**Emma's POV**As the door clicked shut behind me, a wave of guilt hit me like a tsunami. I couldn't shake the image of Nicholas's face—so raw, so full of confusion and desperation. My resolve wavered with every step I took away from his office. His baby. The words echoed in my mind: oppressive and relentless. Leaning against the wall, I tried to gather myself.Nicholas deserved the truth, but telling him would ruin everything. Lena's deception and my father's ruthless ambitions would all come crashing down. Not to mention, Nicholas would hate me for keeping this terrible secret from him. I rubbed my forehead, trying to think clearly.I had only just managed to distance myself from Nicholas's magnetic pull when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I glanced at the screen—Aaron.The message read: "Hey, Emma, getting worried about you. Call me when you get a chance."With a resigned sigh, I unlocked my car and slid into the driver’s seat. The cold, leathery grip of the steering wheel matched t
**Emma's POV**I found myself lying on a cold, hard floor. The indistinct scents of antiseptic and faint bleach wafted into my nostrils. I groaned and sat up, my body aching from the uneasy sleep. I blinked rapidly, trying to shake off the fogginess clouding my mind. The eerie, fluorescent-lit hallway I found myself in looked eerily familiar. A chill chased down my spine, sending shivers through my body. Could it be? No, this was the same hallway from my dream.Heart pounding, I took a moment to gather my wits, my breaths coming in shallow, rapid bursts. The cold air bit my exposed skin, and I realised I was still in my pyjamas. Despite the chill, sweat beaded on my forehead. I rubbed my eyes and looked around frantically, my mind racing to comprehend where I was.A door marked "Lab" caught my attention. Déjà vu sank its teeth into my bones. I felt a compelling urge to move toward that door, a force as undeniable as fate. Walking on shaky legs, I approached it and tried the handle. Lo
**Emma's POV**Once safely inside my apartment, the comfortable familiarity did little to ease my nerves. I paced back and forth, running a hand through my tousled hair and biting at my nails—a habit I thought I'd kicked. The events of the last few hours felt like a fever dream, chaotic and unsettling."What is going on? Am I going crazy?" I asked the empty room, my voice shakier than I’d intended. The room was suffocating; walls that had once embraced me now felt like they were closing in.Just then, a voice—soft yet powerful—echoed inside my head, the same voice from my dreams. "Accept your fate and save our kind."My anger flared up irrationally. “I don’t understand what you mean or what you want from me! Just tell me!” I yelled, my voice filling the room and then being swallowed by silence.But nothing came. Of course, nothing came. I slid down to the floor, leaning against the couch, feeling a mix of frustration and utter helplessness. “Oh great, I guess I’ll just work this out o
**Nicholas's POV**The hum of the bustling hospital was a stark contrast to the chaos echoing in my mind. Sitting in the sterile waiting room, the air tinged with antiseptic and cold efficiency, I couldn't get Emma out of my head. Her scent, the touch of her skin, and the pull I felt towards her—it was all-consuming.I shook myself out of the reverie as the waiting room door swung open. "Nicholas," the new doctor called out, snapping a file shut. If only it were that easy to close the chapters of my messy life.I wheeled myself into the consultation room, every rotation of the wheels reminding me of my incapacitation. Dr. Carter’s office had been a place of frustration and disdain. Now, facing a new possibility—or, more likely, another dead-end—left me with a sinking feeling of hopelessness I couldn’t shake.The new doctor, Dr. Blake, was a middle-aged man with greying hair and a kind demeanor. He extended a hand, and I shook it, forcing a polite smile."Nicholas, I've gone over your
**Emma's POV**The familiar scent of home enveloped me as I stepped into my parents' house. It was a conflicting mixture of comforting memories and the looming sense of dread. My mother was the first to greet me, her warm smile a stark contrast to the icy tension pooling in my stomach."Emma, dear! It's so good to see you." She wrapped me in a tight hug, and I did my best to return it with equal warmth despite my jittery nerves."Hi, Mum," I said, pulling back and forcing a shaky smile. "Where's Dad?""He's in a meeting but should be joining us very soon," she replied, folding her hands neatly. The slight furrow in her brow told me she sensed something was up. "It's quite unexpected for you to want to have dinner with us. You never call.""Yeah, well," I started, feeling Lena's eyes bore into me from her spot in the living room, "I felt like it was time for a family talk.""Something serious?" my mother asked, her curiosity piqued."Yes, but I'd rather wait until everyone's here," I s
**Nicholas's POV**The ride home was agonisingly silent, the only sound the rumble of the engine and the occasional bump in the road. Each passing mile did little to quell the storm inside me. Emma's voice still echoed in my ears, her words like splinters stuck deep under my skin. My mind was a chaotic whirlwind of betrayal and longing, of anger and sorrow.I pulled into the driveway of my house, the stone walls standing stoic and cold, symbols of a life I no longer fully understood. James helped me out of the car, though my humiliation growled deep within me, casting a shadow over any gratitude I might have felt."Do you need anything, Nicholas?" James asked, his voice tinged with concern as he watched me wheel myself towards the front door."Just leave me alone," I snapped, not turning to look at him. I heard his resigned sigh before he closed the car door and drove off, leaving me in the encompassing silence of my grand yet empty house.I wheeled myself into my study, the heavy oak
**Emma's POV**My entire body felt numb as I walked back to my car. Nicholas's face, contorted with pain and anger, haunted me. I couldn't shake the image from my mind as I reached the car. My father's voice cut through my pain, harsh and unforgiving."Emma!" he shouted, his voice filled with unrestrained rage. "You are no longer part of this family. You've destroyed everything!"I turned around to face him. The sting of his words cut deep, but strangely, I didn't care, not about him, Lena, or even the rest of my so-called family. They were nothing but a shell wrapped in their own lies and deceit."You know what, Father?" I began, my voice steady and cold. "This family was a mess long before I had anything to do with it. I might not have been born with a wolf, but at least I have a heart."His eyes flared with fury as he took a step toward me. "We should have disowned the wolfless freak years ago!" he spat.Those words hit me harder than any physical blow ever could. Wolfless freak.
