Aurora's POV He looked at me with a longing that made my heart skip a beat, and I knew he had plenty more to say but I wasn't interested in hearing it.I raised a finger to his lips, and said, "No," in a suffocating whisper.Without waiting for his response, I turned and bolted out of the conference room, leaving him behind. I didn't stop.As I walked away, I could hear the sound of him throwing a tantrum. “Fuck." Even when I heard his growl, followed by sounds of bone snapping, I didn't stop but kept walking hurriedly away while adjusting my disheveled hair, smoothing my dress too. I didn't look back, didn't dare to. I just kept walking, my heart pounding in my chest, praying I don't cross anyone on my way to my room. I felt a wave of guilt wash over me, suffocating me. I had just kissed Darius, and the memory of his lips on mine still lingered, sending shivers down my spine. Why had I done it? Why had I let myself get caught up in the moment, in the passion and desire that D
Darius's POV The moment Aurora tore herself from the kiss and fled, I felt an uncontrollable rage surge through me in a flash. Before she left, her face was filled with a mixture of shame and guilt. All the pleasure had left, her lashes dropped quickly to hide her feelings and her face grew hard and resentful. My wolf, Magnus, roared inside my head, his fury mirroring mine. I had kissed her and she had kissed me back with the same desire which was different from the way she kissed me at the hotel.She had locked herself into my embrace and kissed me with a hunger that belied her outward calm. Her mouth was burning with fire. Quivering as she drank the sweetness of the kiss.But then she had bolted out of the room, right before I could tell her she was mine or claim her as mine, not that I would want to do it in this shabby way, yet I have waited too long for her.A harsh growl ripped from my throat as Magnnus inside me snapped and my control shattered like glass. I let the shift ta
Aurora's POV Lying on the bed, I stared up at the ceiling, my mind was currently going through war as the thoughts of the past gnawed at me. No matter how hard I tried to push the thoughts away, they clung to me like my shadows, refusing to be ignored. Why did I even end up back here, at this time and especially in this moment? When it would have been easier if it was few months or a year to when Kieran approached me that I was his mate. Waking up in the past had been a shock at first, however, I had adapted quickly because I had seen it as a second chance. An opportunity to change things, to right the wrongs that had once crushed me and to take revenge on those who had betrayed me.But nothing was playing out exactly as it had before in the past. There were now lots of plot twists and events that ain't familiar with subtle shifts in the timeline.And these small changes in the sequence of events are throwing me off balance. The rogue attack that had nearly claimed my life happene
Darius's POV I woke up before dawn, my body feeling heavy. I hadn't slept well. I was restless and my sleep was being haunted by dreams I thought I had overcome in the past. I tossed off the covers and swung his legs over the side of the bed, putting his feet on the ground. I needed to clear his head and shake off this lingering fatigue. Something I knew coffee can't cure. I made my way to the forest, the crisp morning air pulling me in, the dew settled on me, it's coolness seeping into my pores. The trees loomed above him, their branches creaking softly in the gentle breeze. I took a deep breath, the scent of damp forest filling my lungs. As he walked, my mind became clearer, I realized it had been weeks since I had last visited the training grounds to train or foresee what's going on. I trusted Ezra and Brian to do a good job, but I can't shake the feeling that I'd been neglecting his duties. Since meeting Aurora and finding out she's my mate, I have found it difficult to focus
Aurora’s POV As I turned to leave, my gaze drifted towards the window, and my heart skipped a beat, quickly I turned my face and got into the car. Standing by the window, was Alpha Darius. I knew he'd been watching me, it will be a surprise if he wasn't. I felt a pang of guilt and regret, knowing that I couldn't give him what he wanted. In another life, perhaps, one I wasn't bound by my mission of revenge and my heart didn't belong to Kieran, I might have considered staying with him. But as what? His mistress? His sex slave? The thought sent a shiver down my spine.I pushed the thoughts away, trying to shake off the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of my stomach. The car ride back to Emberfang was silent for a while until Kiera started talking. “I hope you don’t blame yourself for the alliance falling through,” he said, glancing at me as he drove.I turned my gaze out the window, watching the endless stretch of road ahead. “I don’t.” I answered sharply.“Good,” Kieran s
Darius's POVAs I sat across from Alpha Logan in the conference room, my mind was somewhere else. It wandered back to the message on the informant's body."Gotcha, Alpha Darius.”The words echoed in my head, and I knew without a doubt that it was Alpha Watson's doing, I could imagine the look on his face with that stupid smirk he always has. That arrogant, self-righteous Alpha thought he was above the law, that he could just waltz in here and challenge me.I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my cool as Logan read the content in the alliance proposal he had in his hands. My mind was racing with thoughts of Alpha Watson's sudden confidence. He'd been acting like he owned the place, like he had some kind of upper hand that was why he came here to see me, so he can confirm if I was dead or injured by the attack that happened at his supposed dropsite. That was a bold move, even for someone like him against me.I had knew there was something more to his coming, something that didn't add up. W
