I couldn’t sleep at all. The entire night was spent tossing and turning, my mind spinning in circles with every possible outcome of what could happen the next day. Fear gripped me, tightening like a vice around my chest, but right beside it was something else—excitement. A strange, twisted excitement that mingled with the horror of what I was about to do.Every time I closed my eyes, I pictured my mother’s face, her worried expression as she waited for news of me. But the fear kept creeping back in. What if Aiden found out? What if he caught me before I could leave? What if Marcus saw through my act? The doubts clawed at me, turning my mind into a battlefield of conflicting emotions.I sat up in bed, staring out of the window as the moonlight streamed through the curtains. My heart pounded in my chest, and no matter how hard I tried to calm myself, the anxiety refused to let me go. The silence of the mansion was almost suffocating, each tick of the clock reminding me how close I was t
Just when Marcus’s gaze seemed to narrow, and I could feel the conversation teetering on a dangerous edge, Aiden spoke up, cutting through the thick tension in the air like a blade.“Don’t tell me it’s become hard for you to keep an eye on her after only a few months?” Aiden’s voice was smooth, but there was a hint of amusement beneath it, as if he found the entire conversation to be a joke. His gaze flickered between Marcus and me, and I could feel the weight of his words settling into the silence.Marcus laughed, but it was a short, sharp sound—more forced than genuine. “Of course not,” he said, leaning back in his chair with an easy smile. “I love spending time with her.”My heart skipped a beat at his words, and I couldn’t help the way my breath caught in my throat. *What is he doing?* His eyes locked onto mine, the smile still playing on his lips, but there was something in his gaze—a warning, maybe.“Right, Isabella?” Marcus continued, his tone light but with an underlying edge.
I stepped outside the mansion, trying to appear as casual as possible, even though my heart was pounding in my chest. The bright morning sun shone down, warming my skin, but I felt cold inside. I had to keep reminding myself to breathe, to act normal. *Just a stroll,* I told myself. *You’re just going out to get some fresh air.*I walked slowly, keeping my posture relaxed, my steps measured, as if I had no particular destination in mind. I couldn’t let anyone suspect that something was off. Not Marcus, not the guards, not anyone. If they saw me rushing or looking too nervous, it would raise questions, and I couldn’t afford that. Not now.As I moved further away from the mansion, I stole a glance over my shoulder. No one was following me. Not yet. The tension in my chest loosened slightly, but I knew it wouldn’t last. This wasn’t just a walk. This was my chance to escape, to see my mother again, to take back some control over my life.The path through the woods was familiar, but today
For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. There, in the distance, I could see the car waiting for us. The dark silhouette was a beacon of hope, of freedom. This was the moment I had been waiting for—the moment I had dreamed about. I would finally escape this nightmare. I felt a surge of happiness, almost giddy with the thought that this plan was actually working. My doubts about Lucas seemed to vanish in that instant. He had kept his word. He had come for me. I was going to see my mother again. I was going to be free. Lucas glanced at me, and I could see the same relief in his eyes. “We’re almost there,” he said, his voice low but filled with urgency.I nodded, my heart racing in my chest. The tension that had been building inside me for days seemed to loosen, and I allowed myself a small smile. Maybe I had been overthinking things. Maybe this would actually work. Maybe, for once, I would be the one in control of my own life.But just as I t
The world around me felt like it was closing in, each breath growing heavier as my mind raced. I didn’t know what to do. Every instinct screamed at me to run, to escape, but the truth was, there was nowhere to go. No safe path. No way out.Lucas grabbed my arm again, his grip firm and demanding, but I stepped back, yanking it free. The look in his eyes was one of desperation, but there was something darker underneath—something that made my stomach twist. “Isabella, we need to leave *now,*” he urged, his voice low but frantic. “If we stay, we’re both dead.”I shook my head, taking another step back. My thoughts were a whirlwind, my heart pounding in my chest. How could I trust him? How could I go with these hunters knowing what they were capable of? Knowing that these people were the reason Aiden’s parents were dead? The same people who had hunted his kind for centuries?And then there was Aiden himself. What would he do if he found out I had asked Lucas—who was working with these hun
The world around me was a blur, and all I could do was run. The branches clawed at my skin, leaves slapped against my face, and the ground beneath me seemed to move faster than I could keep up with. But I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop.I was running from everything. From Darius and the wolves of his pack, from Lucas and the hunters, from the lies and betrayal that had slowly wrapped themselves around my life. Every step felt like an escape, but I didn’t know where I was escaping to.I had no idea where I was going. No plan. No direction. Just an overwhelming need to keep moving, to keep running. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was about to burst out of my chest, and my lungs burned with every gasping breath, but I couldn’t slow down. Not even for a second.The forest around me seemed endless. The trees blurred together, a maze of shadows and flickering light as I sprinted through the undergrowth. Every time I thought I’d found a path, it disappeared, swallowed up by the d
I returned home late that night, the full moon casting an eerie glow over the mansion as I approached. The cold night air clung to my skin, but there was something else—something in the atmosphere that felt wrong. Tension. Panic. As soon as I stepped into the courtyard, I noticed the frantic movements of the guards, their heads turning in every direction, their eyes wide with fear. It was as though they were searching for something—or someone. I could hear Marcus’s voice, loud and angry, cutting through the night air like a blade.“*How could you let her out of your sight?*” Marcus was yelling at the top of his lungs, his voice dripping with fury. He stood at the center of the courtyard, surrounded by a handful of guards, all of whom looked like they’d rather be anywhere else but here. “She’s just a weak human girl!” Marcus continued, his voice sharp with frustration. “You’re telling me none of you could keep an eye on *one* person?”I froze, my heart dropping into my stomach.
