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
Ryan Pov “Let me drop you off,” I said, my tone firm but leaving no room for argument. After a brief hesitation, she nodded and said okay, her wariness evident. We quietly walked to my car, Aurora was walking slowly because of her wounds. I opened the door for her and she said thank you, it was almost like a whisper. Now, even in the dim glow of the streetlights, her tension was palpable. I noticed how she flinched every time I shifted in my seat, as if she expected me to lash out. It grated on my nerves more than I cared to admit. I stole another glance at her. She was so fragile-looking, her frame almost too small for the oversized sweater Caleb had purchased in haste. And yet, there was a stubbornness in the way she held herself, a refusal to crumble despite her obvious weakness. I respected it, even if it annoyed me that she was too stubborn to accept the help she clearly needed. Why is she so scared? I mused, my brows furrowing. I don’t look that intimidating. Do I? my wolf
Aurora’s Pov The moment I stepped into my apartment, a wave of dizziness hit me. My knees nearly gave out as I leaned against the door, locking it behind me. Safe. For now. The dim bulb overhead flickered like it always did, and the stale air greeted me, heavy with the smell of mold and neglect. My body ached all over, every bruise and cut a reminder of the nightmare I’d barely escaped. I shrugged off the oversized sweater that Ryan had wrapped around me, wincing as the fabric grazed my sore arms. I didn't want to stain the expensive clothes, so I wore mine instead. I needed to eat. Something simple, something to settle the nausea swirling in my stomach. The kitchen was nothing more than a counter, a rusty sink, and a tiny stove that worked when it felt like it. I rummaged through the cabinet, finding a pack of instant noodles. The water took ages to boil, and as I stirred the noodles in, my mind drifted back to Ryan. The way he appeared out of nowhere, stepping in like some dar
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
Ryan’s PovI shouldn’t have let Aurora go.I shouldn’t have allowed my little one to step into that portal.It has been exactly one month. One full month since she disappeared. And nobody has heard from her. No whispers, no signals , no dreams, no nothing.She hasn’t come back. We don’t know if she is alive.I sat in my room staring at nothing feeling like nothing. My chest felt hollow like my heart had been ripped out and left bleeding on the cold floor. I didn’t know what to live for anymore.When Aurora walked into that thing we waited. Two weeks. Two weeks standing in that cursed witch kingdom watching the portal hoping praying for a sign. But there was nothing. Not a single trace of her. Eventually we had no choice but to return.And now another two weeks have passed and still she isn’t back.What if something happened to her? What if she is trapped? What if she is suffering? What if she is.No.I squeezed my eyes shut forcing the thought out of my head. This is not how it ends.
Ryan’s PovWe walked into Eldoria, the witch kingdom. It was nothing like I expected. No weird mist, no dark magic lingering in the air, no signs of an evil presence. It was just a town. A normal town. People walked around like any other place, living their lives.Ziani led the way, her steps confident. Aurora’s grip on my hand tightened, and I felt her fear even though she tried to hide it. I leaned in and whispered, “Aurora.”She didn’t look at me. “Ryan, please don’t make me change my mind. Let’s just follow her.”Ziani’s voice broke through the moment. “The seven witches who will perform the spell are already waiting. Everyone here knows that Aurora is the leader, so if someone bows to you, do not make it awkward.”Aurora nodded, her face unreadable.As we walked further in, I studied the people around us. They didn’t have black eyes or strange appearances. They looked like normal humans. If I didn’t know better, I wouldn’t have thought they were witches.Aurora suddenly stiffened
Aurora’s PovKnock, knock.The sound was distant at first, blending into my dream. But then it came again, louder this time.I groaned, my body still sore from last night. My eyelids fluttered open, and as soon as I registered the time on the clock, my heart nearly stopped.11 a.m."Shit," I whispered.Panic surged through me as I sat up abruptly. "Ryan, wake up!" I shook him, but he barely stirred. "Ryan, get up! It is finally time!"I guessed the sex we had last night had completely knocked us out. We had slept past time, and now, now, Ziani was here.Ryan let out a deep groan, stretching lazily. "Mmm, what?" His voice was thick with sleep.I was already scrambling for my clothes, pulling on whatever I could find. "It is time, Ryan! Ziani is here!"The knocking came again, more insistent this time.Ryan sighed, rubbing his face. "No need to cover me up. I am already up," he murmured, swinging his legs over the bed.I ignored him as I rushed to smooth down my hair, my heart pounding.