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 POVThe movie was more entertaining than I expected. I wasn’t surprised when Ryan seemed uncomfortable, gripping the armrest of the couch as if it were his lifeline. I couldn’t quite figure out why, though. Was it because of the first scene? That fleeting kiss at the beginning couldn’t have been that big of a deal, right?Still, I chose to ignore his tension and focused on the movie. It was easy to get lost in the romantic storyline, the kind I had always dreamed about as a child but never thought I’d experience myself.At some point, I must have fallen asleep.When I woke up, the sunlight was filtering through the window, and I was tucked beneath the soft covers of a bed. Wait, what? How did I get here?I sat up, rubbing my eyes. The last thing I remembered was being on the couch. Did Ryan carry me here? The thought sent a flurry of emotions through me, but I shook them off. There was no point dwelling on it. He probably didn’t want to leave me in an uncomfortable position,
Aurora’s PovI just stared at Ryan.I didn't even realize how long I'd been doing it until he raised an eyebrow at me."Are you okay?"I blinked. Once. Twice. I was trying to process everything I had just heard. His brother killed their father, then Ryan killed his brother, and now he was cursed? What kind of tragic, twisted family drama was this?"Yes, yes, yes! I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine!" I blurted out, a little too quickly.Ryan's gaze didn’t waver. If anything, the corner of his lips twitched, like he was holding back a smirk."It’s just..." I gestured vaguely, my mind still spinning. "The story is all somehow to me.""Somehow?" he repeated, amused."You know what I mean!" I huffed. "But wait, how did you get rid of all the witches?"Ryan leaned back, stretching his arms behind his head like he wasn’t talking about a literal massacre. "They took off in fear after that.""Just like that?" I narrowed my eyes."Just like that." He shrugged.I exhaled, still trying to wrap my head
Ryan’s pov(The past)It had been exactly one month since my father’s death. One month of chaos, of watching my home crumble under the weight of betrayal and war. Shadowhaven was falling apart.Some of our people had fled into the human world, hoping to escape the madness, only to be hunted down by the witches. Others had come to me, seeking protection, their eyes filled with fear, their bodies trembling from the horrors they had witnessed.Rhys was out of control. No longer the brother I had grown up with. No longer the man I once trusted.He was something else entirely.And if I didn’t stop him soon, Shadowhaven would be nothing but ashes.I sat with Asher and Caleb, going over the plan one last time."How are we going to breach him?" Asher asked, his brows furrowed."You guys know I can take him on my own," I told them, my voice calm but firm."We're always with you," Caleb said. "Tell us how the plan goes.""Don’t worry about it," I repeated, but before I could say more, Karen's vo
Ryan’s Pov(The past)This was the height of it. How could Rhys stoop so low as to kill our father? We grew up without a mother, and now we were without a father too.The weight of it settled over me like a boulder crushing my chest, but I had no time to grieve. My father’s body was still on the floor, his lifeless eyes staring at nothing, and my hands trembled as I forced myself to turn away.I ordered some of the pack members to take care of the mess Rhys had made. My voice was cold, commanding. I couldn't let anyone see the storm raging inside me.But I needed to see him.I needed to look him in the eye and ask him why.I needed to understand how the brother I grew up with, the twin who shared my blood could do something so unforgivable.Rage burned through my veins, but anger wouldn't solve this. I had to keep my emotions in check.With each step toward Rhys's room, my hands clenched into fists. When I threw open his door, the emptiness inside sent another wave of frustration throu
Ryan's Pov(The past)Everything was still under control, for now. Rhys hadn’t brought Jazmine back into our home, and that was a step in the right direction. Or so I thought.Tonight, there was a grand celebration in a neighboring town, a new Alpha was taking his father’s place after his passing. It was a significant event, drawing in leaders, warriors, and nobles from different territories. Naturally, our presence was expected.I prepared for the night and left alongside Caleb and our father. Upon our arrival, the venue was already overflowing with people, but as soon as we stepped in, conversations halted, and heads turned in our direction. It was always like this,our family commanded attention wherever we went. Some people approached, exchanging pleasantries with my father and acknowledging Caleb and me with nods of respect. But one person was missing.My brother.“Hey, hey,” a familiar female voice chimed.I turned to see Karen, my friend, standing beside her mate, Asher, who is
