Aurora's POVMy heart pounded so hard I was sure they could hear it echoing through the hall.Voices drifted out, low at first but growing clearer. The footsteps inching closer to the outside followed.Then my ears perked up when I heard Lucien’s voice. He was talking to someone.My stomach twisted as panic surged through me. There was no way I could let him see me like this. I needed to hide, fast. How was I going to explain my torn and soaked clothes?Without thinking, my heart pounding fast, I ducked into the nearest corner, pressing my body against the wall as tightly as I could. My breath was shallow and barely audible."Please, don’t let them find me," I muttered to myself. I didn't want to get into trouble with Nathalie, especially after I had just found out how cruel, vicious, and obsessed she was with Lucien. She was even willing to kill me for it.I heard footsteps, growing louder, closer. My chest tightened, and I forced myself not to move, not to even breathe too loudly. M
Lucien's POVI watched as Elvis, one of my men at the council seat, drove away, and I sighed.My hands were in my pockets as I turned back to the mansion. My eyes flickered over to the window with a heavy heart, and my face dropped. I didn’t know how much time I had left to keep the elders and my father at bay.I didn’t know how much time I had left to protect her. If I didn’t find the real culprit soon, I might not be able to stop them any longer from getting what they wanted.“Hey, what’s going through your mind?”Nathalie’s body pressed against mine as she hooked our hands together.My eyes darted over to the Union. Once, I wouldn’t have thought too much about it, but now everything just felt so wrong. I couldn’t help but feel like I was betraying Aurora, even though we weren’t together.“It’s nothing,” I said in a low tone as I slowly detached our linked arms.Her brows knotted, but I didn’t care. She could throw her usual tantrum. All I wanted was a way to figure out how to save
Aurora's POVIt was another brand new day. A new day in this nightmare. A place I thought could be my home with my mate, but at this point, I didn't even know what to think, feel, or believe.I watched as the sun came up in the sky, peeking through the windows, and the air sent a wave of warmth over my cold skin. The air was meant to be refreshing, but all I could taste was the bitterness coursing through my body.The door creaked open, but I didn't bother to see who it was. It didn't matter to me at this point.My life was on the line.From the gentle and calculated steps, I knew it was Aria, my maid. She always had this aura of softness around her, and it was evident in the way she walked and spoke. She stood in front of my bed, with my back turned to her."My lady," she started.My eyes remained narrowed at the window as I stared out, clearly not ready for a conversation. Hell, I wasn’t even ready to step out of bed.I snuggled deeper into my spot, pulling the blankets over my body
Lucien’s POVThe moment Aurora told me to get out, I couldn’t believe my ears.How could she ask me to leave when she was in my house, under my protection? I stood there, stunned, staring at her as she turned her back to me.A sharp wave of frustration hit me so hard that my head was starting to throb. Why couldn’t she just listen to me for once? Why did everything have to be a fight?She thinks I’m betraying her, handing her over to the council like a lamb to the slaughter. It was absurd.But she doesn’t understand. I’m trying to protect her.She pulled the blanket tighter around her, making it clear she wanted me gone.How did things spiral out of control like this? I asked myself.I clenched my fists, trying to suppress the rising anger."I’m not leaving, Aurora," I said, my voice steady but firm."Because first of all, you are in my house, and I won’t be dismissed like some servant. Do you even realize who you're talking to?"Her body stiffened, but she didn’t respond.I could see
Aurora's POVTwo whole days and I hadn’t slept. All I did was stare at the ceiling, feeling utterly emotionless. Ever since I told Lucien to leave, he hadn’t come back. A part of me wished he had.I wished he’d come to comfort me, but my mate had another mate, one who seemed to have him wrapped around her finger.I hated her guts. The way she tortured me. The way she made me feel like I was worth nothing. How could Lucien not see her for the monster she truly was?I scoffed, shaking my head. He was obviously too in love with her to realize that.I stood up from the bed and moved over to the window, resting my arms on the sill as the cool breeze brushed against my face. It felt refreshing, almost freeing. Outside, the birds flew across the sky, their wings carrying them wherever they pleased.I envied them.They were free—soaring without a care in the world—while I was trapped here, surrounded by enemies, trapped in my own misery. I wished I could be like them.I wished to be free. B
Nathalie gave me a long stare as she furrowed her brows. For a second, I almost thought what I said was rubbish. We both stared at each other.She wasn’t saying anything, and neither was I, but I could feel my heart racing faster with each passing second.“I said, what do you want, Nathalie?” I groaned, curling my hands into fists.Nathalie turned to the two cohorts who had followed her into the room.Both were female, and they looked slightly older than us, though I wasn’t really sure. The ever-present look of disdain was plastered on their faces.“Is she talking to me?” Nathalie burst into laughter, but I wasn’t finding the whole thing funny.I wanted her and her little minions out of my room.Nathalie's laughter echoed in my ears, her voice grating on my last nerve. I clenched my fists tighter, trying to maintain my composure. She was not here for a pleasant conversation, that much was clear when I saw that healer girl that made my wounds disappear in an instant. Nathelie was he
