Aurora’s POVI was still lost in thoughts of Ryan when his voice cut through the haze. He appeared in front of me, holding the food he'd just fetched. My heart stuttered as I realized I’d been thinking about him far too much. What was worse was how little time we’d actually known each other."What are you thinking about?" he asked, his tone casual but curious, startling me from my daydream."Nothing," I blurted out quickly, maybe too quickly.He raised an eyebrow but didn’t press further. Instead, he handed me a takeout box. “Here’s yours,” he said, settling onto the bed.I glanced at the pristine white duvet and frowned. “We should go to the couch so we don’t stain the bed,” I suggested, standing up with my box in hand.Ryan didn’t move immediately. Instead, he studied me with an unreadable expression. “Why do you always startle eighty percent of the time I talk to you?” he asked suddenly, catching me off guard yet again.I blinked, unsure of how to answer. “I don’t know. It just… ha
Aurora’s POVThe drive back to the suite was quiet, but my mind was anything but. I couldn’t shake off the feeling that someone had been watching me earlier. Maybe I was just overthinking it. Still, a part of me remained on edge.Even with that strange feeling lingering, I found myself smiling as I thought about the dress I had chosen. It was perfect, more than perfect. I couldn’t wait to try it on, and even more, I couldn’t wait for Ryan to see me in it.I didn’t even notice when we reached the hotel. As always, Ryan’s voice brought me back to the present.“Aurora,” he called softly.“Yes?” I replied, startled.“We’re here,” he said, his calm gaze locking with mine.“Oh,” I muttered, feeling a little embarrassed.He gave me a small smile, one that could melt the coldest heart, and stepped out of the car. I followed him quickly, smoothing my dress as I climbed out.When we entered the suite, I stopped in my tracks. Three women were standing inside, all smiling warmly at me.For a mome
Aurora’s PovKaren was really nice. I introduced myself, and she gave me the warmest smile. She looked like a supermodel, tall, curvy, and absolutely stunning. Honestly, she could probably get any guy she wanted.We talked for a while, and I was starting to feel more relaxed. She had this way of making you feel comfortable, even in a room full of strangers.“Are you new in town?” she asked, tilting her head slightly.“I don’t live here,” I said. “I’m here on a business trip with my boss.”The word “boss” made me smile a little. If only she knew what had been going on between us.“Your boss?” she repeated, her eyes narrowing like she was trying to figure me out.“Yes,” I said quickly, trying to keep my expression neutral.She gave me a strange look but didn’t say anything else. “It was really nice meeting you, Aurora,” she said after a moment. “I have to go now.”“It was nice meeting you too,” I said, genuinely meaning it.She handed me a card and gave me a quick hug before walking off
Ryan’s PovWhen I left Aurora at the party, I sensed someone who shouldn’t have been there. I sensed Karen.The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as I scanned the room discreetly, but I didn’t see her. I couldn’t pinpoint exactly where she was, but I knew she was nearby. The scent was unmistakable. My wolf stirred, restless and alert, but I forced myself to remain composed. This wasn’t the time or place to create a scene, especially not with Aurora here.I lingered for a while longer, my gaze sweeping through the crowd, but Karen was nowhere in sight. Still, my instincts told me she was there, hiding in the shadows, watching.When I returned to Aurora, she looked exhausted. The brightness in her eyes from earlier had dimmed, and she leaned against me as we made our way out of the venue.By the time we got back to the suite, she was half-asleep on her feet. I helped her settle into bed, making sure she was comfortable before sitting on the edge of the mattress, just watching he
Aurora’s povWhen the doorbell rang, Ryan released me from his embrace. I stayed back, unaware of the storm heading my way.The door opened, and my heart nearly stopped.It was her. The woman from the party last night—Karen. But this time, she wasn’t the sweet and polite person I had met. No, she was all over Ryan, kissing him, holding him, calling him “babe” like I wasn’t even standing right there.“We meet again, Aurora,” she said, a smirk playing on her lips.I froze. That friendly tone from last night was gone, replaced with something sharper, something almost cruel. She looked at me as if she had already won some battle I didn’t even know I was part of.“Yes, we meet again,” I said, though my voice sounded weak, even to me.I glanced at Ryan. He was trying to pry her hands off him, but Karen wasn’t letting go.It all clicked then. She was the one who called him that night, the one who made him so tense. She must have known I was with him. That’s why she asked me those weird, ind
Karen’s PovI’ve been following Aurora and Ryan for some time now. I’ve seen the way he looks at her, the way his eyes soften when she’s around. The chemistry between them is undeniable. It’s the kind of connection he never had with me.It hurts, more than I care to admit.I followed them on their trip. I wanted to see for myself what was so special about her, what made her stand out. I introduced myself to her, pretending to be friendly. I wanted to understand her, to find her flaws.She was beautiful. Truly beautiful. But that doesn’t give her the right to take what’s mine.Ryan belongs to me.I know he isn’t my true mate, but we’re bound together already. That should mean something.I needed to set boundaries, to show her that she couldn’t take him from me. So I went to her new place, the one Ryan got for her.When I kissed him in front of her, I was scared. Scared because he didn’t kiss me back. He didn’t even hold me the way he used to. It broke something inside me.I’ve fallen f
Aurora’s Pov After feeling heartbroken since Ryan and his fiancée left, I decided I wouldn’t stay here and cry over what never belonged to me in the first place.It was funny, calling her his fiancée, like I had any right to be upset about it.I got up and decided to look around the apartment instead. Sitting in one place wasn’t going to help me.I walked to the sitting room, taking a proper look at it. It was beautiful. I loved the color combination—warm and inviting, like something out of a magazine. Even though I was upset with myself, I couldn’t stop admiring it.There was another room. What was I doing with two rooms? It wasn’t like I was planning to keep the place anyway.The kitchen ended up being my favorite part of the apartment. The fridge caught my attention first, so I opened it. It was fully stocked with all kinds of snacks and food.Curiosity got the better of me, and I opened every cupboard. They were filled too. Whoever had prepared this place had thought of everythin
Aurora’s povI stood frozen at the doorway, staring at Greg. His face was hard to read, his eyes holding a mix of emotions I couldn’t decipher. I expected the worst. A slap. A shove. Anything cruel that he was capable of.But nothing happened.Instead, he stepped aside and, in a calm voice that I never thought I’d hear from him, said, “Come in.”I blinked, surprised. This wasn’t like him. Greg wasn’t calm. He wasn’t composed. He wasn’t… this.For a moment, I hesitated. Maybe this was a trick. Maybe he had something up his sleeve. But then, I thought about my mother, and that was enough to push me forward. I walked in slowly, my heart pounding in my chest.The house felt smaller than I remembered. Or maybe I had grown too used to being away. The walls seemed to close in on me as I moved deeper inside, memories of dark times flashing before my eyes.I turned to Greg, trying to keep my voice steady. “Where’s my mom?”He nodded toward the kitchen. “She’s in there.”I didn’t wait. “Mom! Mo
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