The bright lights from the camera crews were blinding, almost as if they were meant to burn away any hesitation I might have had about this moment. The podium in front of me felt miles away as I took my first step towards it. A crowd of reporters from all over the city had gathered here, their murmurs growing quiet the second I approached. I could feel my pulse quicken as I adjusted the lapel on my white coat, a subconscious attempt to settle my nerves.This wasn’t just any press conference; this was the biggest one I had ever done, and the stakes were high. The senator I had treated was an important figure—one whose life I had saved, and now, the media wanted every detail. My work had always been about healing, about doing something bigger than myself. But I never imagined it would bring this kind of attention.I cleared my throat and glanced down at my notes. My hands were steady, despite the growing noise in my head. It wasn’t the first time I had spoken to a crowd, but the flashin
Clara rushed through the spacious living room, her heart racing with excitement. She barely paused to acknowledge the plush furniture and the elegant decor; all she could think about was getting to the television. Her parents were sitting together on the couch, engaged in a low conversation when Clara burst in, practically bouncing on her toes. “Mom! Dad! You have to see this!” she exclaimed, her voice high with anticipation. “What is it, Clara?” her mother asked, glancing up from her knitting with a look of mild concern. “Is something wrong?” “No, it’s amazing!” Clara hurried over to the remote, her fingers flying over the buttons as she turned on the TV. The screen flickered to life, revealing a live broadcast. The title at the bottom read: **Dr. Sylvia Press Conference**. Her mother’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Is that…? No way. That’s Aurora!” Clara couldn’t contain her grin as she plopped down next to her mother. “Yes! Look! She’s talking about something relating to med
Zayn sat in his office, the steady ticking of the clock on the wall his only company as he stared blankly at the paperwork in front of him. The stack of reports, contracts, and letters blurred together in his mind, none of them holding his attention. His thoughts were elsewhere—focused on the growing unrest in the packs, the disease that was slowly spreading, and the pressure to find a solution before things got worse.A soft knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.“Come in,” Zayn said, his voice low, distracted.The door opened, and Liam, his best friend and closest confidant, stepped in. There was something different in Liam’s expression—an urgency that Zayn hadn’t seen in a while. In his hand, Liam was holding a rolled-up magazine, gripping it tightly as if it carried news that couldn’t wait.“Zayn,” Liam said, closing the door behind him and striding toward the desk. “You need to see this.”Zayn barely glanced up, his focus still on the papers before him. “Can it wait? I’ve go
Zayn’s POVI lay in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, my mind too restless for sleep. The steady ticking of the clock on the wall seemed to echo loudly in the silence, mocking the fact that I hadn’t been able to shut off my thoughts since... well, since I saw the magazine. Aurora’s face on the cover had triggered something deep inside me, something I’d buried years ago. The memories I thought had faded were suddenly sharp again, too real to ignore.Next to me, my wife stirred. I could feel the tension in the room, thick like a fog neither of us could break through. She’d felt the shift in me as soon as I walked into the house. Hell, maybe she’d sensed it long before that.After a moment of silence, her voice cut through the air, low and tight. "You must have seen the magazine."I didn’t answer. What was there to say? I wasn’t going to lie, but admitting the truth wasn’t an option either. Not tonight. Not ever, if I could help it.She shifted again, letting out a frustrated sigh. "I
**Chapter Title: Facing the Past**Aurora’s POV As I stood in front of the mirror, my hands trembled. The nerves were worse than I’d expected. My reflection stared back at me, older, wiser, and different. The years had added lines to my face and experiences that changed who I was—inside and out. Still, beneath the surface, I could feel the anxiety twisting deep in my stomach.Zayn.I had hoped, prayed even, that he’d send one of his advisors in his place. It was the sensible thing to do, right? A man as busy and powerful as him didn’t need to meet every client personally. But no. He had insisted on seeing me.I could feel the sweat beading on my forehead, and I quickly wiped it away. My heart pounded in my chest as if it knew what I was about to face. How long had it been? Years, many long years since I had left that world behind. I thought I had moved on, built a new life, but now I was about to face Zayn again. And everything I had locked away in the back of my mind was crashing ba
**Chapter Title: A Ghost from the Past**Zayn’s POV. I sat at the table, my fingers drumming absently against the polished wood, my mind racing far from the deal I was supposed to be focusing on. The email said I was meeting the boss of this project, but every thought I had kept circling back to Aurora. I couldn’t shake her from my head.Her face had been on the magazine Liam brought me. A doctor now, someone respected and known. It didn’t make sense. I hadn’t seen her in years, hadn’t even allowed myself to think too deeply about her. But seeing her on the cover of that magazine had sent me spiraling into memories I thought I’d