Aria’s POV
I woke up to the sound of birdsong and the soft warmth of sunlight streaming through the large, intricately framed windows. For a moment, I wondered if this was the afterlife—if the end had led me to a place of peace. I blinked, my eyes adjusting to the golden light. The bed beneath me was impossibly soft, draped in silken sheets that carried a faint scent of lavender. I turned my head slowly, taking in the unfamiliar room. This is definitely the afterlife. It was lavish, with high ceilings and ornate details on every surface. Rich tapestries adorned the walls, and antique furniture gleamed with the sheen of polished wood. It felt too perfect, too elegant to be anything but heaven—or a dream. "Am I... dead?" I whispered, my voice raspy and weak. I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness forced me back down. I closed my eyes, focusing on the rhythmic pounding of my heart. Was this what the afterlife felt like? Or was it just another cruel illusion? "You're awake," a deep voice said, startling me. I turned my head quickly, wincing at the ache that shot through me. Standing at the edge of the room was a man—a tall, commanding figure with silver-streaked hair and a face that held both wisdom and sadness. He was impeccably dressed in fine clothing that hinted at nobility, his posture regal yet approachable. He watched me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling exposed. "Are you... here to take me to the afterlife?" The words tumbled out before I could stop them, laced with confusion and fear. To my surprise, the man threw his head back and laughed, a warm, rich sound that filled the room. "No, my dear," he said, his eyes softening as he looked at me. "You’re very much alive. And this—" he gestured around the opulent room—"is my private villa." I stared at him, my mind struggling to catch up. "I... don’t understand." He stepped closer, his expression turning solemn. "I found you on the ground, barely clinging to life. You were cold, pale—dying. I couldn’t leave you there. I brought you here and did what I could to help. Seeing you suffer... It reminded me of my daughter. She’s gone now, but you—there’s something about you." His voice cracked, and he paused, composing himself. "You have her spirit. Her strength." A lump formed in my throat. "You saved me?" I whispered. Someone actually saved me? Someone found me worthy to be saved? Why? “Who are you?” I asked, still shocked. “An angel?” He threw his head back in a hearty laugh. "My name is Richard Blackwood. I couldn’t bear to watch you die. I couldn’t let it happen." He hesitated, his gaze searching mine. “What is your name?” “Aria. Aria Carrington,” I muttered. “Tell me, Aria” he said softly, his voice raw with genuine curiosity. “Why would a young, promising girl like you ever think of ending her life?” My breath caught in my throat, tears stinging my eyes. I’d expected pity, scorn, maybe even more judgment. But the question, asked with such softness, broke something inside me. For the first time in a long time, I felt seen—not as a burden or a failure, but as a person with a story to tell. Then it all came crashing down. I spilled everything as though cleansing myself from the years of pain. “I didn’t want to keep living in a world that hated me,” I began, the words tumbling out like a flood I couldn’t control. “I’m worthless. I’m nothing. My parents, my pack—they treated me like I was less than dirt. My mother made sure I knew every day that I was a thorn in her flesh. She said… she told me to go and die far away. That she didn’t even want to see my dead body if I died.” Tears slipped down my cheeks, and I couldn’t hold them back. The weight of my past, of years spent enduring torment and rejection, pressed down on me until I felt like I’d suffocate. “My sister, Lila,” I continued, my voice shaking. “She was everything I wasn’t—powerful, beautiful, the pride of our family. And I was nothing. My parents doted on her, and they hated me for being a reminder of their ‘shame.’ I… I was rejected by the one person who should have stood by me, who should have seen me as his own. Lila made sure of it.” Richard's expression darkened, a flicker of confusion and something dangerous crossing his face. “I’m so sorry, Aria,” he whispered. He reached out, pulling me into a gentle embrace. His warmth was both foreign and comforting, a reminder of what I’d been denied for so long. “I’ll shield you,” he said, his voice low but filled with unshakable conviction. “You are not worthless. There is something in you—something strong and fierce. It reminds me of my daughter. She was taken from me months ago. I can’t… I can’t change what happened to her. But perhaps, I can help you, and we can help each other.” A quiet moment passed as his words sank in. “What do you mean?” I asked, my voice trembling with hope and disbelief. He pulled back, meeting my gaze with solemn eyes. “I want you to be my daughter, truly. I have no one left, just as you don’t. Let us build something together. We’ll move back to the city where I’m based, and you’ll start a life—as my heir, as my daughter. Ivy Blackwood.” The sincerity in his words brought more tears. “Why… why would you do that?” “Because you deserve better. And maybe, in helping you, I can find a reason to keep moving forward myself.” He placed a hand on my shoulder, grounding me in a reality that still felt like a dream. Just then, a knock echoed through the room. Richard stood, his jaw tightening. “Stay here. I’ll return shortly.” He strode out, leaving me alone with a heart too full of emotions I’d long thought impossible—hope, fear, yearning. When he came back, his eyes were clear, a faint smile on his lips. “Just a minor issue. It’s resolved now.” He paused, studying me. “But there’s one thing I need to know.” His tone shifted, becoming serious, and I felt my pulse quicken. “Why do they hate you so much, Aria? What’s the real reason?” A chill ran down my spine. I looked away, unable to meet his gaze. “Because…” I swallowed, the words clawing at my throat. “Because I killed my younger brother.”Aria’s POV The confession slipped from my lips, raw and unfiltered. “Because I killed my younger brother." The words hung in the air like a storm cloud, heavy and ominous. My voice trembled, betraying the effort it took to say them aloud. For years, I had buried this truth deep within, afraid of what it would mean to let it surface. Now, I felt exposed, as though I had torn open an old, festering wound that refused to heal. I stared at the ground, too ashamed to meet Richard's gaze. I braced myself for the inevitable—the flicker of disgust, the revulsion that would spread across his face. I had seen it so many times before in the eyes of others, in the hushed whispers and pointed fingers that followed me everywhere. But Richard didn’t pull away. His grip on my hand tightened, steady and grounding, as if silently telling me I wasn’t alone. “Aria,” he said, his voice calm yet firm, “you didn’t kill your brother.” My head snapped up, my eyes locking onto his. The certainty in his
Ivy’s POVYears had passed since I left behind the life of Aria Carrington, the downtrodden twin who had been blamed, shamed, and all but erased from memory by my own pack.I had become Ivy Blackwood, a woman who now walked with a different air—graceful, assured, someone who had conquered the ruins of her past and forged a new life with dignity. The girl who had been nothing more than a shadow in the Full Moon pack now glimmered like a rare jewel in New Orleans’ elite society, my mysterious aura drawing those who sought to know me.Tonight was my engagement party, and the grand hall was alive with music, lights, and elegantly dressed guests. Beside me stood Leo Ashton, the man I’d come to love with a depth I’d never thought possible. Leo’s strong hand around my waist was both a comfort and a quiet assertion to the crowd. I was his, and he was mine. His eyes held an admiration and tenderness only I knew, and when he looked at me, I felt as though I were the center of his entire world
Ivy’s POVHow is the mate pull still effective?Before Connor’s smug words could settle, a feral growl sliced through the air, low and deadly. It rumbled like thunder, vibrating through the very foundation of the hall. I froze, the hairs on my arms standing on end. That sound—so primal, so dangerous—didn’t belong in a place like this. And it didn’t come from Connor.It came from behind me.Leo.I turned just in time to see him step forward, a predator’s grace in every movement, his hand reaching out to pull me gently behind him. The way his jaw clenched, his eyes darkening to something almost inhuman, sent a chill down my spine.“Did you touch her?” Leo’s voice, once a soothing warmth, now carried the unmistakable chill of death. His eyes locked onto Connor, glinting with a power I’d never seen before—a power no human could possess. Connor, so arrogant just moments before, stiffened as though an unseen weight pressed down on him. His confidence faltered as Leo stepped closer, the a