**Emma's POV**My knees felt weak as I wobbled to my feet, blinking away the tears clouding my vision. The knock on the door grew louder, more insistent. For a moment, I considered ignoring it, letting whoever it was think I wasn't home. But something inside urged me to move, to confront whatever waited on the other side.Gingerly, I walked to the door and peered through the peephole. My heart leapt to my throat. James stood there, looking impatient. A torrent of emotions surged within me—fear, panic, a sliver of hope.My body shook as I stepped away from the door, trying to steady my breathing. "No, he can't be here. Not now," I whispered desperately to myself.As if reading my mind, James’s voice came through the door, deep and resonant. "I know you're in there, Emma. I can smell you. Please, just open up."I stood frozen, my mind racing. Go with James, back to Nicholas, the man I loved but had hurt so deeply. The idea was unbearable. Or stay here, trapped in this suffocating pit of
Emma's PovThe dim light surrounded me as I went down the basement stairs. Shadows moved on the walls as if they were alive with secrets. Every creak of the steps under my feet echoed like my racing heartbeat, loud and ominous.It was very quiet, except for the occasional sound of water dripping somewhere I couldn't see. When I reached the bottom, I was met by a sharp cold that gave me goosebumps. Chilly drafts of air moved mysteriously through the worn floors and piled-up boxes.I walked down the narrow hallway, its twists feeling like a bad dream I couldn't escape. The hair on my neck stood up, sensing I was being watched. The silence around me felt heavy, filled with secrets I was determined to uncover.Then I saw it—the door. It looked simple but felt important, just like in my dreams. Memories of strange dreams filled my mind, feeling both familiar and ominous. My hand hesitated over the doorknob, and as my fingers touched it, the door creaked open on its own, slowly as if inviti
**Emma's POV**It was time to confront what haunted my dreams: I needed answers. Hope View was my destination someone how it was tied into all this.The closer I got, the more my apprehension grew. Would I find what I sought, or was I diving headfirst into another mess I couldn’t untangle?As the hospital came into view, my grip tightened around the steering wheel.I parked and sat still for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady myself before stepping out. The air was crisp invigorating, as if urging me to push forward. With one final exhale, I made my way inside.The echoes of hurried footsteps and distant voices bounced off the walls as I entered the common room. My eyes darted around, searching for the one person who knew this place better than anyone—Grace.I found her talking with a patient, her smile warm and genuine. “Grace!” I called softly, nervousness tainting my voice. Her head lifted immediately, and her eyes met mine with a hint of surprise.“Emma,” she said, the surpr
**Nicholas's POV**Anger coursed through me, fierce and unrestrained, setting my senses ablaze. Betrayal was a familiar sting, yet it cut deeper this time.Finding out the baby wasn’t mine felt like the punch I never saw coming. Not that I wanted a child with Lena, but the deception—I let them fool me again. The fact that Emma was part of it cut like a savage wound through my heart. I had trusted her, and that trust felt broken.The sound of the front door opening tore me from my thoughts. James stepped into the room, bringing with him a different kind of energy. As he approached, he seemed to hold a quiet storm of his own.“She wouldn’t come back with me, Nicholas,” James said.A fresh wave of anger surged through me. "What do you mean she wouldn’t come back? Did you tell her that it was a direct order from me?"James met my gaze with steady eyes. “I tried, Nicholas. I told her. But she needs space, and I think you need to respect that.”I clenched my fists, raw emotion bubbling to t
**Emma's POV**Hours drifted by in a blur as I drove, the road stretching endlessly before me. My heart felt like it was in a perpetual state of near-explosion. I had always felt alone like no one understood me, but now, the loneliness was more profound than ever. Yet, I wouldn’t let it break me. I couldn’t succumb to it.The fluorescent glow of my car's dashboard lights was the only constant in the silent, dark night. The lines on the road seemed to blur together, and my eyelids grew heavy. The exhaustion was catching up with me, more emotional than physical, but it was pulling me under just the same.