Caleb’s P.O.VI exchanged a glance with Damien, his expression mirroring my unease as we moved further down the hallway. The air was thick, oppressive, carrying the unmistakable stench of decay.My footfalls stirred up dust from the floor, which was coated in a gritty layer of dirt. I reached out to steady myself against the wall, but immediately drew my hand back in disgust—the surface was slick with dampness, streaked with black mold, and dotted with cobwebs that seemed to move, as if alive."This place just keeps getting worse," I muttered, my voice strained. I adjusted my grip on the wall to steady myself; the darkness here had us both using our wolf’s vision. "How the hell did it get like this? It’s like no one’s been here in decades."Damien, walking slightly ahead of me, paused and turned. His sharp gaze flickered over the mold-covered walls before resting on me."You know," he said, his tone ominous, "black mold isn't normal for a human house. It implies something deeper.”“Wh
Caleb’s P.O.VThe sight of it made my chest tighten, the soft pastel curtains and the neatly made bed a stark contrast to the chaos outside.This was Aurora’s room…I could scent her from every corner, as if she had only just left this room. Thankfully, it wasn’t empty like the room downstairs, but the simplicity of it all didn’t sit right with me.The room was tiny, barely having space for a single bed, a tiny study desk and a closet. It felt like a sharp contrast to the vastly different lives we had been living before we even met. And it made me feel even more guilty about how I had ignored her, scorned her before the Moon Goddess made me realize she was my mate.Damien must have noticed my hesitation, so he strode forward to take action.“We can’t stay here,” Damien said; his voice hoarse as he slammed the door shut, keeping the fire at bay, for now. “The fire will catch up to us any minute now.”“There’s got to be another way out.” He crossed the room in quick strides, heading for
Aurora’s P.O.VSitting cross-legged on the bed, I watched Riley furrow his brows in concentration as he scribbled away on the worksheet in front of him. The room was quiet except for the sound of his pencil scratching against the paper and the occasional frustrated sigh he let out. I chuckled softly and nudged his shoulder."You’ve got this, Riley. Just focus. The answer’s simpler than you think." He glanced at me, his lips pulling into a half-smile, and nodded. It felt nice, moments like these, just the two of us, where I could guide him and feel like I was making a difference in his life. Riley had always looked up to me, and I wanted to be the person he could rely on, no matter what.But then, out of nowhere, a sharp, piercing pain shot through my chest. It wasn’t subtle or gradual—it hit me like a bolt of lightning, making me gasp. My hand instinctively went to my chest, and for a second, I thought my heart had stopped. Riley looked up, his face immediately clouded with concern.“
Aurora’s P.O.VI stand there, my fingers loosely interlaced with Riley’s, his quiet presence grounding me as the flames consume what was left of my father. The air is thick with the scent of smoke and ash, but it doesn’t choke me—it feels almost cleansing, like the end of something long overdue.Riley’s small hand wrapped tightly around mine. He hasn’t said much since we arrived, but I can feel his quiet relief, the weight that has lifted from his young shoulders.Telling him about our father’s death hadn’t been as hard as I’d feared. I thought he’d cry, that he’d be scared or confused. Instead, when I told him our father had become a star, just like Mom, he looked at me with those wide, knowing eyes of his and asked if that meant he couldn’t hurt us anymore. When I said yes, he just nodded, his expression one of quiet satisfaction. It broke my heart and mended it all at once, seeing him so wise beyond his years.All along…he had known of my suffering, and he was glad that our father
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 tim
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 ch
Aurora’s P.O.VMy heart was pounding in my chest, each beat echoing louder than the last as Caleb’s lips met mine. It started soft, almost hesitant, but quickly turned into something more intense, more consuming. I tangled my fingers in his hair, pulling him closer, needing more. His hands, strong and steady, gripped my waist, then slid up my back, leaving a trail of warmth wherever he touched.Every nerve in my body felt like it was buzzing, my skin tingling and burning under his touch. The kiss deepened, his tongue teasing mine, and I could barely think beyond the rush of sensations flooding me.A soft moan escaped my lips as I pressed myself against him, feeling his warmth and strength. My hands roamed over his shoulders, down his chest, unable to get enough. I was drowning in the taste of him, the feel of him. It was overwhelming, addictive. I’d never felt so alive, so on fire. Caleb’s hand slid under the robe, his fingers grazing my skin, and I shivered, arching into his touch. M
Caleb’s P.O.VI had no idea what else to do, so I led Aurora back to my room instead of hers. It felt safer this way, like keeping her close would keep her out of harm's reach, at least for the moment. "Here," I said, handing her a towel."You should dry your hair off." I tried to keep my voice steady, though everything felt off, like I was walking a razor-thin line. Aurora took the towel from me without a word and started dabbing at her damp hair."You can head to the bathroom while I find you something to change into," I added, feeling like I had to keep busy, to keep my mind off the fact that I had her in my room. I turned to leave, but just as I opened the door to head out, I heard her voice."Caleb?"I paused, glancing over my shoulder at her. Her eyes locked with mine, the vulnerability in them almost too much to bear."Yeah?" I asked, trying to sound calm."I... I need you," she said, her voice low, but desperate, and it hit me like a punch to the gut. "Please... help me forget
Aurora’s P.O.VI opened my eyes, gasping for air, but all I could feel was the pressure in my chest, the burning sensation in my lungs as the water surrounded me. I tried to flail my arms, desperate to push myself up, but it was like the water was pulling me deeper. Panic surged through me. I can't breathe, I can't breathe, my mind screamed, the darkness creeping in at the edges of my vision. I didn't know where I was, or if anyone could hear me, or if anyone would find me in time.I could barely make sense of anything, but just as I thought I was about to slip under for good, I felt something—a hand, warm and firm, grabbing mine. Who...? Before I could make sense of it, I was being yanked up, and the water rushed off of my face as my head broke the surface. My body was pulled upward, and with a sharp inhale, I was suddenly hoisted onto the side of the pool. I coughed, sputtering, my body shaking as I tried to steady myself, gasping for air like it was the first time I’d ever had it.
