Caleb’s P.O.VI looked at the group, the pieces finally clicking together in my mind. "Now it makes sense," I said. "The sour relationship between Aurora and her father, it all adds up now. Aurora wasn’t his biological child." I paused, letting the weight of those words hang in the air."That means her mother either had an affair before marriage or maybe even after. And I’m guessing that’s why her father always hated her. She was a constant reminder of her mother’s betrayal." Jade added.I shook my head, feeling a sharp sting of realization. "No wonder he treated her like that. She was always right there, in front of him, a living, breathing consequence of something he could never forgive."Caroline’s voice broke through my thoughts, sharp and steady. "The DNA test would give us final answers, but this would explain so much, wouldn’t it?" She added, her tone softening with understanding. "Aurora’s birthday, for one. It was never celebrated in that house. She’d always dread that time of
Caleb’s P.O.V"It’s not just when Aurora stopped breathing," I begin, my voice firm, as everyone turned to look at me. "It’s when we were searching for her too. Caroline… she felt it. She felt Aurora’s pain.""That’s impossible," Damien frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. "Even twins aren’t that connected. There’s no way Caroline could have felt Aurora’s pain like that." His voice was skeptical, but I saw the fear behind them.I can see the confusion on everyone’s faces, but before anyone could argue further, Jade suddenly gasps, his eyes widening."Wait a second," he mutters, almost like he’s talking to himself."Spit it out, Jade," I snapped, unable to hide my frustration. "Stop being so dramatic." But the look on his face—there’s something about it that sends a chill down my spine.Jade stares at me for a long moment, as if trying to find the right words. "What I just remembered," he starts, his voice low and urgent, "is something that should be impossible."His tone sends a
Aurora’s P.O.VThe suffocating darkness clung to me like a second skin as I bolted upright, gasping, and my lungs struggling against the thick air. Cold sweat slicked my forehead, and I pressed a trembling hand to my chest, trying to steady my breaths. But nothing helped.The darkness was all around me, pressing down like a suffocating blanket.“Caleb!” I called out, my voice cracking, the sound faint and swallowed by the abyss. Panic clawed at me.“Caroline! Where are you?” My voice, though desperate, seemed to vanish the second it left my lips, devoured by the void.I staggered to my feet, my bare toes brushing against what felt like jagged stone. Every direction was the same—black, infinite, and oppressively silent. I reached out blindly, my hands groping for something, anything, to ground me. My heart pounded wildly in my chest.“Caleb, if you can hear me, say something!” I shouted again, louder this time, but the silence pressed back, mocking me with its weight. A shiver racked my
Aurora’s P.O.VI sat on my bed, hugging my knees to my chest as I watched Caleb, Caroline, and—much to my surprise—Damien settle themselves in various spots around the room. Caleb perched on the edge of the bed beside me, his expression serious, while Caroline leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, and Damien slouched casually in my desk chair. The room felt tense, as if they were all just waiting for me to snap, and if I was being honest, I was waiting for the same.“Is this…really necessary?” I asked on a sigh, leaning back against my bed frame. “You guys should rest in your rooms, rather than be here and suffer even further because of me.”“We’re staying,” Caleb said, his voice firm, yet soft. “All of us. We’re not suffering, Aura, we’re here to make sure that you’re safe.”I nodded, my heart racing. “I’m so sorry for this. I just, I don’t know what’s happening, Caleb—” My voice cracked, and I grabbed his arm tightly, my fingers trembling.“That’s what we’re trying to figure ou
Aurora’s P.O.VI swallowed hard, trying to find the right words. “It’s hard to explain. It wasn’t just a shape—it felt... alive. Like it was calling me or warning me. I don’t know. It was a circle with a rectangle inside it," I said, my voice trembling as I gestured with my hands to outline the shape in the air."And there were vines crawling up the sides of the circle, like they were alive or something. It looked... familiar somehow, but I don’t know why. I don’t know what it means." I ran my fingers through my hair, the frustration bubbling up inside me.But when I turned to the rest of them, I found them all looking at me wearily, as if they were worried about something. “What? What is it?”Caleb leaned forward, his expression dark and serious. "Aurora, that’s not just any random symbol," he said, his voice low."It’s the same one that was found... on your dad’s chest." He paused, letting the weight of his words settle over me.I stared at him, trying to process what he was saying.
