Vienna's POV: I could hardly believe my eyes.Was this really my father, Orion Belmont, who was crying over how much he loved me? But no matter how many times I blinked to dispel the illusion or hallucination– whatever it was– he was still here, standing with his side profile towards me and tears glistening in his eyes and speaking further. “After Ellora died, I couldn’t bear to face my little girl. Every time I looked at you, Vienna, I was reminded of her. It hurt too much… and I felt guilty to some extent, like I had failed you both. When I married Tessa, I thought… I thought you would have a new mother to look after you, and I could finally grieve. But I wish! I wish I knew back then, that I would only end up isolating you further.”“Dad…”I could feel a startled gasp escape my throat, and my eyes followed the Adam's apple bobbing in his throat before he swallowed the emotions and spoke his next words. Words that I had imagined him saying at least a hundred times, when I was yo
Vienna's POV: I couldn’t believe the words coming out of my mouth. I was the one saying all these words, which were completely against my wish… the words which were against my might.Was I really asking him to leave like this, without even the dignity of a proper explanation? And the reason! The reason behind it was my father… the same father who had never given me the love I deserved, the affection which was my right, the safety that my soul had craved for. The protection that I had always dreamt of. And now that I am finally getting the hope of getting all of these from somewhere I am the one who is asking him to leave, with my own mouth… without any force… just because of the sudden rush of emotions I was currently feeling.The expression had scribbled the verdict of hurt all across his face, and it was unbearable to me… making me feel like my guilt was an alien soul. Alive and breathing inside me, clawing me from within. And so, I did the cowardly thing and trained my gaze a
Vienna's POV: I didn't get to hear what he was going to say, or when exactly he would be coming to get me. Before he could finish, Tessa marched over, screeching like a banshee once again and making me wonder how she hadn't screamed herself hoarse yet. “You pest! Are you determined to suck our blood dry!" My startled eyes found Kai, just as she shoved him away from me using both her hands, and positioning herself between us like a guard dog on steroids. “I knew this girl was shameless, but you are no less! Tell me, what more do you want to hear? She said she is not going anywhere with you! Are you deaf, or just plain stupid?” If I was expecting to see anger or aggression lingering around his expressions, there was nothing as such. In fact, he barely even reacted at first. Then, taking his own sweet time, he cocked an eyebrow, his body language eerily calm. “I highly recommend you keep your aggression reserved for those who tolerate it willingly. And in fact, con
Vienna's POV: With Kai gone, I slowly felt the realization sinking in, about all that had happened in the span of less than an hour. I felt like a storm had just passed over my life, turning everything on its head and spitting me out of the eye of the storm, dazed and disoriented. My father… I remembered with a start, and a sudden jolt of urgency pushed me into action. I made my way towards my father, feeling like I was wading against thick currents, instead of walking on the floor of my house. But I forced myself to walk until I was standing in front of him; where he sat slumped on the couch, his head bowed and shoulders slumped, his face buried in his hands… looking like a defeated man. Slowly, I reached out and awkwardly rested my hand on his arm, hoping to offer some comfort. “Dad… I'm sorry…” My throat had suddenly become so tight that the words had to be squeezed out one by one. I lowered myself to my knees in front of him, speaking sincerely. “I’m sorry for not
Kai’s POV: I reached home, restless and on edge. I was too disturbed to even think about anything, and any time I tried, the haunting image of Vienna’s face appeared in front of me again. Time and again, my mind flashed back to the tears in her eyes, the tremble in her voice as she asked me to leave, the look of disgust in her stepmother and stepsister’s eyes… all those thoughts, refusing to be silenced. Not to mention the fact that my wolf was on the verge of rebellion, for abandoning our mate there. How could anyone be so heartless towards that innocent soul? And as for her father, I didn’t trust him for a second. Although he had said all those words to show how hurt he was by the possibility of her leaving, and said all the right things to prove his regret over not having a good relationship with her, for not showing how much he loved her… I could smell some bullshit. His regret was too sudden to be genuine, because how could a father watch his daughter get taunted and phys
Kai's POV:“To hell with that!” I gritted out through my teeth, finding no other suitable place for my rage. I had come here to find some clarity, but so far, Fynn’s presence and horrible suggestions were just making the mist of confusion and anger grow denser. I could see very well that Fynn was just as worried about Vienna… maybe even more than I was. But again! My twin’s stubbornness was overriding his sensibility, and I wished I could have told him earlier, how much he really sucked at acting. “Will you stop acting this way, how long are you planning to be mad at us for that?! She is our mate, for fuck’s sake–”“I wouldn’t say that.”Fynn’s jaw tightened as he said coldly. “Not when she hasn’t accepted me as her mate in front of the pack members and with Moon Goddess as our witness. Until then, she has at least accepted or acknowledged you as her mate, so that's good! I'm happy for you.”I growled, the sound rumbling deep in my chest. “What bullshit! You know the Mating Cer
