Norwan arrived at their small house, his heart still racing so fast. He felt incredibly tired and thirsty from running and sprinting just to get back home. As soon as he opened the gate, he immediately caught the scent of Natalie, a scent he hadn’t noticed before. His heart started to beat even faster as he opened the door, anxiously searching for her. But he couldn’t see her anywhere in the house."NATALIE!" he shouted, opening the rooms in a frantic search. Sweat poured down his body, and his face was drenched. He swallowed hard as he opened the last door, only to find it empty again."NATALIE!" he shouted once more and hurried to the backyard, scanning the farm they had. His forehead furrowed as he noticed the basket where Natalie always placed the vegetables, something she used whenever she worked in the farm. Norwan sniffed the basket, picking up her scent but still couldn’t pinpoint where she was."NATALIE!" Norwan called out again, his voice filled with panic as he looked aroun
Norwan's body trembled slightly as he sat there, staring at the remnants of the cracked window, the dull light that filtered through doing little to soothe the ache in his heart. The room around him felt colder than before, the silence pressing down on him with the weight of regret and loss. His fingers clenched into fists as he held back another wave of emotion, the flashback of Natalie’s voice, her frustration, echoing in his mind. He had always known she was the grounding force, the one to pull him back from the edge when his impulsiveness spiraled out of control.But now, that presence was gone.The tears fell faster now, his chest tightening as memories of her laughter, her little quirks, the way she would always forgive him even when he messed up, flooded his thoughts. It was too much to bear, the realization that her absence was permanent, that he had no chance to make things right. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to shut out the painful truth, but it was impossible.“Natalie
The scene before Norwan felt like a brutal wake-up call, his mind racing as he stood frozen in the chaos. The destruction of his home, the pain and fear in the eyes of his people—these were things he couldn’t ignore, no matter how much guilt gnawed at him. As the cold wind brushed against his face, it felt almost like a physical reminder of his failure. The Beta, a loyal companion, stood beside him, their silence filled with shared sorrow and the weight of the unspoken words.Norwan’s anger bubbled up again as the Beta’s words hung in the air. The unknown wolves—an enemy he hadn’t anticipated. Maybe if he hadn’t been distracted by the allure of his own desires, by his connection with Natalie, this wouldn't have happened. He thought back to the moments before he left. His mind was occupied with everything but his people. His heart ached with the realization that his absence had cost them dearly.“Who did this?” Norwan asked again, this time more fiercely, his voice trembling with the e
Norwan gathered all of his remaining men in one place, not far from his clan's location. Some of the young men were still helping the women clean up the mess in their homes, while others were assisting civilians who had been injured. The men standing before Norwan were those he believed could help him uncover the identities of those responsible for the chaos that had befallen his clan.“They’re all here, my lord,” Norwan's beta said. Norwan nodded at him and sighed before looking over the men before him. Some had small wounds on their faces, while others had bandages wrapped around their bodies.“I would like to thank you all for attending,” Norwan greeted them, his voice heavy as he scanned their faces. His heart seemed to break as he looked at them, knowing the suffering they had endured because of what had happened to their homes.“I apologize for leaving you all alone, for not protecting you, and for letting this happen to all of you…” Norwan paused for a moment, swallowing hard.
The tension in the room was almost palpable as Natalie descended the staircase, her eyes deliberately avoiding her father’s gaze. The crisp, almost icy air around her seemed to settle into every corner of the spacious dining hall. Don Grego watched her movements closely, his gaze a mixture of frustration and longing. He knew something had shifted between them, something that had been quietly building over time, but the weight of it was now impossible to ignore.As Natalie reached the table and sat across from him, her presence was like a cold wind sweeping through the room. Don’s sigh was deep and heavy, an attempt to release the discomfort, but it only seemed to make the silence more intense. When he finally spoke, his voice was tinged with a mix of hurt and confusion, the words coming out almost as an accusation, but also a plea.“Until when are you going to treat me like that, Natalie?” His question hung in the air, a challenge he wasn’t sure he was ready for the answer to. There w
“I don’t know what’s going on in your mind, Dad,” Natalie said coldly, her eyes locked onto his. It confused her to no end—why had her father invited Amanda to their breakfast after everything he’d done to Norwan?“This is insane,” she muttered under her breath, a sarcastic chuckle escaping her lips. She couldn’t believe it.“You told me they’re our enemies,” Natalie said, her voice sharp, waiting for the Don’s response. He stared at her with a serious look, not a word leaving his lips. Amanda, equally silent, kept her gaze fixed on Don Grego, her face unreadable, as if waiting for him to break the silence.“What is this all about?” Natalie finally demanded, her patience thinning. The minutes stretched on in heavy silence.“Who told you they’re our enemies?” Don Grego finally said, his tone casual as he started to toy with his food. “I hate Norwan,” he added, as though the words were insignificant. Natalie scoffed, a humorless laugh escaping her. Her gaze flicked to Amanda, as if expe
