Karen’s PovIt was almost too easy.Ryan and Aurora had been gone from Shadowhaven for too long, settling into their comfortable little lives in the human world. Ignoring their duties. Ignoring her.That didn’t sit well with me.Not that I felt anything about it, not anger, not jealousy, not resentment. Emotions were pointless. But I knew things were shifting, and shifts had consequences. Ryan belonged in Shadowhaven. Aurora, too. And if they weren’t going to return willingly, I’d make sure they had no choice.Tania had been the one to suggest it bringing in a forgotten sorceress, someone whose magic had long been buried in time. It was a risk, a costly one, but I didn’t care. Sacrifices were necessary. And so, I made mine.Nara had been strong, too strong. But even the strongest could fall. It took patience, power, and something I no longer possessed, care. But in the end, the sickness seeped into her bones, weakening her, pulling her toward death’s door.And just like that, Ryan an
Aurora’s PovAfter we left Nara’s side, the weight of her death still clung to the air around us. It was strange. I hadn’t been particularly close to her, but the loss still settled in my chest like a heavy stone. Two lives lost now.Ryan and I made our way back to the mansion, our footsteps silent, the gravity of the moment pressing down on both of us. As soon as we entered the meeting area, Alex was already talking.“I’ll have to call the elders,” he said. “Nara’s death… it’s difficult to take in.”Ryan gave a firm nod, agreeing without hesitation.There wasn’t much left to say, so we excused ourselves and headed upstairs to our room. When I stepped inside, I noticed our things had already been placed neatly in the space. We were going to be here for a while. Might as well settle in.I went straight to our bags, unpacking my things with methodical precision. I hadn’t thought about it until now, but… Do gadgets even work here?I turned to Ryan. “Hey, does technology work in Shadowhav
Aurora's PovI couldn’t breathe. My chest ached with every gasp as Marcus’s hand connected with my cheek again, the slap echoing through the small living room. My knees buckled, and I hit the floor hard, but the pain in my body was nothing compared to the mysery in my heart.“You ungrateful brat!” Marcus spat, towering over me like a monster in the dim light of the single bulb swinging overhead. “You think you can talk back to me?”“Leave her alone!” My mother, Lilian, screamed, throwing herself between us. Her voice cracked, desperate and raw. She held Marcus’s arm, trying to stop him, but he shoved her away like she was nothing. She crashed into the corner of the table with a sickening thud and crumpled to the floor.“Mom!” I crawled toward her, ignoring the sting of my split lip and the blood dripping from my nose. Her fragile frame trembled as she tried to push herself up, her face pale and filled with fear. I touched her arm, but before I could check if she was okay, Marcus’s boo
Aurora's PovI woke up to the sound of the wind whistling through the broken windows of the uncompleted building. My body ached from sleeping on the cold, hard floor, but at least it was better than the life I had left behind. The memory of last night….of my mother’s tear-streaked face and her desperate whispers made my chest tighten. I had no choice but to keep moving forward. For her sake. For mine.The sun was just peeking over the horizon when I grabbed my bag and made my way out. I couldn’t stay here. I needed a place where I could breathe without fear of someone finding me. With the money my mother gave me clutched tightly in my hand, I made my way to the train station. The ticket I bought wasn’t for anywhere glamorous, just the nearest city I could afford. I didn’t care about the destination. All I wanted was distance.By the time the train rolled into *Hollowbridge City* The sun was high in the sky. The city wasn’t anything like the quaint little town I’d grown up in. It was l
Ryan’s Pov The air was thick with tension in the grand hall of the Shadowfang mansion. Karen, the woman ceremonially marked as my Luna, stood before me, her voice trembling but persistent. She begged for my attention, her pleas like whispers against a storm. “Why do you do this to me, Ryan?” she asked, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I’ve given everything to you. I’ve waited, sacrificed, and stood by your side. Just tell me what to do to make you love me!” I stood motionless, my hands tucked in my pockets. “Karen, you’ve always been one of my closest friends. I care for you, but not as my Luna, not in the way you want me to. The only reason you hold that title is for the alliance. My true mate…” I hesitated. “She’s gone. She’s either lost or dead. You’ll never be her.” Her face crumpled at my words, but I didn’t flinch. “Ryan,” she whispered, stepping closer. “Why do you cherish your human life more than what we have here? You spend more time in their world than ours. Yo
Aurora’s PovThe sun filtered through the wrecked blinds of my rented room, painting streaks of light across the faded walls. It wasn't much but it was mine. My stomach rumbled softly, reminding me I'd only had a stale piece of bread the night before. I took a deep breath, brushing my hair back into a loose ponytail and reaching for the uniform I'd hung on the chair. I've been glad that we wear uniforms at the bar. I wouldn't have known how to get to work without looking tattered and miserable.It was another day and another shift at the bar. At Least it paid for food, which was the most important of all and a roof over my head. I quickly took my bath as I planned to get to work early to finish some tasks and avoid chaos later in the day. I dressed up, and after that I took some leftover food I had from two days ago.As I stepped out, the streets were quieter than usual. My guess was because it was early, I spotted my landlady, casually sitting by a coffee shop, I waved at her and gav
