Aurora's POVI struggle to sit up, my body protesting with every movement. The nurse's footsteps have barely faded down the hall, and already, my mind is racing with thoughts of escape. But as I try to swing my legs over the side of the bed, a wave of dizziness hits me hard. I clutch the edge of the mattress, willing the room to stop spinning."Okay, maybe not right this second," I mutter, easing back against the pillows.As I lie there, staring at the ceiling, I can't help but wonder how I ended up here. The last thing I remember is walking into the forest, seeing those piercing blue eyes, and then... nothing—a complete blank.The door opens again, and Hannah returns with a steaming bowl of porridge on a tray. The smell makes my stomach growl, reminding me how long it's been since I've eaten."Here we go," she chirps, setting the tray on the bedside table. "Let's get you sitting up properly."She adjusts the bed, raising me to a more upright position, then places the tray on my lap. I
Mason's POV:I could feel the thick tension in the air when I stepped into the dimly lit room. Margot was sprawled on the bed, her eyes glinting with a dangerous mix of desire and frustration. I hesitated at the doorway, the image of Aurora's desperate face flashing before my eyes. It had been weeks since she vanished, leaving a gaping hole in my heart and an unshakeable guilt that gnawed at my conscience every waking moment."Mason," Margot purred, her voice dripping with seductive promise. "Are you just going to stand there all night?" She shifted on the bed, her slender body outlined against the dark sheets.I took a deep breath, forcing a smile. "Sorry, I was lost in thought."Her eyes narrowed slightly. "You've been lost in thought a lot lately. Ever since Aurora disappeared, you've been... different."I clenched my jaw, stepping further into the room. "It's been a tough time for everyone, Margot.""For everyone?" she repeated, her voice taking on a sharper edge. "Or just for you
Aurora's POVThe morning sunlight streams through the window, casting a warm glow across the hospital room. I'm sitting in bed, feeling more substantial than in days. Hannah, the kind nurse caring for me, bustles around the room, checking my vitals and chatting amiably."How are you feeling this morning, Aurora?" she asks, her smile bright and genuine."Better," I reply, surprised to find it trustworthy. "Thank you for everything, Hannah."She waves off my gratitude. "It's my pleasure. You mentioned yesterday that you might be ready to talk about what happened. Is that still true?"I take a deep breath, steeling myself. "Yes, I think so. It's just... complicated."Hannah pulls up a chair, settling in beside me. "Take your time, dear. I'm here to listen."Just as I'm about to begin my story, a knock at the door interrupts us. Hannah looks up, surprise flickering across her face."Come in," she calls.The door swings open, revealing a tall, broad-shouldered man with piercing green eyes
Aurora's POVThe pain engulfs me like a tidal wave, relentless and all-consuming. I'm vaguely aware of voices around me, urgent and concerned, but I can't focus on anything beyond the agony coursing through my body. Time becomes meaningless, stretching and contracting in strange ways.When I finally managed my eyes, the room was a blur of white and muted colors. As my vision cleared, I saw Ethan's worried face hovering above me. His green eyes were concerned, and I realized he was holding my hand tightly."Aurora?" he says softly. "Can you hear me?"I try to speak, but my throat feels raw and parched. Ethan quickly reaches for a glass of water, gently lifting my head to help me drink. The cool liquid is a blessed relief."What... what happened?" I manage to croak out after a few sips.Ethan's brow furrows. "You had some kind of attack. The pain seemed intense. I called for our pack doctor immediately."An older man in a white coat enters the room as if on cue. He has kind eyes and a r
Mason's POVThe hallways of the pack hospital are sterile and quiet as I make my way to my father's room. The weight of responsibility sits heavy on my shoulders, knowing I'll soon be taking his place as Alpha. It's what I've been trained for my entire life, but now that the moment is approaching, I feel a mix of anticipation and dread.I pause outside his door, taking a deep breath to compose myself before entering. Once an influential and imposing figure, my father looks frail against the white hospital sheets. But his eyes are as sharp as ever when they lock onto mine."Mason," he says, his voice weaker than I remember but still carrying that undeniable air of authority. "Come, sit with me."I take the chair beside his bed, trying to mask my concern. "How are you feeling, Dad?"He waves off my question with a weak hand. "We both know I don't have much time left. That's not why I called you here."I nod, steeling myself for what's to come."You need to be ready," he continues, his g
Aurora's POVThe days blend together as I recover, each one marked by the steady rhythm of hospital routine and Ethan's constant presence. Despite my initial wariness, I find myself looking forward to his visits. There's something comforting about his quiet strength, his unwavering kindness.Today, as the afternoon sun filters through the window, Ethan sits in his usual chair beside my bed. We've fallen into an easy conversation pattern, discussing everything from pack history to our favorite books. It's nice that this friendship is growing between us. For the first time in a long while, I feel... safe."How are you feeling today, Aurora?" Ethan asks, his green eyes filled with genuine concern.I manage a small smile. "Better, I think. The pain is mostly gone now."He nods, relief evident in his expression. "I'm glad to hear it. You had us all worried for a while there."A comfortable silence falls between us, and I study his face. The strong line of his jaw, the warmth in his eyes. H
