Caleb’s P.O.VLater that night, the three of us — Aurora, Caroline, and I — were huddled around the dining table, books sprawled out and pens scratching against paper as we worked on our homework. The weekly class tests loomed over us, and the tension in the air made the silence heavier than usual. Aurora rubbed her eyes for the third time in the past minute, and I noticed how her shoulders slumped with exhaustion."I'm tired," she finally said, breaking the quiet with a soft yawn. Her voice was laced with weariness. "I think I’m going to head to bed now. We’ve been at this for hours, and I need some sleep before my brain is completely fried."I glanced up from my notes and nodded, trying not to show how her leaving would make the room feel emptier."Yes, of course. You should rest up," I said, setting my pen down for a moment. "Caroline and I will finish this up and head to bed soon too. Don't worry about it."Aurora smiled faintly, her gratitude evident in the way her eyes softened.
Aurora’s P.O.VOnce again, I found myself in that dark room, lying on the same bed as last time. My chest tightened as the familiar suffocating air pressed down on me, and I immediately knew—I was dreaming. Or rather, trapped in the same nightmare that had plagued me for the last few days.My fingers clenched the edge of the bed, the old, scratchy sheets burning against my palms. It was always this room. My mother’s room.Every detail was the same—her vanity table cluttered with forgotten trinkets, the faint scent of lavender lingering in the air, her framed picture on the nightstand staring back at me like it knew all my secrets. I sat up, trembling, as anger surged through me. "Why are you doing this to me, Mom?" My voice cracked, and I barely recognized the rawness in it. My throat burned as I shouted again, louder this time."Why can't you just leave me alone? Why can't anyone leave me alone? Haven't you done enough?" The darkness pressed closer, swallowing my words like it alwa
Aurora’s P.O.VI wake up with a sharp gasp, my body jolting upright as the sting in my arm hits me like a freight train. My eyes snap open, but the world around me is spinning, and I can barely make sense of it. My heart races in my chest, and the first thing I notice is the restraint on my arm—my own doing. The ropes are tight around my wrist, tying me to the bed. It worked. I wasn't sleepwalking. But how the hell did I end up on the floor?I groan, shifting my weight, feeling the intense ache in my arms from sleeping at such a strange angle. Every muscle screams in protest as I push myself up, the roughness of the floor against my skin grounding me back into reality. I glance around the room, the faint light from the early morning creeping in through the window. Nothing looks out of place, but something feels... off.I shake my head, trying to clear the fog of the dream that still lingers in the back of my mind. I close my eyes for a second, and then it floods back to me. My mother’
Aurora’s P.O.VMy heart skipped a beat as I turned to see Caleb standing there, his expression shadowed under the dim lights of the near empty kitchen.“Caleb?” I whispered, my voice laced with surprise. “What are you doing up so late?” My arms instinctively folded across my chest, a mixture of curiosity and unease spreading through me. He hesitated for a moment, running a hand through his dark hair, his usual calm demeanor replaced by something more unsettled.“I couldn’t sleep,” he admitted, his voice low but steady. “I came down to get something to drink, and… I might’ve overheard the conversation.” His gaze flickered toward Harmona, who stood a few feet away, her eyes narrowing slightly as though gauging his sincerity. I frowned, a sharp pang of worry twisting in my chest. “You overheard? Caleb, what did you—” Before I could finish, he stepped forward, his hands held up in a silent plea for patience. “Aurora, I’d like to talk to you. Alone,” he said, his tone carrying a weight
Caleb’s P.O.VAs Aurora’s confused gaze locks onto mine, I feel the weight of her words before she even speaks."Caleb," she says slowly, like she’s piecing together a puzzle that doesn’t quite fit, "Caroline is a wolf. But if that’s true... then I’m a witch. And that’s impossible." Her voice wavers at the end, doubt and disbelief crashing into each other. She takes a step closer, her eyes narrowing."Are you sure about this? Are we sure about this…Lunar Sister thing?" I sigh heavily, running a hand through my hair, the tension in my chest tightening like a vice."Aurora, I wouldn’t be saying this if I wasn’t sure. Jade and I—we’ve gone over it again and again. It all makes sense." I glance at her, trying to find the right words to make her understand. “And it’s not just that day at the parking lot. Caroline and you are connected. Every time you have a nightmare, she can feel it too, your fears, your worry…that’s how I know about them as well.”That night when Aurora fell into the sw
Aurora’s P.O.VI let go of Caleb’s embrace, my face a mask of eerie calm. Every detail he revealed sank into me, one after another, like stones dropping into a bottomless well. Inside, my mind was in turmoil, spiraling between shock, pain, and a strange, unexpected sense of relief. I said nothing at first, letting him finish, even when it felt like his words were clawing at old wounds I thought I’d buried. Caroline’s panic… it had brought everything to the surface. It had given me the truth I didn’t know I needed, even though it burned to hear it. Caleb’s breathing was even, his gaze searching mine, I drew in a steady breath. “When the sun rises tomorrow,” I said quietly, my voice measured. “I’ll apologize to Caroline.” His brows furrowed immediately. “Apologize? Aurora, what do you mean?” “I mean exactly what I said, Caleb. I’ll apologize. For what happened. For what she went through even when I had no clue about it. Because… I don’t want this to go on any longer. I don’t have th