Connor’s POVThe grand hall loomed dark and tense as I was shoved through the heavy double doors, the distant murmurs of shocked guests echoing behind me. The slam of the doors echoed like a judge’s gavel—final, damning, and absolute. Lila’s sharp heels clicked against the stone as she caught up to me. “What the hell was that?” she hissed, her voice laced with fury. “You embarrassed me, Connor! Like a rabid animal.”I didn’t answer. Couldn’t. My chest heaved as I fought to steady my breathing, every muscle in my body taut with the rage I couldn’t shake. My hands still curled into fists at my sides, the image of Ivy—no, Aria—burned into my mind. The way she looked at me tonight, her defiance and strength radiating in a way I’d never seen before, had torn through every wall I’d built. The girl I had rejected… The girl I had broken. “Connor!” Lila’s voice rose, cutting through my spiraling thoughts. She grabbed my arm, yanking it roughly. “Are you even listening to me? What was
Leo’s POVThe moment Connor left, the shadows in my chest clawed for release, threatening to rip through the thin veil of control I maintained. My wolf howled inside me, furious that another Alpha—a lesser wolf—had dared to touch her, dared to even think she was his. Ivy. My flower.She stood before me now, her eyes searching mine, uncertain but curious. Her soft voice whispered, “Leo?” as though afraid I might vanish.I couldn’t vanish, even if I wanted to. She was the rope that held me in this broken world, the prophecy-made-flesh I had waited decades for. My fingers tightened around her waist before I lost my nerve. I pulled her against me, feeling her body mold perfectly to mine, as if carved for this moment.My chest still burned with Connor’s words. Mate. How dare he? The word meant nothing when spoken by a pup who discarded her. But the mate pull—how could it still linger between them? That question clawed at my sanity like poison, igniting jealousy that turned my blood to fire
Connor’s POVI adjusted my tie, the silk fabric feeling like a noose around my neck. The mirrored walls of the elevator reflected a version of myself I barely recognized—sharp suit, polished shoes, and an expression that screamed control, even though I felt anything but that.The meeting tonight wasn’t optional. My pack’s finances were in a messed up state, and this partnership was supposed to be a lifeline. It turns out that running a pack wasn’t just about territory and strength anymore; it was about politics, money, and connections. Humans held the strings to the world we wolves had to navigate in secret, and like it or not, I had to play by their rules.The elevator chimed, and the doors slid open to reveal the top floor of the Grayson Tower. The place reeked of wealth—marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and a panoramic view of the city that seemed almost unnatural. The air smelled of expensive cologne and money, a far cry from the woods and open air I craved and enjoyed.“Mr. Th
Connor’s POVI took a sharp breath, my wolf clawing beneath my skin, begging me to reach for her. Ivy’s voice was a weapon, slicing through the armor I’d spent years building. But her words—they weren’t just meant to wound. They carried something more, something dangerous. A challenge.“Aria,” I said softly, taking a deliberate step forward, my voice low and steady despite the storm inside me. “You can pretend this doesn’t affect you, but we both know it’s a lie.”Her lips curved, a faint smirk that didn’t reach her eyes. “You think you still know me?” She tilted her head, her gaze sharp enough to cut. “You don’t. That girl you left behind? She’s dead, Connor.”“I don’t believe that,” I growled, the words slipping out before I could stop them. My wolf surged forward, wanting to close the distance, to remind her of what we were. “You can hide behind the name, the suits, the cold indifference, but I see you. I feel you.”Her laugh was soft but bitter, like shattered glass. “Feel me?” sh
Connor’s POV The door clicked shut behind her, but it may as well have been a thunderclap in my ears. Aria was gone again, and the silence she left in her wake was deafening. Who was that and why did she appear all tensed up when he opened the door? My wolf was a storm inside me, howling and tearing at my resolve, furious that I’d let her walk away. I slammed my fist against the glass table beside me, the shattering crystal matching the chaos in my chest. Whiskey spilled in amber streaks across the floor, a meaningless mess compared to the wreckage she’d left in my soul. The frail, broken girl I had abandoned was long gone. The woman who faced me now was a force of nature, brimming with power and icy resolve. My wolf, who’d spent years mourning her absence silently, clawed at me like I was the enemy. ‘You let her leave again. You failed her again,’ my wolf—Zik growled. “Dammit!” I roared, my voice cracking as I spun, fists clenching. The reflection in the window stared back
