Nicholus's POV: As soon as I was done with the shower, I made my way back to the clinic and found Darius outside the ward. Walking up to him, I suggested, "Now you should go and take a shower yourself." He squinted at me, "After your continuous nagging, I think I can really use one." As he walked away, I settled on the bench outside the ward and went to the waiting. I was getting restless, waiting for the doors to burst open at any moment and doctor coming out with a news, a good one actually. After about three minutes, Darius opened our mindlink, "Hey there, any update?" Annoyed at the interruption, I huffed out, "I'll let you know if there's any." He snickered, "Already getting frustrated? Remember I did that for over a dozen times." I retorted mockingly, "It's sad that you don't have the power to keep our mindlink shut...unlike me." He was about to say something when I snapped the mindlink shut. I could feel him trying to push it open but of course, that wasn't possible for
Ember’s POV:My head felt heavy and dizzy as I stepped back into consciousness. Every inch of my body ached brutally and it was an effort to open my eyes.A white ceiling came into view and when I tried to move my body to sit up, an excruciating pain rippled through my abdomen and traveled to every part of my body.That made me moan in agony and just a moment later, my mate’s face appeared over me. His forehead was creased with worry as he looked down at me. When he spoke, there was a hint of relief in his voice, “Finally, you’re up.”His eyes roamed all over my face as he inquired with caution, “How are you feeling now?”I stared at his face looming over me and willed my fingers to move and touch him but, for some unknown reason, I felt stuck in my body. I kept staring into his eyes filled with worry and my own eyebrows furrowed as I took in the horror lingering in those pitch-black orbs and then finally, the strings started connecting in my head.All of a sudden, the flashbacks of t
Ember's POV: We had been talking for about 15 minutes when the doors to the room flung open, and a 6'3" tall grumpy man appeared at the doorway. I didn't fail to notice how his broad shoulders and tall figure filled the whole doorframe. His eyes landed on Darius and he grumbled warningly, "Time up, little buddy." Darius rose to his feet and screeched dramatically, "But we were just about to start gossiping about you." My eyes widened as I protested, "No, we weren't." Darius smiled down at me wickedly, "Oh yeah, because we've already done that," he ended with a wink. I opened my mind to reprimand him when we heard my mate grumbling again at the poor soul, "Enough of this childish behavior." In a flash, he appeared before Darius. He thought I couldn't hear him but my ears picked up his exact words as he hissed in a low whisper, "You had your time with her. Now I want you out." Darius opened his mouth to say something but it suddenly clamped shut as his posture straightened and hi
Ember’s POV:For the first time since stepping foot into the North region, I woke up all warm and cozy, snuggling in the soft comforter. I opened my eyes to the bright orange glow of the heater radiating heat at full speed.I yawned softly and was about to rub my groggy eyes when I felt something peculiar that instantly increased my heartbeat.Slowly tilting my head to the other side, I took in a big, bulky hand covering my smaller one. He didn't leave, after all. A hint of a smile grazed my lips as my eyes remained fixated on our connected hands. Mine seemed so tiny in front of his large, meaty hand.I was still relishing the warmth of his touch when his body squirmed slightly. That’s when my eyes traveled to his face and a loud gasp escaped my lips.Hearing that, he jolted awake and started looking here and there while saying frantically, “What happened? Are you okay? Should I call a doctor?”My eyes widened at his reaction and something hot dropped in the pit of my stomach as I hea
Ember’s POV:For the rest of the day, I took a rest which was quite boring. I never thought I’d admit it but I was kind of missing my mate’s presence beside me. Every time the door opened, my ears perked up to hear his deep voice but it was never him.The nurses visited frequently to ensure I was fine and gave me medicines. Soup was served at lunch and it was a struggle to swallow it down my throat. Dr. Alina informed me that the bad taste in the mouth was a common side effect of certain medicines. That’s why everything tasted bitter and rotten.It was in the evening when I finally heard his footsteps outside the ward. Instead of coming inside, he lingered there for a minute before the door finally creaked open. As soon as he stepped inside, an inevitable smile split over my lips at finally being able to see him after a long wait.Closing the door, he turned around to face me and suddenly went still with his gaze fixated on the stupid grin on my face. He seemed to be taken aback by my
Ember’s POV:I was sound asleep when my sleep was interrupted by a parched throat. I peeked my eyes open, and the first thing I saw was the glowing numbers on the digital clock. It was past midnight.Suddenly, I realized that I wasn’t alone in the room. Someone was there. I could feel the movement beside my bed. As I took a deep breath, the earthy scent that had driven me crazy more than once, told me that it was my mate.Very slowly, I tilted my head to the side and saw his tall figure standing beside my bed. My breathing slowed down as I studied his features radiating under the warm hues of the bulb.Although I never wanted to admit it my mate, indeed, was a very handsome man. My heart picked a beat as I took in his wide shoulders. With thick muscles and a broad frame, he was the epitome of masculinity.He was wearing a black button-down shirt and black pants, indicating that he came here straight from his office. In that attire, he was looking even hotter. His sleeves were rolled u
