Aira’s POV"Ezekiel... you came back."My voice trembled as I took a hesitant step toward him.He stepped closer and wrapped his arms around me, his warmth engulfing me in an embrace that should have felt reassuring—but instead, it only made my anxiety worse.And then, as suddenly as he had hugged me, he pulled back. His hand reached up, fingers brushing against my hair, tucking a stray strand behind my ear. His eyes, sharp yet unreadable, studied me carefully."Are you talking to someone?" he asked, his brows slightly furrowed. "I swore I heard a voice just now. And it was yours." His gaze flickered around. "It seemed like you were talking to someone here, but… you're alone. Right?"I swallowed hard, forcing myself to maintain my composure. My palms felt clammy, but I clenched them into fists beneath the folds of my dress.I nodded quickly, offering him a small, practiced smile. "Oh, I was just talking to the baby," I said, lowering my gaze to my abdomen. As if on cue, I placed a gen
Aira’s POVFrom the moment I woke up, sleep had completely abandoned me. I tossed and turned for hours, but the heaviness in my chest and the restless thoughts swirling in my mind refused to let me drift off again. So, instead of forcing myself to sleep, I simply waited for the morning to arrive.As the first light of dawn peeked through the window, casting a soft glow into the dimly lit room, I finally pushed myself up from the bed. There was no point in lying there any longer. With a tired sigh, I straightened the blankets, fixed the pillows, and went about my usual morning routine.The mansion felt eerily quiet, almost suffocating in its stillness. It had been like this for days. Ezekiel was always away—where he went, I had no idea. He never told me, and I never asked. I wasn’t even sure if he would answer me if I did. The solitude was beginning to wear on me.I wanted to go out, to leave this place even for just a little while. I could ask one of the assistants to accompany me, b
Aira’s POVThree days had passed.I told myself I needed to let go. I had to move on, focus on my life here, and stop thinking about things that were no longer mine to hold onto. Even though the loneliness crept in like an unwanted shadow, I tried to see the bright side. I pushed myself to be productive, honing my skills—crafting and cooking, immersing myself in anything that could keep my mind busy.But no matter how hard I tried, distractions found their way into my thoughts. The silence in the house was suffocating. I told myself I didn’t care. But the loneliness, the emptiness left behind by Alexander’s absence, gnawed at me.And then—crash!A plate slipped from my fingers, shattering against the tiled floor.Gasps erupted from the maids around me. Their startled cries pulled me back from my spiraling thoughts."Ms. Aira, are you okay?!" one of them asked, rushing toward me.I blinked, disoriented. My heart pounded against my ribs as if trying to escape my chest."I'm fine," I m
Aira’s POVHe came back.He actually came back.I took a few steps back, my heart pounding in my chest as I stared at him from head to toe. It was broad daylight—too risky. If the guards saw him, it would be over. Panic surged through me, overriding the shock that had momentarily frozen me in place. Without thinking, I grabbed his wrist and yanked him away, pulling him toward a secluded corner where no prying eyes could reach us.Only when we were alone did I finally turn to face him. My breath came in quick, uneven bursts, and I had to blink a few times to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.Alexander."What are you doing here?" My voice came out sharper than I intended, laced with worry. "You should be careful! What if the guards see you? You do know, Alexander, that I don't want trouble, right?"But instead of explaining, his first words took me completely by surprise."I'm sorry," he said, his voice softer than I remembered. "I'm sorry it took me this long to come back. A lot happen
Aira’s POVAn awkward silence stretched between us.Alexander’s gaze bore into me, intense and unwavering, yet I couldn’t bring myself to meet his eyes.For some reason, standing here with him like this—so close yet so distant—made me feel uneasy.I wasn’t used to this side of him. It felt unfamiliar, almost foreign, as if he was finally allowing me to see the raw, unguarded emotions he had kept hidden for so long. The way his eyes softened, the way his posture carried an unspoken longing… It made me question everything I thought I knew.Before I could stop myself, the words slipped from my lips, barely above a whisper. “Have you been looking for me all this time?”I regretted it. But it was too late.“Yes. The moment I found out you were gone… that’s when I started searching for you.”I swallowed hard. His words struck something deep inside me, something I wasn’t ready to face. I glanced around, scanning the area, making sure no one was around to hear us. It wasn’t safe. If someone s
Aira’s POVI turned my back on him, my hands trembling at my sides as my fury boiled over.I couldn’t stand to look at him any longer—I was seething with rage. But before I could take another step, Alexander grabbed my wrist again, his grip firm yet desperate.“Aira, please,” he pleaded, his voice raw with emotion.I yanked my arm away with a sharp jerk, “What do you want, Alexander? I need to rest. Do you want me to get sick? Do you want something to happen to our baby?” My voice was laced with irritation.At my words, he finally released me, his fingers loosening.“I’m sorry…”I clenched my jaw. Apologies. Always apologies. They meant nothing to me anymore.“I understand why you're angry,” he continued, his voice hoarse with regret. “I know I’ve done things that hurt you. But your anger towards me—it’s not right. It’s not fair.”A bitter laugh escaped my lips as I shook my head. My hands curled into fists, nails digging into my palms.“Your apologies are useless, Alexander,” I spat
