Full Moon Transformation Hayley's POV The stairs creaked under my feet as I made my way down, each step feeling heavier than the last. My heart raced as I walked down the stairs with a mix of anticipation and dread coursing through my veins. As I reached the bottom, I caught sight of my family, or at least, the people who were supposed to be my family. Their faces were a mixture of forced politeness and barely concealed disdain. Taking a deep breath, I approached my father first. His eyes softened slightly as I drew near, and I felt a small spark of hope ignite in my chest. "Hi, Dad," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. He pulled me into a warm embrace, his strong arms enveloping me. For a moment, I felt safe, protected. "Hayley," he murmured, "how are you holding up?" He asked, concerned. I pulled back, offering him a weak smile. "I'm... managing," I replied, not quite sure how to put into words the tumult of emotions swirling inside me. My gaze shifted to my stepmother
A New Dawn Hayley's POV The forest became bright as the sun shone above in the sky, lightening the forest beautifully. filtering through the canopy. Suddenly my bones shifted and cracked, and I reshaped into my human form, I couldn't help but let out a small gasp. The sensation was still new, still overwhelming, but exhilarating all the same. Roman reshaped beside me too, and his dark hair tousled from the night's run. His eyes sparkled with an excitement I'd rarely seen before. That was... incredible," I breathed, running my hands through my tangled hair. "I can't believe I actually did it!" I shrieked. Roman's laugh was rich and warm. "You were magnificent, Rose. I knew you had it in you." He informed me. I grinned, feeling a rush of exhilaration coursing through my veins. "I was so worried about triggering early labor, but it felt... natural. Like my body knew exactly what to do." I informed Roman. "That's the beauty of it," Roman said, taking my hand. "Our wolves are wise
The Baby's Coming Roman's POV As I sat beside Rose on the bed, her pained cries made my heart ache in a way I can't explain. I held her hand tightly in mine, trying to offer what little comfort I could. Her face was squeezed in agony, and sweat formed on her forehead as the contractions pierced her body. "Breathe, Rose," I murmured, wiping sweat from her forehead. "You're doing great." I encouraged her. Hayley's eyes moved to look at mine, which were filled with a mix of pain and determination. "Roman," she gasped between breaths, "my parents... in San Francisco. You need to tell them." She informed me. I nodded, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "I'll call them right away, don't worry. Just focus on breathing, okay?" I said, managing to keep my voice steady. Just then, Dora burst into the room, and her eyes were wide with concern. "Is everything alright, your majesty? I heard shouting." She asked, as she took in the sight before her. "The baby's coming," I explained quic
A Twins Born Roman's POV When we pulled up to the hospital, I saw a team of doctors and nurses waiting outside for us. The Lycan King's mate was going to put to bed. This was it. In a matter of hours, our lives would change forever. They rushed and helped Rose to a hospital wheelchair. As they wheeled her away to the theater room, I leaned close to Hayley, and whispered in her ear. "I love you," I murmured, my lips brushing her ear. "More than I ever thought possible. Whatever happens in there, remember that, okay?" I encouraged her. She turned her head, and her eyes met mine. "I love you too, Ro. We've got this, right?" She asked, helplessly. I nodded, forcing a confident smile to her. "Yes, we've got this. You'll be alright." I reassured her. And then she disappeared into the surgery room. The sterile smell of the hospital filled my nostrils as I paced the waiting room, my heart pounding in my chest. The image of her pale face as they wheeled her into surgery was captured in
: A Mother's JoyHayley's POVI opened my eyes slowly, and a dull ache radiating through my body. For a moment, I couldn't remember where I was or what had happened.Then it all came rushing back, the labor, the rush to the hospital, the surgery. My hand instinctively moved to my stomach, feeling the bandage there.A kind-faced nurse leaned over me, her smile warm and reassuring. "Welcome back, Miss Katherine." She said softly. "How are you feeling?" She asked with care.I tried to speak, but my throat felt dry and scratchy. The nurse seemed to understand, and she quickly offered me some water.As I sipped gratefully, I noticed the bustle of activity around me. Other nurses were moving efficiently around the room, checking monitors and adjusting equipment."What... what happened?" I managed to croak out, my voice barely above a whisper.The nurse's smile widened. "You've given birth, Midd Katherine. To twins." She informed me.My eyes widened in shock. Twins? We had only been expectin
Tension Amidst CelebrationRoman's POVThe past three days had been a whirlwind of emotions. Joy, exhaustion, and an overwhelming sense of love for my new family. Today was the day we'd finally bring Rose and our twins home from the hospital. I could hardly believe it was real.As we stepped into the nursery, I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. I had made fast arrangements in the nursery while Rose was still in the hospital.I had brought in another bed for the twins, and made more wardrobe spaceLuckily Kate had already shopped for both genders, so that was not an issue to worry about.The room was perfect, with two cribs side by side and plenty of space for all the things our little ones would need.The soft coos of our newborn twins filled the nursery as Rose and I settled them into their cribs."There we go," I said softly, tucking a blanket around our daughter. "Welcome home, little ones." I added.Rose leaned against me, and her eyes shone with a mixture of exhaustion and
