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,
Ryan’s POVThe second Aurora’s hand accidentally brushed against me, my whole body tensed. She had no idea what she’d done, what she’d awakened in me. The warmth of her touch lingered like a spark, igniting something deep inside me. I wanted her. Not just to hold or kiss her, but to claim her, to mark her as mine in every way possible.But I knew I had to wait. Patience wasn’t my strong suit, especially not with her so close, her scent teasing me, her soft blush making me want to devour her. She didn’t know it yet, but soon enough, she would be mine. Completely.I held her hand through the rest of the flight, not caring if it was too much or too obvious. I didn’t let go, even when we ate. Her small hand in mine felt so natural, as if it had always belonged there. She didn’t pull away, and I could tell she felt safe. That thought made my chest tighten in the best way.The flight wasn’t long, just two hours. When we landed, I guided her to the door of the jet. I couldn’t stop looking at
Ryan’s POVThe elevator doors opened with a soft chime, and we stepped into the hallway leading to the suite. Aurora walked beside me, her steps light and her presence radiant. She looked so small, so fragile. Yet somehow, she carried a quiet strength that both drew me in and tore me apart.When we reached the door, I slid the key card through the lock and pushed the door open, gesturing for her to enter first. “After you,” I said softly.She gave me a polite smile. “Thank you,” she murmured before stepping inside.I followed, closing the door behind us, and turned to watch her. Her eyes widened as she took in the room, a spacious suite with a luxurious bed, plush furniture, and a view that overlooked the glittering city below.For a moment, she seemed to forget everything else. But then, like a switch had flipped, I saw her body stiffen. Her shoulders tensed, and she clasped her hands in front of her nervously.“Are you okay?” I asked, taking a step closer to her.She nodded quickly,
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
Ryan’s PovThe moment I opened the door, something about her felt familiar.She was a stranger in my mind until Aurora rushed forward and hugged her so tightly that it nearly knocked the girl off balance.That’s when it hit me. Inez.Aurora's friend.I said nothing, deciding to give them some space. I wasn’t particularly interested in their reunion. That was until she turned to me and spoke.“I came here for you,” Inez said, her tone sharp. “Although I came to see Aurora, my friend…I mostly came here for you, Ryan.”Aurora’s brows furrowed. “You… came here for Ryan?”“Yes.”I straightened slightly, studying her. “What is it?”Inez exhaled, her fingers curling slightly before she finally said it.“I need you to give me the werewolf bite.”I froze.Aurora tensed beside her, eyes wide with confusion. “You… what?”“I want to be one,” Inez repeated, her gaze never wavering. “Turn me into a werewolf.”The words sent a sharp silence through the room.My mind raced, processing what she had ju