Aurora’s P.O.VThe first rays of sunlight seeped into the room, warm and golden, coaxing me out of the remnants of my sleep. As I stirred, I became aware of something firm and steady holding me. Blinking a few times, I slowly tilted my head upwards and found myself staring into Caleb’s eyes. He was already awake, watching me with a gentle expression that made my heart ache in a way I couldn’t quite describe."You're awake," he said softly, his voice carrying a warmth that made my chest tighten.I swallowed, my throat still scratchy from the night before. "Have you been awake this whole time?" I asked, moving myself closer to his warmth.He nodded, brushing a stray strand of hair away from my face. "I couldn’t sleep. I wanted to keep watch over you in case you had another nightmare. I didn’t want to take any chances, not after everything that happened."My breath hitched, and a lump formed in my throat. He had stayed up for me? I reached out instinctively, wrapping my arms around him as
Caleb’s P.O.VIt was there again, that strange, unshakable connection between Aurora and Caroline. I couldn’t pretend I didn’t notice it this time. The way they seemed to feel each other’s pain, the silent exchange of thoughts that didn’t require words—it was eerie. It wasn’t just a coincidence; it couldn’t be. But how the hell was I supposed to bring this up to her? After everything Aurora had already been through, dropping another unexplainable bomb on her felt...wrong.Still, it gnawed at me. Should I tell her? Should I explain what I've noticed? Should I tell her what our friends and I had discovered not long ago about the Lunar Sisters?I sat on the edge of the bed, running my fingers through my hair, debating with myself. What good would it do to burden her with more questions when neither of us had answers? I sighed, looking over at her as she lay there, her face peaceful for once, her chest rising and falling steadily. It hit me then—what she needed wasn’t more mysteries to sol
Aurora’s P.O.VCaleb’s lips pressed into a thin line as he forced himself to smile, and he shook his head, but his eyes betrayed him. They were filled with worry.“It’s nothing,” he said quickly, his tone too rushed, even though he tried to mask it with a smile. “You’re just overthinking it, Aurora. You’ve been through a lot recently and maybe that’s overwhelming you.”But Caleb’s shocked expression earlier had only solidifies the unease swirling in my chest. I don’t need him to say anything; I can feel it in the silence between us, the way his eyes dart like he’s trying to make sense of something impossible.I knew I had said something to freak him out, but I just didn’t know what it was. Maybe it was the fact that I could feel the bond in a way that didn’t seem possible even two days ago? But the sensation was fleeting. It came and went in pulses, just like now, when Caleb’s emotions seemed to be completely shielded from me, unlike just a minute ago when I got this clear idea that he
Aurora’s P.O.VThat night, after returning to my room, a storm raged outside, howling through the trees and rattling the windows like it was trying to force its way in. The air felt heavy, thick with something I couldn't quite name, pressing down on my chest as I sat curled up on the bed.Every light in the room was on, pushing back the shadows, but no matter how bright it was, I couldn’t stop my thoughts from drifting back to Lucas and what he had done. He had kept my mother’s skeleton in my room—my mother’s old room—like some twisted trophy, a constant reminder of everything he had stolen from me. The image was burned into my mind, and no matter how much I tried to push it away, it clung to me, wrapping around my thoughts like vines strangling the life out of something.I wasn’t angry that her skeleton had been destroyed when the house collapsed. If anything, I was relieved. That place—where I had suffered, where so many others had suffered—was gone, reduced to nothing but rubble and
Aurora’s P.O.VI don't know how to answer him. The words sit on the tip of my tongue, but I can't bring myself to say them. Riley is watching me, his blue eyes so much like our mother's, filled with quiet expectation. And maybe that's what makes it worse. He doesn't know—he has no idea about the truth that has weighed on my shoulders for the past few days. He doesn't know that we're more than what he assumes us to be, that the blood running through our veins is the same, tangled in a history neither of us asked for.I should tell him. Maybe, in some twisted way, he deserves to know. But what good would it do? The past won't change. Our mother’s suffering won’t be undone just because the truth is spoken aloud. And so, I keep my mouth shut, my fingers curling against the fabric of my sleeve as if that might somehow anchor me in place.Riley tilts his head slightly, waiting. I need to say something. Anything. But my throat is dry, my mind blank, and I think he notices—because his brows d
Aurora’s P.O.VThe tires crunched against the gravel road as we finally pulled into the DarkWater Pack’s territory. The journey had been long, but as we neared our destination, a different kind of weight settled over me. Anxiety, relief, and a strange sense of longing tangled together, making it hard to breathe. My fingers curled into the fabric of my pants, my knuckles turning white.As soon as the car came to a halt, Caleb was already at my side, offering his hand. I didn’t hesitate to take it, my legs slightly unsteady as I stepped out into the familiar land I once called home. The moment my feet touched the ground, a voice cut through the air, sharp and desperate.“Aurora!”My head snapped towards the entrance, my heart nearly leaping out of my chest. Riley.Before my mind could even process it, my body was already moving. I broke into a run, my lungs burning as I closed the distance between us. Riley was running too, his arms wide open, his face a mixture of overwhelming relief a
