Norwan blinked twice, his gaze locked on Natalie’s face as though trying to decode the impossible."Are you serious?" His voice was low, strained with disbelief. Natalie simply nodded, her brow furrowing in response.“She’s with us because your mother and my father have... a relationship," Natalie’s words hung in the air, heavy with implications. The sheer absurdity of it hit Norwan like a sudden, unexpected gust of wind, causing a laugh to escape his lips.“Are you kidding me?” He leaned back, disbelief swirling in his chest, unable to process the truth she was suggesting.Natalie’s expression remained serious, her eyes steady as she shook her head, her throat working to swallow the weight of what she was saying. "I know it's hard to believe," she continued, her voice softer now. "But just look over there, at my father."Norwan followed her gaze, his eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on Don Grego—standing tall, calm, his presence commanding. But it wasn’t just Don Grego that
“I want to talk to her,” Norwan said, his voice firm yet laced with frustration. He looked toward the opposing camp, where Natalie’s people stood, prepared for battle.Natalie swallowed hard, shaking her head in response. “You can’t talk to her like this, Norwan,” she warned, her voice low, filled with tension. She gestured to the two armies that stood poised for conflict, a single misstep could send them spiraling into chaos. “Not with everything on the line. If you make a move now, my men will see it as a threat to me One wrong word, one wrong gesture, and we’re at war.”Norwan’s gaze hardened as he processed her words. He wanted to speak to her, to settle things without bloodshed, but he knew the risks. He couldn’t afford to make a mistake.“You can’t approach her right now,” Natalie continued, her voice softer but urgent. “It’s too dangerous—for your safety, for all of us.”Norwan’s eyes met hers, and he let out a heavy sigh. He knew exactly what she meant. He couldn’t walk into e
The two healers from both clans worked swiftly, their hands glowing with energy as they focused on Natalie, who lay unconscious, blood seeping from her wounds. Beside them stood Don Grego, his face pale and twisted with concern. His eyes darted between the healers and his daughter, and yet, a cloud of confusion clouded his mind. He couldn’t understand why he was there, or what had led to this moment. The only memory he could grasp was of being at the hospital, talking to Natalie—until someone had approached him, a woman with strange questions, and then... nothing.“Goddamn, what’s happening? Why are my people here?” Don Grego’s voice trembled, the urgency of the situation growing heavier with each word. Norwan, who had been silently watching the scene unfold, turned sharply at his question. His concern for Natalie matched Don Grego's, but there was a gnawing feeling of unease. Why couldn’t the man remember?“Are you sure you don’t remember anything?” Norwan asked, his voice firm, thou
Until now, Norwan couldn’t believe his eyes. The woman he had killed—the woman he had sacrificed so much to eliminate in order to save Natalie—was now standing in front of him, alive. She was here. And not just a shadow of the past, but in full force, with an army behind her. It felt like a cruel joke, a twist in time he couldn’t comprehend. Is she the one behind all this? How did she know we were here? Every question in his mind spiraled into another. She wasn’t just some ghost of his past—she was at the heart of it all, a living nightmare, and everything he had fought for seemed to be crumbling because of her.Cora’s voice broke through his spiraling thoughts, sweet and deceptively soft, like a velvet-covered blade. “Aren’t you happy to see me again, darling?” Her words danced through the air as she looked at him, her eyes sparkling with cruel amusement.Norwan didn’t flinch. His gaze was as cold as the steel under his skin, emotionless and unwavering. He stood like a statue, unread
Norwan couldn't shake the worry gnawing at him as he stared at his mother, locked in a large cage with her hands shackled by chains. He could barely make out her face, but the sight alone sent a wave of anxiety through him."Norwan…" Amanda's whisper barely reached his ears, but it cut through the tension. He could feel her fear in those soft words."WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?!" Norwan yelled, his voice breaking through the air as he glared at Cora, who stood calmly before him, a smirk tugging at her lips. She cast a quick glance at Amanda before returning her cold stare to Norwan."Copy her?" Cora replied with an irritatingly casual tone, causing Norwan's frown to deepen in frustration."What do you mean?" Don Grego asked, his curiosity piqued. Cora’s smile widened, her eyes glowing a dangerous red. In an instant, Norwan and Don Grego found themselves pulled into a vision—a painful flashback to the past.They watched as Cora survived Norwan’s attack, lurking in the shadows as she secret
The tension in the air was thick, a heavy silence hanging over the battlefield as Natalie stood frozen, her left leg planted firmly atop the broken form of Cora’s fallen Alpha. Her gaze swept over her own clan first, then to Norwan, who looked at her with something that resembled both confusion and apprehension. She remained still, exuding an unspoken power, her eyes burning with fury. Then, her attention shifted, and she slowly turned to face Cora’s men.The sight that met her eyes was almost surreal—men who had been so sure of their power, now standing frozen, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Their Alpha, the man they revered, lay at her feet, lifeless. The realization hit them like a hammer, their leader was gone, and they had just witnessed the unthinkable. The cold reality settled over them like a dark cloud.The man closest to Natalie—trembling, his hands shaking—could no longer bear the weight of fear in his chest. The ferocity in her eyes, the silent rage emanating
The battlefield was a scene of unspeakable horror. The ground was slick with blood, bodies strewn everywhere like discarded dolls, the air thick with the stench of death. The clash of metal on metal, the screams of dying men, and the endless rhythm of war had not ceased for five long hours. Neither clan had yielded, and the chaos only deepened as the fight raged on. Natalie’s mind spun in confusion as she stood in the midst of the turmoil. She could scarcely comprehend what was happening—men from Norwan's clan fighting alongside hers, yet others, from different factions, turned their weapons on their own. Which clan is this? She wondered, eyes scanning the battlefield frantically, trying to piece together the puzzle that was slowly consuming everything.Her heart hammered in her chest. She needed to find him—Where is Norwan? Her thoughts were a whirlwind of fear, and every second that passed felt like an eternity. She tried to push through the chaos, slashing at the enemies who stood
The wind whistled through the sky as soon as Natalie and Norwan reached the place where Cora was. Cora greeted them with a wide, dark smile, which annoyed Norwan—after all the mess she had made, how could she still smile? Did she have no conscience at all?“What an awful sight for me,” Cora said with a sarcastic sigh, referring to Norwan and Natalie being together.“How could you do this to me, Norwan? You treated me like a toy,” Cora added. In response, Norwan simply tightened his grip on Natalie’s hand, which didn’t go unnoticed by Cora. A smirk formed on her lips as she glanced back at Norwan.“Stop holding her hand in front of me,” she said, laughing. “You told me last time that my hands were enough for you to hold.”“Stop all this nonsense, Cora,” Natalie said bravely. Cora stopped laughing and looked at her in disbelief.“Why would I?” she asked, smirking. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid to lose.”Natalie took a deep breath. “Your men are the ones suffering because of what you’re d
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