Ryan’s POV Aurora. Her name clung to my mind like a stubborn echo I couldn’t shake off. It had been hours since she’d left, but her scent still lingered faintly in the air…a mix of lavender and something uniquely hers. A part of me wanted to call her back, ask her why she looked so vulnerable yet determined all at once. It was infuriating how one woman, no, one human, had managed to weave herself into my thoughts this much. Her name brought a strange calm to the chaos swirling in my thoughts. Yet, it also set me on edge. She had this….presence, one that tugged at something primal in me. You’re thinking about her again, Draven, my wolf, growled in my mind, his voice low and accusing. “Quiet,” I muttered, pinching the bridge of my nose. You can’t keep ignoring this, Ryan, he insisted. We should be with her. Protect her. Keep her close. “She’s human,” I snapped, though my words felt weak even to me. So? Draven shot back. You feel it too. She’s ours. I didn’t respond. I couldn’t.
Karen’s Pov I won’t. The words slammed into me like a crashing wave, leaving me breathless. My mind went blank, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure if I’d heard him correctly. My father’s voice broke the silence, sharp and demanding. “What did you just say?” Ryan didn’t hesitate, his tone steady and unyielding. “I said I won’t.” I sat frozen in my chair, unable to process the conversation unfolding before me. My father’s face turned red with fury, but Ryan’s calm demeanor only made the tension thicker. “I think we’ve had enough for tonight,” Ryan said, standing up abruptly. “Thank you for dinner, but I’ll take my leave now.” With that, he walked away, leaving me sitting there with my parents. My mother’s eyes softened with pity as she reached out to touch my hand, but I pulled away, unable to bear the look on her face. My father muttered something under his breath, clearly enraged, but I couldn’t focus on his words. All I could hear was Ryan’s voice echoing in my mind: “I won’t.” I
Aurora's Pov After Ryan offered me the job, I felt a mix of emotions…relief, anxiety, and excitement. I still couldn’t believe I was about to work for someone like him.The weekend felt like an eternity, but I decided to use the time wisely. With the little cash I had left, I headed to a thrift store. I knew I needed to look professional, or at least presentable. I managed to find two decent outfits and a pair of shoes. They weren’t anything fancy, but they were neat and functional. As I walked home with my purchases, I made a mental note: First paycheck = better clothes. I didn’t even have a phone to check work emails or take calls. If this job paid well enough, then maybeI could manage to buy a simple one. It won't be much, but it would be a start. I could finally start planning my life, even if it was just in small steps. The weekend flew by with me rehearsing how I’d act on my first day. Confidence didn’t come naturally to me, but I’d fake it if I had to. This job was too impor
Ryan’s Pov I leaned back in my chair, staring at the door as it closed behind her. The soft sound of her retreating footsteps echoed faintly in my ears, but her presence lingered, like a scent that refused to fade. Draven stirred restlessly in my mind, his voice low and insistent. “She’s different. You feel it too.” I clenched my jaw, shutting my eyes. Her scent had been overwhelming, soft, delicate, and yet, it tugged at something primal inside me. I couldn’t ignore the way her shy glances had sent an inexplicable warmth through me. It wasn’t like me to be affected, especially not by someone as... fragile as Aurora. “She’s human,” I reminded him silently, hoping to silence the wolf. “So what?” Draven snapped back. “She belongs to us. You know it as much as I do.” The thought unsettled me. If she was meant to be mine, she would feel it too. But Aurora’s demeanor was all wrong…she was nervous, scared even. No recognition, no pull. Just... silence. I ran a hand through my hair, l
Aurora’s Pov When he told me to leave, I didn’t understand. His voice was firm, almost cold, and the word cut through me like a blade. “Yes, sir,” I managed to say before turning on my heel and walking out of his office. The moment the door closed behind me, my heart started racing. My chest tightened, and my thoughts spiraled. What did I do wrong? I wondered, over and over again. I replayed our conversation in my head, trying to pinpoint my mistake, but nothing stood out. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I blinked furiously, trying to hold them back as I walked toward my office. I couldn’t break down here, not where people could see me. But the moment I stepped inside and shut the door, the tears fell freely. I leaned against the door, clutching my chest as I sobbed quietly. Why? Why did he ask me to leave? Did I offend him? Say something I shouldn’t have? The thoughts wouldn’t stop coming, each one more damning than the last. Maybe I’m not good enough for this job. The idea clun
Ryan’s Pov The drive back home was quiet, but my thoughts were anything but. Dropping Aurora off had left a strange ache in my chest, one I couldn’t shake even as the city lights blurred past. There was something about her, the way she carried herself despite her evident struggles, her resolve to work hard, her vulnerability…it was unsettling in a way I couldn’t quite define. I arrived at Shadowhaven in no time. When I arrived home, Micah and his wife, Uncle Elliot, were present and were waiting for me in the living room. Their warm smiles were a welcome sight after a long day. Micah’s laughter filled the air as he pulled me into a tight embrace. “Ryan, it’s been too long!” he said, his voice filled with genuine affection. “Too long indeed,” I replied, the corners of my lips twitching into a small smile. We caught up briefly in the living room before I excused myself to shower because it was indeed a long day. The hot water was a relief, washing away the tension that clung t
Aurora’s Pov I didn’t know when sleep took me, my thoughts tangled in a web of worry and resolve. When my eyes finally fluttered open, the sun was already streaming through the window. My heart sank as I glanced at the clock….7:45 a.m. I was supposed to be in the office by 8:00 a.m. Panic surged through me. My second day of work, and I was already leaving a bad impression. Scrambling out of bed, I dressed in record time, barely checking the mirror before rushing out of the door. My stomach churned as I imagined what Ryan would say. He’d probably think I was irresponsible and careless. I left my house in a haste, got into a cab and almost made him kill us by pressuring him to drive faster. By the time I arrived at the office, everyone was already settled. My heels clicked against the floor as I rushed to greet Sophia, who gave me a pointed look. “Why are you late?” she asked, her tone less curious and more accusatory. “I—I didn’t know when I slept off,” I stammered, feeling the
Aurora’s Pov I stood before Ryan's desk, my mind racing to process his unexpected announcement about the upcoming trip. The thought of traveling out of town so soon was overwhelming; I had envisioned settling into my new life here, eventually bringing my mother over to start afresh together. But now, plans were shifting rapidly. It's just for the weekend, nothing is going to change, Aurora, I scolded myself quietly. Just as I was about to respond, a knock interrupted us. Pamela entered, her expression professional yet subtly strained. “Sir," she began, "the CEO of Titan Enterprises has arrived unexpectedly. He's waiting for you in the boardroom." Ryan nodded, acknowledging the information. As Pamela turned to leave, her gaze briefly met mine, a flicker of something unreadable passing over her features before she exited. "Aurora," Ryan said, drawing my attention back to him, "I want you to join me in this meeting. As my personal assistant, it's important for you to observe how the
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