Emma's POVWalking away from Nicholas was harder than I thought it would be. I couldn’t let myself feel the things I was feeling for him. It was wrong, and he would never want me anyway. He was the alpha, and I was nothing more than a wolfless girl. As we walked toward the café, my mind wandered through the myriad of relationships tangled around me. Lena's selfishness, my father’s obsession with money, and Nicholas’s silent battle—the complexities seemed endless. I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the crisp air, hoping it would steady me.I'd been so lost in my own thoughts that I hadn’t even noticed that Aaron had been talking to me until he touched my shoulder. “Emma, are you going to sit down?”Startled, I looked around and realised we were already at the café. “Oh, sorry. Yes, of course,” I said, sliding into the chair he pulled out for me. The rich aroma of roasted coffee beans enveloped us, offering a momentary escape from the world outside.Aaron took the seat opposit
Emma's POVInstead of heading back to my apartment, I decided to follow through on my curiosity and check out the hospital I'd mentioned to Aaron—Hope View Rehabilitation Centre. Perched on the edge of the city and nestled among the mountains, this place supposedly offered a sanctuary for those dealing with life-altering injuries.My car's tyres crunched over the gravel road as I drove up the mountain, the dense forest parting to reveal the grand structure of the hospital. Bathed in the golden hue of the setting sun, the building looked almost ethereal. Pines surrounded the area, their silhouettes swaying gently in the breeze, and the crisp scent of nature filled the air. The tranquillity of the scene momentarily eased the turbulent thoughts swirling in my head.I parked and stepped out, taking a moment to absorb the beautiful surroundings. The mountains provided a majestic backdrop, and the forest seemed to whisper ancient secrets. Maybe, just maybe, this was exactly where I needed t
Emma's POVThe alarm buzzed relentlessly, vibrating on my nightstand with the fervour of a hummingbird's wings. I slapped it off and sprang up, filled with an uncommon excitement to start my day. Aaron had tried to call a couple of times last night, but I had ignored it. This day wasn't about him or the complicated mess of relationships entangling my life. Today was about new beginnings.I quickly dressed in a comfortable pair of jeans and a casual top. Running a brush through my hair, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My eyes seemed brighter, brimming with an eagerness I hadn't seen in a while. "Today's going to be a good day," I told myself, trying to manifest positivity.Even though I had told Grace I wouldn't be there until the afternoon, the anticipation was too much to bear. So, I grabbed my keys and headed towards Hope View Rehabilitation Centre, my sanctuary in the mountains.Driving up the winding road felt like traversing a path to a different world. The chirping o
Emma's POVAs Aaron walked out of the hospital, I felt a wave of mixed emotions. While his persistent interest in Nicholas was annoying, his willingness to help us here at Hope View was a welcome blessing. I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the tasks at hand.After finishing up with the medication rounds and ensuring all the patients were comfortable, I visited the staff room for a quick break. The room was empty, filled with an eerie silence. It felt almost surreal. Here I was, in a place that felt more like home than anywhere else had in a long time, yet I couldn’t stop thinking about Nicholas.I shook my head, trying to clear my mind. "Pull yourself together, Emma," I muttered to myself. "Focus on why you're here."Determined to dive back into work, I grabbed a patient's chart and started making my way to his room. As I reached Room 204, my heart skipped a beat. Evan, one of the newer patients, was sitting in his wheelchair, staring out of the window. He looked so young, ba
Nicholas's POVThe ticking clock on the wall felt like a reminder of how much time had passed since everything went to hell. I still struggled to accept Lena’s pregnancy, a dark cloud hanging over the brief moments of clarity I managed to grasp. And the gnawing doubt—was the baby even mine? The question lingered, refusing to be silenced. But the worst thing of all was how much my heart craved to be close to Emma again. “Good morning, Mr. Blackwood,” the new nurse greeted me with an overtly cheerful voice as she wheeled in a cart loaded with medical paraphernalia. I didn't catch her name; I didn't care to. Emma’s absence was a gaping wound in my daily routine, one no amount of words could patch up."Morning," I muttered back, my voice husked with exhaustion rather than morning grogginess.The nurse began setting up, her movements efficient if not overly clinical. "Let's start with your exercises," she chimed, attempting to infuse some optimism into the air. It fell flat, like a joke t
Emma's POVThe hospital doors slid shut behind me as the neon "EXIT" sign cast an eerie glow on the empty parking lot. The evening air was cool, a welcome respite from the hospital's artificial climate. My body tingled with exhaustion, but my heart felt light. Today had been different; I'd made a difference, even if just a little.Fumbling in my bag, I searched for my car keys, the distant sound of chirping crickets my only company. I loved these solitary moments when the world slowed down enough for me to catch my breath. Anxiety often loomed large over me, a wolfless girl in a pack where everyone had their distinct place. Yet, here in the silence, I could pretend I belonged.Just as my fingers wrapped around my keys, an unsettling noise came from behind me—a shuffling, almost dragging sound. My muscles tensed, and the hair on my skin prickled. I started to turn around when someone grabbed my arm with an iron grip.White-hot pain shot through my body, incapacitating any semblance of
Nicholas's POVThe moment James stepped into the room, I knew something was wrong. His usually confident stride was tentative, and his eyes darted away from mine as he approached."Emma wouldn’t come with me," he said, his voice low but firm.The words hit like a punch to the gut. My fists clenched, knuckles white. "What do you mean she wouldn’t come?" I demanded, barely keeping my rage in check.James took a deep breath. "She thinks it's best for both of you if she keeps her distance for now." He hesitated, searching for the right words. "She needs space."The thought of facing another day without her was unbearable. "Space?" I spat the word, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. "I've had enough space. I need her here, now.""I understand," James said, his tone measured. "But you can't force her to come back. She needs time."My control snapped. "Time?" I seethed. I don't have time, James. I need her here!" My chair squeaked as I gripped the arms, and I felt just as trapped in my emot
Emma's POV As I rounded a corner, Dr. Aaron Carter's broad, confident form came into view. His smile lit up his face the moment he saw me. “Emma, just the person I was hoping to run into,” he said, leaning casually against the wall. “So, about that date—how about tonight?” I paused, my heart sinking ever so slightly. I still wasn’t sure about him. There was something that didn’t sit right with me about him. But I had to keep my word and I had promised him a date. “Sure, tonight,” I replied reluctantly, forcing a smile. “Great! I’ll pick you up at eight,” he said, looking genuinely pleased. As I started to reply, a familiar voice cut through my thoughts. “Emma!” I turned to see Grace, a fellow nurse, walking towards me. “Someone’s here to see you,” she informed me, her eyes wide with a mix of awe and urgency. Before I could ask who it was, I saw Nicholas wheeling himself down the hallway towards me. Every wolf within sight bowed their head as he passed, a mark of respect that
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