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
Lucien's POV"Are you familiar with a head dive?" I exhaled as I tucked my hands into my pockets.Her face was pale and her expression freezing as she stared at me.Of course, she knew. Most did, even if they had never experienced it.A head dive was a gift mastered only by the most disciplined alphas, allowing us to tap into another’s subconscious.It was a rare ability, yes, but also a powerful one.Sometimes it could be dangerous, but at this point, I was running out of options.If this servant truly stayed by her mistress’s side as closely as she claimed, then she would have seen more than her fair share of secrets.I watched her as my gaze steadied, giving her a chance to absorb the idea, the weight of what it meant.Her fingers twisting together in front of her. It was obviously a nervous habit she tried to hide but could not quite manage to do so. I could almost feel her internal conflict—the fear, the distrust."Why me?" she asked finally, her voice a strained whisper. "Why c
Aurora’s POVI couldn't sleep a wink after my encounter with Lucien. My whole body felt numb, so I just lay on the cold floor.The sun shone directly into my eyes, but all I did was stay there, enjoying the warmth. It helped calm me.Now that the moon was gone, I could think straight, but that didn’t exactly make me feel better, because I realized I had hurt Nathalie badly. She deserved it anyway, but that didn’t mean it made me feel any better.Plus, Lucien had said a lot of hurtful things too, so we were even.I finally opened my eyes to look at the sky, and it was so beautiful—unlike my life."I'm so sorry, Lena," I muttered with a heavy heart as I cradled myself.My whole body was curled up into a ball as I lay there.The pattern of footsteps brought my consciousness to alert.It wasn’t just one person’s footsteps, and this piqued my curiosity.The door burst open, and I held my breath as three men entered the room. The only one I recognized was the man in the middle.I didn’t wan
Lucien entered the room quietly, the soft sound of Aurora’s muffled sobs piercing his heart. She sat curled up in the corner of the bed, her hands clutching a pillow tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks. The sight of her like this made his chest tighten. He approached slowly, kneeling down beside her.“Aurora,” he said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Why are you still crying?”She looked up at him, her red-rimmed eyes filled with guilt. “I just... I feel awful,” she admitted, her voice trembling. “I banished my sister, Lucien. My own flesh and blood. I didn’t want to do it, but I had no choice. I feel like I failed her.”Lucien sat down beside her, pulling her gently into his arms. “You didn’t fail anyone,” he said firmly, his tone soothing but resolute. “What you did wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. Sometimes, the right choice feels like the hardest one to make.”Aurora leaned into his chest, letting his warmth and strength comfort her. “I just wish things wer
Aurora walked out of the dungeon, the cold, damp air clinging to her like a second skin. Her steps were heavy, her emotions even heavier. As she stepped into the hallway, she was startled to see Lucien waiting for her. The moment their eyes met, his expression softened.“You didn’t need to come here,” Aurora said, her voice trembling as she quickly wiped at her damp cheeks. “I could handle it on my own.”Lucien straightened, his amber eyes filled with a quiet intensity. “I know,” he replied, his voice low and steady. “You’re the strongest person I know, Aurora. But even the strongest people need support at times.”The words pierced through the emotional wall she had tried to build around herself. Without a second thought, she closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly. His arms enveloped her, firm and reassuring.“I don’t know what to do,” Aurora whispered, her voice muffled against his chest.Lucien rested his chin on her head, his voice a
Author’s POVThe cold air of the dungeon wrapped around Aurora as she descended the stone steps, her heels clicking against the hard surface. A guard followed close behind her, silent but watchful. When they reached her father’s cell, she turned to him and waved her hand dismissively.“You can leave now. I’ll handle this,” she said.The guard hesitated, his eyes scanning her for a moment. “Are you sure, Luna?”“I said I’ll handle it,” she replied firmly, not sparing him another glance.With a curt nod, the guard retreated up the stairs, his footsteps echoing faintly until the heavy door at the top creaked shut.She turned back to face the man sitting on the cold stone floor behind the iron bars. Mr. Luke, her foster father, looked up as she approached. His once-commanding demeanor was now replaced with weariness. He managed a faint smile.“You look well,” he said, his voice hoarse.Aurora remained silent, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She stood there, unmoving, her expressi