The man entered the office quietly, his steps measured as he approached Norwan’s desk. He could see the distant look in Norwan’s eyes, the way his gaze seemed lost in the fading light of the sunset. He cleared his throat, snapping Norwan back to reality.“Sir,” the man said, his tone low, “there’s something urgent. The situation with the Clan... it’s escalating faster than we anticipated.”Norwan set his wine down slowly, the weight of the words sinking in. The glass rim made a soft clink against the surface of the desk as his hand retreated. His thoughts shifted instantly—back to the pressing matters of the Clan, the danger that loomed.“I’ve been expecting this,” Norwan said quietly, his voice steady but tinged with concern. “Tell me what’s going on.”The man hesitated for a moment before speaking again. “It’s the allies we thought we had... they’ve turned on us. And there’s also talk of a traitor within. We might be looking at a two-front battle soon.”Norwan’s jaw tightened, his m
“Let me go!” A loud voice echoed in the hallway, and Norwan could hear it too. He looked at the door as it opened, and his men brought in Darius. Norwan saw the frightened look on Darius’s face, and he couldn’t help but feel pity for him. Darius was one of the men he trusted most when it came to the clan. He was like a watcher, a protector and observer, standing as Norwan’s eyes within the clan.Norwan watched as his men pushed Darius to the floor. He sighed, stood up from his seat, and Darius looked up at him as he approached.“What is this all about?” Darius asked, and in response, Norwan’s beta delivered a hard blow to Darius’s face, causing him to groan in pain.“Don’t speak to our lord like that,” Norwan’s beta said.Darius looked up at Norwan again.The tension in the air was thick, and Norwan could feel the weight of Darius's gaze on him, searching for answers. As the sounds of the fight settled, a strange feeling stirred in his chest. He had always known Darius to be strong, s
The fire had nearly gone out. Just embers now, glowing faintly in the hearth like distant stars. Natalie stirred, curling closer to Norwan’s chest, her breath warm against his collarbone. Outside, the wind had quieted. The whole estate, the world even, seemed to be holding its breath.Norwan looked down at her, heart full.He thought about everything—the pain they’d walked through, the sharp words, the silences, the impossible distance that had once stretched between them. And he thought about how they had come back. Not the same, but stronger. Truer. Real.His fingers gently brushed a curl away from her cheek. She sighed in her sleep, and something in him stirred with a quiet, steady certainty.Now.He reached into his coat pocket—he’d been carrying it for weeks. Waiting. Wondering. But tonight… there was no wondering. Only clarity.He shifted carefully, reaching for the small velvet pouch. Natalie stirred as he moved, blinking herself awake with a sleepy murmur. “What time is it?”“
The old vineyard estate looked different in the spring.The ivy on the walls had crept higher, full and green, curling over the window frames like nature had decided to reclaim the stone in the softest of ways. Blossoms bloomed along the edges of the courtyard, painting the corners with blush pink and cream. Lanterns swung gently from the carved wooden posts near the entrance, catching the warm afternoon light.Norwan held Natalie’s hand as they approached the heavy oak doors. She squeezed his fingers once—not nervous, but… aware. Of what this meant. Of how far they'd come.They were here together.As one.And that wasn’t just a step forward—it was a declaration.The door swung open before they could knock.Don Grego stood there in his crisp tunic, white hair swept back, and a look in his eyes that turned immediately to warmth the second he saw them.“Natalie,” he greeted first, voice rich with pride. “You came.”“And I brought this one with me,” she said, nudging Norwan’s shoulder pl
AFTER Five months.That’s how long it had been since Norwan first stood beneath the garden’s twisted archway again, with Natalie only a few paces away but heartbreaks apart.He hadn’t expected her to forgive him right away—hadn’t even dared hope. But he came back every week, sometimes with tea, sometimes with silence, sometimes with stories from the outpost or awkward attempts at old jokes she used to laugh at. Sometimes she walked away. Sometimes she listened. But slowly, something had changed.She stopped flinching when he touched her hand.She started asking him questions again—nothing deep at first, just idle curiosities. But over time, her words sharpened. So did her gaze. She stopped waiting to see if he’d break her again, and started watching to see if he’d stay.And he had. He stayed through her guarded silences, through her sharp comments and long absences. He stayed when she didn’t answer his letters. When she didn’t come to the solstice feast. When she didn’t say his name f
