Emma's POVAt that moment, seeing the vulnerability in Nicholas’s eyes broke my heart. His confession hung in the air, heavy and raw, and all I wanted was to take his pain away. Without thinking, I knelt down in front of him, placing my hands gently on his legs. “Nicholas,” I whispered, hoping my words would pierce through his torment. “You're not alone. You don’t have to do this alone.”He looked away from me, his jaw clenched tightly, the muscles in his neck taut with the effort of keeping his emotions in check. I could feel the heat radiating off him as I reached up to touch his cheek. His skin was warm, almost feverishly so."Nicholas, are you feeling okay?" I asked, concern lacing my voice.“Fine,” he replied bluntly, but the word sounded hollow, a futile attempt to mask whatever was truly going on inside him.Gently, I brought his face back to mine, forcing him to look into my eyes. “I need you to tell me the truth. Are you feeling okay?”His eyes darted away again, and I could
Emma's POVThe minutes felt like hours as we waited for the ambulance to arrive. I clung to Nicholas's hand, feeling the heat radiate off his fevered skin, desperately praying to the Moon Goddess for mercy. “Please, let him be okay. Please.”James and Susan hovered nearby, their faces reflecting my anxiety. It was a shared burden, but I felt the weight of it most acutely. I was the nurse. I should have seen this coming. I should have done more.Finally, after what felt like an eternity but was really only a few minutes, the wail of the ambulance siren pierced the tense silence. Relief washed over me, but it was tinged with the harsh bite of reality. This wasn’t over yet.Two paramedics rushed into the room, their expressions professional but urgent. I stepped back, giving them space to work, my heart pounding in my chest. “What happened?” one of them asked, laying a hand on Nicholas's head to check his vitals."He's been running a high fever," I explained quickly. "We think he might b
Emma's POVThe day dragged on, each minute ticking by like an eternity. My eyes flicked repeatedly to the clock on the wall, and my heart felt as though it might break free from my chest. I didn't leave the waiting room; I needed to be here. The door creaked open, and, with a mix of dread and hope, I turned to see who it was. Dr. Carter stepped in, clipboard in hand. Relief started to seep into my bones; he had always been an excellent doctor, even if he was a bit of a flirt.Dr Carter's eyes softened when they landed on me. “Emma,” he said, moving towards me and taking a seat beside me. His hand found its way to my arm, a supportive gesture. “It looks like what we’re doing is working. His fever is going down.”I felt a wave of relief so powerful that I had to close my eyes for a moment to keep from tearing up. “Can I see him?” I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper.Dr Carter nodded and stood, gesturing for me to follow him. As we began walking out of the room, he spoke again,
Emma's POV The dim light of Nicholas's hospital room provided only a slight comfort against the passing hours' heaviness. Nicholas lay motionless on the bed, a silent testament to the battle he was waging within himself. I sat beside him, every fibre of my being focused on willing him to open his eyes. The rhythmic beeping of the machines was the only sound, a cruel reminder that time was slipping away. I was lost in thought when a soft knock at the door brought me back to the present. James entered, carrying a bag of clothes. “I thought you might need a change,” he said, gently placing the bag on the chair next to me. “Thank you, James,” I replied, my voice barely audible. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” I grabbed the bag and walked towards the hospital restroom. Once inside, I opened the bag to discover a lovely, casual dress and some toiletries. James had thought of everything. Quickly changing, I felt a momentary sense of relief at being in fresh clothes. As I was about to
Nicholas's POV I awoke to a disorienting haze, my senses gradually stirring to life. The sterile scent of antiseptic filled my nostrils while the distant beep of medical monitors punctuated the room's heavy silence. My eyelids fluttered open, and the dim light of the hospital room cast ghostly shadows on the walls. It took a moment for my mind to grapple with reality. I tried to move, but the familiar frustration of immobility hit me. Panic set in, and I gripped the bedsheets tightly as I struggled to breathe calmly. As I stirred, I realised I wasn't alone. James, my ever-reliable Beta, sat quietly by my side, his eyes focused intently on me. "James," I rasped, my voice barely a whisper, throat raw from disuse. "What happened?" James leaned forward, relief washing over his face. "Thank the moon, you're finally awake, Alpha." He paused, collecting himself. "You had a fever spike. We were worried." "How long?" I asked, overwhelmed by a sense of lost time. "A few hours," h
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 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