Ryan’s PovAs soon as I walked in and saw Craig forcing himself on Aurora, I completely lost my temper. How dare he? Who did he think he was?For a moment, I almost revealed my true nature. My instincts were clawing their way to the surface, but years of practice kept me in control. Barely. However, I knew Aurora saw something, her wide eyes told me she noticed the glow in mine. But I masked it quickly.When she touched me while I was teaching Craig a lesson, her small hand trembling against my arm, I felt something shift inside me. The rage simmered, not entirely gone, but contained. Her touch grounded me in a way nothing else ever had.Still, I had to make it clear to everyone. Aurora was mine. No one else could even think about her. I made sure they all heard me, loud and clear.She was mine and mine alone.When I declared it, I felt her gaze on me. She must have been shocked, but I didn’t care. I had to protect her. I would always protect her.I canceled the partnership with Crai
Aurora’s POV"Please stay," I told Ryan.The words left my mouth before I could stop them. My voice was soft, almost pleading, but I didn’t care how it sounded. The thought of being alone at this moment made my chest tighten.He didn’t hesitate. Without a word, he moved to the bed and sat down, his gaze steady and comforting. His smile was warm, reassuring, and it did something to the knot of fear twisting inside me.I returned his smile, even though mine felt shaky. Gathering my clothes, I slipped into the bathroom. As I closed the door behind me, I could still feel his eyes on my back, like a gentle weight I didn’t mind carrying.Once inside, I leaned against the door and let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. My heart was racing, not just because of what had happened with Craig but because of Ryan.We kissed.The memory of his lips on mine was vivid, the way his hands gently cupped my face, the heat of the moment. I raised trembling fingers to my lips as if I could st
Ryan’s POV When I heard her say it, when those words fell from her lips—a feeling I couldn’t describe took over me. “Yes, I am,” she said, her voice soft, almost shy. For a second, I couldn’t breathe. The room felt smaller, the air heavier, and all I could think about was her. Untouched. Pure. Mine. Without thinking, I pulled her into my arms. I held her tight, tighter than I probably should have, but I didn’t care. I wanted to feel her against me, to know she was real, that this moment wasn’t some cruel dream. She let out a small, surprised laugh as my arms wrapped around her. “Ryan, I can’t breathe,” she mumbled, gently tapping my back. I released her immediately, though the urge to keep holding her was overwhelming. “Sorry,” I muttered, stepping back a little. She looked up at me, confusion etched across her delicate features. “What was that for?” “Aurora,” I said, her name rolling off my tongue like it belonged there. “Yes?” “I don’t want you talking to any man,
Aurora’s POVWith everything Ryan had been doing for me, I felt like I was living a dream life already. The way he offered to get me clothes for the party tomorrow left me speechless. I didn’t even know what to say. Maybe I should just let him do whatever he wants because, knowing him, even if I refused, he would insist until I gave in.He was still waiting for me to say something after he mentioned getting me new clothes.“Okay,” I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.“Good, you’re learning now,” he said, a sly smile tugging at his lips.I frowned slightly, confused. “I’m learning what?” I asked.“Learning how not to decline my offers until I persuade you,” he said, his tone teasing but firm.“Oh,” was all I could manage.“I’m going to order food for us. What do you want to eat?” he asked.“Anything you’re having,” I replied quickly, not wanting to make it complicated.“Alright,” he chuckled softly, nodding as he picked up his phone.I tried not to stare at him, but my gaze
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 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