The cliffs were quieter now. The wind had lost its bite, and the sky hung in a heavy kind of hush, thick with the weight of words unspoken.Norwan walked beside Drixie, his shoulders hunched, hands shoved into his coat pockets. They hadn’t spoken since leaving the garden—just the crunch of gravel underfoot and the low murmur of distant waves.He didn’t know what to say.Or maybe, he was just afraid of what would come out if he tried.Drixie glanced at him sideways, her steps slowing to match his. “So… we just gonna keep walking until the sun explodes or do you want to talk about it?”Norwan exhaled through his nose. “I don’t know what to say.”“That’s funny. You used to have so much to say when you were telling me I was overreacting about Natalie.”He winced. “Drix…”“I’m not trying to rub salt,” she said, holding up a hand. “I’m trying to remind you that you weren’t exactly a saint either.”His mouth opened, then closed.Drixie stopped walking and leaned against a lichen-covered boul
The morning breeze was cool, laced with the scent of sea salt and honeyed flowers. Natalie sat on the stone ledge just outside the estate garden, barefoot, her wrap slipping from one shoulder. The sky was still pale with morning light, the world slow to wake—except for Norwan.He stood behind her, arms loose around her waist, chin resting lightly on her shoulder. They weren’t speaking, not really. Just… being.There was something sacred in that quiet. A peace she hadn’t expected to find so soon.“I forgot what this felt like,” he murmured, breath warm against her skin. “Just… existing with you.”“You never really existed with me,” she said, not cruelly—just honest. “You stood beside me. But you were always somewhere else.”Norwan tensed slightly, then nodded. “You’re right.”She reached up, her fingers brushing the side of his hand. “You’re here now.”“I am.”He pressed a kiss to the curve of her neck. It was soft. Unhurried. She didn’t move away.Natalie leaned back against him, and
The wind had quieted by the time they walked back toward the estate. The path curved gently through wild grass and dune flowers, and though they walked close, their hands didn’t touch. Not yet.Natalie had always been the one who forgave too easily. Who filled the silence between heartbreak and healing with hope. But this time, she needed more than words. More than promises spoken through the haze of guilt and longing.This time, she would test him.They reached the guest suite just as the sun began casting golden light across the windows. Natalie stopped at the threshold and turned to face Norwan, studying the lines of his face.“I’m not inviting you in,” she said evenly. “Not yet.”“I wasn’t expecting you to,” Norwan replied, voice calm but rough.She nodded, her gaze searching. “I want to believe you. But belief isn’t trust. And trust…” She exhaled. “Trust is earned.”“I understand,” he said.Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Then prove it.”Norwan lifted his chin. “How?”She considered
The wind pressed soft against them, as if the world itself was holding its breath. Natalie stayed wrapped in Norwan’s arms a moment longer, grounding herself in the truth of his presence. The weight of him. The warmth. The subtle, quiet tremble in his chest.When she finally pulled back, it was not with anger or accusation, but with a kind of clarity that only came after everything else had burned away.“I need to ask you something,” she said.Norwan nodded, gaze steady.Natalie’s voice was low, but firm. “Do you really love me? Or was Cora right?”The name hit like a stone between them. Norwan’s jaw tightened, and he exhaled, ragged and slow.“She told me you never did,” Natalie continued, heart thudding. “That I was just… a choice. Strategic. Convenient. That you only wanted me for what I represented.”His eyes didn’t leave hers. “She lied.”“You’re sure?”“I’m sure.” He stepped back just enough to frame her face gently with his hands, thumbs brushing her cheekbones. “Natalie, Cora
The morning after the wedding was softer than the one before. The sun rose gently through sheer curtains, birdsong drifting in through the open window of Natalie’s guest suite. The scent of saltwater hung faint in the air, and for the first time in days, Lisanne was quiet.Natalie stood in the middle of the room, staring at the small suitcase she’d packed with practiced precision. Folded dresses, her journal, the shell necklace Lynn had given her years ago, and the lavender wrap she wore to the ceremony—all tucked away with a sense of finality.She wasn’t running. At least, not in the way she once had. This time, she was simply… leaving. Ready to return home. Or something close to it.But even as she zipped the bag closed, her chest ached.He didn’t come.That thought had rooted itself in her bones, playing on a loop since last night. She hadn’t expected a grand apology. Not a scene or a speech. But part of her, the part that still dreamed, had hoped Norwan might appear. That he’d wal
Lisanne’s gardens were bursting with color—sun-drenched and vibrant beneath the clear spring sky. Wild roses danced on trellises, and soft ribbons fluttered in the breeze, tied with care around every chair and bouquet. It was the kind of day stories were written about, with sunlight painting the world gold and laughter hanging in the air like music.Natalie stood among the crowd, smiling as the guests turned toward the aisle. She wasn’t dressed to stand out—simple, elegant, quiet in lavender silk—but something about her presence still drew eyes. Maybe it was the way she carried herself: not like someone trying to blend in, but like someone who had learned how to exist, even with ghosts whispering at her heels.When the music swelled, and everyone rose to their feet, Natalie’s breath caught.There, at the end of the aisle, stood Chad.His suit was a sharp slate gray, tailored to perfection, but his composure was anything but. His shoulders trembled. His lips parted like he couldn’t bel