Aurora’s P.O.VI followed behind Shane hesitantly, each step making me feel like I was about to make the biggest mistake of my life. But did I really have a choice now? I couldn’t turn back even if I wanted to. Not when he had already given the full payment to Jeremy and sent them away.Jeremy might have forgiven me after my dad went and threw a tantrum at the restaurant, but this time, I don’t think he’ll be as forgiving. If there was one thing Jeremy hated the most, it was the wastage of food and now, because of me, a hundred orders of burgers and fries would’ve been wasted and given away to the poor and homeless for free. If I hadn’t taken up this ‘job’, then there would’ve been no way I could’ve faced Jeremy again.But now, as I followed Shane inside the humongous mansion that was decorated with balloons, expensive flowers, and lights in perfect arrangements, I felt my hands tremble as I clutched them behind my back, keeping my head bowed so I wouldn’t accidentally make eye contac
Aurora’s P.O.V Once again, we went inside the elevator, this time, Mia joined us as well, standing between me and Shane. Even though her intentions were different, I was glad that I didn’t have to share the elevator alone with Shane.I stood at the corner, my hands fisted by my side as I tried to keep the skirt from riding up, my gaze fixated on the floor. We went down one floor and this time, when the elevator doors opened, light flooded into the elevator, making me squint.But along with the light, came the low hum of conversation and the light drumming of music as Mia once again caught me by my arm and hauled me out along with her and Shane.The floor that we exited on had a party going on full swing and right towards the back wall, was a sign in gold that read “Happy 18th Birthday Caleb” in bold letters, surrounded by hundreds of gold and white balloons.It was only after I had read the sign that I understood what was happening, and I felt my heart thunder in my chest, fear gripp
Aurora’s P.O.VMy legs dragged on the streets, barely able to hold my weight as I reached my familiar neighbourhood.The streets were cold and dark, the alcohol soaked dress making me shiver heaving as I wrapped my arms around myself to keep me as warm as possible.But as I neared my house, something felt…off.Nothing seemed out of place at first glance. In fact, everything seemed eerily perfect…just as I had left it when I left for work this afternoon…then why…why did I get this sense in my gut that something wasn’t right?Even though my mind kept on telling me to turn, to run…I still staggered over to my front porch, my entire body trembling from the cold and from what had happened earlier. Tears still burned my eyes, mixed with the alcohol that had been poured over me, but I held it in. I needed to shower and get this stench off of me, even though I knew that it wouldn’t lessen the humiliation I had suffered.But the minute I stepped inside my house…I knew that my father was back.
Caleb’s P.O.V“Good evening ladies and gentlemen!” Caroline’s father took the microphone to make the announcement, grabbing everyone’s attention instantly. “The moment you’ve all been waiting for is here! Please welcome the birthday boy and his beautiful date onstage.”‘I’m so sorry.’ Caroline told me via the mental bond. ‘First the dress and now this…I don’t think he understands that mating bonds can’t be forced.’‘It’s alright.’ I smile at her outwardly as I kept up the mental connection. ‘Let’s just get this show over with.’‘Yes, everything will become clear in a few seconds.’ Caroline added as I got on stage and helped her up.The crowd, that consisted of all unmated women of the pack and beyond, from teens to young adults, looked at me expectantly, and I couldn’t help but feel my heart thrashing inside my chest as the weight of their combined glances weighed heavily on my shoulders.“No! Caleb, there’s only a minute left for the clock to strike midnight and for the big reveal.”
Caleb’s P.O.VI arrived at the street with the old rundown houses and moss covered fences in less than twenty minutes, but as soon as I entered the neighbourhood…something seemed off.I parked in front of the two storied house at the end of the street, which I knew was hers and got off the car. But then I paused mid-step. What was I going to tell Aurora when I saw her? What could I possibly say to ease her hurt? To make her humiliation go away?I’m sorry? That would never be enough in a million years…not after everything she had been through. Fuck! I really screwed up!I walked up to the front porch hesitantly, unsure of what I was going to say, but the need to check on her and see if she was alright was driving me wild. The entire place held the stench of rust and decay and I looked around wearily. The house was in poor condition, and even worse was the stench of alcohol that seemed to permeate from the very walls of this disaster.I knocked once since the door bell wasn’t working a
Caleb's P.O.V:I raced through the forest, with Aurora on my back, holding on for dear life. She face was buried in my fur and I could feel her entire body trembling, but I was unable to tell if it was from fear or pain.I took the path that led to the pack grounds. It was a longer path than the streets, but I wasn’t going to use the front entry as it was going to be surrounded by guests who were already told to leave by my father himself. I don’t know what happened to Shane, but I was sure that father would take care of him too. He was a fair and just Alpha and he didn’t differentiate in punishment, even if it was his own son.‘Tell the doctors to prepare a bed and be ready to receive a human patient,’ I telepathed Jade, as he was the only one I could trust right now, apart from Caroline. ‘Inform Caroline too. I’m nearly there.’I hadn’t trusted myself to take Aurora to a human hospital. I needed her to be near me, around people I could trust to treat her well and people who wouldn’t
Aurora's P.O.V:A slow beeping sound woke me up from a deep slumber.At first, everything in front of my eyes was hazy, unfocused, but slowly, as I blinked several times, my vision started to clear. But still the drowsiness wanted to take over me, lull me back into a deep sleep. But I fought the urge. Something felt wrong…different. And it scared me.Forcing my eyes open with all the strength I had, I looked up at the clear white ceiling and immediately knew that I was no longer in my own house.My house was falling apart, with fine cracks spreading like spider-webs on the ceiling and paint that was crusting off in flakes. This ceiling looked brand new and well kept.Fuck! Was I in a hospital? No! I couldn’t be! They would ask too many questions…I remembered what had happened at the party…and then getting home to find out that I had been sold off by my father…and those men…Mr. Hemming…I shut my eyes tightly as I tried to keep those memories away. I didn’t want to remember what happe
Caleb’s P.O.VIt was an odd sensation…this rejection…I know Aurora didn’t reject me as her mate, but the fact that she had cowered away from me, with that horrified expression on her face…it was no less than an actual rejection. And the more I thought about it, the more helpless I felt.I had never been helpless in my life before, but for the first time, I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know how I could make it all better so Aurora wouldn’t be scared of me, and I didn’t know what to do to make her pain and anguish disappear.The poor girl had been suffering for so long…and I couldn’t believe how oblivious I had been all this time. I had seen the bruises from time to time, knew that her father was a drunk and a gambler, but never in my wildest imaginations had I thought he would go as low as to sell his own flesh and blood off to a bunch of-Suddenly, the piercing ring from a phone call brought me back to the present, and I saw my father dig into his pant pockets to fish out his pho
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