Vienna's POV: I tossed and turned in my bed, trying to put pressure on my stomach, desperate to ease the sharp, stabbing pain. My sleep-addled brain was struggling to push past the discomfort, but it was useless. Even after fifteen minutes of this, I wasn't feeling any better; nor could I succumb to the call of sleep, no matter how heavy and droopy my eyelids were getting. Finally, I gave up and stumbled out of bed, clutching my stomach with both hands. My head was dizzy, and the realization hit me like a brick: it was already a new morning, which meant an entire day had passed, without anyone entering my room or bringing me any food. I reached out hesitantly and turned the latch of the door. Thankfully, it was unlocked, and I let out a shaky breath. Hopefully, that meant I could sneak down to the kitchen unnoticed. But as I crossed the hallway and turned to head down the stairs, I felt a shove on my shoulder, causing me to trip. I tumbled forward, the hard edge of each step
Vienna’s POV: Tessa’s anger melted into doting affection within a matter of seconds. “You’re right, my darling. What would I do without you, she would have boiled away all my blood with her presence alone, not to forget, how ill mannered she really is!” Gemini smiled brightly. “But I'm here, aren't I? So forget about her! It’s Sunday and I have plans to go on a lunch date with Asher, so I wanna have a light breakfast. Whatever you have made, leave that aside. I need something light.” "Of course, love. What exactly do you feel like eating? Tell me, and I’ll make it for you. Anything you want, all you have to do is speak!” “Um… not much, maybe a few quesadillas, some waffles… just a few though, not too many! Some fresh apple juice, and two omelets. That should be enough." Tessa’s smile widened. “Oh, lovely! I have already prepared the quesadillas, and I’ll whip up everything else within minutes. Just come along with me…” I bit my cheek to stop the snarky laugh climbing up m
Author's POV:“You will get everything that Fynn has promised you to–”“And what is the guarantee that he won't deny it later?”Alpha Axel growled, looking Zella directly in her eyes. There was no way that he was going to risk everything just because some healer of his pack was infatuated by the Supreme Alpha, and she had somehow managed to create some misunderstanding between him and his brother to make him distant from his mate and brother.But once he became sure that Zella wasn't going to say anything further, he heard Zella’s voice. Her voice was strangely confident, despite the pallor spreading on her face. “He won't and I will make sure about this–”“How? How will you make sure about it, and why in this whole world should I trust you?”He inquired, raising his eyes and looking directly in her eyes.“I will manage everything even after you support Fynn, just like I am managing everything now… I will make sure that he won't deny what he has already promised, and you can trust
Author's POV:Every pore of Fynn's body was overflowing with his fury. His voice was razor-sharp; and even though that double sided blade was slicing through his own heart, he forced the next words out of his mouth. “I just want to kill my brother and his mate.” Silence stretched across the room. Axel’s gaze was on Fynn, taking in every emotion, every reaction. But his mind had already transported him back to the park at the Azuremist pack… the place where his entire world had shattered all over again, within a single moment. He could see Zella and Axel standing in front of him, he could notice the judging glances in their eyes and the disappointment in their expression, but he didn't care about anything or anyone. Because the people he had cared about, more than his own life, were busy in their own world.Kai and Vienna…They had a perfect little family with their child now, completely lost in their own happy bubble. A bubble that he was never meant to be a part of. The bet
Author's POV:The throbbing pain in Zella’s temples wasn't easing up, even when she was massaging her forehead. She knew it was useless to take any medicine for it, because the reason behind it was her own emotions. This headache had been building up since Fynn left, but now it was getting unbearable. Just then, the shrill ringing of the doorbell sent a sharp bolt of pain through her head. It only rang once, then the whole apartment became silent again. She exhaled heavily, rubbing her forehead before shoving the small bottle of green pills into the drawer beside her. The last thing she needed was company, but something about that single ring was nagging at her heart. She felt her hope rising from its own ashes and finally, she pushed herself up and walked to the door, her body tense with exhaustion. As soon as she pulled it open, her breath caught in her throat.Fynn…He stood in the dark corridor of her apartment, leaning against the wall. His hood was still up, shadowing the up
