Aurora’s P.O.VI stared at the box in Caleb's hands, my voice barely above a whisper as I asked, “Where did you find this? Caleb, I haven’t seen this in ages. I thought it was gone forever.” My fingers tremble slightly as I reached out to touch the worn edges, the intricate carvings still as delicate as I remembered.Caleb looked at me, his brow furrowed in concern. “It was tucked away in one corner of your closet,” he said softly, his voice steady.“I found it just before the fire reached your room. I thought it might be important, so I grabbed it. I didn’t even realize—”Before he could finish, a sob escaped me, and I quickly wiped away the tears that blurred my vision. Hugging the box to my chest, I turned to him, my voice breaking. “Caleb, you have no idea what this means to me. This… this was my mother’s. It’s the last thing I have of hers.” My breath hitched as I forced the words out, trying to keep myself composed.“I had to hide it all the time so my father wouldn’t find it. He
Aurora’s P.O.VIt was early morning when we reached the gates. The air was still, save for the soft rustling of leaves and the occasional bird call. I stood with Caleb, Jade, and Caroline, the four of us clustered together, watching as Damien walked toward us. His steps were deliberate, his expression calm, but there was something in his eyes—a flicker of emotion he tried to keep buried. "You're really leaving, huh?" Caleb broke the silence, crossing his arms over his chest. His voice was casual, and I was sure that he had meant it as a tease, but I could see the seriousness in his eyes. Caleb and Damien’s relationship had been on the mend. Damien nodded, stopping just a few feet away from us. "I have to. The arrangements are in place, and staying any longer would only complicate things." Jade glanced at Caroline, his brow furrowed slightly. "You’ll be back, though, right? After all, we’re now part of a family." Damien’s gaze shifted to Caroline, and for a moment, it felt like time
Aurora’s P.O.VThe waiting car gleamed in the driveway, its polished surface reflecting the warm morning sunlight. I hesitated for a second before stepping forward, trying to steady my nerves.The door of the car opened, and that’s when I saw her—Caroline’s mother, Moira. She was stunning, her blonde hair catching the light like spun gold, her green eyes sharp and assessing. I smiled politely, but as her gaze landed on me, I caught the slight falter in her expression, a twitch at the corner of her mouth that she quickly masked with a practiced smile. “Caroline,” she began warmly, her voice lilting, “and Aurora, darling, you look lovely as ever.” Then her eyes slid to me, and the warmth dimmed. “And why are you here?” Before I could say a word, Caroline jumped in, her voice a little too cheerful. “Mom, this is—” “I invited her,” Maya interrupted, stepping forward confidently. “Aurora’s birthday is coming up too, and I thought it would be nice for her to join us today.” Moira’s gaze
Aurora’s P.O.VI could barely contain my excitement. For the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn’t just admiring beautiful dresses from afar—I was going to try them on.“Oh, Aurora, look at this one!” Caroline exclaimed, holding up a gorgeous emerald gown. “It’ll look divine on you.”I laughed, overwhelmed by the choices. “Caroline, we’ve only just started, and I already feel like I want them all.”We moved from rack to rack, trying on everything from sleek, figure-hugging gowns to extravagant, flowing dresses fit for royalty. Each time I stepped out of the dressing room, Caroline’s eyes would light up, and we’d gush over the details—the lace, the beads, the way the fabric caught the light.“Aurora, that gold one you tried on earlier was practically made for you,” Caroline insisted as I stood in front of the mirror, turning this way and that in a blush pink gown.“It’s beautiful, but…” I trailed off, my gaze drifting to the growing pile of contenders. “How am I supposed to cho
Aurora’s P.O.VMoira was standing right there, arms crossed, lips pursed, her glare cutting through me like a blade. Her voice was low, laced with venom."No matter how hard you try, Aurora, you’ll never be like Caroline." For a moment, I was too stunned to speak. The weight of her words crashed into me, making my heart skip a beat."I don’t want to be like Caroline," I finally managed, my voice firm even as the sting of her comment lingered. "I’m my own person, Mrs. Atkinson. I don’t need to compete with her or anyone else." Her laugh was bitter, mocking. She leaned in closer, lowering her voice to a whisper so the others wouldn’t hear."Cut the act. No one’s watching now." Her words dripped with disdain, each one sharper than the last. "If you hadn’t been here, Caroline could’ve been Caleb’s mate. Do you have any idea what you’ve taken from her? From us?" My breath caught in my throat, her accusation hitting me like a slap. My mind raced, trying to process her words. I squared my
Aurora’s P.O.VThe hum of Caleb's car filled the air as we made our way to school, his steady presence a reassuring constant in the whirlwind of my thoughts. I glanced at the side mirror, catching sight of Jade’s and Caroline’s cars following us, their silhouettes framed by the morning light.It was odd, really, how different I felt today, almost as if I were stepping into a new chapter of my life. Two days ago, I wouldn’t have imagined myself here, not like this but thanks to Maya’s relentless determination, I had undergone a complete transformation.My once short, plain brunette hair now fell in soft, loose waves that framed my face, and the addition of bangs made me look almost unrecognizable. I reached up, brushing a strand behind my ear, marveling at how something so simple could make such a difference. The light blue top I wore brought out the brightness in my eyes, or at least that’s what Maya had insisted as she shoved it into my hands.Paired with a new set of jeans, I felt...
Aurora’s P.O.VIt felt strange, really, to have a day that didn’t leave me emotionally drained or biting back tears. I wasn’t sure what to make of it at first. Sitting in class, I actually found myself paying attention for the first time in months. The lessons didn’t feel like a battle anymore, and the teachers weren’t shooting me those thinly veiled glares. In fact, there were new faces at the front of every classroom.The whispers in the hallway confirmed it: the old teachers had been transferred to other schools. That had to be Caleb’s doing—or maybe his father’s. I didn’t feel bad about it, though. Not even a little. Those teachers made my life miserable, and honestly, it was a relief to see them gone.Lunch was a minefield, and today, I felt like I was stepping right into the center of it. I had barely grabbed my tray and settled at Caleb’s table, my heart hammering in my chest as I dared to sit there with him and the others. The tension was palpable, but Caleb, with his calm yet
Aurora’s P.O.VThe word “mate” echoed in my ears, sending a shiver down my spine. I hadn’t expected him to say it so openly, and neither, it seemed, had Mia. She froze, her lips parting as if to argue, but no words came out. Her friends exchanged uncertain glances, the confidence they had walked in with now evaporating. “But Caleb—” one of them started, only for Mia to cut her off with a wave of her hand. Her face was red with a mixture of anger and humiliation, and I could see the moment she realized she had no power here. “Fine,” Mia hissed, her voice trembling as she spun on her heel. “Let’s go.” As she stormed off, her friends hesitated, as though debating whether to follow, but one glare from Mia sent them scurrying after her. The entire cafeteria watched their retreat, whispers breaking out almost immediately. “I can’t believe it,” someone murmured from another table. “Caleb’s group is falling apart,” another said, their voice tinged with disbelief. I tried not to look at t
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