Aurora’s P.O.VWhen I woke up, the first thing I noticed was warmth—Riley’s arms wrapped around me, his body nestled close. He was watching me, his blue eyes soft and full of something I couldn’t quite place.“Morning,” I murmured, my voice scratchy with sleep. I blinked at him and then furrowed my brows. “How long have you been awake? And why didn’t you wake me up?”He smiled faintly, shaking his head. “Not long,” he replied, his voice low and soothing. “I didn’t want to wake you. You looked peaceful... well, except for the part where it looked like you’d been crying.”“What?” My hand flew to my face, brushing against my cheeks, and I felt it—the faint stickiness of dried tears. My stomach tightened. I hadn’t even realized I’d been crying. It must’ve been the stress, the weight of everything over the past few days finally catching up to me. I took a breath, forcing a smile.“I’m fine, really. Probably just some weird dream or something.” I sat up and ran a hand through my hair. “I sh
Aurora’s P.O.VTwo agonizing hours of holding still in front of the mirror later, I’m finally ready. The shimmering white gown I’ve chosen falls neatly to my knees, its boat neckline simple yet elegant, a quiet statement against the extravagance Maya tried to impose on me with her dress.I smile faintly at my reflection, running my fingers over my mother’s pendant resting at the base of my throat. It’s the only piece of jewelry I wear, and it feels like a shield, grounding me. This is Caroline’s day, after all. I don’t want to stand out, certainly not to draw attention to myself, not even on my special day. The artist, finally satisfied, gives me a curt nod and begins packing up her kit. I glance at the mirror once more, catching the delicate curls framing my face and the delicate floral headband Maya had insisted I wear.“It suits you,” she had said with a grin, and I suppose she was right. The artist leaves with a brief farewell, and I take a deep breath, smoothing the fabric of my
Damien’s P.O.V“Baby…” Salone leaned against my bike, her green eyes narrowed at me as she studied me from head to toe. “You’ve been very distant lately. Is something wrong?”“No.” I gave her an almost half-hearted answer as I drank from my coffee cup. Truth be told, I had been extremely distracted since last month.I had finally turned eighteen, the age at which a wolf was supposed to find their mate. And yet, I haven’t been able to find that one person who had been chosen for me by the Moon Goddess.Salone was an amazing girl and we had been dating for the past year now, but the second I had turned eighteen and found out that she wasn’t my mate, everything between us had changed in an instant. I had been trying to figure out a way to break it off with her, without looking like a complete douche, but I was failing miserably in that department. So I went ahead and started being as elusive as possible. Maybe if I’m paying less attention to her, then she would break up with me first and
Riley’s P.O.V‘Dear Big Sis…I met a girl recently…and I think she’s a witch.’“Shit!” I deleted the entire text and stared grudgingly at my screen. “Who the fuck writes ‘Dear’ in their emails anymore?”Letting out a sigh, I closed my eyes and thought about what to write to my sister or how to place the pressing issue at hand. My ginormus crush on Dixie Vaughn, the ‘goth’ girl that had stolen my heart at first sight.The first day of college had been the most uneventful day of my life; completely different from what I had imagined the day to be like. But when I had entered my first class of the day, thinking that this would be just as eventful as a middle-aged professor with glasses entered with a pile of books and began introducing the subject and himself to the class…in had come Dixie, wearing all black, her hair in braids and metal hoops and a dragon tattoo on one hand, that covered the entire length of her arm.Her crop top had grabbed just as much attention as her belly button pi
Aurora’s P.O.VThe moonlight painted a silver sheen over the restless waves, their endless dance meeting the shore with soft whispers. I walked along the damp sand, the cool grains pressing between my toes as I followed the trail of footprints ahead of me. Large wolf paws, their weight sinking deep into the earth, followed by much smaller ones—tiny, hesitant steps pressing into the sand right beside them. My heart clenched at the sight, warmth spreading through me as I lifted my gaze, scanning the dimly lit beach. And then, I saw them. Caleb emerged from the shadows of a large tree, his toned body gleaming under the faint glow of the moon, dressed only in his swim trunks. His hair was damp, clinging to his forehead, evidence of his earlier run through the waves. But it wasn’t just him—right beside him, waddling as fast as his tiny legs could manage, was Cameron. Our son. Only two years old, but already fascinated by everything his father did. His brunette curls bounced as he giggled,