Escape and Vigilance Roman's POV After the guard stammered nonsense about not knowing Victor escaped. I pushed him aside and stomped straight to my mother's room. I needed to hear if she'd known anything about Victor's escape. I bursted through the door, and my mother looked up, startled. But I fixed her with an intense stare. "Do you know?" I demanded, my voice rough with emotion. She blinked in confusion before she asked. "Know what, Roman?" She demanded. I clenched my fists, frustration building within me. "Don't play dumb," I growled. "You know exactly what I mean." I sputtered. My mother's expression hardened. "I seriously don't have any idea what you're talking about, Roman. Please, explain yourself." She said firmly, straightening her back. I took a deep breath, trying to control my temper. "Victor," I spat out the name like a curse. "He's escaped. Do you know about this?" I spat. Her eyes widened in genuine shock. "Escaped? How is that even possible? I swear, Roman, I
A Glow of AnticipationHayley's POVI woke up with a flutter in my chest, my heart skipping a beat as I realized what tomorrow would bring. The baby shower. It felt surreal, like a dream I was afraid to wake up from and I could barely contain my joy.Having my mom and dad with Jane from San Francisco staying with us in the mansion made everything feel perfect. They'd promised to leave after the celebration, but for now, I was savoring every moment with them.As I gazed down at my twins, their tiny faces peaceful in sleep, I couldn't help but marvel at how quickly everything had changed.My fingers gently traced the soft curve of their cheeks, and I whispered, "You two have no idea how special tomorrow is going to be." I whispered to them.The door creaked open, and I looked up to see Roman entering with a smile that lit up his entire face. His hands were hidden behind his back, and I raised an eyebrow, curious.My heart did a little flip, even after all this time, he still had that e
Happily Ever AfterHayley's POVThe morning sun shone through the windows as I stared at the garden below, savoring the beautiful view of it. It was like a gentle whisper of hope, soft and tentative, whispering through my ears. My fingers traced the windowsill, exploring the smooth, weathered wood beneath my touch - each groove and grain a tactile memory of our tumultuous journey. Two days. Just two days since Roman had returned from a battle that had threatened to unravel everything we knew, a conflict that had hovered on the razor's edge of total destruction.Memories cascaded through my mind like fragmented scenes from a nightmare. The metallic scent of blood. The paralysis of fear. That horrifying moment when time seemed to stop, and I believed I might lose everything I had come to love.But not today.Today was different.Today was about healing.About redemption.About hope rekindled.Downstairs, the kitchen was a symphony of preparation. We had hired more cooks for the celeb
A Promising Future Roman's POV I opened my eyes to the soft morning light coming through the windows. The pain in my chest was less now, thanks to the healing I got last night. Rose sat next to me on our bed, her hand gentle on my arm. She looked tired but happy."How are you feeling?" she asked softly, her fingers threading through my hair with such tenderness it made my heart ache. Dark circles circled her eyes, evidence of her exhaustion from last night, but her smile held all the warmth of the morning sun.I caught her hand in mine, pressing my lips to her knuckles, breathing in the familiar scent of her skin. "Better. The healing worked better than I expected." Every word was true – the piercing pain that had threatened to tear me apart was now just a memory."That's good." Her smile wavered slightly, worry dancing in the depths of her green eyes like shadows in still water. "The twins are still sleeping now. But they gave me a hard time sleeping last night. It's like they c
A New Dawn Hayley's POV I paced the hospital corridor as we waited for Dad to wake up. The fluorescent lights shone too bright even though it was already night, making the white walls seem even more clinical. I sat down in an uncomfortable plastic chair and shifted numerous times, my muscles protesting after hours of sitting. Next to me, Viola kept checking her phone, her fingers drumming an anxious rhythm on her thigh. Bree had gone home to rest about an hour ago, practically falling asleep on her feet. I'd insisted she get some proper sleep, promising to call if anything changed. The twins were with Dora, and even though I trusted her completely, my thoughts kept drifting to them. It was the longest I'd been away since they were born. "Family of Lucien Merchetti?" A doctor's voice drew my attention to the doorway. She was young, probably in her early thirties, with kind eyes that crinkled at the corners when she smiled. "You can go in and see him now, but just for a litt