Aurora’s P.O.VHis words were met with stunned silence, the weight of his generosity settling over the room. Relief crashed over me so suddenly that my legs nearly gave out.Ashton, Maggie and Avery, three people who had been tormented by Lucas and Harmon for so long, suffering the same fate as me and losing everyone they had…now they would finally have a permanent home. A place where they can breathe a sigh of relief without worrying about the horrible nightmares they had endured for so long.I turned to him, my eyes burning with unshed tears. "Alpha Camden, I... I don’t even know what to say. I can never repay this kindness."His expression softened as he reached out, resting a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Aurora, child, you don’t owe me anything," he said gently. "You are Caleb’s mate, and you’re like a daughter to me. There is nothing to repay. Family looks out for each other. Always."His words broke something inside me, the last fragile wall of doubt and fear crumbling under
Aurora’s P.O.VThe weight of their gazes pressed down on me, twin sets of piercing eyes scrutinizing our every move, our every breath. The two Alphas, towering figures of authority, sat before us, their expressions unreadable, their silence a vice squeezing at my lungs. I swallowed hard, my fingers twitching at my sides. Maggie, Ashton, the others—we were all standing in a row like criminals waiting for judgment. My heartbeat thundered in my ears, the room suffocating with tension as we waited for someone to speak first."Tell us everything," one of them said finally, his voice a low command that brooked no argument. "Every detail that might matter."A long pause. I could feel Maggie trembling beside me, her breath uneven. When she finally stepped forward, her voice was quiet, but the words she spoke sent ice through my veins."He kept them," she whispered, as if saying it too loud would summon ghosts. "The skeletons. Of our mothers. He... he preserved them. In our room."The silence
Caleb’s P.O.VThe weight of everything crashed down on me all at once. The battle, the bloodshed, the loss, and the unexpected kindness that had followed. My body ached, my heart even more so, but for the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself believe that maybe—just maybe—things were going to be okay.I watched as Alpha Jackson finally nodded, his expression grim yet resolute as he took in the condition of the infirmary.“Under any other circumstance, this would have been a call for celebration.” He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “But given everything… I don’t think any of us are in the mood for that.” His eyes flickered to me, searching for understanding, but I was already somewhere else in my mind. My focus had shifted entirely. I gave him a curt nod, my body already moving before my mind had fully caught up. “I’ll leave the rest to my father,” I muttered. The pack, the responsibilities, the politics—none of it mattered to me right now. Not when Aurora was still ly
Caleb’s P.O.VI didn’t know how long it took to head back, especially with Aurora in my arms, cradled tight so I didn’t lose her warmth. My body was screaming at me to collapse, to give in to the overwhelming exhaustion that had wrapped itself around my bones. Every step toward Alpha Jackson’s packhouse felt like walking through quicksand, my limbs heavy, my breath shallow. But I couldn’t stop. The others needed help, and if I gave in now, I might not have the strength to bring them the rest of the way. Silvia was slumped against me, her small frame limp, her face still damp with the tears that had drained her of consciousness. I had held her as she sobbed, whispered reassurances I wasn’t sure I believed myself. Her cries had been so broken, so raw, that it had shattered whatever was left of my strength, but I refused to let her go. I owed her that much.The others were still unconscious, their bodies battered and weakened from the blood loss. It wasn’t just exhaustion—it was surviva
Aurora’s P.O.VGuilt clings to me like a second skin, heavy and suffocating, as I step back into the circle. My hands tremble at my sides, and I barely muster the strength to lift my gaze. When I do, my heart clenches at the sight of Ashton and my two remaining siblings, their white dresses now soaked in blood, just like mine. The crimson stains tell a story I wish I could erase, a tale of choices made in desperation, of losses that will never be reclaimed. I swallow hard, my throat thick with emotion, but the weight of duty presses down harder than grief.Ashton begins the chant, his voice steady, unwavering. I try to focus, try to push aside the gnawing ache in my chest, but the image of little Violet’s face flashes in my mind. Her laughter, her tiny hands grasping mine just days ago—gone now, sacrificed to the very nightmare we tried to escape. A sharp sob threatens to escape, but I clamp my lips shut, my breath hitching as the first tear slips down my cheek. I know this is necessa
Aurora’s P.O.VThe realization hit me like a punch to the gut, a knot forming in my throat. Violet was gone. I could see her absence in the space where she should’ve been standing, and she was nowhere to be seen in the group. The air around us felt empty without her presence."Violet!" I shouted, my voice cracking with panic. The chant faltered for a moment, but I quickly pushed forward, trying to concentrate. "She’s not here!"Ashton’s eyes flashed with alarm as he noticed our hesitation. He glanced around, his expression hardening. "Where is she?" he demanded, his tone cold, but it did nothing to hide the tension that coiled in his shoulders. “Oh god…did we…leave her behind?”Before I could answer, a high-pitched cry broke through the noise. Silvia, her white hair glowing like a beacon in the fading light, was wailing uncontrollably. Her small body trembled as she reached for the house that was crumbling to the ground. "Mama! Grandmama!" Her sobs tore at my heart.Alpha Jackson was