**Isabella’s POV**I crouched beneath the thick brush, my heart racing, my breathing shallow and uneven. The cool night air clung to my skin, but I couldn’t feel anything except the terror gripping me from the inside. My hands shook uncontrollably as I pressed myself deeper into the shadows of the bushes, praying I wouldn’t be found.It’s been a whole day since I’m running to save my life. I didn’t know things would turn out like this, because if I had, I would have rather stayed in the mansion. My feet’s were hurting and bleeding. I couldn’t keep on running in this condition. I didn’t want to die like this. The presence of wolves lingered nearby, their growls low and menacing. I could hear them moving through the forest, their paws rustling against the fallen leaves, their breaths loud and predatory. Every muscle in my body tensed as I held my breath, desperately hoping they wouldn’t come any closer.I didn’t know what to do. I had barely escaped Darius’s attack earlier—only because
Aiden’s gaze swept over me, his eyes a tempest of dark fire, each flicker holding back a storm of rage not meant for me, but threatening to spill out all the same. He was a fortress in turmoil, his facade barely containing the seething fury beneath. His jaw was set, his stance rigid, each muscle tensed as if ready to spring into a battle he was forced to withhold. “You shouldn’t be here, Isabella,” he said, his voice a low growl that vibrated with a barely restrained intensity. His eyes then darted to the two men who had shifted uncomfortably, their own eyes darting away from my gaze, clearly intimidated by Aiden’s overt protectiveness. I felt a perverse thrill at his possessiveness, a primal approval of his concern for my safety, yet I knew this was neither the time nor the place. Aiden cleared his throat, a sound meant to redirect my attention, and it snapped me back to the gravity of the situation. “No, I—” I started, stumbling over my words. The truth was treacherous territory
“That’s a relief,” he chuckled, his hand finding mine over the center console, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I’m glad she sees that my intentions are good.” I squeezed his hand back, the simple touch sending a current of gratitude through me. “She does. And it means the world to me that you were there, that you’re here now.” Aiden’s smile didn’t wane as he turned the car onto the highway, the sparse traffic allowing him a moment to glance my way. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else, Isabella. You know that.” I nodded, watching the scenery blur past us. The night was clear, the stars scattered across the sky like dusted silver, and I felt a pull to share more with him—to dive into the depths of my thoughts and emotions. “It’s just…” I hesitated, searching for the right words. “Today made me realize how much I’ve changed. How much we’ve changed, together. I used to feel like an outsider everywhere I went. But with you, I’m home.” Aiden’s grip on my hand tightened.We drove in comfort
The first sense that stirred as consciousness crept back was the emptiness on Aiden’s side of the bed. I didn’t remember what time we had fallen asleep, but the vague recollection of his arms wrapped securely around me lingered in my mind like the remnants of a comforting dream. However, the cool, vacant sheets next to me sharply snapped me back to reality. Opening my eyes to the morning light filtering through the curtains, I immediately searched the expanse of the bed for Aiden, but he wasn’t there. His absence was like a void. The lingering scent on his pillow was the only evidence of his presence from the night before. I rolled over, burying my face into it, inhaling deeply. His familiar scent—a mix of sandalwood and something uniquely Aiden—filled my senses, offering a temporary comfort. I lay there, the silence of the room enveloping me, letting the minutes tick by. With each second, the warmth of his scent waned, and the reality of his absence grew. Finally, I couldn’t bear t
The first sense that stirred as consciousness crept back was the emptiness on Aiden’s side of the bed. I didn’t remember what time we had fallen asleep, but the vague recollection of his arms wrapped securely around me lingered in my mind like the remnants of a comforting dream. However, the cool, vacant sheets next to me sharply snapped me back to reality.Opening my eyes to the morning light filtering through the curtains, I immediately searched the expanse of the bed for Aiden, but he wasn’t there. His absence was like a void. The lingering scent on his pillow was the only evidence of his presence from the night before. I rolled over, burying my face into it, inhaling deeply. His familiar scent—a mix of sandalwood and something uniquely Aiden—filled my senses, offering a temporary comfort.I lay there, the silence of the room enveloping me, letting the minutes tick by. With each second, the warmth of his scent waned, and the reality of his absence grew. Finally, I couldn’t bear the