Ember's POV:The next day, I was expecting Nicholus to visit me and discuss the ticking bomb looming over our heads, a.k.a. the mate bond.A ball of anxiety rolled around in my belly for the whole day. To be honest, I wasn't ready for that conversation. For some reason, I still wanted to be free of this mate bond and return to the South.Deep down, I knew there was no point in going back now. My people would never accept me. It didn't go unnoticed by me how no one from the South ever attempted to rescue me. I was sure it was my Father's doing. He must have brainwashed them against me.He must have revealed that I was a witch. Me being a hybrid was enough to turn them against me. I wouldn't be surprised after knowing that my cunning father had painted me as a liar and wicked witch who was betraying everyone to get her hands on the throne and rule the South.On top of that, he must have used this mate bond against me. I could imagine the hatred he must have planted in those people after
Ember's POV:I heard the trembling voice from my left, "Lemme ask you again, are you really sure about it, Ember?"I jerked my head in Sophie's direction, not liking the doubt in her demeanor at the last minute, "Why else do you think I've crossed the Forbidden Border and entered the North territory?"Her eyes swept our gloomy surroundings, taking in the dark forest all around, and she shivered, "I am not liking any of it. We can still go back..."My eyes narrowed in annoyance, "The fear in your voice is now making me question Liam's training skills."Sophie rolled her eyes, "You are this much confident because you are an Alpha born."I gave her another look to which she responded with a groan, "Don't look at me like that. You know why I am this afraid. I mean, come on, we are in the NORTH."I shook my head and sighed in disappointment, "You knew what you were getting yourself into when you agreed to it, Sophie."Her voice lowered when she replied, "I couldn't really let you come here
Ember's POV:The next day, I was expecting Nicholus to visit me and discuss the ticking bomb looming over our heads, a.k.a. the mate bond.A ball of anxiety rolled around in my belly for the whole day. To be honest, I wasn't ready for that conversation. For some reason, I still wanted to be free of this mate bond and return to the South.Deep down, I knew there was no point in going back now. My people would never accept me. It didn't go unnoticed by me how no one from the South ever attempted to rescue me. I was sure it was my Father's doing. He must have brainwashed them against me.He must have revealed that I was a witch. Me being a hybrid was enough to turn them against me. I wouldn't be surprised after knowing that my cunning father had painted me as a liar and wicked witch who was betraying everyone to get her hands on the throne and rule the South.On top of that, he must have used this mate bond against me. I could imagine the hatred he must have planted in those people after
Ember’s POV:I was sound asleep when my sleep was interrupted by a parched throat. I peeked my eyes open, and the first thing I saw was the glowing numbers on the digital clock. It was past midnight.Suddenly, I realized that I wasn’t alone in the room. Someone was there. I could feel the movement beside my bed. As I took a deep breath, the earthy scent that had driven me crazy more than once, told me that it was my mate.Very slowly, I tilted my head to the side and saw his tall figure standing beside my bed. My breathing slowed down as I studied his features radiating under the warm hues of the bulb.Although I never wanted to admit it my mate, indeed, was a very handsome man. My heart picked a beat as I took in his wide shoulders. With thick muscles and a broad frame, he was the epitome of masculinity.He was wearing a black button-down shirt and black pants, indicating that he came here straight from his office. In that attire, he was looking even hotter. His sleeves were rolled u
Ember’s POV:For the rest of the day, I took a rest which was quite boring. I never thought I’d admit it but I was kind of missing my mate’s presence beside me. Every time the door opened, my ears perked up to hear his deep voice but it was never him.The nurses visited frequently to ensure I was fine and gave me medicines. Soup was served at lunch and it was a struggle to swallow it down my throat. Dr. Alina informed me that the bad taste in the mouth was a common side effect of certain medicines. That’s why everything tasted bitter and rotten.It was in the evening when I finally heard his footsteps outside the ward. Instead of coming inside, he lingered there for a minute before the door finally creaked open. As soon as he stepped inside, an inevitable smile split over my lips at finally being able to see him after a long wait.Closing the door, he turned around to face me and suddenly went still with his gaze fixated on the stupid grin on my face. He seemed to be taken aback by my
