Aurora's POVThe moment I walked into the office that morning, my eyes betrayed me. They sought him out, as if they had a mind of their own, and I hated it. I hated how easily I craved the sight of him. And when I saw him standing there, his usual confident posture, his sharp gaze scanning the room, I felt my heart stutter.Ryan.I tried to compose myself, to shove all those feelings down. I wanted to look past him, to pretend he wasn’t the reason my stomach felt like it was in knots. He didn’t deserve to know how much he still affected me. I told myself that today, everything would be strictly professional. No smiles. No stolen glances. Just work.But it was hard. Too hard.Even as I sat at my desk, pretending to focus on the endless pile of paperwork, my thoughts kept drifting back to him. The way he’d said “little one” last night on the phone, the warmth in his voice that made me feel… seen.I shook my head. No. I wasn’t going to let him get to me. Not again.But my resolve faltere
Ryan's Pov When Aurora left my office earlier, I couldn’t take it anymore. She deserved to know the truth, the truth about who I was, what I was. She was blaming herself, feeling things she thought were wrong, and I couldn’t let her carry that weight. She needed to understand. So I went to her. Standing outside her door, I tried to gather my thoughts. This wasn’t going to be easy, but it was necessary. I knocked, and when she opened the door, seeing her standing there in just a towel nearly threw all my plans out the window. But I pushed past the distraction, walked inside, and closed the door behind me. “Ryan, you can’t be here,” she said immediately, her voice sharp but unsteady. “We shouldn’t be seen alone. You need to leave.” Her words stung, but I kept my focus. “Aurora, I need to talk to you,” I said, trying to keep my tone calm. “I need you to listen to me, just for a minute.” I dragged her to the couch and sat her down. She crossed her arms, her body tense. “No. There
Aurora’s POVWhat does he mean by he’s not going to hurt me? God, I swear I’m about to faint. My heart is racing so fast it feels like it’s going to burst out of my chest. I don’t even know if I’m breathing properly anymore. And the fear… Oh my God, the fear. I might actually pee my oranges.I’m sitting at the farthest edge of the couch, as far away from him as I can possibly be. But it doesn’t feel far enough. I can still feel his presence, heavy and suffocating. My legs are trembling, and I’m not sure if it’s from the fear or the absolute confusion of everything he just said.I keep stealing glances at him, but every time my eyes meet his, I look away just as fast. What the fuck did I just hear? He’s not human. He’s a werewolf. A werewolf. My brain keeps repeating that word like it’s trying to make sense of it, but it can’t. It won’t.And Karen… Karen is a werewolf too? His fiancée. A werewolf fiancée. A woman who could snap my neck like a twig if she wanted to. No, not snap. End. S
Ryan's Pov After leaving Aurora’s apartment, I leaned against the wall outside her door, inhaling deeply as if the air could calm the storm raging in my mind. Draven, my wolf, stirred within me, his voice clear and firm. "We did it. We told her who we are, who we truly are." I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply. “Yeah, and scared the shit out of her in the process. She probably won’t even want to see me again.” "You practically told her she had no choice but to come to Shadowhaven with us. That’s not how to do it, Ryan," Draven said, his tone disapproving. "She’ll come to you. Just give her time." I ignored him. Draven didn’t understand how hard this was. I had waited for so long, for years wondering if I’d ever find her, and now that I had, the thought of losing her was unbearable. Jamie was already waiting for me when I stepped out of the building. I slid into the back seat of the car, silent as he pulled away from Aurora’s apartment. My thoughts refused to quiet down
Aurora’s Pov When I heard the knocking, my heart jumped into my throat. My palms were sweaty as I tightened my grip around the baseball bat I had bought earlier that day. It felt silly, holding a piece of wood as a weapon against someone like Ryan, but it was better than feeling helpless. I didn’t want to see him, but here he was. He knocked again, calling my name, his voice steady yet firm. “Aurora, I know you’re in there. Open the door.” My heart raced as I stood near the door, willing my breathing to quiet down. Maybe if I stayed silent, he’d leave. But then, his voice became more commanding, “Open the door, or I’ll break it down.” Panic set in. I pressed myself against the wall, clutching the bat tighter. He wouldn’t actually break the door, would he? The sound of the lock snapping answered my question. My knees almost gave out as the door swung open, and there he stood. Ryan, in all his infuriating, terrifying, breathtaking presence. When his eyes landed on the baseball bat
Aurora’s PovI just stared at him, completely stunned. Did he just say I should move in with him? Was he serious?I didn’t know when a laugh escaped my lips, it was loud, unexpected, and probably a little rude. But I couldn’t help it.Ryan’s brows furrowed as he looked at me, clearly confused. He tilted his head like he was trying to figure out what was so funny.“What did you just say, Ryan?” I asked, still laughing softly, hoping I’d heard him wrong.“Move in with me, Aurora,” he repeated, his voice steady, but I couldn’t tell if it was a request or a command.He didn’t do well with showing emotions, it was always this guarded, unreadable expression. I could never tell what he was truly feeling.“I’m sorry, Ryan. I can’t move in with you,” I said, shaking my head.I wasn’t ready for that. I was still scared of him, though not as much as before, but that didn’t mean my guard was down.And also regardless of anything, Karen was in his life.His eyes darkened slightly as he leaned back
