Ryan’s Pov After the call from my uncle Elliot, my blood had boiled. Shadowheaven was meant to be secure…a sanctuary where even whispers of betrayal were silenced. Yet, Elliot reported that Micha and Olivia had been caught trying to breach our borders. No one was holding them hostage, but the thought of them trying to leave in secret didn’t sit well with me. I had left the office immediately, but the issue resolved itself quicker than anticipated. By the time I arrived, they had already been caught and neutralized. Still, the incident left a sour taste in my mouth. I and Micha were friends but not too close, just the thought of what he did created a little bit of ache in my heart, but I'm not allowed to show it. With the matter handled, I couldn’t stop myself from thinking of Aurora. I had promised I’d get back to her, and something about the way she looked at me earlier had me restless. When I arrived at her apartment unannounced, I wasn’t prepared for the sight that greeted me
Ryan's Pov The dress clung to her curves in ways that made my throat tighten. Her bare legs were on display, and the fabric barely covered her, teasing just enough to drive a man insane. My wolf growled, his possessiveness flaring. I swallowed hard, forcing my voice to stay even. “No,” I said, shaking my head. “This doesn’t suit you.” Her brows furrowed. “What? But…” “You should get something better,” I interrupted, my tone firmer than I intended. She hesitated, clearly unsure whether to argue or not. Finally, she sighed and turned back toward the dressing room. That’s when I saw it, faint but unmistakable, marks on the back of her thigh, just under the hem of the dress. My blood ran cold. “Wait,” I said, my voice low and dangerous. Aurora froze, turning slightly to look at me. “Who did this to you?” I asked, my tone sharp. Her eyes widened, and she shook her head. “It’s nothing” “Don’t lie to me,” I growled, stepping closer. “Who did this to you, Aurora?” Her lips tremble
Aurora’s Pov I lay on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, my mind swirling with unanswered questions. The nausea that had been threatening to overwhelm me all day hadn’t fully subsided, but that wasn’t what kept me awake. It was the thought of Ryan, sitting just a few feet away, his piercing gaze watching over me. “Can I ask you something?” I finally blurted out, breaking the silence that hung heavily between us. Ryan’s voice was calm as he responded, “Of course.” “Were you born rich?” The question tumbled out before I could second-guess myself. Ryan leaned back slightly, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Yes, I was born into wealth.” I nodded slowly, unsure what I expected him to say. “I’ve always dreamt of having my own company one day,” I admitted, the words spilling out in a quiet confession. “But… that’s by the way.” Ryan smiles, and I caught the amusement in his expression. “What’s funny?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at him. “Nothing,” he said, t
Ryan’s Pov I pulled the car to a stop in front of Aurora’s apartment building. My grip on the steering wheel tightened as I scanned the building’s exterior—chipped paint, cracked windows, and an aura of neglect that made my skin crawl. This wasn’t a place for her. Not for my little one. Aurora reached for the door handle, pausing to glance at me. Her delicate features were tinged with exhaustion, yet she still managed a small, polite smile. It was the same smile she’d given me earlier, as if she had to reassure me that she was fine. She wasn’t fine. I could see it, feel it. And leaving her here felt like abandoning her to the wolves. “Be ready tomorrow morning,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “We leave early.” She nodded, murmuring a soft, “Thank you,” before stepping out of the car. I watched her disappear into the dimly lit entrance, a wave of frustration and anger surging within me. What the hell was I doing? Dropping her off in this filthy, unsafe place? My jaw tigh
Aurora’s Pov I woke up feeling much better than yesterday, though a lingering sense of exhaustion still clung to me. As the sunlight streamed through the cracks in my curtain, I stretched and let out a soft sigh. Today was the day before the trip, and there was so much work left undone from my absence. I couldn’t afford to slack off any longer. After dragging myself out of bed, I quickly got ready. I opted for one of the new outfits Ryan had bought me, a simple t-shirt paired with a high-waisted skirt. When I caught sight of myself in the mirror, I had to do a double take. The outfit fit perfectly, accentuating my figure in a way I wasn’t used to. It felt strange but good, like I was seeing a version of myself I hadn’t known existed. "Wow," I murmured, brushing invisible lint off my skirt. “Is that really me?” Slipping on a pair of matching shoes, I smoothed down my hair, grabbed my bag, and headed for the door. But the moment I opened it, I froze. Ryan stood there, his hand rai
Ryan's Pov The moment Aurora stepped out of her apartment, I couldn’t stop my eyes from trailing down her figure. She was wearing one of the outfits I’d bought for her. A light blouse tucked into a high-waisted skirt that accentuated her curves in a way that was both modest and striking. Her hair was neatly done, and her shoes clicked softly on the worn floors. She looked beautiful, confident even, and for a moment, I felt a swell of pride. Not just for the clothes, but for the way she carried herself. My little one. I opened the car door for her, and as she slid in, I made my way to the driver’s seat. Today wasn’t a day to have someone tagging along. I wanted it to be just the two of us. The drive was quiet, except for the occasional directions she gave. When we reached the bank, she hesitated as she saw the crowd outside. “I think we should’ve come earlier,” she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. I pulled out my phone without a word, dialing a number. A few