Ryan’s Pov After I commanded Aurora's boss and his men to leave, my wolf eyes flared momentarily. The group of men who had dared to harm Aurora scurried away in terror, their drunken bravado dissolving into frantic footsteps. I turned my gaze back to Aurora. Her trembling frame collapsed as I reached for her, and she fainted into my arms. I caught her effortlessly, my strong arms wrapping protectively around her small figure. With gentleness, I scooped her up, cradling her as though she might break. Caleb, my beta and closest friend, followed swiftly, concern etched into his features. “What the hell was that?” Caleb hissed, his voice low and urgent. “You showed your wolf side! Do you realize how reckless that was? You risk exposing us all!” My expression didn’t waver as I carried Aurora towards my car. “They’ll be too drunk or terrified to tell a coherent story. No one will believe them anyway,” I replied coolly, brushing past Caleb. Caleb’s mouth opened, ready to argue, but he
Aurora's Pov The room was dimly lit when I flickered my eyes open. The world felt hazy, my head pounding as though a drum was being beaten inside. I blinked, trying to make sense of my surroundings. Where was I? How did I get here? The last thing I remembered was the sound of my boss’s voice, the sting of fists against my body, and then darkness. Everything else was a blur. The bed beneath me was soft, too soft, unlike the one in my cramped apartment. The sheets smelled clean, faintly of cedar and something earthy. My body felt different too. The ache was there but muted. I lifted my hands to find bandages wrapped around them. My clothes... I wasn’t wearing the same ones from before. Instead, I had on a plain oversized shirt. A shiver ran down my spine. I swung my legs off the bed cautiously, feeling the coolness of the wooden floor against my bare feet. My head throbbed as I stood, a wave of nausea threatening to topple me over. But I steadied myself. I needed answers. Where was
Aurora’s PovAfter we left Nara’s side, the weight of her death still clung to the air around us. It was strange. I hadn’t been particularly close to her, but the loss still settled in my chest like a heavy stone. Two lives lost now.Ryan and I made our way back to the mansion, our footsteps silent, the gravity of the moment pressing down on both of us. As soon as we entered the meeting area, Alex was already talking.“I’ll have to call the elders,” he said. “Nara’s death… it’s difficult to take in.”Ryan gave a firm nod, agreeing without hesitation.There wasn’t much left to say, so we excused ourselves and headed upstairs to our room. When I stepped inside, I noticed our things had already been placed neatly in the space. We were going to be here for a while. Might as well settle in.I went straight to our bags, unpacking my things with methodical precision. I hadn’t thought about it until now, but… Do gadgets even work here?I turned to Ryan. “Hey, does technology work in Shadowhav
Karen’s PovIt was almost too easy.Ryan and Aurora had been gone from Shadowhaven for too long, settling into their comfortable little lives in the human world. Ignoring their duties. Ignoring her.That didn’t sit well with me.Not that I felt anything about it, not anger, not jealousy, not resentment. Emotions were pointless. But I knew things were shifting, and shifts had consequences. Ryan belonged in Shadowhaven. Aurora, too. And if they weren’t going to return willingly, I’d make sure they had no choice.Tania had been the one to suggest it bringing in a forgotten sorceress, someone whose magic had long been buried in time. It was a risk, a costly one, but I didn’t care. Sacrifices were necessary. And so, I made mine.Nara had been strong, too strong. But even the strongest could fall. It took patience, power, and something I no longer possessed, care. But in the end, the sickness seeped into her bones, weakening her, pulling her toward death’s door.And just like that, Ryan an
Ryan’s PovSomething didn’t sit right with me about this whole situation. I had a bad feeling, a nagging sense of unease that I couldn’t shake. Nara was strong….stronger than most. She had survived more than anyone I knew, outlived people who should have outlived her.We were heading back to Shadowhaven today. Inez wasn’t coming with us. Not yet. She was still adjusting, still learning to control herself. The full moon was coming in a few weeks, and we had to be sure. Until then, Jamie would stay with us, but when the time got closer, he’d return to keep an eye on her.I started packing some of Aurora’s clothes when her voice broke through my thoughts.“Are you sure Nara is going to survive this?”I looked up at her. The worry in her voice was clear.“Of course, she’s going to survive this,” I said, more confident than I felt. “She’s already survived everything thrown her way. She’s older than even the elders.” I glanced at Aurora, knowing she was still wrapping her head around just h