Aurora’s P.O.VI woke up with a jolt, my body drenched in cold sweat. My heart hammered in my chest, and I was gasping for breath, the dark, suffocating feeling of my nightmare still lingering around me. My eyes darted around, but all I could see was blackness. No light, no sounds—just that endless void. Panic flooded through me, and I fought against the overwhelming sense of being trapped. I couldn’t let it take me again. I couldn’t stay in that place, that dark abyss.I tried to stand, but something was different. My feet met solid ground. Soft, familiar ground. Slowly, I blinked, trying to make sense of it all. I wasn't standing in the dark anymore. I wasn't in the place I had been before. I was... lying down? My hands brushed over the fabric beneath me, and the realization hit me like a punch to the gut.This wasn’t my room.I sat up, confusion clouding my mind. The room around me came into focus, a slow, creeping clarity. It was small, cozy, and had a certain warmth to it, someth
Caroline’s P.O.VI sat across from Alpha Camden, my mind racing as I tried to piece everything together."But…Alpha Camden, this seems impossible," I began, my voice shaky but determined. "For so long, we couldn't make sense of the whole Lunar Sisters theory. I mean, Aurora’s human. How could she possibly be tied to me in that way, right? There’s no way she could be my Lunar Sister, not with her being... human."Alpha Camden leaned forward, his eyes locked on mine. "But you're starting to think there's something more to it, aren't you?"I nodded slowly, trying to keep my thoughts in order as I spoke. "Yes. At first, I couldn't wrap my head around it. But now, everything we've learned, everything that’s been happening, it might actually make sense." I paused, my voice growing more intense with each word."If it was a witch, someone tied to use magic, then that could explain everything. Maybe that person was connected to Aurora, in some way. And that’s why they targeted her father, hopi
Caroline’s P.O.VI watched in silence as Alpha Camden stepped forward, his commanding presence filling the room. He gestured toward the door, and in walked a woman—at first glance, she looked like any ordinary middle-aged woman. Her pale skin and platinum blonde hair were unremarkable, but there was something about her, an energy that I couldn't quite place. She had an aura that made me feel unsettled, like she wasn’t quite human.Alpha Camden’s voice broke through my thoughts. “This is Harmona,” he said, his tone respectful.“She’s a witch, and she’s here to help us understand something we’ve found. The symbol we discovered on the body of Aurora’s father.”I glanced at the others, but my eyes kept returning to Harmona. She didn’t speak right away. Instead, she stood there, observing us with an intensity that made me feel like she was weighing each of us, seeing straight through to our core.Finally, she spoke, her voice smooth, almost melodic. “I’ve studied the symbol,” she began, he
Caroline’s P.O.VAs soon as the car skidded to a stop in front of the pack house, I barely waited for the engine to turn off before I was out, my feet hitting the ground hard and fast. “Hey! Slow down, Care!” Jade shouted after me, his longer strides catching up with mine effortlessly.“Jade, you don’t understand! If he knows—if they know, this is bad. This is so, so bad!” My voice cracked, and I hated the way my panic was bleeding through, but it was impossible to hold it back. My legs felt like jelly, but I didn’t stop moving. I couldn’t.“You’re not going in there alone. I said I’ve got your back, and I meant it.” His voice was steady, calm—so unlike my own frantic rambling. He gripped my arm for just a second to slow me down, but I yanked it free, practically sprinting up the stairs leading to the Alpha’s office.“You don’t get it, Jade!” I snapped over my shoulder. “This isn’t about whether someone has my back. If Alpha Camden knows, if my dad—” My throat tightened, cutting off
Aurora’s P.O.VI didn’t know how it happened, not really. One moment, Caleb and I were sitting there, our eyes locked, the silence between us loaded with something unspoken but palpable. Then, without a second thought, I leaned in, and his lips met mine. It was warm, electrifying, and utterly intoxicating. My entire world narrowed down to that moment—Caleb's arms wrapping around me, pulling me closer as if he never wanted to let go. The way his hand gently rested against the small of my back sent shivers racing up my spine. For the first time in forever, I felt fearless, as if nothing else mattered. But then, like a cruel interruption, the shrill sound of a phone ringing sliced through the quiet. It felt jarring, almost offensive, in its timing. Caleb and I broke apart, breathless, our gazes darting everywhere except at each other. Jade rose from his seat at the table, muttering something about it being an important call, and stepped away to answer it. The absence of his presence onl
Aurora’s P.O.VI step forward, my gaze hard, my voice cold. "Step aside," I tell the girls, my tone leaving no room for negotiation."I have nothing to say to you, and I certainly don’t owe you any explanations. So move."But Taylor takes a step toward me, her eyes narrowed. I feel the air shift before she even speaks, the challenge in her eyes obvious."You think you can just walk in here and act like you're above all of us now?" she sneers, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Just because you’ve changed your hair, changed your clothes, doesn’t mean you’ve changed your place."Before I can process what’s happening, she raises her hand and slaps me across the face. The sting is sharp, but I’m too stunned to move for a second. I cradle my cheek in disbelief, my fingers trembling for a moment. Did she really just...?But as I turn to look at the girls, they both seem to have a look of smug satisfaction on their face, like they had just won the lottery. Their confidence in doing something