Aurora’s POVThe moment I found myself bound in chains, I knew I was done for. Memories of what I had done rushed over me, and I shivered. I couldn’t believe I’d done such a thing.My eyes darted to my room, and I sighed. Even though the room was cleaned up... I was cleaned up... I could still smell the faint scent of blood.My heart clenched.The last thing I remember was attacking Nathalie before someone yanked me away. I could still see her face, hear her voice echoing in my mind.I wanted to feel sorry for her, but honestly, I wasn’t. The sun had gone down, and the moon cast a soft light through the window, while the chilly air helped calm my nerves a bit.I tried to stand from the bed, but I crashed to the floor—that’s when I realized my feet were bound, too.“Damn it,” I cursed under my breath, crouching over to inspect the chains.I reached out, and then—buzz!—I felt a shock, jerking my hand away as I started panting.Raising my hands, I inspected the chains and realized they w
Lucien’s POVThe moment I closed the door to Aurora's room, it felt like I'd made a terrible mistake, but I pushed the feeling aside. The sound of objects clattering reached my ears, and I had the feeling Aurora was having an episode. It was common with werewolves who lost control, but I knew it wasn't her fault—today was a full moon, after all.Slight triggers and the wolves get loose. Aurora was always kind and gentle. Her being like this could only mean one thing: she was triggered."Wow, so you know, and yet you still treated our mate like that," Kol grunted in my head."Hmm," I hummed, rolling my eyes and continuing down the hall."Don't you dare ignore me, especially after what you just did," he yelled in my head, and I squinted my eyes.Can this wolf stop picking bad times to scold me? I already have enough on my plate, I pondered."You do realize I can hear your thoughts, right?" he hissed."Kol, I'm having quite the day, so can you please be helpful and let me think? And tha
Aurora’s POVThe rustic warmth of the cottage filled me as soon as I entered, but it didn't do much to calm the churning uneasiness in my gut. Even though there was a strong smell of wood smoke and herbs in the air, I still felt out of place. I glanced about the room, admiring the shabby furniture and the shelves brimming with odd jars and bottles.With her eyes crinkling at the corners, the old woman near the door was observing me with a gentle grin. I felt a knot tighten in my chest despite her friendly manner. I stepped back a little, now wondering what I had gotten myself into.With a voice like a comforting salve, she whispered softly. "You don't need to be afraid, dear." "You can trust me."I crossed my arms defensively and scoffed. "Trust? That's hilarious. I always get let down by the ones I trust."The woman's face changed a little, as though she realized how serious what I had spoken was. "My dear, life isn't always black or white. Finding the truth sometimes requires navi
Lucien’s POVAurora's eyes strayed to the papers scattered on the table as she completed her breakfast. The warmth of the morning sun fighting against the shadows of her past made it clear to me that she was still absorbing the changes taking place around her. Her protective manner, which she wore like armor, revealed her innocence. It evoked a deep-seated desire in me to shield her and lead her away from the shadows.As I looked at her and brushed a few hairs out of her face, I could feel the gentle hum of worry rising in my chest. "Is it truly required? However, I feel fine. She made an uncomfortable change. "Your body isn't strong enough to heal itself." It will take some time, but you will feel it. Or do you enjoy suffering? My voice was firm yet full of suspense as I inquired."No." She murmurs."Good."She nodded, but there was a trace of nervousness in her eyes. The metallic clinking of the keys on a hook by the door filled the silence as I reached for them.I tried to ligh
Aurora’s POVThe sun was peeking through my window and I could feel the warmth on my skin which made me twirl in my sleep. Even though I didn't want to admit it. It felt good to be... I would have said home but I knew it was only a matter of time before I'll leave. There was no reason to get too attached to the place But a part of me still hoped.I twirled my head in my pillow again and the softness wrapped around me unlike the cold dam prison cell. I stretched, feeling an ache in my limbs, but a good one, like my body was finally remembering comfort. It was a bit disorienting, to say the least, lying here, bathed in the gentle morning sunlight streaming through the window.There was no cold draft, no musty smell or scratchy mattress. Just clean sheets and the soft morning air. How quickly I'd forgotten what a bed truly felt like. A quiet sigh slipped from my lips as I relished in the warmth and the peace that, for one moment, felt real.But something or should I say someone caught