Ember’s POV:For the first time since stepping foot into the North region, I woke up all warm and cozy, snuggling in the soft comforter. I opened my eyes to the bright orange glow of the heater radiating heat at full speed.I yawned softly and was about to rub my groggy eyes when I felt something peculiar that instantly increased my heartbeat.Slowly tilting my head to the other side, I took in a big, bulky hand covering my smaller one. He didn't leave, after all. A hint of a smile grazed my lips as my eyes remained fixated on our connected hands. Mine seemed so tiny in front of his large, meaty hand.I was still relishing the warmth of his touch when his body squirmed slightly. That’s when my eyes traveled to his face and a loud gasp escaped my lips.Hearing that, he jolted awake and started looking here and there while saying frantically, “What happened? Are you okay? Should I call a doctor?”My eyes widened at his reaction and something hot dropped in the pit of my stomach as I hea
Ember's POV: We had been talking for about 15 minutes when the doors to the room flung open, and a 6'3" tall grumpy man appeared at the doorway. I didn't fail to notice how his broad shoulders and tall figure filled the whole doorframe. His eyes landed on Darius and he grumbled warningly, "Time up, little buddy." Darius rose to his feet and screeched dramatically, "But we were just about to start gossiping about you." My eyes widened as I protested, "No, we weren't." Darius smiled down at me wickedly, "Oh yeah, because we've already done that," he ended with a wink. I opened my mind to reprimand him when we heard my mate grumbling again at the poor soul, "Enough of this childish behavior." In a flash, he appeared before Darius. He thought I couldn't hear him but my ears picked up his exact words as he hissed in a low whisper, "You had your time with her. Now I want you out." Darius opened his mouth to say something but it suddenly clamped shut as his posture straightened and hi
Ember’s POV:My head felt heavy and dizzy as I stepped back into consciousness. Every inch of my body ached brutally and it was an effort to open my eyes.A white ceiling came into view and when I tried to move my body to sit up, an excruciating pain rippled through my abdomen and traveled to every part of my body.That made me moan in agony and just a moment later, my mate’s face appeared over me. His forehead was creased with worry as he looked down at me. When he spoke, there was a hint of relief in his voice, “Finally, you’re up.”His eyes roamed all over my face as he inquired with caution, “How are you feeling now?”I stared at his face looming over me and willed my fingers to move and touch him but, for some unknown reason, I felt stuck in my body. I kept staring into his eyes filled with worry and my own eyebrows furrowed as I took in the horror lingering in those pitch-black orbs and then finally, the strings started connecting in my head.All of a sudden, the flashbacks of t
Nicholus's POV: As soon as I was done with the shower, I made my way back to the clinic and found Darius outside the ward. Walking up to him, I suggested, "Now you should go and take a shower yourself." He squinted at me, "After your continuous nagging, I think I can really use one." As he walked away, I settled on the bench outside the ward and went to the waiting. I was getting restless, waiting for the doors to burst open at any moment and doctor coming out with a news, a good one actually. After about three minutes, Darius opened our mindlink, "Hey there, any update?" Annoyed at the interruption, I huffed out, "I'll let you know if there's any." He snickered, "Already getting frustrated? Remember I did that for over a dozen times." I retorted mockingly, "It's sad that you don't have the power to keep our mindlink shut...unlike me." He was about to say something when I snapped the mindlink shut. I could feel him trying to push it open but of course, that wasn't possible for
Nicholus's POV:Once again, I spiraled back into the state of unknowing and every fucking second of it was full of agony. I was continuously pacing the floor while the doctors examined my mate inside.It was an effort to control myself from bursting through the doors. After the night's horror, I didn't want to leave my mate alone even for a second. My mind was still stuck in the moment when I found her in the woods, wounded and unconscious. The image of her lifeless, pale, and limp body kept flashing in my mind.My jaw clenched and I gritted in agitation, "What the hell is taking so long?"Darius, sitting on the bench outside the ward, sighed aloud, "Calm down, Nicholus. Your fretting isn't doing anyone any good."I whipped my head toward him and screeched, "No, Darius. I can't fucking calm down when my mate is in there and I have no idea what's going on."I watched as the worry in his eyes turned into something similar to amusement and he drawled, "Worried enough? About your mate? Wh
Nicholus’s POV: Suddenly, out of nowhere, Darius appeared beside me and yelled over the howling wind, “What are you doing here?” I continued scanning the area wildly while screeching, “Looking for her. What else do you think?” Stepping in front of me, he frowned with confusion, “What…I mean…you really can’t catch her scent, Nicholus?” My eyes widened and my heart picked a beat as I whispered hopefully, “Can you?” Darius eyed me with concern. I knew what was going on in his head but I didn’t have the time for that conversation when my mate was still out there somewhere, lost and in God knows what condition. Good thing that Darius realized that too and turned around, “Come with me. I can catch her scent.” I took a shivering breath and rasped out, “That means we’re close.” He nodded tightly, “We’ll find her, Nicholus.” Like a lost puppy, I followed him as he sprinted through the rough patch in the woods. He took a few sharp turns before coming to an abrupt halt. I scanned the are