Aurora’s Pov The restaurant was quiet, the only sound coming from the faint hum of conversations in the background. I kept my focus on my laptop, scrolling through emails and checking tasks I hadn’t finished. There was so much to do, and I didn’t want Ryan thinking I was slacking. But as I worked, a cold sensation washed over me. It wasn’t the temperature of the room, it was deeper, bone-chilling, like the shadow of something I’d spent years trying to escape. I forced myself to keep looking at the screen. It’s nothing, I told myself. It’s just your imagination. You’re safe. But then the feeling intensified, like ice creeping up my spine. The hair on the back of my neck stood up, and my fingers froze mid-typing. Slowly, hesitantly, I looked up. No. No, it couldn’t be. I blinked, shaking my head as if trying to wake from a nightmare. My heart pounded, and I prayed I was wrong. But then someone stepped closer, and my worst fears were confirmed. “Greg,” I whispered, my voice barel
Ryan's POV I don’t know how to say this, even to myself, but… thank you, Greg. Of all the ways this night could’ve gone, you showing up was oddly perfect. Sure, the guy’s a nuisance, but at least he gave me the excuse to keep Aurora close. When I dragged Greg out of the restaurant, I didn’t care about the stares or whispers. All that mattered was making sure he understood one thing, he wasn’t to lay a finger on her ever again. Once we were outside, I let the mask drop just enough. My wolf side flared, my eyes narrowing, a low growl escaping my lips. Greg’s face turned pale, and he stumbled back like the fool he is. Before bolting like a scared rabbit, he promised not to touch Aurora again. I made sure my warning stuck. With him gone, I headed back inside. Aurora was still trembling, her face pale as she tried to gather herself. I kept my voice steady. “Let’s go. We need to grab your things.” I hated stepping foot into her rundown apartment again. The place reeked of memories that
Aurora’s povOne more day.Just one more day before Ziani comes to take me.The thought sent chills down my spine. I was better now. I could cast spells, and I knew the ones I needed to fight Jasmine. But what if I had learned everything? What would I be capable of then?I stood alone under the moonlight, whispering spells into the cool night air. My fingers tingled with energy as I practiced, trying different ones over and over again. Lily had left me to train by myself, saying I needed to master things on my own. She was right. I needed this moment alone.Ryan had wanted to stay, but I asked him for space. He was protective, always watching me, always making sure I was okay. But I needed to push myself, to prepare myself for what was coming.Three hours passed, and I was still training, sweat glistening on my skin. I was exhausted but determined.Then, I felt his presence before I even saw him.Ryan’s voice was calm but firm. “Are you okay? You are stressing yourself out too much.”
Ryan’s PovAurora was in the training ground again. Day three. And she had learned so much.More than I ever expected.I had watched her push herself past exhaustion, staying up all night with the spellbook Lily gave her, practicing spells relentlessly. One night, she had tried to summon a simple flame to light the room—but instead, she nearly set the entire place on fire. Another time, she brought the wind, the storm, and the rain inside the room. It had taken her forever to stop it, and Lily? She had just stood there, arms crossed, watching with that smug look of hers."This is part of your training," she had said when Aurora begged for help.And now, here she was in the training ground, sweat dripping from her forehead, her stance firm, her fists clenched as she sparred with Jamie. She was getting faster, stronger. More dangerous.Jamie dodged her first few attacks easily, grinning, teasing her. "Come on, Aurora. You can do better than that."She growled in frustration, adjusting h
Aurora’s PovI stared at Lily, my mind reeling. She’s the girl from the business trip.“You….” I pointed at her, my eyes narrowing. “I never knew you were a witch.”Lily smirked, crossing her arms. “And I never knew you were a werewolf. And a witch, too. Such a coincidence.”I shook my head in disbelief. “Unbelievable.”She shrugged. “Anyway, fun time’s over. We have to get started.”Before I could respond, Ryan stepped in. “No. You are not getting started today.” His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. “Aurora needs rest. She should eat, take a bath, and then sleep. You can start preparing tomorrow morning.”Lily turned to me. “Would you prefer it that way?”I let out a deep breath. “Yeah, I am kind of exhausted. I prefer it that way.”Ryan nodded in approval, then turned to Lily. “One of the maid will take you to the guest room.” He looked back at me, his eyes softening. “Come on, let’s go to our room. The maids will bring your meal there.”I nodded and followed him.As so
