t say anything, but I felt her watching me, listening. So I continued.“It wasn’t just a dream. It wasn’t some coma-induced illusion. He was real. I met him. I loved him.” My voice cracked, but I forced myself to keep going. “He had these piercing silver eyes, so intense they felt like they could see through me. And his voice was deep and, steady, like he always knew exactly what to say. I smiled bitterly, my fingers gripping the hem of my shirt. “The way his cold eyes looked at me, Lucy, it was like I was his entire world. He, he wasn
Damien’s POVI sat in the sterile, too-bright waiting room, my foot tapping anxiously against the tiled floor. The last time I had spoken to Dr. Hughes was two weeks ago, over the phone. I had stumbled over my words, my face burning even though no one could see me.“I can’t ejaculate this days no matter how hard I try… finish,” I’d said, my voice tight with shame.There was a pause on the line, then the doctor spoke in his calm, professional tone.“I understand. Let’s run some tests. Hormonal panels, blood flow studies, ultrasound. It could be anything from stress to something more physiological.”That “something more” haunted me for days.Now, today, I was here for the results.The nurse finally called my name. I got up, legs slightly unsteady, and followed her down a short corridor lined with faded health posters. When she opened the door to Dr. Hughes’ office, he stood from behind his desk, offering a polite but tight smile.“Good afternoon Alpha,” he said, gesturing for me to sit.
Georgia’s POV The airport bustled with life, voices around us. I adjusted Nathalie in my arms while Leah balanced Nathaniel against her shoulder, his tiny hand tangled in her hair. Ruth stood in front of us, wringing her hands together, her eyes glassy with unshed tears.“I already miss you guys,” she said, her voice cracking on the last word.I smiled, swallowing the lump in my throat. “We’ll miss you too, Ruth. So much.”She reached out, brushing Nathalie’s soft hair and then Nathaniel’s. “They’re such angels. I… I wish I could go with you.”“They’ll never forget you,” I promised, shifting Nathalie carefully so I could hug Ruth with my free arm. “Neither will I.”Ruth clung to me tightly for a moment, before pulling back with a watery laugh. “Go, before I start bawling right here and cause a scene.”Leah grinned and adjusted Nathaniel’s cap. “We’ll send you tons of pictures. Videos too. You’re stuck with us, whether you like it or not.”Ruth chuckled through her tears and waved as
Georgia’s POVThe plane hummed beneath us, a steady drone that should’ve lulled me to sleep but didn’t. My stomach churned with a mix of anticipation and nerves, my hands fidgeting with the edge of the tray table. Leah, sprawled in the seat next to me, had her earbuds in, bobbing her head to some upbeat tune while flipping through an in-flight magazine. She looked so relaxed.I glanced out the window, the clouds below us glowing faintly in the dawn light. Somewhere down there, thousands of miles away, Kael was waiting. Waiting for me. Waiting for Nathaniel and Nathalie. My heart squeezed at the thought of their little faces, their wobbly steps, their garbled attempts at words. They were with Ruth, their caregiver, back at the estate, probably toddling around the nursery or giggling over some toy. I hadn’t told Ruth we were coming to get the kids yet, how do you explain to one-year-olds that they’re about to see their father for a holiday? But I could already imagine their wide, curiou
Georgia’s POVI made my way to the maid quarters later that evening. I pushed the door open and entered. Leah sat cross-legged on the bed, a towel wrapped around her damp hair, flipping through a magazine she probably wasn’t even reading. I shut the door behind me, feeling a strange combination of excitement and nerves tightening in my chest.She looked up immediately. “Hey. You’re back early,” she said, smiling. “You okay?”I nodded, sitting on my side of the bed and drawing in a breath. “Yeah. I just… I need to talk to you.”She closed the magazine, giving me her full attention. “That sounds serious.”“It’s not bad,” I said quickly. “Actually, it’s… kind of good.”Her eyes lit up. “Okay, tell me.”I glanced at her, my voice softer than I intended. “Kael wants me to bring the kids to him.”Her brows lifted. “Wait, what?”“He wants to see them. He… he already booked my flight.”Leah blinked, her mouth slightly open, then she broke into a huge smile. “No way! That’s amazing! Oh my God