“That’s a relief,” he chuckled, his hand finding mine over the center console, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I’m glad she sees that my intentions are good.” I squeezed his hand back, the simple touch sending a current of gratitude through me. “She does. And it means the world to me that you were there, that you’re here now.” Aiden’s smile didn’t wane as he turned the car onto the highway, the sparse traffic allowing him a moment to glance my way. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else, Isabella. You know that.” I nodded, watching the scenery blur past us. The night was clear, the stars scattered across the sky like dusted silver, and I felt a pull to share more with him—to dive into the depths of my thoughts and emotions. “It’s just…” I hesitated, searching for the right words. “Today made me realize how much I’ve changed. How much we’ve changed, together. I used to feel like an outsider everywhere I went. But with you, I’m home.” Aiden’s grip on my hand tightened.We drove in comfortable s
The car’s headlights cut through the darkness as we left the orphanage, the comforting presence of old friends and the familiar backdrop fading into the night. The drive back to the mansion that I’d slowly begun to call home was quieter than usual, yet filled with a resonant peace that settled around Aiden and me like a soft shawl.“I can’t believe how well today went,” I started, my voice tinged with wonder and relief. I glanced over at Aiden, who was focused on the road, the soft glow of the dashboard lights casting gentle shadows across his face. “It felt so good to talk with my mother about everything—well, almost everything.”Aiden’s slight smile grew as he listened, his eyes reflecting a warmth that drew me further into my recount. “And she seems to really like you,” I added, my tone lifting with pride.“That’s a relief,” he chuckled, his hand finding mine over the center console, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I’m glad she sees that my intentions are good.”I squeezed his hand ba
As we settled around the table, the buzz of conversation filling the room, I began to share my journey or should I say the lies I had build in my mind just in case for the moments like these. I spoke of the cities and the sights, my words painting a picture of freedom and discovery. But I carefully chose my words, the reasons why I had really left, and the secrets that Aiden and I shared. Aiden, meanwhile, ate quietly, his presence a steady calm next to my animated storytelling. Every now and then, he would chime in with a comment or a clarification, his voice smooth and engaging. The group was visibly taken with him, their questions turning from my travels to how we had met. “It’s actually quite a story,” Aiden began, the corners of his eyes crinkling in amusement. “You see, Isabella literally bumped into me in a coffee shop.” Laughter rippled around the table, and I felt a bubble of laugh making its way to my throat at the thought of Aiden making up a story of how we met. “I w
As we settled around the table, the buzz of conversation filling the room, I began to share my journey or should I say the lies I had build in my mind just in case for the moments like these. I spoke of the cities and the sights, my words painting a picture of freedom and discovery. But I carefully chose my words, the reasons why I had really left, and the secrets that Aiden and I shared. Aiden, meanwhile, ate quietly, his presence a steady calm next to my animated storytelling. Every now and then, he would chime in with a comment or a clarification, his voice smooth and engaging. The group was visibly taken with him, their questions turning from my travels to how we had met. “It’s actually quite a story,” Aiden began, the corners of his eyes crinkling in amusement. “You see, Isabella literally bumped into me in a coffee shop.” Laughter rippled around the table, and I felt a bubble of laugh making its way to my throat at the thought of Aiden making up a story of how we met. “I w
As the sun dipped below the horizon, bathing the orphanage in hues of orange and pink, my mother stood in the doorway, her expression a mix of hesitancy and determination. “Will you both stay for dinner?” she asked, her voice carrying a hopeful note that tugged at my heart. I glanced at Aiden, expecting resistance. He was a man of particular habits, unaccustomed to impromptu changes or the chaotic warmth of my past life. But to my surprise, he nodded. “We’d love to,” he said, his voice calm and reassuring. My mother’s smile lit up her face, and something inside me unfurled—a tension I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Wonderful,” she said. “I’ll set up the dining hall.” As she turned to make preparations, I felt Aiden’s hand squeeze mine briefly. “Are you happy?” he whispered, his eyes searching mine for any sign of distress. “Yes,” I replied, more to convince myself than him. “It’ll be good to catch up with everyone.” He nodded, his gaze lingering on me a moment longer before he r