Emma's POV The past few days had been an emotional rollercoaster. Nicholas had been in the hospital longer than expected, and I couldn’t shake off the anxiety gnawing at me. Every time I asked James why Nicholas didn’t want to see me, his answers were frustratingly vague, just insisting that Nicholas needed time alone. The uncertainty gnawed at me, making me worry that he was planning to fire me and that I was letting my family down yet again. The sun was setting, casting an orange hue over Nicholas's vast living room as I sat on his plush couch, attempting to distract myself with a book. The creak broke the cozy silence of the front door opening. My heart leapt at the thought of James returning with the news. Instead, James walked in with Nicholas following closely behind in his wheelchair. My book fell from my hands as I jumped up, my heart pounding. “Nicholas!” The words flew out faster than I could control. “I’m so sorry. I promise I won’t mess up again. Please don’t fire m
Emma's POV The elegant dining room was filled with the aroma of roasted chicken, mingling with the faint scent of wildflowers from the garden. Susan had outdone herself, as always. My stomach rumbled, but my appetite was overshadowed by a gnawing worry twisting through me. Nicholas hadn't shown up yet. I glanced at the grandfather clock, its ticking sound only amplifying my unease. "Where is he?" I muttered under my breath. I decided I couldn't wait any longer. Leaving the warm haven of the dining room, I ventured up the carpeted staircase, each step echoing my anxiety. Nicholas's bedroom door was slightly ajar, the light inside glowing softly. I knocked gently but received no response. Pushing the door open with a hesitant hand, I found Nicholas seated at his desk, engrossed in paperwork. "You didn't come to dinner," I said softly, stepping further into the room. Nicholas didn't look up immediately. After a pause, he replied, "I had Susan bring me mine." The sight of him s
Nicholas's POV The moment Emma left the room, I let out a ragged breath I didn't know I had been holding. My mind was an absolute mess. I couldn't believe I had kissed her, yet the warmth of her lips still haunted mine. I clenched my fists, trying to ground myself, but the memory of that kiss kept flooding back. *James, * I mind-linked my Beta, my best friend, the one person who always knew how to help me find my bearings. *I need you. * Within minutes, there was a knock at my door. Without waiting for my answer, James walked in, his usually carefree demeanour replaced with concern. "Is everything okay, Alpha?" I sighed, running a hand through my hair and before I knew it, words escaped my mouth. "I messed up, James. I kissed her." For a moment, James said nothing. His eyes studied me, understanding flashing across his features. He pulled a chair over and sat down across from me. "I’m not surprised," he began slowly. "You can't ignore your feelings forever, Nicholas." "What
Emma's POV I had spent the entire night tossing and turning, my thoughts consumed by the kiss I had shared with Nicholas. What was I going to say to him now? How could I face him? I sighed heavily as I brushed my hair, my mind chaotic with unspoken feelings and unresolved questions. After mustering enough courage, I finally made my way to Nicholas’s room. With each step, my heart pounded louder, the echo of uncertainty whispering cruel possibilities. With a shaky hand, I pushed open the door, expecting to find him there. But his room was empty. Where could he be? My pulse quickened with worry as I turned and hurried downstairs. My footsteps echoed through the grand hallway, leading me to the living room. There he was, sitting near the fireplace, his back straight and expression unreadable. The tension in the air was palpable, and I could feel the weight of unspoken words between us. I cleared my throat, hoping to catch his attention. "Nicholas, I—" I started, but he lifted a
Nicholas's POV The room grew colder as Lena's words hung heavily in the air. "Pregnant," she had said as if the word itself could fix everything broken between us. My thoughts twisted in a chaotic whirlwind. How could I trust her? Lena had shattered any semblance of honesty we once had. Yet here she was, uttering something I had yearned to hear for so long, but it felt like a cruel joke or a desperate ploy to reclaim some twisted version of our past. "Lena," I managed, my voice strained under the weight of disbelief. "How can you be sure?" "I just know, Nicholas," she insisted, taking a step closer. Her eyes pleaded, but the sincerity behind them was clouded by years of deceit. "You can have tests done if that will make you believe me. I'll do whatever it takes." My mind darted from one thought to another. I needed time. Time to think, to process, to clear my head from the fog of betrayal Lena had cloaked me in. "I need some time," I said, more firmly this time. "Just... give m
Emma's POV Seated in my room, I struggled to bring order to the chaos of my thoughts. The kiss with Nicholas haunted me every moment, a constant whisper of what could never be. Yet the intensity of that moment left a lingering ache in my heart that I couldn't ignore. I tried to convince myself that telling Nicholas to forget last night was the right thing to do. But why did it hurt so much? I felt stupid for feeling this way. Just as I gulped down the lump forming once again in my throat, a voice broke through my door, sending a shiver down my spine. "So, dear sister, did you really think you could steal my life?" The sharp, accusatory tone unmistakably belonged to Lena. I swivelled in my chair, eyes wide with shock. "That wasn’t what I was doing, Lena. I took this job to help our family," I said, my voice trembling but resolute. Lena, smirking, crossed her arms over her chest. "Well, Nicholas won't be needing you anymore." A laugh escaped my lips, though it sounded foreign
Emma's POVThe cool evening breeze brushed against my skin as I stood on the porch of my small apartment. I had been staying here for the past few days, trying to distance myself from the chaos that had engulfed my life. But the shadows of Nicholas and our forbidden kiss lingered, haunting my every thought.I took a deep breath, steadying myself as I prepared to go inside. The door creaked softly as I pushed it open, and the familiar scent of my home welcomed me. It was a stark contrast to the grandeur of the mansion I had been living in, but it was mine. Here, I could escape the expectations and judgments that weighed so heavily on me.As I settled onto the couch, I heard a knock at the door. My heart raced, a mix of anticipation and anxiety swirling within me. Who could it be at this hour? I hesitated before rising to answer, my mind racing with possibilities. Was it Nicholas coming to tell me he couldn’t let me go? Or perhaps Lena, fueled by another bout of misplaced anger?When I
Nicholas's POVThe first rays of dawn filtered through the curtains as I lay in bed, every joint and muscle aching from the restless nights that had become my new normal. Emma's departure had left an unfillable void, her absence an unwelcome reminder of the chaos my life had spiralled into. Each morning, I prayed for her return, her calming presence, her laughter, but instead, it was another nurse.My heart ached to have Emma back in my life, and I hated myself for not telling her from the start that she was my mate. But my heart was such a mess then with everything I had just been through, and all though my heart was still confused, there was one thing I knew for sure, and that was that I wanted Emma in my life forever.The soft hum of the morning was interrupted by the nurse preparing me for the day. Her practised efficiency only served to highlight the absence of Emma's gentle touch. I was lost in thought, contemplating how to navigate the tangled threads of my life, when a knock s
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