buried. Even with my wife at home, I couldn’t sleep. And when she had asked, “You must have seen the magazines. I know you haven’t moved on from her,” I couldn’t even reply. I left. I went straight to the basement and stared at Aurora’s portrait, the one I couldn’t seem to throw away. It was as if a part of me had always known that our story wasn’t over.The
**Chapter Title: A Meeting with the Past**My hands were trembling, and I could feel the sweat pooling at the back of my neck as I sat across from him. I had been prepared for a meeting, for a business conversation, but I hadn’t been prepared for this. Seeing Zayn after all these years was something I had dreaded and tried to avoid. Yet here I was, sitting across from him, pretending to be calm and composed while every fiber of my being was screaming inside.I could feel his eyes on me, burning holes through my skin. He hadn’t stopped staring since I walked in, and no matter how hard I tried to keep my gaze focused on the documents in front of me, I couldn’t block out his presence. It was suffocating.My fingers fumbled with the papers on the table, my breathing uneven. I needed to say something, anything to break the tension that was building in the air. But the words wouldn’t come. Finally, unable to stand it any longer, I glanced up, meeting his gaze for a brief second before forci
Elian and Aria were playing in their mother’s room, their laughter filling the air as they tumbled across the bed, pretending the pillows were mountains they had to climb. The room smelled faintly of lavender, with the soft light of the late afternoon sun streaming in through the windows. Aurora had stepped out to run errands, and the children had taken full advantage of her absence to explore the space they usually avoided.Aria was on the floor, playing with her dolls, while Elian moved around the room, letting his curiosity guide him. He had seen his mother standing in a particular spot earlier that day, looking at something. She had been quiet, almost lost in thought, as though whatever she had seen had taken her far away from them. Elian, always observant, had taken note of where her eyes had been.As he approached the dresser, he glanced at Aria, who was too absorbed in her dolls to notice what he was up to. Slowly, he bent down and opened the drawer. At first, there was nothing
The day had arrived, my birthday and the grand opening of the hospital. It was surreal seeing my dream come to life in the heart of the pack. From the moment I woke up, the house buzzed with activity. Liv was running around giving orders, my mom was double-checking last-minute details, and Zayn’s mom was in charge of the kitchen, ensuring the food would be nothing short of spectacular. I slipped into a pale blue dress that hugged me perfectly. Zayn had picked it out, and though I teased him about his choices sometimes, this one was flawless. As I stood in front of the mirror, Elian and Aria burst into my room, shouting, *“Happy Birthday, Mommy!”* They each held small bouquets of flowers, their grins lighting up my morning. “Thank you, my loves!” I scooped them into a hug, my heart swelling. They were more excited about today than I was, bouncing on their heels and talking over each other about “surprises.” I kissed their foreheads and shooed them out to finish getting ready. Whe
The soft breeze kissed my skin as I stood on the balcony, gazing out at the bustling preparations below. Everyone was hard at work, ensuring everything was perfect for the hospital’s grand opening, which also happened to be on my birthday. Liv had flown in from the city just a few days ago, and her organizational skills were in full force, balancing between logistics and last-minute details. Zayn’s mom and mine had joined forces, taking charge of decorations and refreshments. It was like watching two generals at work, directing the army of helpers with precision and flair. As much as I trusted them, nerves still fluttered in my stomach. I gripped the railing, my thoughts racing between excitement and anxiety. This hospital was more than a building; it was a culmination of years of dreams, struggles, and hope. I couldn’t afford for anything to go wrong. Suddenly, two strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me out of my thoughts. I gasped in surprise as Zayn’s deep laugh filled t
The ride back home was filled with laughter and endless chatter. Aria and Elian could barely contain their excitement as they recounted every detail of their time at Zayn’s house. “Mommy, did you know Daddy has a giant sword in his room?” Aria squealed, bouncing in her seat. “He said it’s for special fights! And oh! Grandma made me dresses—so many dresses! And I got to spin in them like a princess!” Elian, who was usually more reserved, chimed in. “Dad took me to the training grounds. He said I could be Alpha one day.” His chest puffed with pride. “He showed me how to hold a sword, too, but I’m not allowed to practice yet.” I smiled as I listened to them. Relief washed over me. The house that had once felt like a prison to me—cold, isolating, and oppressive—was now a place of joy and belonging for my children. Zayn had changed. Or maybe it was everyone who had changed, seeing him now through the eyes of Elian and Aria, who only saw their father trying to make up for lost time.By t