Aurora’s PovWe stayed like that for a while, me lying on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. It was oddly soothing, and I almost fell asleep.But then I stirred, lifting my head to look at him. His eyes met mine, soft and full of something I couldn’t quite name. Before I could say anything, he leaned in and kissed my forehead gently.Then, without warning, he scooped me up in his arms, carrying me as if I weighed nothing.“What are you doing, Ryan?” I asked softly, instinctively wrapping my arms around his neck to steady myself.“I’m carrying you to the bedroom,” he replied, his voice calm and confident.“Why?” I asked, narrowing my eyes slightly.“So you can sleep,” he said, then smirked. “Or… do you want us to do something else? I’m down for it.”My cheeks burned at his words, and I quickly looked away.“Stop it,” I muttered, covering my face with one hand.He chuckled quietly, the sound deep and warm, before he carried me into the bedroom. He placed me gent
Ryan’s povI saw when Aurora stepped out of her office, heading toward Sophie and Adam to hand over some documents. My eyes followed her every movement, admiring her without shame. But I didn’t miss the way Adam looked at her.He liked her.My jaw tightened as I focused my sharp hearing on their conversation. Adam gestured for her to follow him to his desk, and though I could no longer see them, I could hear every word.He was inviting her to a party.And then he asked her to go with him.The nerve.I stood up before I could stop myself. I shouldn't have. I knew I should let her handle things on her own. But I couldn’t. Why would I, when another man was trying to take what was mine?I didn’t care what Aurora thought. She needed to understand that no one could come close to her. No one could have her but me.Without a second thought, I walked straight to them. Adam was still waiting for her answer, but I gave it for her.“She won’t say yes.”Both of them turned to look at me. Aurora’s
Aurora’s Pov I wanted to die of secondhand embarrassment. Alphas were supposed to be dignified, strong, and composed. Ryan? Ryan was screaming like a lunatic, making a scene in front of the entire hospital. The pain hit me harder, and I let out a sharp breath. Immediately, nurses rushed over with a hospital bed. Ryan ran beside me, putting on hospital gloves like he was about to deliver the baby. “I’m here for you, Aurora,” he said, his voice shaking. “I’m here.” The doctor arrived, a middle-aged man with a calm demeanor. “How are you feeling?” I barely had the energy to glare at him. “Like I want to poop.” Ryan’s eyes widened in horror. “WHAT?!” The doctor chuckled. “That means the baby is coming. Alright, Aurora, I’m going to need you to push.” I nodded, gripping Ryan’s hand as the nurses positioned me. “Keep your legs straight,” the doctor instructed. Ryan’s eyes darkened. “Why are you looking at my wife like that?” The doctor looked confused. “Because I’m delivering h
Ryan’s Pov(Three Years Later)I was just pouring Aurora a glass of juice, minding my own business, when suddenly….“RYAN!”The glass slipped from my hand, shattering against the counter. I spun around so fast I nearly dislocated something. My heart lurched into my throat as I bolted into the living room.“What happened? What happened? Are you okay? Who do I need to kill?”Aurora was standing there, eyes wide, hands gripping her stomach. Then she looked up at me and said the words that completely short-circuited my brain.“My water just broke.”I blinked. “What does that mean?”She gave me a look. “Ryan.”“What water? Did you spill something? Are you thirsty?” I was already turning back toward the kitchen, my brain refusing to process.She groaned and pointed at her belly. “THE BABY IS COMING.”My entire soul left my body.“The baby is coming?!” My voice hit a pitch I didn’t know I was capable of. “Like RIGHT NOW?!”Aurora, the love of my life, the mother of my unborn child, had the au
Aurora’s PovZiani’s eyes darkened as she stepped forward. “What do you mean you are not going with me?” Her voice was laced with disbelief. “We had a deal, Aurora.”I met her gaze without flinching. “Yes, I know we had a deal. But before we continue, I want to ask everyone in this room a question.”A murmur rippled through the council as they exchanged glances.“Go ahead,” one of the elders finally said.I turned, my eyes sweeping across every single person in the room. My voice was steady, unwavering.“Who is the moon goddess now?”Silence hung for a moment before, in unison, the room responded.“You are.”I shifted my gaze to Ziani. “And who is the leader now?”Her jaw tightened, but she didn’t hesitate. “You are.”A slow smile formed on my lips. “Then I make the rules.”The moment those words left my mouth, the room erupted into chaos.“I might not know everything about the Moon Goddess yet,” I continued over their voices, “but I will learn it in no time. And as long as I am in th