Aurora’s POVI pushed open the heavy door to Lucien’s office, stepping inside with a teasing smile. He was seated at his desk, scribbling something onto a parchment. The sight of him so focused, his brow furrowed slightly, sent a warm feeling through me. I cleared my throat dramatically.“I heard I’ve been summoned by the almighty Alpha,” I said with a playful tone.Lucien looked up, a grin spreading across his face. “Indeed, Luna. You’ve been called for a matter of utmost importance.” He chuckled. “Please do sit.”I rolled my eyes and leaned against the doorframe. “Oh? And what could be so important that you needed to summon me?”I was genuinely curious to know why he sent for me at the house, he could have waited till he returned home tonight, or was he missing me a lot?Silly me! I have been emotional a lot these days and I have no idea why.He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “The dungeon guard informed me that your father—Luke—has requested to see you. Apparently, he
Aurora pushed open the door to the packhouse and stepped inside. The scent of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, but it did little to calm her nerves. She didn’t make it more than a few steps before Lucien appeared from the hallway, his expression dark.“Where have you been?” Lucian demanded, his voice low but sharp. “I’ve been searching for you everywhere.” he sounded pissed and that made her wonder if something happened.Aurora stopped in her tracks, knowing she had to tread carefully. “I was following a lead on the recent threats we have received,” she admitted. “Something I thought might help us.”Lucien crossed the space between them quickly, his towering presence both comforting and intimidating. “A lead? And you didn’t think to tell me? Do you know how dangerous it is out there right now?”“I can handle myself, Lucien,” she said firmly, meeting his gaze. “I’m not some helpless damsel. I’m a Lycan.”He huffed, running a hand through his dark hair. “You’re also my mate,
The weight of leadership was beginning to settle heavily on both Lucien and Aurora. Their days were filled with council meetings, decisions about the kingdom's future, and ensuring the pack's stability. Yet, an undercurrent of tension had started to ripple through the land.Lucien stood on the balcony of the castle, his sharp gaze fixed on the distant horizon. The murmurs of unrest in a neighboring pack had reached him earlier that morning, carried by a trusted scout.“Rogue wolves,” he muttered under his breath. The thought of enemies circling when his kingdom was still finding its footing made his jaw tighten. His wolf, Kol, stirred within him, growling softly in agreement.“You look like you’re preparing for battle,” Aurora’s voice came from behind him, soft but laced with determination.He turned to face her. She looked regal yet approachable in her simple gown, her Lycan features making her seem otherworldly under the golden light. “I might be,” he admitted. “There’s unrest brewi
The air buzzed with anticipation as the pack gathered in the grand courtyard of the palace. Wolves from allied packs had also traveled far and wide to witness this historic moment—the crowning of Alpha Lucien and his Luna, Aurora.Lucien stood tall at the center of the platform, dressed in ceremonial black and gold robes that accentuated his commanding presence. His piercing eyes scanned the crowd, landing briefly on Aurora, who was approaching the platform with a grace that made his heart swell. She wore a flowing gown of deep emerald green, her head held high as the elders escorted her to his side.Elder Doran raised his staff, signaling for silence. The murmur of the crowd ceased instantly, and all eyes turned toward the Alpha and his mate."Today," Elder Doran began, his voice strong and reverberating through the air, "we witness the dawn of a new era. The leadership of this pack passes to a new Alpha King, a leader who has proven his strength, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to
The great hall of the council chamber buzzed with tension as the elders assembled. The air was heavy with the weight of their decision, one that would shape the future of the pack. The King’s failing health had left them no choice but to convene, and the murmur of voices echoed off the stone walls as they deliberated.Elder Doran, the oldest and most respected among them, struck his staff against the ground to call for order. “Brothers and sisters, we gather today at a critical juncture. The King’s health has declined beyond recovery, and our pack cannot endure this uncertainty any longer.”The room fell silent. Each elder exchanged solemn glances, understanding the gravity of the moment.“We must act,” Elder Nalia said firmly. “The Alpha King has served us well, but his time has passed. The pack requires stability, strength, and leadership.”Elder Doran nodded. “It is clear that Lucien, as the rightful heir, must ascend to the throne. His leadership has been tested, and he has proven
Author’s POVThe royal chambers were cloaked in an uneasy silence, broken only by the occasional rustle of fabric as maids moved quietly about their tasks. The once-mighty Alpha King lay on his grand, ornately carved bed, his once-proud features now gaunt and pale. The trial and the truth it had unearthed had taken a toll far beyond what anyone had anticipated. The air in the room was heavy with the mingling scents of herbal remedies and despair.The royal physicians gathered near the door, speaking in hushed tones. Their faces bore the same somber expression—a silent acknowledgment of the inevitable. One of them, an elderly man with graying hair and deep-set eyes, stepped forward to address the council members waiting outside the chamber.“The King’s condition is grave,” he began, his voice steady but laced with sadness. “His heart and spirit have been deeply wounded. The mental and emotional strain has weakened him beyond recovery. I’m afraid… there is little we can do.”The words