Zayn’s POvThe sound of little feet pattering on the stone floors echoed through the house as Elian and Aria explored every corner of their new home. I stood at the front door, watching as Aurora crouched to say goodbye to them. Aria clung to her leg for a moment before bounding back toward the maids who were already doting on her with dresses and accessories. Elian, on the other hand, was already eyeing me, a mix of curiosity and excitement in his eyes. Aurora stood and turned to me, a playful smile on her lips. “Good luck, Alpha,” she teased. “They’ve got a lot of energy.” I grinned and leaned in, brushing my lips softly against hers. “I think I’ll manage,” I replied. Her gaze lingered on me for a moment before she whispered, “Have fun.” With that, she stepped away and headed toward the car. As soon as the door closed, Elian came to stand beside me, his little chest puffed out like he was already the man of the house. “What are we doing today, Dad?” he asked, his voice full of d
The day began like any other in my new office within the pack’s headquarters. I had been trying to adjust to this new chapter of my life, juggling motherhood, work, and figuring out where Zayn and I stood. My desk was scattered with papers, yet my thoughts constantly drifted to him and the way his presence filled the spaces around me. It wasn’t long before a knock sounded at my door. Before I could respond, Clara poked her head in, a wide grin on her face. “Delivery for you,” she sang, stepping inside with a beautiful bouquet of roses nestled in her hands. They were a deep crimson, the petals perfect and vibrant. “What’s this?” I asked, my heart skipping as she placed the flowers on my desk. I caught sight of a card tucked neatly within the arrangement. My fingers trembled as I opened it. Aurora, Would you do me the honor of letting me take you out tonight? I’ll pick you up at seven. Wear this and let me show you something special. -ZaynAlong with the flowers was an elegant, s
The air inside the dungeon was suffocating, heavy with dampness and the faint metallic scent of rust. My footsteps echoed against the cold stone floor as I followed the guard. Every step felt harder than the last, but I couldn’t turn back. Not now. Not after everything. “He’s in the last cell,” the guard said, his voice flat. I nodded, not trusting myself to speak, and continued down the dimly lit corridor. When I reached the end, I saw him. Derek. He was sitting on a wooden bench, his elbows resting on his knees, muttering something under his breath. At the sound of my approach, he looked up. For a split second, there was a flicker of something in his eyes—surprise? Regret? I couldn’t tell. But then that twisted smile appeared, and any hope of decency vanished. “Aurora,” he drawled, leaning back against the wall as though he didn’t have a care in the world. “Finally decided to come and see me. Took you long enough.” I swallowed the lump in my throat, forcing my voice to remain st
The day had finally come. The day I had been dreading and anticipating all at once. It was time for the move. The convoy of cars pulled up outside my house, and the kids were practically jumping out of their skin with excitement. They had never seen so many cars, and they couldn't wait to start the journey to Zayn's pack. Zayn, ever the gentleman, ushered the kids into the car with a smile, his excitement matching theirs. "Alright, you two, ready for your new life?" he asked as they scrambled into the car.Elian grinned, his eyes wide with wonder. "I can't wait to see all the wolves!" he exclaimed.Aria chimed in, bouncing in her seat. "And the food! Is it really as good as you said, Daddy?"Zayn laughed, looking at me with a knowing smile. "It's better than I can describe," he said. "You'll love it."As we drove to the pack, the kids kept asking questions, their curiosity endless. They wanted to know about everything—if Zayn had any other family, what his pack was like, and what to
The morning sun shone through the windows as I sipped my coffee, my thoughts a blur of excitement and nerves. I had just received a call from Zayn, and my heart was racing with a mixture of emotions. He wanted to throw a big feast—a grand celebration to welcome me and the kids into his pack. I didn’t know whether to be overwhelmed by the idea or to embrace it, but one thing was clear: it was a new chapter for us, and Zayn was eager to share it with the world.“ So see you soon ?” Zayn said and I smiled. “ See you soon …” I wasn’t sure how I felt about being the center of so much attention, but as I thought about it, it felt right. It felt like something we all needed—a fresh start, a new beginning. The kids were ecstatic, already planning what they’d wear and what they would say when they met the other pack members. Elian kept asking about the food, while Aria was excited to see the "cool wolves" Zayn had told her about. I put my phone down and stood up, my hands trembling slightly
It was time. There was no more avoiding it, no more sweeping it under the rug. Derek was behind all of this—the kidnapping, the fear, the betrayal. It sat heavy in my chest, twisting into something sharp and unbearable. I sat at the edge of the couch, staring at Liv, the words tumbling out of my mouth before I could even process them. “It was Derek,” I said softly, my voice trembling.Liv, who had been pacing the room, froze mid-step. Her eyebrows shot up in shock, but then her expression shifted, softening into something more resigned. “Derek?” she repeated slowly, like she was tasting the bitterness of the word. “He was behind all of this?”I nodded, my throat tightening as I recalled the events of the last few days. “He...he hid the kids in some caravan. Aria told me everything when we found them. No food, no water—he left them there to rot.”Liv sank onto the couch beside me, her hand over her mouth. “Aurora, I—” She paused, shaking her head. “I don’t even know what to say.”“I