Aira’s POVI don't know why I feel like I'm agreeing to this arrangement with Alexander.However, here I am. It’s already happening. There's no turning back now. Even though hesitation lingers in my heart, even though the thought of letting him back into my life unsettles me, I find myself standing here, facing him once again.A part of me screams to walk away. To stop whatever this is before it begins. But another part—one I don’t want to acknowledge—keeps me rooted to the spot."I have a proposal," he says, his voice steady, unreadable.My eyes narrow in suspicion. "What is it?"I was about to turn around, thinking our conversation had reached its end. But once again, he stops me—just like he always does. It’s as if he refuses to let me walk away. As if he doesn’t want to lose me.There’s something about the way he stands before me, the way his dark eyes hold mine, that makes my heart clench in ways I wish it wouldn’t."If you wish to see me," he says, gesturing toward the house, "t
Aira’s POV"What if I tell you that I am jealous?"His words made me freeze.I hadn't expected him to actually answer my question. I thought he would brush it off, change the subject, or at least pretend it didn't bother him. But here he was, admitting it so bluntly that I found myself at a loss for words.Silence stretched between us. I shifted my gaze away, staring at the horizon where the last remnants of daylight clung desperately to the sky. The cool evening breeze brushed against my skin, making me aware of just how long we had been sitting here, talking."It's getting late, Alexander," I finally said, my voice quieter than before. "I think we should stop talking here. I need to head back to the mansion before they start looking for me."I paused, considering something. "And aren't your people searching for you too? Who are you here with, aside from the warriors you mentioned?"He turned his eyes toward me, their hue darkening under the dimming light. "I'm with my Beta."My eyes
Aira’s POVI watched Ezekiel quietly as he rested, recovering from the healer’s treatments over the past few days. His face was still pale, and the faint traces of pain lingered, but he looked better than before. I felt a mix of relief and worry as I observed him in silence.He had fallen asleep before the healer came back. He had regular check-ups to make sure his wounds were healing properly. My eyes stayed on him, but for some reason, a heavy feeling weighed down on me as I stared at his still form. The healer stood up and turned to me, giving me a reassuring glance.“His condition looks good now,” she said. “Just call me if the pain worsens or if the ointment doesn’t work.”“Thank you, always, for your help,” I replied to her. She nodded and left without a word.Once she was gone, I sat by the edge of his bed, unable to take my eyes off him. All I could do now was wait for him to wake up. But it wasn’t long before I felt my eyelids growing heavy. I could barely keep them open.“I
Aira’s POVI turned my back on him; however, he shouted.“Aira, no!” Alexander’s desperate voice broke through the chaos. I winced as his hold tightened, the intensity in his eyes begging me to listen.Then, to my shock, he fell to his knees.“Please, you need to believe me!” he yelled. “Aira, we were finally getting somewhere—why is everything falling apart now?” His voice cracked. Panic was etched into his face.But I was done listening. Fury clouded my thoughts, drowning out reason. I yanked my wrist free, “Get lost!” I shouted, my voice trembling from the rage surging through me.I turned to Ezekiel, ignoring Alexander’s broken expression as I reached out to help him. Ezekiel grunted, wiping a trickle of blood from his lip.“I don’t ever want to see you again,” I spat, my words aimed at Alexander like daggers. My pulse raced as I watched his expression crumble.Alexander’s eyes widened, disbelief washing over his face. For a moment, he was utterly still, the weight of my rejectio
Aira’s POV‘Aira…help!’I jolted awake, my heart racing. My breathing was ragged as I struggled to shake off the remnants of sleep. Blinking rapidly, I realized I had fallen asleep on one side of the couch in the mansion’s living room. I quickly sat up, rubbing my face, and turned to look at the clock. It was already late at night.Ezekiel.A sudden wave of unease washed over me. I glanced around, searching for him, but he was nowhere in sight.“E-Ezekiel? Are you here?” My voice came out shaky as I pushed myself up.I moved carefully, my hands instinctively cradling my lower abdomen. I had to be extra careful for the baby. Taking a deep breath, I turned on the lights.The moment the room illuminated, my breath caught in my throat. My eyes widened in horror.Drag marks.Dark, disturbing stains smeared across the living room floor, forming a trail that led deeper into the mansion. My stomach twisted painfully.“What the hell is this?” I whispered to myself, my heartbeat hammering again