“Just a little further,” I muttered to myself, gripping the steering wheel tightly as if it could anchor me to reality. But even my determination wasn’t enough to stave off the inevitable.I pulled over to the side of the road, the gravel crunching under the tyres as the car came to a halt. I rested my head on the steering wheel and closed my eyes. Almost immediately, an image of Nichol
**Emma's POV**My knees felt weak as I wobbled to my feet, blinking away the tears clouding my vision. The knock on the door grew louder, more insistent. For a moment, I considered ignoring it, letting whoever it was think I wasn't home. But something inside urged me to move, to confront whatever waited on the other side.Gingerly, I walked to the door and peered through the peephole. My heart leapt to my throat. James stood there, looking impatient. A torrent of emotions surged within me—fear, panic, a sliver of hope.My body shook as I stepped away from the door, trying to steady my breathing. "No, he can't be here. Not now," I whispered desperately to myself.As if reading my mind, James’s voice came through the door, deep and resonant. "I know you're in there, Emma. I can smell you. Please, just open up."I stood frozen, my mind racing. Go with James, back to Nicholas, the man I loved but had hurt so deeply. The idea was unbearable. Or stay here, trapped in this suffocating pit of
**Emma's POV**My entire body felt numb as I walked back to my car. Nicholas's face, contorted with pain and anger, haunted me. I couldn't shake the image from my mind as I reached the car. My father's voice cut through my pain, harsh and unforgiving."Emma!" he shouted, his voice filled with unrestrained rage. "You are no longer part of this family. You've destroyed everything!"I turned around to face him. The sting of his words cut deep, but strangely, I didn't care, not about him, Lena, or even the rest of my so-called family. They were nothing but a shell wrapped in their own lies and deceit."You know what, Father?" I began, my voice steady and cold. "This family was a mess long before I had anything to do with it. I might not have been born with a wolf, but at least I have a heart."His eyes flared with fury as he took a step toward me. "We should have disowned the wolfless freak years ago!" he spat.Those words hit me harder than any physical blow ever could. Wolfless freak.
**Nicholas's POV**The ride home was agonisingly silent, the only sound the rumble of the engine and the occasional bump in the road. Each passing mile did little to quell the storm inside me. Emma's voice still echoed in my ears, her words like splinters stuck deep under my skin. My mind was a chaotic whirlwind of betrayal and longing, of anger and sorrow.I pulled into the driveway of my house, the stone walls standing stoic and cold, symbols of a life I no longer fully understood. James helped me out of the car, though my humiliation growled deep within me, casting a shadow over any gratitude I might have felt."Do you need anything, Nicholas?" James asked, his voice tinged with concern as he watched me wheel myself towards the front door."Just leave me alone," I snapped, not turning to look at him. I heard his resigned sigh before he closed the car door and drove off, leaving me in the encompassing silence of my grand yet empty house.I wheeled myself into my study, the heavy oak
**Emma's POV**The familiar scent of home enveloped me as I stepped into my parents' house. It was a conflicting mixture of comforting memories and the looming sense of dread. My mother was the first to greet me, her warm smile a stark contrast to the icy tension pooling in my stomach."Emma, dear! It's so good to see you." She wrapped me in a tight hug, and I did my best to return it with equal warmth despite my jittery nerves."Hi, Mum," I said, pulling back and forcing a shaky smile. "Where's Dad?""He's in a meeting but should be joining us very soon," she replied, folding her hands neatly. The slight furrow in her brow told me she sensed something was up. "It's quite unexpected for you to want to have dinner with us. You never call.""Yeah, well," I started, feeling Lena's eyes bore into me from her spot in the living room, "I felt like it was time for a family talk.""Something serious?" my mother asked, her curiosity piqued."Yes, but I'd rather wait until everyone's here," I s
**Nicholas's POV**The hum of the bustling hospital was a stark contrast to the chaos echoing in my mind. Sitting in the sterile waiting room, the air tinged with antiseptic and cold efficiency, I couldn't get Emma out of my head. Her scent, the touch of her skin, and the pull I felt towards her—it was all-consuming.I shook myself out of the reverie as the waiting room door swung open. "Nicholas," the new doctor called out, snapping a file shut. If only it were that easy to close the chapters of my messy life.I wheeled myself into the consultation room, every rotation of the wheels reminding me of my incapacitation. Dr. Carter’s office had been a place of frustration and disdain. Now, facing a new possibility—or, more likely, another dead-end—left me with a sinking feeling of hopelessness I couldn’t shake.The new doctor, Dr. Blake, was a middle-aged man with greying hair and a kind demeanor. He extended a hand, and I shook it, forcing a polite smile."Nicholas, I've gone over your