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
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
Ivy’s POVMy eyes snapped open, my chest rising and falling frantically. The moment I woke, I felt the cold bite of metal against my wrists and ankles. Chains. Again. My body ached, my head swam, but it was the collar around my neck that burned the most. A cruel reminder that my wolf was trapped, silenced. I rattled the chains, yanking at them as fury flooded through me. My voice came out raw, shaking with rage. “You killed her!” I screamed, my body jerking against the restraints. The memory of the vision burned behind my eyes, searing itself into my soul. Nyxara. Her pain. Her death. I had seen it. I had felt it. And the monster who had done it was standing right in front of me. The king. He was here. Watching me with a dark, satisfied smirk. Beside him stood the man who had sprinkled something on me before I passed out—his sorcerer, no doubt. Three other men lingered in the room, their presence nothing more than shadows at the edges of my vision. “Let me go and watch m
Ivy’s POVMy eyes snapped open, my chest rising and falling frantically. A dim glow flickered above me, casting shadows along the stone walls. My breath hitched as I realized I couldn’t move. Cold metal encased my wrists, the chains rattling softly as I struggled. The ridiculous outfit I had been forced into still clung to my skin like an insult. Panic gripped me, but before I could fully process my situation, the door creaked open. A woman stepped inside. My breath caught in my throat almost immediately.She was stunning—otherworldly. Curls of pure white cascaded down her shoulders, glowing in the faint light. Her eyes, a vibrant shade of green, gleamed like a forest after a fresh rain. Every part of her radiated an ethereal beauty, but there was something else—something almost… sorrowful. I swallowed hard. “Excuse me?” I rasped. “Can you help me out of this?” The woman didn’t react. She wasn’t even looking at me. Instead, her gaze was fixed on a small wooden table besi
Lila’s POVDarkness swallowed me whole.The wind howled in my ears as I fell, my body twisting, weightless in the abyss. My screams were silent, lost in the void. I reached out, desperate for something—anything—to grab onto, but there was nothing. Just the endless fall, the cold air biting into my skin.Then—I hit the ground.Pain exploded through my body, my bones rattling from the impact. But the surface beneath me wasn’t solid—it was wet. Warm.I gasped, my hands sinking into a thick, viscous liquid. My breath hitched. The scent hit me first. Metallic. Sharp.Blood.It was everywhere.I scrambled up, my fingers coated in red, my gown soaked through. The entire floor—no, the entire room—was drenched in it, seeping from the walls, pooling in the corners, dripping from the ceiling in slow, deliberate drops.Drip. Drip. Drip.I trembled, my heart pounding against my ribs as I staggered backward. My breath came in sharp, panicked gasps. This couldn’t be real. It wasn’t real.A hallucin
Lila’s POVThe night air was crisp, the city stretching out beneath me in a sea of golden lights. Colorado had been a good choice. No responsibilities, no stress—just endless luxury. Exactly what I deserved. It was so easy to become Aria. To take her place. My mind suddenly raced to that morning when I was supposed to travel. The night before, my father and uncle had stormed into my room. Leo had discovered that I wasn’t Ivy, and I had to think fast. I made up a lie. I told them that Leo had cheated on me with someone named Isabella, that he was furious because I had found out and was threatening to ruin me if I didn’t come back to him. I made myself sound terrified, my voice breaking as I clutched my throat. It helped that his imprints were still there, dark bruises forming along my skin. Richard and Marcus were beyond furious and vowed that they would have him arrested for trespassing and assaulting me.I painted him as an obsessive psychopath. And of course, they belie
Ivy’s POVPain.It was the first thing I felt as I slipped back into consciousness, my body aching from head to toe. The weight around my throat burned, the collar digging into my skin like a brand of ownership. I didn’t want to be owned. I didn’t want to be anyone’s.My head pounded, my limbs heavy and unresponsive. Darkness still surrounded me, but I could sense the presence of others. Watching. Waiting.I forced my eyes open.A dimly lit chamber greeted me—stone walls, damp and cold. A throne sat at the far end of the room, and on it, the king lounged, golden eyes gleaming with satisfaction.He was waiting for me.I clenched my jaw. My wolf stirred faintly inside me, weak, barely there. Whatever magic that bound me was suffocating her.I looked down. I was wearing a flowing black garment that draped around me, the dark fabric swaying with every subtle movement. Real flowers adorned the fabric—delicate yet striking black roses, their petals velvety and deep as the night. The sight
Ivy's POV Nyxara?Who the hell is that? And why is he so sure I was her?The name sent a shudder through my very bones. It felt foreign yet familiar, like a song I had once known but long forgotten. The king chuckled, as if he could sense the shift inside me. “Ah… you don’t remember, do you?” He brushed a strand of silver fur from my face, his grip tightening for just a moment. “But your blood does. Your soul does.” His grin was sharp, victorious. “And soon, I will make you remember everything.”I whimpered, desperately willing my wolf to rise, to fight, or at the very least, to shift back into my human form. But my body refused to obey. I was trapped—helpless within my own skin. He watched me tremble, amusement flickering in his golden eyes. With a slow, mocking tsk, he shook his head.“Did you really think I wasn’t prepared for something like this?” His voice was soft, dangerous. "That collar around your neck—oh, you didn’t notice?" Collar? I tried to shift, to shake, b
Ivy's POV I kicked. I thrashed. I screamed. Nothing worked. The man who carried me was an immovable force. His grip was like steel, his strength effortless. I tried to wriggle free from his shoulder as I dangled, hitting his back with as much force as I could muster. But there was no reaction from him. He carried me effortlessly, his grip unyielding, and let out a victorious growl as if he had just claimed his prize. I pleaded within myself for something—anything—to help me escape. A transformation, a sudden surge of strength… but fate was not on my side today. It has never been. From how he held me, I could see that we had already left the forest and reached the clearing of the pack. He strode forward, taking an unfamiliar path and stepping into a long, dimly lit corridor. The sound of an oak door creaking open sent a chill down my spine. Then—thump! He dropped me onto the cold floor before turning sharply and walking away, his footsteps fading as the heavy door
Ivy's POV From the moment we were thrown into their dungeons, the sun became nothing more than a distant memory. Days bled into nights, swallowed whole by the suffocating darkness. Time lost all meaning in this cold, damp cell, where the only light came from the flickering torches the guards carried when they came to drag us to our labor. Every morning since I arrived, the routine had been the same—wake up before dawn, get dragged out of the filthy cell, and work until exhaustion consumed me. The guards didn’t care if we were weak, tired, or sick. To them, we were nothing but slaves. The stench of sweat and decay had become a part of me. At first, it made me gag, but after a week, I had learned to endure it. The other prisoners—women like me, broken but still breathing—were no different. We scrubbed floors, carried heavy loads, and endured the humiliation of being less than human in the eyes of this ancient pack. I had never spoken to one of them directly, but I had watched.