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
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 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
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
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
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)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)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
Aurora’s Pov I fell. Again. And again. And again. I could barely lift myself off the ground, my limbs trembling from exhaustion. Training with Jamie was like trying to fight against a wall, except this wall moved fast and knocked me down every single time. Ryan stood at the edge of the training ground, his hands clenched into fists. He wanted to help me…I could see it in the way his jaw tightened each time I hit the dirt, but Elliot wasn’t having it. “She needs to do this herself,” Elliot said firmly. Ryan exhaled sharply but said nothing. I groaned, rolling onto my back, staring up at the sky. Strong is hard. Jamie stood over me, smirking. “You good, or do you need me to knock you down one more time for good measure?” I gave him the deadliest glare I could manage. Elliot clapped his hands together. “That’s enough for today. Since you just got back, I’ll give you grace this time. But tomorrow, you wake up at 7 AM sharp. Eat if you want to, then head straight to the training
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