Aurora’s PovSilence swallowed the battlefield as Karen’s body went still. Her last words echoed in my mind, haunting and heavy. I had thought I was ready for this, that I was prepared to do whatever it took to protect what was mine, but as I stared at her lifeless form, all I felt was a deep, aching sorrow.This was never how I wanted it to be.The weight of everything crashed down on me all at once. My limbs trembled, and suddenly, the pain that had been numbed by adrenaline surged back, searing through my body like fire. My legs gave out.I barely registered the panicked voices around me before I hit the ground.Elliot, Caleb, and Ryan rushed toward me, their faces etched with worry.“I’m fine,” I muttered, though the pounding in my head and the sharp sting in my wounds said otherwise. “I’m just… just hot a little.”Ryan crouched beside me, his jaw clenched. “Hot a little? You’re burning up,” he snapped. His hands hovered over me as if he was afraid to touch me, afraid that I might
Karen’s PovThe battleground was silent for a moment, thick with tension. The crowd gathered, eyes locked on us, their whispers barely audible over the howling wind. I rolled my shoulders, cracking my knuckles, and took slow steps forward, never breaking eye contact with Aurora.She stood across from me, her body battered, her clothes stained with blood and dirt. Weakness radiated from her, yet she still held her chin high, defiance burning in her eyes.Pathetic."You should have stayed down when you had the chance," I sneered, my claws extending, itching to sink into her flesh. "This is your last warning, Aurora. Step aside and let me have what’s mine."She wiped blood from the corner of her mouth and spat onto the dirt. "Ryan was never yours, Karen. And he never will be."That was all I needed.With a growl, I lunged at her, my claws swiping toward her throat. She barely dodged, rolling to the side before springing to her feet.The fight had begun.The moment our bodies collided aga
Karen’s PovI have been watching. Waiting.Every day, I moved unseen through the corridors of this mansion, listening, observing. I watched them whisper about her, pray for her, cry for her. Aurora. Aurora. Aurora.Her name was on everyone’s lips, like she was some kind of savior.It was pathetic.She had actually left to break the curse, to throw herself into the jaws of death, and for what? Love? How foolish.I had given Ryan everything. My love, my loyalty, my soul. And still, he had chosen her. But I told myself it wasn’t over. I told myself I had time. That if I played my cards right, I could get him back.Then today happened.The mansion was alive with excitement. People were gathering. And when I saw what they were looking at, who they were looking at, my blood boiled.Aurora was back.She had survived.And I knew, at that moment, that if I didn’t act now, I would lose everything forever.So, I stepped into the mansion.Nobody stopped me. They all still saw me as the ex-Luna. R
Ryan’s PovI sat alone in my room, staring at the empty space before me. It had been a month and a week since she left. Since Aurora walked into that cursed place. Since she vanished from my life.Every day without her felt like a slow death.I had no reason to live anymore.I had fought, waited, hoped, prayed. But she was not back.And now… I was starting to fear the worst.Ziani had come to Shadow Heaven today, her face grim, her words laced with worry."It's taking longer than expected," she had said. "Maybe… maybe she made the wrong choice by going in."The words sliced through me like a dagger.Was this how I was going to lose her?No.No.I clenched my fists so tightly my nails dug into my skin. Aurora was strong. She had fought battles before. She had survived the impossible.She was going to come back to me.She must come back to me.Then, suddenly, I heard it.Noise. Screaming. Voices rising in panic.My body tensed. My wolf growled. Something was happening.I shot to my feet
Aurora’s PovMy eyelids felt heavy, my body weak, but my mind was sharp. The moment my eyes fluttered open, I saw them.Jazmine and Rhys.They were dragging me, their hands gripping my arms as if I were nothing more than a discarded rag doll. They thought I was still unconscious. They really thought I was still asleep.Their voices were hushed, but I could hear them."She must be out of her mind for coming here," Jazmine muttered."It’s because of love," Rhys replied. "You can do anything for love."Jazmine scoffed. "Now love is going to kill her."I clenched my teeth. No, I thought. Love can never kill me. I will fight for love. And I will win.I reached for Melissa, my wolf, my other half."Melissa," I called out in my mind. "We have to fight."Her response was weak, strained. "We’re tired, Aurora…""No," I said, firm and unwavering. "We are not tired. We have to fight. We have to win this battle. Or don’t you want to go back to Draven?"Silence. Then, a whisper of longing. "I miss
Aurora’s PovMy eyes fluttered open, but the world around me was nothing but darkness. My body ached, my head was pounding, and for a moment, I couldn’t remember where I was or how I got here. Then it all started coming back.I had walked into the portal. I had felt the pull of another world, dragging me into the unknown. Days ago. Or weeks. I couldn't tell. Time didn’t exist in this place. The only thing that remained was the memory of that voice calling my name."Aurora."And then the impact. A sudden, sharp blow that sent me spiraling into unconsciousness.Now I was here. Chained. Weak. Trapped.I tried to move, but the cold bite of iron dug into my wrists and ankles. The chains rattled, heavy and unbreakable. My breathing was uneven as I struggled against them, but it was no use. The air smelled of damp stone and something unnatural, something suffocating. I wasn't alone.The door creaked open, and footsteps echoed against the stone floor. A woman stepped into the dim light, her e