IVY'S POV“No!” I thrashed, every limb rebelling as I strained against the chains. “Get your filthy hands off me! You’re all monsters!”The burn of the restraints cut deeper, but I didn’t care. My voice tore through the chamber like a wounded beast. “You think this makes you powerful? You think having your way with a chained woman makes you a king? You’re nothing, Alpha. Nothing but a coward too weak to accept rejection. Your mate despised you. I despise you too!”The Alpha stood in front of me, unshaken. His eyes gleamed—not with rage, but something worse. Hunger. Satisfaction. Humor.He turned to the sorcerer, his voice low, almost casual. “If I spill my seed into her… will it hold?”The sorcerer’s breath caught, then his face lit up as if struck by divine revelation.“Oh… oh, my King,” he murmured, sinking to one knee. “You are brilliant beyond compare. A true leader. Of course! Of course! If she bears your heir, the bond will be forever weakened. No Alpha would dare claim a woman
The estate loomed into view like a palace of memories she wanted to bury. The towering gates, the long marble driveway, the manicured hedges. To anyone else, it looked like luxury.To her, it looked like a trap.A trap that could destroy all her plans.The moment they stepped inside, staff rushed to greet her. She didn’t recognize any of them despite their attempts to be friendly. They all wore the same annoying expression—concern mingled with curiosity.As if wondering what had really happened to Miss Ivy.Lila smiled.Fake. Perfect. Practiced.She had no choice now.“It’s good to be home,” she said smoothly.Richard narrowed his eyes slightly but said nothing.They led her up to her room, the unfamiliar halls pressing in around her like the walls of a tomb. The maids bustled in behind her, changing the sheets, restocking the drawers, pretending not to notice the tension radiating from her.When they left, she stood in the center of the room, staring at her reflection.Ivy stared bac
The scent of antiseptic hung thick in the air, cold and suffocating, clinging to the sterile white walls like a ghost that refused to leave. The room, though bathed in daylight streaming through a narrow, barred window, held no warmth. The only sounds were the distant echo of shoes on tile and the low, mechanical hum of machines monitoring the fragile boundary between sanity and madness.In the center of it all lay Lila.Or as the staff here knew her: Ivy Blackwood.Her brown hair was disheveled, matted to her forehead with sweat. Her pale skin, once radiant with carefully curated poise, now looked wan and haunted. Her eyes, wild and rimmed with exhaustion, flicked around the room like a cornered animal searching for an escape. But there was none. The straightjacket bound her arms tightly to her torso, and leather restraints anchored her ankles to the bed frame.She hadn’t spoken since the screaming stopped.The nurses whispered when they thought she couldn’t hear. Said she was mad. T
Leo’s POVThe battlefield quieted, save for the crackling fires and the groans of the dying. My pulse still thundered in my ears, but the bloodlust began to ebb, leaving behind a sharp, aching clarity.I stood among the ruins of Malrik’s failed rebellion, blood soaking my skin, teeth still stained from the life I had ripped from their veins. The night was far from over—I could feel it, like a splinter in my mind. Something dark was coming.The air shifted.Colder. Heavier.Even my warriors sensed it. Their post-battle roars died out, one by one, and an unnatural silence swallowed the clearing. Connor’s lips curled into a snarl, Zane’s claws still dripped red, but their eyes darted to the treeline.Then I saw her.She stepped out of the shadows like smoke made flesh.Dina.The last time I saw her, she stood in front of my throne room, asking me to sacrifice my mate. She hadn’t changed—still dressed in her dark robes that rippled like oil in the wind, her face pale and ageless, her eye