Caroline’s P.O.VThe wedding reception buzzed with laughter and music, the air thick with the scent of roses and wine. I sat beside Damien, the warmth of his body just within reach, yet it felt like there was an ocean between us. Five years. Five years of love, passion, fights, and making up. Five years of knowing—deep in my soul—that this man was mine, my mate, my forever. But lately, something has shifted.The once unshakable bond between us felt... strained. I didn't know when it started, but I knew I could feel it. The way he held me less, the way he spoke in careful, measured tones, the way his eyes sometimes seemed far away even when I was right in front of him. And it was killing me. I swallowed hard, gripping my champagne flute as I turned to him. He was staring ahead, his jaw tense, his eyes unreadable. Damien had always been composed, always guarded with his emotions, but this was different. This was distance. And I couldn't stand it any longer. "Damien," I said softly, my
Aurora’s P.O.VFive years later…I stand in front of the mirror, my fingers grazing the intricate lace of my wedding dress, feeling the delicate embroidery beneath my touch. The reflection staring back at me is almost unrecognizable—the girl I once was has transformed into this woman, this bride, glowing with anticipation. My heart is steady, my breath even, a stark contrast to the usual nervous energy brides are supposed to have. But how could I be nervous when this is everything I’ve ever wanted? "Aurora, I swear you’re the calmest bride I’ve ever seen," Caroline teases, her fingers fussing over the tiny buttons at the back of my gown. "Are you sure you’re not secretly panicking?" I turn slightly, meeting her playful gaze through the mirror. "I’m sure," I say with a soft laugh. "I don’t need to be nervous when I know exactly what I want. My family is here. Caleb is waiting for me at the end of that aisle. There’s nothing to be afraid of." Caroline's expression softens, and before
The ground trembled beneath the ruins of the old house, the earth groaning as though awakening from a restless slumber. Crumbled stone and splintered wood shifted, dust rising in thick clouds. Then, with a slow, eerie movement, the debris parted, forced aside by an unseen power.From beneath the wreckage, a woman emerged—no, something that had once been a woman. Her silver hair, now dull and matted with grime and dried blood, clung to her gaunt face. Her skin, once smooth and luminous, stretched tight over her bones, her cheeks sunken, her lips cracked.She took a ragged breath, a sound more like the whisper of dead leaves scraping against stone. In her frail arms, she cradled a child, no older than twelve, her small form limp and unmoving. The girl’s face was peaceful in unconsciousness, her dark lashes resting against pale cheeks, stark against the filth and dried blood staining her skin. The skeletal woman’s hollow eyes fixated on her, but there was no warmth, no tenderness in her
Aurora’s P.O.VThe next few days were a whirlwind of events, from college applications to making sure the progress of the new house, the one that was currently being built in the land where my previous house stood, was going as smoothly as I had anticipated.Finally, after days of hard work and sending out applications, Caleb and I found some quiet time for ourselves and we couldn’t help but sneak out of the packhouse, so we could spend some quiet time together.“Phew!” Caleb sighed as we headed to the beach, our fingers intertwined and him swaying our hands lights as we walked through the thick foliage. “It’s been a rough few days.”I nodded, my smile faltering for a minute as I thought about all the applications that Caleb had rejected…all because of me.He thought that I hadn't seen them, that he had managed to hide them efficiently. But he hadn't. And even though we had both now perfected the art of hiding things from each other through the mating bond, there were still a few gli
Aurora’s P.O.VI felt my stomach tighten with surprise as I step out of the car as Caleb holds the door open for me.Of all the places in the world, why here? My eyes darted to him, searching for some kind of explanation, but he simply smirked, his hand going to the small of my back as he propels me forward.“You’ll find out soon,” he said, his voice laced with a mystery that only made my curiosity grow.I let out a small breath, shaking my head as I glanced towards the diner again. That’s when I saw them—Jade and Caroline stepping out of their cars, their faces glowing under the warm evening lights. But what truly caught my attention was Damien, standing in the distance, his posture relaxed yet unmistakably expectant as he waited for Caroline.My heart gave a strange, unsteady thump at the sight of the diner. It had been so long since I had seen them, Jeremy or any of the staff, since I had felt the warmth of their presence.As they headed inside together, Caleb reached over and plac
Aurora’s P.O.VThe auditorium buzzes with energy, a mix of hushed conversations, excited whispers, and the occasional burst of applause as another name is called. I sit between Caroline and Jade, my hands clasped together with Caroline, and Caleb sits beside Jade, his knee bouncing slightly. The four of us have spent years dreaming of this moment—of walking across the stage, receiving our certificates, and stepping into a world far beyond the walls of this school. But now that it’s here, I feel an odd heaviness in my chest, like the weight of the past pressing down on me, a reminder of everything it took to get here.The class president is giving his speech, something about perseverance and ambition, but my mind drifts. I swallow hard, fingers tightening around the fabric of my gown as I stare at the stage. Almost a year ago, I wasn’t sure I’d make it to this moment. The obstacles, the losses, the nights I thought about giving up—they all come rushing back in a blur. But I’m here. I m