Georgia's POVI would rather leave here willingly instead of being thrown out from my own house. Damien had been playing his game for far too long, and I had finally reached my limit. His coldness, his manipulation, the constant feeling of being trapped in a place that no longer felt like home had all worn me down. I left the bed and stood in front of the mirror earlier, staring at the reflection of someone who was no longer sure who they were, wondering how I had let it all slip away. The person staring back at me was someone who had accepted far too many things that weren’t right, things I should never have let slide. And now, it has come to this. I was too soft, too weak."If I’m going to be treated like this in my own damn house," I muttered to myself, fists clenched at my sides, "then maybe it’s better I leave and never come back."But where do I go?Damien had taken everything from me, my father’s company, the inheritance, every penny I had thought would belong to me and Lucy.
Georgia's POVI turned to see Leah, my new friend, perhaps. She was walking toward me with a smile that seemed to melt the grayness of the day. Her hair, loosely tied into a messy bun, bounced with each step. I tried to force a smile, but I wasn’t sure how convincing it was. Leah’s steps slowed as she approached, her smile faltering just for a moment. She must have seen the way my sad expression."Hey," she said softly, tilting her head to the side. "What’s wrong?" Her voice was gentle but laced with a genuine concern that made my heart ache.I looked at her, not sure how to explain. I barely knew her, after all. Leah had only started working at the orphanage a year ago and it's barely 48 hours since I knew her, and I still wasn’t sure how I had managed to connect with her so quickly. But in the short time we’d known each other, she’d somehow become someone I trusted, someone whose kindness was like a lifeline I could cling to."I saw you with your luggage earlier," she continued, he
Georgia's POVAfter work that day, I followed Leah to her house.“Here we are,” she said, turning to face me with a smile. “This will be your room for tonight and every other nights. Make yourself at home.”The room was cozy, nothing too fancy, but it had a welcoming charm. A queen-sized bed covered with a soft, floral duvet, a bookshelf filled with well-loved novels, and a small desk by the window where the last traces of sunlight were fading. “Thank you, Leah,” I said, a little sheepishly as I set my bag down on the floor near the chair. I glanced around again, taking it all in. “This is really nice.”Leah smiled, and for a second, I could tell she was genuinely happy I liked it. “Of course! You’re welcome to stay as long as you want. The couch in the living room is also available if you want to switch it up.” She paused, watching me carefully as I unpacked a few things. “But seriously, I think this room will be much more comfortable. It’s quiet, and you can get a good rest.”I ap
Georgia’s POVLater that night, the low hum of my laptop was the only sound in the room as I stared at the rejection email on the screen for what felt like the hundredth time. I was back in the same cycle. The same bitter feeling, the same sense of defeat. I had applied for the visa to the Lycan kingdom again, and just like the last time, the result was the same. Denied.Each rejection felt more personal than the last, as though the door I was trying so desperately to open was being slammed in my face, over and over. It stung, but it wasn’t new. I had grown used to it.I rubbed my eyes, taking a deep breath, trying to calm the frustration building inside me. It was late, well past midnight but sleep didn’t seem like an option. How could it, with everything I was trying to juggle? The Lycan kingdom felt so far out of reach, and yet it was all I could think about. I had hoped things might change this time, but hope had let me down again.Just as I was about to close the laptop and force
Georgia’s POV I didn’t wait for Leah’s questions.Didn’t wait for her to follow, didn’t care about the confusion in her eyes or the way her hand had reached out, brushing air instead of my arm. The look she gave me as I stormed out was a mixture of concern, but my heart was racing too fast to process it. All I knew was that I needed to get home now.By the time Leah made it outside, I was already gone. The cab tyres screeched as the driver pulled away.I flung the door open the moment I reached home, my breath ragged as I rushed inside.“Ruth!” I called out as I entered her room. “Where are they? Where are my kids?”She appeared almost instantly from down the hallway, her face pale, her eyes shadowed with worry.“They’ve been running a high fever,” she said, “I tried to manage it but this isn’t ordinary. We need to take them to the hospital.”A million possibilities shot through my mind, each one more terrifying than the last. I just nodded as we carried the twins, barely conscious,
Georgia’s POVThe door creaked open with a hush of footsteps, and the doctor stepped in. His eyes found mine immediately. I held my breath, clutching the thin hospital blanket closer to my chest as though it could shield me from the weight of his words.“We’re preparing for the transfusion now,” he began, his voice calm but brisk. “Both your babies will be taken in shortly.”My throat went dry, my heart twisting painfully in my chest. “Is the blood ready?” I asked, my voice barely more than a rasp.He nodded, and then almost as an afterthought, he added, “A man called earlier. He arranged everything. He made the full payment for the procedures, and he even provided the blood bags.”I blinked, certain I’d misheard him. “What? What man?” My words tumbled out in a rush, breathless and tight.The doctor tilted his head slightly. “He didn’t give a name. Only said he was a Good Samaritan.”A Good Samaritan. My brows furrowed in disbelief. That sounded like something out of a storybook, too
Georgia’s POVThe door creaked open, and my heart clenched in my chest. I shot to my feet instinctively, my hands trembling at my sides. It was the doctor. His eyes softened as they met mine. For a second, I couldn’t breathe.“It was a success,” he said, his voice warm, almost carrying relief. “The transfusion went smoothly for both Nathaniel and Nathalie.”A breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding escaped me in a shaky exhale. My knees nearly gave out, and I had to grab the back of the chair to steady myself. Tears sprang to my eyes, blurring his face.“Thank God…” I whispered, my voice barely audible. Ruth, who had been silently sitting at the edge of the waiting area, clasped her hands tightly against her chest and murmured a quiet prayer of gratitude.“You can see them now,” the doctor added with a gentle nod. “They’re resting, but they’ll be fine.”I swallowed back the tightness in my throat and followed him, my steps quick, almost desperate. Ruth was right behind me, her pace h
Georgia’s POVLater that day, I made my way back Leah’s house, hesitating on her porch with my hand poised above the doorbell. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding and pressed the bell.Almost immediately, I heard her footsteps hurrying inside, then the soft creak of the door swinging open. Leah’s face lit up the moment she saw me, her smile wide and easy, like I belonged there.“There you are!” she said, stepping aside to let me in. She led me to the living room. We settled on the couch, and Leah poured us each a cup of tea. She watched me closely over the rim of her mug, her eyes soft but curious.“So,” she began gently, “how are your little ones doing?”I felt my throat tighten at the question. My gaze dropped to my hands, fingers twisting nervously around the teacup. “They’re… they’re okay,” I said quietly. “Better, I think.”Leah tilted her head, her expression full of quiet concern. “I’ve been meaning to ask. You’ve never really mentioned much about them befor
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