Ember sat at the kitchen table, sipping her coffee as she watched Sophia munch on her breakfast of bread and jam. The morning sunlight streaming through the window highlighted her daughter's bright blue eyes and curly brown hair, and Ember's heart swelled with love.As she gazed at Sophia, last night's conversation replayed in her mind. The beast inside her, pushing her to defend herself... Ember's thoughts trailed off as she noticed Sophia's voracious appetite. She was devouring her breakfast with a intensity that made Ember chuckle."Sophia, slow down, sweetie! You're going to choke!" Ember warned, laughing.Sophia looked up, jam smeared on her cheek, and grinned. "I'm just really hungry, Mommy!"Ember's eyes lingered on her daughter's face, and a realization struck her. Sophia had always had a healthy appetite, but lately, it seemed...different. Almost as if she was eating for two.A pang of worry shot through
Ember slowly opened her eyes, wincing as the bright sunlight pierced through her living room window. She hadn't bothered to close the blinds before collapsing onto the couch the night before, exhausted and distraught. Her eyes felt puffy and dry from crying herself to sleep. She was still wearing her work clothes from the previous day, the familiar scent of her office lingering on her blouse.As she sat up, her mind raced back to the confrontation with her supervisor. The accusation, the threat, the ultimatum. 24 hours to produce the missing money or face the consequences. Ember's heart raced as she thought about the impossibility of it all. She had no idea where the money was, and even if she did, she couldn't possibly come up with that amount in such a short time.She thought about Sophia, her daughter, and how she had left her in the care of Miss Jenkins the night before. She hadn't wanted to see her in this state, didn't want to worry her or have her sense the
“I do not love him!”For what could be the thousandth time in the last hour Ember Leander exclaimed, her frustration evident in her voice.She is being bethrothed to Lucas Ardolf who is the alpha male of their pack. While that could be any other girl's dream, it was definitely not hers. Her mother sensing her distress, moved closer, her eyes filled with a mixture of concern and determinatioon. She sits closer to Ember on the bed, placing a gentle hand over her daughter's attempting to offer comfort, but Ember recoiled, pulling her hand away, her eyes welling up with tears''Mom please,'' Ember's voice cracked, her words barely above a whisper. ''You can't make me do this. I can't marry him. I'll be trapped, i'll never be happy.'' her voice broke as she struggled to continue, her words tumbling out in a desperate plea. ''You know i'm not strong enough like the others, he will crush me, mom''. Ember's eyes begging her mom to see the fear that gripped her heart, a last ditch attempt to
Ember's eyes still widened in disbelief''Marry you?'' she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. ''I don't even know who you are!'' her voice getting louder as she does not even attempt to hide her irritation. The stranger chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. ''You do not need to know me, you jus need to know that i can offer you a life beyond your wildest dreams, Ember Leander''A shiver ran down her spine with how her name rolled of his tongue. It was as if he caressed her name, she felt a flush rise to her cheek and her gaze drop.He seemed to sense the effect all this was having on her so he took a step even closer, this time their noses were inches away from touching, with Ember's hands still crossed over her bare chest. A thrilling sensation running through her body as he continues his proposal, his eyes locking unto hers with an unnerving intensity. ''I can offer you freedom from your family's expectation, and freedom to forge your own path. The stranger's gaze li
Forty eight hours.That was howmuch time Thorne had given Ember to make her decision. Time was finally up and as she arrived at thier meeting point, moon river. She met Thorne sitting on the riverbank, his legs playfully swishing in the water. His muscular build was evident even from a distance, his broad shoulders and chiesled arms a testament to his strength. His dark hair, always messy and unkemp, yet in a very attractive way, and his piercing eyes seemed to gleam in the moonlight.As she drew closer, Ember realized he was shirtless. She then noticed a scar on his back, a jogged line that ran from his shoulder blade to his waist. It looked like a crescent moon. As soon as Thorne sensed her presence, he stood up, his movements fluid and graceful. He pulled on his shirt, the fabric clinging to his damp skin, and turned to face her. His eyes locked unto hers and asked seemingly out of nowhere''Do you think the stars are jealous of the moon's ability to control the tides?''Ember's ey
As Ember struggled to her feet, her eyes scanned the room, taking in the scene that lay before her. And then for the first time since coming down, she noticed a message just above the fire place. It appeared to written with her own parent’s blood . “You disappointed me, Ember” Ember’s mind reeled as she stumbled backward, her hand flying to her mouth in horror. The words seemed to sear themselves into her brain. It was Lucas. He did this He killed her parents and still took advantage of her Her anguish turned to anger and very quickly back to pain again. She felt a scream building in her throat, but it was trapped, unable to escape. Her eyes remained fixed on the gruesome message, her mind racing with questions. Her vision began to blur, and she felt herself swaying. She reached out, blindly searching for something to hold onto, but found nothing. The room seemed to be spinning, and she was trapped in the center of a living nightmare. Two nights had passed since the death of
It is now two months into their sham marriage, Thorne had made it clear from the start that their union was purely political, a means to solidify his power and control over the pack. He had no intention of consummating their marriage, and Ember was secretly relieved. She had never wanted to be with him in the first place, and the thought of sharing a bed with him was unbearable. Thorne’s cold demeanor had become the norm, and Ember had grown used to his aloofness. She found herself feeling more comfortable with the distance between them, free to focus on her own interests and pursuits without the burden of pretending to be a loving wife. Augusta, Thorne’s mother, had never warmed up to Ember. She saw her as a weak and unworthy mate for her son, a mere pawn in their political game. Augusta’s disdain for Ember was palpable, her condescending gaze and sharp tongue making Ember feel like an outsider in her own home. One day, Augusta confronted Ember in the manor’s garden, her voice low
Nova City was a world away from the dense forests and rolling hills of Ember's former life in the pack. The metropolitan landscape was a mix of steel and concrete, with towering skyscrapers and bustling streets that never seemed to sleep. The air pulsed with the hum of traffic, the chatter of pedestrians, and the wail of sirens in the distance. It was a far cry from the peaceful howls and rustling leaves of the forest, where the only sound was the beat of the pack's heart.Five years had passed since Ember fled the pack, leaving behind the only life she knew. Her child, a bright and curious four-year-old named Aria, was a constant reminder of the secrets she kept hidden. Ember's heart swelled with love and worry as she watched Aria's eyes light up with wonder at the city's sights and sounds. Some days, like today, the weight of her past felt like a heavy cloak, threatening to suffocate her. But Ember pushed on, determined to build a new life for herself and Aria, free from