The Final Battle Roman's POVThe private jet touched down in San Francisco just as the sun began its descent behind the horizon. My muscles were tense from the flight, but my mind was sharp, focused on the hunt ahead.Beside me, Caspian checked his phone for the hundredth time, his usual playful demeanor replaced by cold determination."Our tracking team is already working on Scarlett's location," I told him as we climbed into the waiting SUV. "They'll have coordinates for us within minutes." I informed him."Good." Caspian's voice was clipped. "The sooner we end this, the better." He added.As we drove to my wolves' team here in San Francisco, I pulled out my phone to hear from Rose back in New York. My fingers hovered over Rose's number for a moment before I pressed call. She answered on the first ring, her voice tight with worry."Roman? Did you find them?" She asked me.Just hearing her voice made my wolf whine. "We're close. The tracking team is working on it now." I leaned aga
Escape Before DawnRoman's POV We sat at the back of the garden, and the late afternoon shone across the immaculately beautiful lawn. My wolf paced restlessly beneath my skin as I watched Scarlett and Stephan exchange their vows, not fooled by the serene facade of this wedding. Everything about them looked fake – the forced smiles, the tension crackling in the air, the way my guards tried to blend into the background while keeping their eyes fixed on Melissa.Rose was beside me, her hand warm in mine, her emerald dress making her skin glow in the fading light. She was trying to keep her composure, but I could feel the slight tremor in her fingers. I found myself thinking about our own future wedding, the one we'd have once all this mess was over. It would be different – filled with joy instead of suspicion, love instead of hatred."You may kiss the bride," the officiant announced, his voice carrying across the hushed garden.I leaned closer to Rose, my lips brushing her ear as I wh
Scarlett's Wedding Hayley's POV I stood before the full-length mirror in our bedroom, pulling down the hem of my emerald green dress for the hundredth time now. I felt nervous.The silk material mused against my skin as I stretched it, but even its luxurious touch couldn't calm my nerves. Today was my sister's wedding—if you could call someone who'd tried to kill you a sister."Stop fidgeting, Rose." Roman's deep voice called from the doorway. I didn't have to turn because I saw his reflection in the mirror before me, and my breath hitched in my throat. He looked devastatingly handsome in his charcoal suit, his dark hair slightly tousled as if he'd been running his fingers through it. His eyes, those piercing amber orbs that never failed to see right through me, held mine in the mirror."I can't help it," I mumbled, smoothing my hands over my stomach. The twins' birth had left its marks, but Bree had chosen this dress perfectly—it hugged in all the right places while still being ap
Three Days of GraceRoman's POVIt was three days before Scarlett's wedding. I was pacing my study in the early morning, thinking. Dawn hadn't yet broken when Caspian arrived and joined me in the study. I had called him earlier. I'd been up for hours now, my wolf restless beneath my skin. The weight of leadership had never felt heavier than in these moments, when every decision could mean life or death for those I loved."Three days," Caspian said, leaning back in his chair. Dark circles under his eyes suggested he'd been up all night too. "Are we really going through with getting Melissa out for the wedding?" He asked me.I paused my pacing to rub my temples, where a headache had been building since midnight. I turned to walk to the window, watching as the sun shone down in the garden looking too peaceful for the turmoil in my mind."I don't know," I admitted, my voice rough from lack of sleep. The thought of letting Melissa out made my wolf snarl with protective rage. "With ever
Betrayal in Plain SightRoman's POVThis morning I woke up with new determination. I rubbed my tired eyes, determined to review more surveillance footage. Yesterday's run with Rose had helped clear my mind, made the bitterness and pain more manageable. I didn't expect to find anything new in the recordings, but I had to try. I had barely started hearing the recordings in my study.Then I heard it.Scarlett's voice came through the speakers, trembling slightly. "I don't know what to do. He's going to banish me from New York. I have nowhere to go." She cried.I leaned forward, turning up the volume. A female voice responded, making my anger spike."Come to San Francisco. We need to stick together now more than ever," the voice said. "It's time we dealt with Roman and Hayley once and for all." She told her. Wait. That voice sounds familiar.My fingers gripped the edge of my desk. That voice... I knew that voice."Are you sure?" Scarlett asked, hope creeping into her tone."Yes. Just co
Comfort in ChaosHayley's POVMy heart ached as I watched Roman storm upstairs to his study, his shoulders rigid with tension. The sound of his footsteps echoed through the foyer, each step heavy with the weight of yesterday's revelations. Viola's eyes followed his retreating form, and concern appeared on her elegant features."Kate, darling," Viola said softly, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand. "I've never seen him this tense, even for Roman. What has happened?" She asked me.I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. The morning sunlight streaming through the windows suddenly felt too bright, too cheerful for the heaviness in my chest. "He visited his mother in the dungeon yesterday," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "She told him... she told him Victor might be his real father."The silence that followed was deafening. Bree's coffee cup clattered against its saucer, the sound sharp in the quiet room."Oh my God," Bree breathed, her blue eyes wide. "Are you