Caleb’s P.O.VI took a deep breath as I stood outside Aurora’s door, an almost surreal feeling in my gut as I raised my hands to knock on the door.It was two days after…err…the incident, where I had marked Aurora as my mate and I could feel the bond pulsating between us, a golden thread that was as alive as the bond slowly growing between Aurora and me.I didn’t like how the Rut had made me vulnerable and caused me to ultimately mark Aurora, but in the end, fate played its hand and now, there was no denying what we meant for each other.“I’m coming! Hold on!” Aurora’s voice sounded from the other side of the door, before she opened it with a huge smile…that dropped as soon as she saw me, and her face contorted into a look of concern. “Caleb?”“Hi…umm…were you expecting someone else?” I asked, knowing full well that she had actually been expecting Caroline.“Yes…umm…nevermind…” she gave me a small smile, before moving away from the door. “How are you feeling? Is it okay for you to mov
Aurora’s P.O.VI felt my heart thrash uncontrollably in my chest at his offer. Was he serious? The mere thought of going back to school itself was terrifying, but college?I honestly never had any plans on going to college all my life. When we were still living at my father’s house, the only thought on my mind was to get the hell out of town as soon as I finished school and take Riley with me, so I could get a better job somewhere else, even if it was at a McDonalds or some other fast-food joint as a waitress or a cleaner, and hope that Riley had a better shot at a future than I ever did.But now…with Caleb sitting in front of me, offering me a dream that had seemed impossible all my life…I didn’t know if I was capable of doing what he said.Unconsciously, my hand went to my neck, the place where Caleb had marked me. The crescent moon shaped mark was now a permanent tattoo on my skin, but it was tiny, almost invisible to the naked eyes unless someone was paying close attention. But wh
Aurora’s P.O.VI felt fingers under my chin, lifting my face up to meet his. “I’m sorry,” Caleb told me, his eyes gazing into mine with a mix of emotions I couldn’t really name. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”“I know,” I told him, managing a half-hearted smile. “But what you told me is the truth…and I needed to hear that.”Sighing, I took his hands in mine, realizing that I had been an utter fool all this time for believing what anyone else told me. “You’re my mate,” I said, feeling a weight in my chest that I needed to get out. “And I should’ve listened to you instead of believing anyone else. But I was stupid enough to fall into Mia’s trap and I’m sorry for that…sorry for the distance that I put between us.”“Hey,” Caleb pulled me closer, holding me in his arms as I felt the warmth of his embrace, the familiar scent of his. “You’re not stupid. You had been thrust into the supernatural world in the blink of an eye and we’ve been info dumping on you things that we had known since our c
Aurora’s P.O.VWhen Caleb and I finally came back to the packhouse, it was well past midnight and we were both covered in sand, wet to our bones.Caleb’s majestic fur now stuck to his body and with all the sand and dirt covered all over him…he looked no better than a wet dog in desperate need for a bath.But that wasn’t the problem. It was finding Caroline standing in front of my room, in her jammies and her arms crossed over her chest as she tapped her foot on the floor, a murderous look on her face.“Caroline…um…” I scratched the back of my neck, looking down at Caleb, who wore a smug expression on his face. Wait…could wolves even look smug?“Oh, wipe that smirk off you bitch!” Caroline stomped her foot on the floor before moving forward to catch a hold of Caleb’s ear and twisting it hard, and I had the pleasure of hearing the big-bad wolf, whine like a baby. “A notice would’ve sufficed, Cal! But noooo! You had to keep me waiting here for half an hour! Is this what I get for helping
Aurora’s P.O.V“Caleb…I don’t think it’s a good idea.” I swallowed nervously as I watched the school gates approach from a distance. “Maybe…I should’ve just stayed behind…”“Aura…you promised to be there for my game.” Caleb turned to give me his ‘puppy-eyes’, his lips pouting as he brought the car to a halt in his usual parking spot. “Are you really going to go back on your promise?”I turned to face him, wondering how he had managed to maneuver the car right into the parking while still giving me that look, but I couldn’t help it when he gave me those glossy eyes.Sighing, I reached forward on instinct and pressed my lips to his cheek, making Caleb freeze for a second…before a wide grin spread across his face.“Can I bribe you with that and just stay in the car?” This time, I was the one who pouted my lips and blinked innocently up at him, making Caleb throw back his head laughing.“No a chance,” he chuckled, before unbuckling the seatbelt. “You’ll be a lot more than a cheek kiss to
Aurora’s P.O.VI froze, the world around me coming to a sudden halt as the words registered in my mind.Dead? Did they really think…I was dead?Caroline must have heard it too, because just like with Caleb before, I heard her let out a low growl, her lips pulled back over her teeth as her eyes began to glow an eerie amber.“Caroline.” I immediately took her hand in mine, squeezing them for reassurance. “It’s not worth it.”But apparently, the girl who had just spewed those malicious words, wasn’t alone.“I know right!” Another voice chimed in, sounding exasperated. “I mean…she left already, for god’s sake! So why come back?”“She gets scholarship from our school fees anyway! What a waste of space!”I was tempted to turn back and give this bitch a piece of my mind, but I held my tongue. It really wasn’t my problem that ‘they’ had a problem with me. And besides, it’s not like they would say anything new that I hadn’t already heard.If I was still the Aurora from a month ago, then these
Caleb’s P.O.VThe crowd erupted into cheers all around the stadium, my players cheering the last minute victory. I looked at the bleachers, where Caroline and Aurora stood cheering our win, but before I could lift my hand to wave at them, someone yanked me back with brutal force.I whipped around to see Damien’s face twisted in a snarl before his fist connected with my jaw with a force that sent me flying to the ground, the sickening crunch of bones breaking a reminder of the damage done.I fell to the ground hard, my back aching from the contact and my vision blurring for a few moments as I tasted blood on my tongue.“Caleb!”I heard Aurora’s scream from amid the gasps and murmurs of the crowd, and for a second, I was worried that she would come to my aid, putting herself in harm’s way.But I didn’t get to dwell on that for much longer because Damien was upon me, trying to throw in as many punches as he could while I tried to block him as best as I could.“What the fuck are you doing
Caleb’s P.O.VI held Caroline close as her shoulders shook, her quiet sobs muffled against my chest. I didn’t say a word; just let my arms circle her tightly, drawing her in as if I could shield her from whatever had broken her down like this.She gripped my shirt, clutching it as though it was her only anchor, and I felt her trembling ease, bit by bit, as the moments passed. My hand moved up and down her back slowly, and I rested my chin on her head, letting her release it all without questions, without interruptions.Her breathing, sharp and ragged at first, gradually softened, and I felt the tension leave her as she finally stilled. It broke my heart to see my best friend like this, but I gave her time to get herself together before I asked any questions.It took time, but eventually, she pulled away, swiping at her tear-streaked cheeks, looking anywhere but at me. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her expression shattered, yet in that fleeting moment of silence between us, I could see she
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