Aurora's POVThe days since I agreed to join the Nightshade Pack have passed in a blur of recovery and adjustment. True to his word, Ethan has gone above and beyond to ensure my comfort and safety. When the doctor cleared me to leave the hospital, Ethan insisted on moving me into a cozy guest house on the pack grounds."You need a proper place to recover," he had said, his tone brooking no argument. "Somewhere quiet, where you can rest and adjust at your own pace."Now, as I sit by the window of my new temporary home, I can't help but marvel at the kindness I've been shown. The guest house is small but beautifully furnished, with large windows that let in plenty of natural light. It's more luxury than ever, and part of me still can't believe it's real.A soft knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts. "Come in," I call out, smiling as I see Sarah, the nurse Ethan hired to help with my recovery, enter the room."Good morning, Aurora," Sarah says brightly, carrying a tray with breakfa
Aurora's POVThe morning sun filters through the curtains as I sip my tea, enjoying the peace of another day in my new home. It's been weeks since I joined the Nightshade Pack, and I'm finally starting to feel settled. The constant fear and anxiety that plagued me since I ran away have begun to fade, replaced by a tentative sense of belonging.A knock at the door interrupts my thoughts. I call out, expecting Sarah or perhaps Ethan, "Come in!"But the figure that steps through the doorway isn't either of them. My heart stops as I recognize the broad shoulders and stern face of Beta Benjamin from my old pack."Aurora," he says, his voice gruff but tinged with relief. "Thank the Moon Goddess, I've found you."I stumble to my feet, nearly knocking over my tea. "Beta Benjamin? What... what are you doing here?"He takes a step towards me, and I instinctively back away. His face falls at my reaction."Aurora, please. I've come to bring you home. I made a terrible mistake telling you to leave
Aurora’s POVThe morning sun had barely risen when I felt it - a dark pulse of energy that made my celestial powers bristle in warning. I was in Mason's office, discussing the recovery of the shadow plague victims, when Ethan's presence hit me like a physical blow."He's here," I whispered, my wings manifesting involuntarily. They spread wide, shimmering with nervous energy that made the office windows rattle.Mason tensed beside me, his hand finding mine instinctively. Our powers merged, creating a protective barrier just as Ethan burst through the door.He looked terrible - shadows seemed to leak from him despite his attempt to appear normal, and his eyes held a manic gleam that made my heart ache. This was my fault, in a way. My rejection had pushed him further into darkness."Surprise," he said, his voice carrying echoes of something inhuman. "Hope I'm not interrupting anything... intimate."His eyes fixed on our joined hands, and the temperature in the room dropped several degree
Aurora’s POVThe ancient archive room had become our sanctuary as Mason and I worked through the night. A crisis had emerged - several pack members had fallen into a mysterious sleep, their energy being slowly drained by what appeared to be shadow magic. We'd been searching the old texts for hours, looking for anything that might help."Here," I said, my voice hoarse from exhaustion. "Another reference to the shadow plague. It says the Shadow Lords used it to weaken packs before launching larger attacks."Mason leaned over my shoulder to read, his warmth seeping into me. My wings, which I'd manifested to provide light as we worked, fluttered in response to his proximity."They're testing us," he murmured, his breath tickling my ear. "Seeing how we respond to a threat to the pack."I turned to answer and found our faces inches apart. The air between us crackled with combined energy - celestial starlight dancing with lunar power. For a moment, time seemed to stop."Mason," I whispered,
Aurora’s POVThe morning sun painted the archives in shades of gold as I pored over another ancient text. Mason sat across from me at the massive oak table, our knees occasionally brushing as we worked. Each accidental touch sent sparks of celestial energy dancing through the air, making the old books around us pulse with responsive magic."Look at this," I said, pushing a weathered tome toward him. "Another reference to the Shadow Lords' manipulation of the mate bond. They've been interfering with destined pairs for centuries."Mason leaned closer, his scent washing over me - pine, autumn leaves, and something uniquely him that made my dual nature sing. "Could that explain why our bond survived even after..." he trailed off, both of us remembering the failed rejection."Maybe," I admitted softly. "Or maybe some bonds are just too strong to break."His eyes met mine, intense and full of unspoken meaning. Before either of us could say more, my phone buzzed - again. The screen lit up wi