Kael’s POV Later that evening, I was in my chamber, sitting near the hearth with a half-empty glass of wine when Karl walked in. His expression was unreadable as usual, but the faint twitch in his jaw told me he was holding back questions.“I heard what happened,” he said without preamble. “Between you and Lydia.”I let out a breath, rubbing my temple. “It’s been handled.”“Handled?” He stepped further into the room, arms crossed. “That’s all you’re going to say?”I looked up at him. “Yes.”Karl raised a brow. “Should I be worried?”“No.” I leaned back against the chair. “She’s been kept in her place. Loud and clear.”Karl stared at me for a few seconds longer, then gave a curt nod. “Good.” He walked toward the window, staring out at the darkened woods. “There’s been some murmuring about the pack house.”“What kind of murmuring?”“Just… talk. About the damage, the part that burned during the last attack. People are beginning to ask what the plan is.”I nodded slowly. “Calyx should’ve
Georgia’s POVThe Grove lay hushed in the wake of battle. Branches shuddered where Kael’s shockwave had torn through the underbrush; moonlight sifted through torn leaves and caught on the scattered shards of Lydia’s dark wards. I pressed my hand to my chest, heart pounding, as though it still fought against every beat. Beside me, Kael knelt over the fallen Tear, its silvery glow now gentle, like a pulse beneath his fingertips.“Georgia,” he said, voice low. The single word felt charged, as if he’d been holding it back through the onslaught. He reached for my hand, brushing away the blade of grass that had cut my palm. His touch was warm, an anchor in the aftermath.I swallowed hard. My lungs ached and I tasted copper in my mouth from exertion and fear. But there, in his gaze, I found something stronger than fear: relief, wonder, something dangerously close to joy. “We did it,” I whispered, and it was both a statement of fact and a question. Did we really?Kael nodded, his dark hair fa
Georgia’s POVThe world seemed to hold its breath, the mist curling around us like a living thing, heavy with Lydia’s dark magic. Kael’s hand was still in mine, his grip so tight it hurt, but I couldn’t pull away. His eyes, stormy and tormented, held mine for a heartbeat longer before he turned to face Lydia. “Lydia,” Kael said, his voice steady despite the chaos, “I won’t marry you. I won’t bind myself to you again. Not for the pack, not for the Tear, not for anything. You need to let this go.”Lydia’s face twisted, her triumph curdling into something feral. “Let it go?” she spat, her voice rising, sharp enough to cut. “You think I can just walk away from you? From us? You were mine, Kael. Mine!” Her hands clenched, and the dark tendrils in the mist surged, snapping like whips toward Sylvara’s wards. The shimmering barrier flickered, and Sylvara grunted, her knees buckling as she fought to hold it.“Kael, we don’t have time!” Sylvara shouted, her voice strained. “The wards are faili
Georgia’s POVThe courtyard was a battlefield, the air thick with ash and the snarls of Lydia’s allies. Their glowing eyes cut through the haze like beacons of malice, and my heart hammered as I scrambled to my feet, pain radiating from my shoulder. Kael was already up, his body coiled like a predator, his gaze darting between the encroaching figures and me. Sylvara stood at his side, her dagger glinting as she muttered words under her breath, her violet eyes blazing with focus. The wards she was weaving shimmered faintly, a fragile barrier against the onslaught.“Georgia, stay behind me,” Kael growled, his voice barely human. His claws extended, and I could feel the power radiating from him, the alpha ready to tear through anything to protect his pack and me.But my eyes were locked on the spot where Lydia had stood, her taunting smile burned into my mind. Her words echoed, sharp and venomous: “Going somewhere, Georgia?” The way she’d looked at me, like I was nothing more than an o
Georgia’s POVThe air in Kael’s chamber was thick with the weight of his words, the promise of truth hanging between us like a fragile thread. I sat on the edge of a carved wooden chair, my hands clasped tightly in my lap, my eyes locked on his. Kael stood by the hearth, the firelight casting shadows across his sharp features, making him look both divine and haunted. His admission that Lydia was no longer his lover had loosened something in me, but the questions still churned, about her, about why Kael’s fear seemed to pulse with a life of its own.“Start talking,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “I need to know everything.”Kael exhaled, his shoulders sagging as if the weight of centuries pressed down on him. “Lydia was my mate, long ago,” he began, his voice low, almost a whisper. “Not by choice, but by a ritual forced upon us by the old gods. It was meant to bind our power, to make us stronger against threats to the pack. But it was never love. Not for me.”I swallowed, the