Aurora’s povFor the past few days, Ryan and I had fallen into a routine….going to work together, sneaking stolen moments between meetings, and giving in to the overwhelming pull between us whenever we could. Whether in the office or at home, it was as if we couldn’t get enough of each other. And honestly, I didn’t mind.But today was different. Today, we were going to see Inez.I had been counting down the days, torn between anticipation and fear. What if she wasn’t alive? The thought gnawed at me, making it nearly impossible to focus on work.We were supposed to go after work, and while I knew the hours weren’t moving any slower than usual, it sure felt like they were. My mind kept wandering back to her, to the moment we left her behind in that so-called underground cell. It was ironic, really, because the place wasn’t even underground. But that was the least of my worries.Ryan had a meeting in the afternoon and told me to stay back and handle office matters. I agreed, but my heart
*IMPORTANT NOTICE:THERE'S BEEN A SLIGHT CHANGE OF POV FOR JUST THIS CHAPTER. ENJOY!*Ryan came closer to Aurora, invading her personal space on her seat, and without a word, their lips met in a fiery kiss. It was a clash of passion, tongues dancing wildly, as if they had been starving for this moment.Aurora's initial resistance melted away under the heat of Ryan's touch. His hands roamed freely, exploring her body through the thin fabric of her dress. She couldn't help but moan into his mouth, her fingers tangling in his hair, pulling him closer. The kiss deepened, becoming more urgent, their hunger for each other growing with each passing second.“We can't, someone might see us,” Aurora suddenly said.“No one will,” Ryan said.With a swift motion, he lifted her from the chair, his strong arms cradling her petite frame. Aurora's eyes widened in surprise, but she didn't resist. Instead, she wrapped her legs around his waist, her hands gripping his shoulders, encouraging him. He carri
Ryan’s PovIt had been four days since Inez was locked up, and in those four days, Aurora had looked paler than usual. Worry had drained the color from her face, but she was slowly getting better. She was eating more, sleeping well, trying to, and she wasn’t as tense as before. But I could still see it in her eyes: she was anxious, waiting for the time to pass so we could check on Inez.This morning, when I woke up, she was already awake, sitting up in bed with a book in her hands. I had no idea where she got it from, but it didn’t matter. She looked peaceful, at least for the moment."Good morning," I murmured, my voice still thick with sleep.She glanced up, smiling softly. "Hey, little one."Before I could react to that nickname, she leaned in and pressed a quick peck to my lips. Just a soft, fleeting touch.I wanted more.But before I could pull her closer, she was already sitting back, flipping another page in her book like she hadn’t just set me on fire with that tiny kiss."I’
Aurora’s PovI barely slept last night. Even though Ryan did everything possible to help me relax, my mind wouldn’t stop racing. The uncertainty of today, of what was going to happen to Inez, weighed heavily on me. Would she survive? Would she regret her choice?The moment the first light of dawn peeked through the curtains, I got up, my heart already pounding."I'm going to check on Inez," I said suddenly.Ryan stirred beside me, his eyes still heavy with sleep. "Aurora, she’s not going to change her mind. Her heartbeat was steady all night, she’s made her decision.""I have to try. You don’t know how girls think," I insisted.Ryan sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "Alright, go ahead."I grabbed my toothbrush and hurried to the bathroom. After brushing my teeth and combing my hair, I took a deep breath and headed to the guest room. I knocked softly.Once. Twice."I'm coming," Inez called from inside.When she opened the door, she looked… calm. Too calm."I just came to see if may
Ryan’s PovI kept my gaze steady on Inez. "There are consequences."Aurora stepped forward, desperation in her voice as she turned to Inez. "You can stay with me. Just leave him, please. Get away from Peter, and we’ll figure something out together." She turned to me. "Ryan, you can find her a job in the company, right?"I nodded. "Yes. I can get you a job. You don’t have to do this, Inez. There are other ways, like being are werewolf."Aurora shot me a glare. "Ryan, stop. Don’t try to convince her."She turned back to Inez, grabbing her hands. "Inez, listen to me. I know he hurt you. I know you want revenge. But please, just… forgive him. Don’t let him ruin you too. Don’t let him be the reason you change into something you're not."Inez yanked her hands away. "I want revenge, Aurora. And I’m going to get it. I want to be the one to do it. I want to be strong enough to make him pay."Aurora shook her head, pleading. "Ryan’s men will capture him for you. You can still get your revenge w
Ryan’s PovThe moment I opened the door, something about her felt familiar.She was a stranger in my mind until Aurora rushed forward and hugged her so tightly that it nearly knocked the girl off balance.That’s when it hit me. Inez.Aurora's friend.I said nothing, deciding to give them some space. I wasn’t particularly interested in their reunion. That was until she turned to me and spoke.“I came here for you,” Inez said, her tone sharp. “Although I came to see Aurora, my friend…I mostly came here for you, Ryan.”Aurora’s brows furrowed. “You… came here for Ryan?”“Yes.”I straightened slightly, studying her. “What is it?”Inez exhaled, her fingers curling slightly before she finally said it.“I need you to give me the werewolf bite.”I froze.Aurora tensed beside her, eyes wide with confusion. “You… what?”“I want to be one,” Inez repeated, her gaze never wavering. “Turn me into a werewolf.”The words sent a sharp silence through the room.My mind raced, processing what she had ju