Aurora’s POVThe Black Dawn Pack territory looked exactly as I remembered, yet everything felt different. My heels clicked against the marble floor of the pack office building as I made my way to my new workspace, trying to ignore the whispers and stares that followed me. News of my powers, of what I'd become, had spread like wildfire through the supernatural community."Aurora," Mason's voice sent an involuntary shiver down my spine. He stood in the doorway of what used to be his father's office - now his - looking devastatingly handsome in a charcoal suit. "Welcome back."I straightened my spine, grateful for the professional setting that demanded distance. "Alpha Mason," I replied formally, though my traitor heart skipped at his slight wince at the title. "Thank you for approving my transfer request.""The pack's archives need organizing," he said, his voice carefully neutral though his eyes burned with unspoken emotions. "And you're the most qualified, given your... unique perspec
Aurora’s POVThe ancient texts in the celestial library seemed to glow beneath my fingertips as I traced the prophecy one last time. The words were burned into my memory: "When moon and stars align, the hybrid shall either unite the realms or destroy them all." But there was more - a hidden verse that only my dual sight could reveal:"In the heart of shadow's domain lies the key to their undoing."I closed the book with renewed determination. The Shadow Lords' stronghold - the Dark Citadel - wasn't meant to be unreachable. It was meant to be found by someone who could bridge both worlds."Don't even think about it," Ethan's voice cut through my thoughts. He stood in the doorway, his face set in that familiar expression of protective stubbornness.Mason appeared beside him, looking equally concerned. "Aurora, it's suicide. The Dark Citadel is at the heart of their power.""Exactly," I said, rising from my chair. "That's why it's perfect."Both men moved to block my path, a rare moment
Aurora’s POVThe warning came at midnight - a breach in the sanctuary's defenses that sent ripples of dark energy through my carefully constructed wards. I was in the middle of a training session, hovering mid-air with celestial wings spread wide, when I felt it."They're here," I whispered, just as the shadows began to move unnaturally along the walls.Mason burst through the door first, his eyes wild with urgency. "Aurora, we need to move. The Shadow Lords - they've found a way through."Before I could respond, Ethan appeared from the opposite direction. "The Council's barriers are falling. They're using some kind of ancient dark magic-""I know," I cut him off, landing gracefully. "I can feel them."The shadows coalesced into humanoid shapes, their forms writhing with otherworldly darkness. A voice that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere spoke:"The abomination must not be allowed to reach her full power."Mason and Ethan immediately moved to flank me, their protective inst
Chapter 63Aurora’s POVThe training arena in my sanctuary between realms pulsed with raw energy as I focused on my latest challenge. Spheres of pure celestial light orbited around me while I simultaneously maintained a connection to the moon's power. The duality of my nature had never felt stronger."Impressive," Mason's voice carried from the observation area where I'd allowed him to watch. "You're getting stronger every day."Before I could respond, Ethan materialized through the portal I'd foolishly left open. His eyes darkened at the sight of my display of power."You're being reckless," he snapped. "Channeling both energies simultaneously could tear you apart."I didn't break my concentration, instead adding a third element - creating portals to different realms while maintaining my other manifestations. "My body was literally born to handle this power, Ethan. Stop treating me like I'm made of glass.""Your mother thought she was invincible too," he said sharply. "Look where that
Chapter 62Aurora’s POVThe weight of prophecy and destiny pressed down on me as I returned from the Celestial Temple to the mortal realm. I materialized in the gardens of the Nightshade Pack, where Ethan waited as if he'd known exactly where and when I would appear. His face showed a mixture of relief and something darker - possessiveness that sent chills down my spine."Three days," he said, his voice tight. "You disappeared for three days without a word."I straightened my spine, my new knowledge giving me strength. "I don't answer to you, Ethan. Especially not after learning what you've done."His expression flickered with something like fear before hardening. "Everything I did was to protect you. And now..." He gestured, and I noticed guards positioning themselves around the garden. "Now I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.""Safe?" I laughed bitterly. "Or controlled?"Before he could respond, a familiar scent caught my attention. Mason emerged from the shadows, his presenc
Chapter 61Aurora’s POVThe Celestial Temple hung suspended between dimensions, its crystalline spires reaching into an endless sea of stars. Selene, my mysterious guide, led me through corridors that seemed to shift and change with each step. But it wasn't the temple's otherworldly beauty that made my heart race – it was the massive tapestry before me, depicting a scene that made my blood run cold."That's my mother," I whispered, reaching out to touch the shimmering threads. The image showed her in battle, celestial wings spread wide, facing down not just the Council, but something far darker."Yes," Selene confirmed, her ancient eyes filled with sorrow. "But what you're seeing isn't just her final battle. It's a warning of what's to come."She waved her hand, and the tapestry came alive. I watched in horror as my mother fought against shadows that seemed to consume light itself. "The Council wasn't working alone," Selene explained. "They were puppets of something older, something th