Lucien’s POVI stared at the document lying on my desk. It was an ugly thing, and it stood for responsibilities that would follow me to the ends of the earth. These were one of the responsibilities I had to carry along with me as the alpha of my pack. Some would say it was a wonderful thing. But I knew better. Caged with so many responsibilities that I wouldn't be able to think straight. Your ability to make personal decisions would disappear because no matter what you have to put the pack first before everything else. Even before your own feelings and emotions. Because of the recent drama my work load kept piling up, I clicked my tongue leaning forward. Each page I signed out of habit, almost unconsciously as if on autopilot, while my head was immersed in something entirely different, something more profound than weariness. After what felt like days, I let go of the pen and rubbed the space between my brows in an attempt to calm my thoughts – if only for a moment.And then I tur
Lucien’s POVAs I left her room, each step down the corridor kept getting heavier than the last. Her words ringing in my ears, cutting through my chest sharper than any blade. “You don't believe in me.” I shook my head in despair. Something had changed and I could feel it. If it was in the past I wasn't going to be bothered but now I am really worried. I was worried about how she was. The things she'd say. It was all getting too much but I was her mate. It was what was expected of me. As her mate, it was my obligation to protect her. It was my duty to stand by her. But now I was not exactly sure if I was sorely acting because of duty. My head was beginning to hurt from the too many thoughts that were probing at the back of my head. I blinked rapidly. Then slowly anger burned beneath my skin, twisting with a frustration I could not even name. She told me she didn’t trust me, and no matter how much I wanted to shrug it off I couldn't. I wanted her to look at me. To trust me but
Aurora's pov“You wanted to hurt her?” His voice was laced with an edge of misbelief. His gaze was filled with an expression I couldn't quite understand. It was filled with an intensity that pinned me in place. “Aurora, do you even understand what you are saying?”*I clenched my fists as I took a shaky breath. “I know exactly what I am saying. I was so mad and I wanted her to feel it. I wanted her to understand…So had to.”“To understand what?” he cut me off and his eyes flashed with disappointment. I didn't mind, even my own father thought I was a disappointment. “That you wanted to kill someone?”A bitter laugh ripped from my lips, surprising even myself. He shook his head with tight jaws, as he unconsciously pressed the ointment harder than necessary on my wrist causing me to bite down on my lip. The pain began to flare up in my chest. “It hurts,” I muttered through gritted teeth.“I'm Sorry,” he murmured as his grip relaxed. I could feel the frustration radiating off him.
Aurora's POVI curled up on the bed, moving away from him. Trust had always landed me in huge trouble, and I wasn’t going to be fooled like that again.Neither of us said anything as Lucien tucked his hands into his pockets."I’ll get the ice and ointment for your injuries," he muttered in a low tone."I’ll heal. I’m a werewolf," I hissed, looking away from him and hugging myself tighter.I expected him to leave, but he didn’t. Instead, he let out a frustrated sigh."Your healing might not kick in because your body is weak. We need to treat the wounds so they don’t get infected."I wanted to protest, but I just closed my mouth and buried my face between my knees.His footsteps faded with light thuds until I couldn’t hear them anymore.I lifted my head from my knees and felt relieved. At least he is gone now.His last question rang in my head, causing my shoulders to slump.Then my face twisted into a sinister frown.How could he ask me to trust him after what he did? After he chained
Lucien's POVAurora was really driving me insane with her behavior. I had just saved her life, but she didn't seem to care.I knew it wasn’t entirely her fault because of the lie Arnaud told her.She believed I was the one who handed her over in the first place. A lie that would have been cleared up if she’d just listened to me—but she didn’t. Today was clearly not a good day. It had been one hell of a day.The moment I parked in the garage, she unlocked the door and quickly slid out.She was treating me like the plague, avoiding me at all costs, and it was infuriating.I wasn’t used to this new development.A sigh escaped my lips as my hands lingered on the wheel. My gaze shifted over to where she was, and my heart grew heavier when I saw her struggling to walk properly.It broke my heart as I wondered what kind of torment those elders had put her through.I heard her wince in pain, and I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt, pushing the door wide open.She was pushing me to my limits.“A
Aurora's POV:After the chaotic scene at the council, I was genuinely surprised that they let me live. Especially after Nathalie's father was so adamant about having my head today. But thanks to Lucien, I was spared because no one could challenge the authority of an Alpha.My back rested carefully against the seat as I stole a glance at the man by my side. His expression no longer held the warmth, care, or concern it had earlier.His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, and he kept his eyes locked on the road. The air was filled with an awkward silence as neither of us attempted to start a conversation to break it.What could I possibly say?"Thanks for saving me after practically delivering me to the elders to meet my end"? There was no way I could say that to him.Even though he saved me, I was still mad at him.I wanted to feel grateful, but a part of me didn’t want to acknowledge what he did, because Lucien was unpredictable. He could be so many things all at once.Sometimes,