Ivy’s POVThe fourth day turned out to be the worst.Worse because I am still alive. Worse because every time Alpha Raul marked me, the pain got sharper. Deeper.And every time, my wolf—valiantly, defiantly—rejected him.The room stank of sweat, old blood, and Alpha Raul’s scent—thick and clinging like rot. My body was raw, my neck a patchwork of torn flesh where Raul had tried to mark me over and over. But my wolf—the last spark of resistance I had left—rejected him every time. And each rejection felt like death.The mark was slow to heal, and before it could fully fade, Alpha Raul would sink his teeth into the same spot—reopening the wound and claiming it all over again.Each time he sank his fangs into me, it was as if my soul was being torn in half, only to be stitched together by burning wire. I would scream until my voice gave out, until my throat was ragged and raw, until the pain folded me into unconsciousness. But every time I came back, chained and shivering, he would try a
Leo’s POVThe air crackled with energy as I stepped onto the battlefield, the scent of war thick on the wind—blood, sweat, steel. The moon hung low, bloated and red like it was thirsty for carnage. Good. It would feast tonight.My boots crushed charred earth as I led my warriors across the eastern border of the palace, where Malrik’s pathetic rebellion had gathered like a swarm of diseased rats. I could hear their howls echoing in the distance, could hear the roar of their chants—wild, desperate, undisciplined. Fools.Zane met me at the front lines, blood already staining his cheek and his blade. “They’ve broken through the outer ring,” he said breathlessly, “but they’re sloppy. No formation. Just brute force.”I sneered. “Then let’s show them what real force looks like.”I shifted.Bones cracked, flesh tore, and a searing fire ignited in my veins as my wolf burst free. My muscles expanded, fur black as shadow blanketing me, claws gleaming like blades. But it wasn’t just my wolf—my va
Leo’s POVMy hand shot out, grabbing Dante by the throat again —but this time, I didn’t squeeze. I leaned in, my golden eyes burning with a primal, ancient rage. Does the name Blackwood ring a bell?" I growled, my face mere inches from his. I watched his features quiver, the slight tremor betraying the fear he was too proud to voice.He didn’t answer. Didn’t even blink.Rage ignited in my veins. My fist slammed into his face—once, twice, again and again—until the wet crunch of bone and flesh filled the air. Blood sprayed across my shirt, warm and slick, but I didn’t stop. Not until his head lolled and his breath came in ragged, shuddering gasps.“Ivy Blackwood,” I murmured, my voice like a death sentence. “The woman you kidnapped weeks ago. The one whose life you almost ruined. The one you would have killed if she hadn’t escaped you.” Dante's body jerked violently beneath my grip, his muscles spasming as I held him in place. I struck his face—once, twice—the sharp crack echoin
Leo's patience snapped.The power in his voice sent a tremor through the air. “You have no idea who you’re speaking to! I am the Alpha King. She is my mate. How dare you harbor feelings for the Queen of our realm?” Connor’s expression faltered, his eyes flickering with something unreadable. Then— Leo’s golden irises darkened, flashing with raw power. Connor’s wolf recognized it.A shudder rippled through him. His wolf whimpered, instinctively bowing its head. Leo stepped closer, his voice a deadly whisper. Realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. This was it.This was why his wolf instinctively bowed whenever Leo spoke. This was why his body yielded despite the Alpha blood running through his veins. The truth settled in his bones, heavy and unshakable. ‘So this is the invisible king of our realm…’The man who ruled from the shadows. The one who never showed his face, yet his presence alone commanded submission. The ruthless, unchallenged ruler every pack whispere
Alpha Raul’s growl ripped through the chamber, primal and raw, shaking the very walls. His claws unsheathed in an instant, his chest rising and falling with ragged fury. But Ivy? She only smiled.“Like I said,” he murmured, ignoring Ivy's taunts, his grip tightening on her jaw. “I’ll do what I didn’t do last time. I’ll mark you as mine.” He leaned closer, his breath hot on her face. “Only then will you know your place. Only then will you learn total submission.”The words sent ice plunging through my veins. Ivy's eyes widened. “No. No, you can’t fucking do that.” She fought, jerking her head away, but his grip was iron. “Hold her down!” His men obeyed instantly. She screamed as they pinned her down, their hands like shackles against her arms and legs. Her body shook violently, every instinct inside her roaring in defiance. The king’s fangs elongated, his pupils dilating as his gaze locked onto her neck. His breath was warm against her skin, and she knew what was coming