Aurora’s PovI screamed so loud that my throat burned. My heart pounded against my ribs as I clutched my chest, struggling to process what had just happened. There was a voice, a real, talking voice, inside me.Ryan stepped closer, his expression calm despite my full-blown panic. “Relax,” he said. “It’s already part of you. You have to get used to it.”I shot him a glare. “Get used to it? Something just spoke inside my head, Ryan!”He nodded. “Yeah, because she’s your wolf. Try talking to her. Just think it, and she’ll hear you.”I swallowed hard, glancing at Elliot and Caleb, who were both grinning like I was some kind of amusement show.I narrowed my eyes. “Are you guys mocking me?”Caleb quickly shook his head. “No, no, we’re not mocking you. We’re just… impressed.”I knew they were definitely mocking me, but I ignored them and focused on what Ryan had said.Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and thought, Hi, Melissa, I’m Aurora.A response came instantly, her voice soft but co
Aurora’s PovI had a plan.I was not just going to go with Ziani. I was not going to blindly follow her into a world I barely understood. But before anything else, before I could even think of my own safety, I needed to save Ryan.Ziani studied me carefully, then nodded. “Since you have made your choice, you must prepare for the journey soon. Now that you have bloomed, everyone will be restless for their leader’s return.” She tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. “You have no idea what you have just awakened, do you?”I swallowed but said nothing.Ziani continued, turning to Ryan. “This is where you come in. You need to train her, teach her how to use her werewolf senses properly. It will not take long because the power hidden inside her will accelerate the process. She has more advantage than most, being both werewolf and witch. It is time she learned how to use it.”Ryan’s entire body tensed beside me. I knew he wanted to protest, to argue, but Ziani ignored him.“You
Ryan’s PovAurora barely made it to the garden before her steps slowed. Her breathing was uneven, her hands shaking slightly as she ran them through her hair. I knew she was overwhelmed. Who wouldn’t be?But I couldn't leave her alone. Not like this.I stepped closer. “Aurora, we have to take it easy. We don’t have to believe everything she says.”She turned to me, her eyes burning with frustration. “Seriously, Ryan? We have to believe her. How else would she know what happened to me three or four days ago? How does she know about my mother? How does she know about Elliot?” She took a shaky breath. “How does this even happen?”I wasn’t sure what to say. “She must have figured it out somehow.”Aurora let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. “No, Ryan. She didn’t figure anything out. She knows.” Her voice trembled. “I’m a witch and a werewolf.”The words felt heavier in the air.Aurora pressed a hand to her chest. “But that’s not even the worst part. The real issue is that you…” Her voice
Aurora’s PovA madwoman walked in here today and told me I was a witch and a werewolf.Who even talks like that?And now, she wanted me to leave with her? Was this some kind of joke? I stared at her, my mind trying to catch up with the insanity happening before me."You have to come with me," Ziani said, her voice calm, too calm, like she was explaining something as simple as the weather. "You want to know where you come from. You want to know where your mother is from."My heart skipped a beat.I took a shaky breath, narrowing my eyes at her. "Wait… how do you know my mother?"Ziani smirked, tapping a finger against her lips like she was savoring a secret. "Are you really not going to offer me a seat? So we can all sit and talk like reasonable people?" She glanced at the room, then back at me. "Or do I not look reasonable to you?"Ryan’s body tensed beside me. "Stop all this and just get straight to the point." His voice was low, sharp, deadly.But Ziani only laughed. "Nope. I’m not
Ryan’s PovAurora pushed herself up from the bed, her legs unsteady beneath her. She looked weak, too pale, like her body was still catching up with everything it had endured. I instinctively reached for her, but she pulled away sharply."Let me be," she muttered.The rejection stung more than I wanted to admit. I knew she was still angry. I knew she had every reason to be. But damn it, watching her struggle and not being able to hold her, to comfort her, was tearing me apart.I swallowed my frustration. "I'm sorry," I said quietly.She didn't respond. She just straightened her back, took a slow breath, and said, "Let's go."I could feel the tension crackling between us like a storm waiting to break, but I said nothing more. We left the room, Elliot and Caleb following close behind, and descended the stairs.A woman stood in the center of the grand hall, her back turned to us. Her attire was something I couldn’t even begin to describe, a mixture of flowing fabric and symbols that seem
Ryan’s PovIt had been exactly four days.Four agonizing days since Aurora collapsed.She wasn’t dead. That was the only relief I had. Her chest rose and fell with each slow breath, her heartbeat steady beneath my palm every time I checked. But no matter how many times I called her name, no matter how much I begged, she wouldn’t wake up.Desperate, I had sought Selene’s help. But even the Selene had only given me a cryptic response."She is alive. She is unharmed. But she will wake when she chooses to."That was it. That was all she said before disappearing, leaving me with nothing but frustration and helplessness.So I stayed.I never left her side, not even for a second unless absolutely necessary. The only times I stepped away were for quick showers or unavoidable meetings with the Elders. But even then, I rushed back. I ate beside her. I slept beside her. And when Leila and Mira cleaned her up, I refused to leave the room, watching over her like a hawk.I was the Alpha. Feared by