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.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.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
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
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