Ezekiel’s POVI wasn’t surprised when I woke up and found myself in a dark, damp underground garage. The air was thick with the scent of oil and rust, and the cold concrete beneath me. And then I felt it—a sharp blade pressed against my throat.My breath hitched for a brief second, but I quickly regained my composure. My life hung in the balance, teetering on the edge of that very blade. Yet, I refused to show fear.The wielder of the weapon? None other than him.“Alexander,” I muttered, my voice steady despite the lethal situation. Our gazes locked.His expression was cold, his eyes brimming with restrained fury. But me? I smirked. I refused to let him see me waver.“What brings you here, huh?” I taunted, my voice dripping with amusement. “I knew I caught a familiar scent while I was resting. Let me guess—after Aira and I fell asleep, you made sure to drag me here, down to this underground pit, away from her eyes.” My smirk widened. “You didn’t want her to see what you’re up to, d
Ezekiel’s POV“Where is Aira now?” I asked the moment I returned to the mansion."She's upstairs, Alpha Ezekiel, in her room. Just reading her book," the maid replied respectfully."Does she ever leave? Has she disobeyed me?" My voice was firm, searching for any sign of defiance.The maid quickly shook her head. "No, Alpha. She never tries to escape. Ever since the security around the mansion tightened, she hasn't stepped outside. She stays in her room most of the time. When she does move around, it's only within the mansion—often visiting the nursery and the study room."I nodded, absorbing the information. Good. At least she was staying within bounds.Without another word, I ascended the stairs to the third floor, where Aira’s room was located—the place I always left her. My fingers curled tightly around the small velvet box in my hand. Inside it was a necklace—a gift for her. Whatever her reaction would be, it didn’t matter. I had already decided.Standing before her door, I knocke
Amelia’s POV“I need to leave. There is something I needed to take care of.”I didn’t wait for Alexander’s response, nor did I need his permission. I turned my back on him and walked away without a second thought.Something about him felt off. I had a nagging feeling that Alexander was lying to me. But if he was lying, he wouldn’t get away with it. I knew him too well. I had spent enough time by his side to recognize when he was hiding something.So, I decided to take matters into my own hands.I had been watching her closely, waiting for a moment when she’d let her guard down. And that’s when I caught her.I overheard her speaking in hushed tones, her voice laced with urgency."I need to go to the pirates," Cassandra said.I edged closer, careful not to make a sound. My breath hitched as I strained to hear every word."Tell me, who were the people that came from the pirates?" she demanded.A maid stood before her, shifting uncomfortably. She looked nervous, her hands fidgeting with
Aira’s POV“Aira, are you okay?”I looked up to see Ezekiel standing in front of me, concern etched deep into his eyes. "Yes, I’m fine. Don’t worry too much about me. You should’ve taken care of your own business instead of coming back."He shook his head firmly. "I’ll stay here tonight. I want to make sure you’re okay before I leave tomorrow. You need to be careful." He reached out and cupped my cheek, the warmth of his palm grounding me. But despite his gentle touch, my thoughts drifted to Alexander.True to his word, Ezekiel stayed the night. I appreciated his presence, even if it made my heart feel heavy. By the time morning came, he finally left, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt gnawing at me. I barely had time to gather my thoughts before Alexander returned. My cheeks burned as I invited him upstairs. I couldn’t hide my embarrassment, but Alexander just smiled, his eyes softening as he looked at me.“I wanted to surprise you first,” he said, taking my hand. Before I cou
Aira’s POV“Ms. Aira! Ms. Aira! What happened to you?!”My eyes fluttered open, and dizziness hit me hard. The world spun around me. Panic bubbled up in my chest. "W-What's going on?" I managed to ask, my voice weak and trembling.“Oh! You’re finally awake!” a maid exclaimed, her face etched with relief. “We’ve been trying to wake you for a while now, Ms. Aira. Hold on!”She quickly called out, her voice urgent. “Help me get her to the bed!”A group of maids and guards rushed over. Those who couldn’t lift me still tried to help, supporting me as they carefully eased me onto the bed. My head throbbed, and my muscles ached as if I’d been running for days without rest. I sank into the soft mattress, trying to calm my racing heart.One of the guards, his face stern and serious, barked an order. “Call for a healer. Now!”A maid immediately rushed out of the room, her footsteps fading as she ran down the hall. I lay there, dazed and confused, my thoughts muddled. Why did my body feel so wea
Aira’s POVI had no choice but to accept my situation. Locked in this room, I couldn't go out anymore. Deep down, I knew it had something to do with the necklace. It was the only thing that made sense. Ezekiel must have picked up Alexander’s scent from it—after all, he’s an Alpha with heightened senses.A frustrated sigh escaped my lips as I tried to calm myself. There was no point in panicking. I needed a distraction—anything to get my mind off this mess. So, I made my way to the nursery room in the mansion. The workers were busy, expanding the room and making it more suitable for a baby.“How’s the arrangement going?”One of the workers looked up, surprise flashing across his face. “Oh, Ms. Aira, it’s you. We’re almost done.”I nodded, watching as they painted the walls a soft, calming shade of blue. The faint scent of fresh paint hung in the air, and I wrinkled my nose. The nursery was filled with baby supplies—clothes, toys, and tiny furniture. To keep myself from going crazy wi