Ryan’s pov(The past) I didn’t have time for this. Father was sending for him again. It was always the same, Rhys never listened, never obeyed. Rhys Blackwood, my twin. I stormed into his chamber without knocking. No need for pleasantries, he never cared for them anyway. As expected, he wasn’t alone. Jazmine. The one woman who shouldn’t be here. Rhys sat lazily on the edge of his bed, his arm draped around her as if he had all the time in the world. His dark eyes flickered to me, unimpressed. “Knocking is part of manners, brother,” he said, his voice laced with amusement. I ignored him. “Father sends for us.” Rhys smirked but didn’t move. His fingers traced slow patterns on Jazmine’s arm, deliberately testing my patience. “Now.” With that, I turned on my heel and left. I didn’t need to wait for him. He’d come eventually. I made my way to the Council Hall, the place where decisions were made, where my father ruled long before us. These days, he spent more time readi
Aurora’s Pov I paced around the room slowly, wincing at the sharp pain that shot through my body with every step. My wounds still ached, but I couldn’t bring myself to lie down. I was restless. My mind kept replaying what had just happened.What was wrong with Ryan? Why did he react that way? Why did his eyes turn black?I shivered at the memory, gripping my arms as I sat down on the edge of the bed. I reached for the glass of water on the stool beside me, my hands trembling slightly as I took a sip. I needed to calm down, but the thought of Ryan out there, possibly struggling with something beyond his control, made my chest tighten.I wanted to cry, but what good would that do? The last thing I needed was to break down when I didn’t even understand what was happening.Just then, the door opened, and Elliot walked in. His face was calm, but I could tell he was observing me, reading my emotions like an open book.“You need to calm down, Aurora. He’ll be fine,” Elliot said in a reassur
Aurora’s Pov The warm water cascaded down my skin as the maids gently bathed me, their hands careful not to touch my wound. The scent of the soap was intoxicating, a mix of lavender and something sweet I couldn’t quite place. If not for the dull ache in my body, I would have enjoyed this moment even more. They washed my hair with different shampoos, each one filling the room with a new, fresh fragrance. My face was cleansed with soft, foamy soap, making me feel like I was being pampered like a queen. Or a baby.I couldn’t help but think about Ryan. He had actually wanted to stay while I bathed. The thought sent a shiver through me, not of fear, but something else. Amusement? Embarrassment? Maybe even excitement. I imagined him pacing outside, arms crossed, frustrated that he couldn’t have things his way. The image made me smile.After the maids were done, they dried my body with delicate towels, moving carefully as they worked. When I stepped out of the bathroom, a dress was already
Ryan’s Pov I was left dumbfounded. She wants to be in my bed? She wants to have s*x??? I wouldn't hesitate to take her right now. But she's wounded. “What did you say?” I asked her as I brought my face closer to hers. I heard her heartbeat quicken. “Nothing,” She answered softly. “I heard what you said, I just want you to repeat it. What did you say, Aurora?” I asked again. She just moved her head signaling that she said nothing. I was calm. Really calm. But my wolf Draven wasn't, and the little guy in my pants was straining painfully, I just have to be calm. She shouldn't have said what she said. Now I'm thinking about all the dirty things I'm gonna do to her when the right time comes. Damn it Ryan. Focus! Aurora had gone quiet, just staring at me. Her eyes held something unreadable, a mix of curiosity and something else I couldn't quite place. "Why are you staring at me?" I asked. She blinked, as if she hadn't realized she had been doing it. "I want to ask
Aurora’s PovThe journey through Ryan’s mansion felt endless. Every corridor, every towering wall, every flickering candle in its ancient sconces screamed of mystery and power. There was something about this place that made my skin crawl, not in fear, but in awe. The dark, gothic vibe of the mansion reminded me of a novel straight out of a dark romance book. If I weren’t in pain, I might have taken a moment to admire it more.When we finally reached Ryan’s room, my breath hitched. It was grand. No, more than grand. It was breathtaking. Massive windows framed by thick, dark curtains. A king-sized bed that looked softer than a cloud. Chandeliers that cast a dim, golden glow, giving the room an intimate, haunting beauty.Ryan walked in without hesitation and gently laid me down on the bed. His touch was careful, almost too careful, as if I would break at the slightest pressure. He pulled a blanket over me, tucking it around my legs. His gaze softened as he looked at me."Are you okay?" h