Author's POV:The afternoon light had faded away, and dusk was slowly creeping in. And yet, Zella hadn’t moved from her spot at all. She was sitting in the small living room of her apartment, like a statue carved out of stone. Her head was against the wall, and her eyes blankly fixed some point in the distance. Her hands lay limp in her lap, her body drained of all its energy like she had lost her purpose in life. And in a way, she really had. Because Fynn was gone… just in the span of minutes after he was sure about being able to travel on his own, he had left without any proper goodbye or show of gratitude. But she couldn't even feel anger towards that selfish man who had simply informed her about his life, back in his own world… and walked away without caring for her response. For two and a half years, she had dedicated herself to his recovery: watching over him, feeding him, tending to his wounds, making sure he was comfortable. This has become the rhythm of her life ever s
Fynn's POV:I pushed the blanket off and swung my legs over the side of the bed, feeling the cool wooden floor beneath my feet. My body no longer felt weak… and thankfully, my joints didn't betray me with every movement. I had healed. After a long struggle, I could walk without my knees buckling under me. The moment I woke up, I could feel Zella watching me. I knew when she must have come here, and also why she had been waiting expectantly in that corner.I lifted my hand to signal for her to stay seated. She sat back with a frown, but didn’t say anything. While walking towards the door, my steps steady, I gave a single glance to the cane that used to be my crutch, then moved past it without reaching for it. I think I have regained my strength by now. The chilly water that I splashed all over myself washed away the last lingering touches of sleep. It was almost fifteen minutes later that I stepped out, freshly dressed in clothes that fit me better.I felt like myself again… part
Author's POV:The village was carved into the rugged slopes of the mountain, blending completely into the landscape. A crisp wind rustled through the trees, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine, but inside one of the cottages, the morning was yet to register its presence.The girl stepped carefully through the wooden door, balancing a plate of food in her hands. She was moving absent-mindedly through the house, as if she had done this countless times before. The air inside was tinged with the scent of old wood and herbs. The cottage was simple, almost barebones. A bed occupied one side of the room, the blankets slightly disheveled, and a few pieces of basic furniture filled the remaining space: a small table, a single chair, a shelf lined with a few necessities. There was no excess, nor any personal touches inside that space. Her gaze drifted toward the bed, and the man was lying still under the covers. His breathing was slow and steady, his features softened by the presence
Kai's POV:I paced the room, my arms wrapped securely around Zeke’s tiny frame, patting his back in slow, steady movements. His soft breaths hit my collarbone as I rocked him gently, his small fingers curled into my shirt with a sleepy but tight grip. He had stopped crying once his tummy was filled with milk, and he was completely relaxed in my arms. But I kept moving around the room, unwilling to stop swinging him until I was sure he was truly asleep.I glanced down, watching his heavy eyelids flutter shut. His green eyes, which were so bright, so full of life… they belonged to Vienna. But everything else about him- every little detail, every movement, was Fynn. His small temper tantrums and that stubborn frown on his small forehead when he didn’t get his way with something... his way of scrunching his nose when he was just about to wake up. Even the way he clung to us when he was sleepy, as if he was afraid we would leave him alone and disappear.With a sharp pang, a deep ache sp
Vienna's POV:“Lola!”I exhaled in relief, my arms tightening around her shoulders as my best friend hugged me fiercely, as always, before peeling herself away. She craned her neck to look inside the house, eyes gleaming with curiosity."How is my baby... and what about her naughty son?" She asked, half laughing. I smiled in reply, she was definitely here to check in on Zeke's health after his fever. Instead of answering her again right away, I grabbed her wrist and tugged her inside, lowering my voice."Shh… the Supreme Alpha is on daddy duty, so it’s best not to disturb them right now."Lola gasped dramatically. "Oh really! That’s even better! Now we can focus on making you presentable!"I blinked at her, placing a hand on my hip as my eyebrows dipped into a frown. "Excuse me? And what exactly is wrong with my presentation?"By now, we had stepped into the kitchen. Lola gave me one long look, as if deciding what to say. Then, she quietly placed both hands on my shoulders and slo
Two and a half years later…Vienna's POV:Zeke’s cries echoed through every corner of the house, as if every cry from his mouth was bouncing off the walls and returning to my ears."Enna! Enna…!"Kai’s voice reached my ears in an overlapping symphony, which made my pulse quicken. "I’m coming!" I called back, hurriedly tilting the milk bottle over my hand to check the temperature, it was just right. Without wasting another second, I twisted the lid tighter and rushed out of the kitchen, my bare feet padding against the cool wooden floors. The sound of Zeke’s cries hadn’t lessened in the slightest, tugging at my heart with every desperate sob. I reached the living room in record time, coming to a halt at the doorway. Sunlight was bursting in the room, making it look more of a mess than usual. Scattered toys, baby blankets and colorful picture books were decorating every surface, along with a few half-folded clothes. Normally, the attendants would have taken care of all this right