Darius's POV The drive to Millvale was silent and peaceful just like the solace I'd been craving. Ezra was busy with getting more infos about the informant's kidnapping. I'd refused the offer of letting a chauffeur and opted to drive myself. I needed peace and space from everyone. As I drove my mind began to wander, drifting back to the events of today. I didn't even notice the distance I had covered until Millvale came into view. I checked my Google maps, the screen displayed the estimated arrival time. The Albert Verde Gallery was still 10 mins away, giving me time to push pack’s business aside.Getting to the gallery, I parked my car directly in front, handing over my keys to the valet waiting as I stepped out of the car. A man approached me instantly. “Mr Darius?" He asked with a polite tone.I nodded, and a corner his mouth pulled into a slight small."This way, please, Mr. Darius," he said, gesturing with a sweep of his hand. "Mr. Albert has been expecting you." I followed
Darius's POV The question lingered between us. Elena had asked me who the woman in the painting reminded me of. Seeing the changes on her face, she was curious. I hesitated for a second before answering, “A woman I know,” my eyes narrowed at her. Her expression remained polite, but I noticed the flicker of curiosity in her brown eyes. “Oh?” she said, clearly wanting more.I wasn’t going to give her more.“I’ll take it,” I said instead, shifting the conversation. “I’ll have it sent to someone.”She blinked at the sudden change of subject but quickly recovered, nodding. “Of course,” she observed me through lowered lashes.Reaching into her small purse, she pulled out a small red ‘SOLD’ tag and carefully placed it on the artwork’s lower corner. “I’ll have it packaged and delivered once you make your payment,” she said in a voice that seemed to come from a long way off."I will have my assistant make the payment details and send over the delivery address,” I answered with staid calmn
Darius's POV I sat behind my desk, my fingers drummed distractedly on the desk in of me. I was lost in thoughts of the events of the past few months from the moment Aurora and I had shared an intimate moment together. Four months.It had been four damn months since the weekend that she stormed out of my life like a hurricane, refusing to even look in my direction since then. I leaned back in my chair, the leather creaking under my weight, and closed my eyes. I let my mind replayed that disastrous weekend. I made the mistake of letting her find out she was my mate. What I heard feared did happened. She wasn't ready to know."Stupid Magnus,” I muttered. And then there was George’s call.It felt like yesterday when he had called me to inform me that Aurora had asked him to publish everything about Lily online through one of his trusted bloggers online. I could still remember gripping my phone so tightly I almost cracked it in two. I'd told her I would handle it but she doesn't trust
Aurora’s Pov The weeks bled together in the sterile, bright lights of the hospital. My focus was only on work, learning, building connections. George had told me he will inform me when the news was ready to go live. He said he was working on making sure everything wasnt traced back to him and he was still digging on the VIP list. He didn’t give a timeline nor tell me why he was digging more into the VIP but I trusted him, Terra had assure me to trust him and until then, I immersed myself in my surgeries, finding solace in working and learning. At least while working here amidst humans no one cared about mate bonds or reincarnated wolves or much about my life.Here, I was just Dr. Aurora, the top-ranked resident trauma surgeon and that was more than enough for me.Until Kieran showed up one afternoon. I had just scrubbed out of a long, grueling emergency appendectomy when I saw him standing in the corridor, arms crossed and that usual arrogant look in his eyes.“What the hell are yo
Aurora’s Pov Mason dropped me off inftont of the hospital, it didn’t take long, Rachel appeared with her car to pick me. I needed somewhere to gather my thoughts and a friend to talk to which was why I had texted her to come. While she drove me to her pack, she didn't question me, Rachel could tell I needed the space and time to regather my thought. The moment I stepped foot into her room, I jumped onto the bed and I felt a calmness settle in my chest. She immediately served me a cold soda drink that sent chilly thrills down my stomach and afterwards I took a nap.A few hours later, I was awake, we sat cross-legged on her bed, a warm mug of tea in each of our hands, and I finally began to narrate everything that happened yesterday to today.The dinner, the appeal to spend the weekend with him, Magnus sudden appearance on my bed then the kiss, the sex and the shocking mate claim. My wolf, Terra, speaking to me for the first time. The conversation about reincarnated mates. The rejecti
Aurora’s Pov When I heard the voice, I thought it was Darius calling me or he probably was outside at my doorstep but the voice sounded so unfamiliar, like it was mine and at the same time different. Then it came again, soft, and more distinct this time with a little force that seems powerful. It wasn’t echoing from the hallway or the room next door. It was then I realized it was from my mind.I froze mid-step, halfway into yanking my top over my head.“Aurora.”My hand trembled as I put on my shorts. I needed to get out of here but first what could it be? Was I going crazy and hearing voices just because I'd been hit with another betrayal?“What the hell…” I whispered, glancing around the room. “Aurora, listen.” I heard clearer.“Who said that?” I asked, shaking my head.“I did. Don’t be afraid.”My breath caught. My heart thundered in my chest. “Where are you?”“I’m here. Inside you. I always have been.”I shook my head, confused, my eyes darting around the room as if I’d somehow
Aurora’s Pov This was what I craved. What I needed. A reprieve from the anger and heartache, a chance to simply feel alive. My nipples were tight peaks beneath my top, sensitive and wanting for his touch. Darius’s lips were hot and firm against mine. He pulled me closer as his tongue teased mine. I moaned, my hands going through his hair as he deepened the kiss. It was like I’d been holding back for years, and it was finally time to let go. We were kissing each other like we were running out of time.I was panting from the intensity of everything. My skin was tingling, warm, flushed, and trembling. His breath ragged against my cheek, his scent suddenly wrapped around me. It was wild, beautiful and everything I hadn’t expected.His hands trembled when they touched me, like he couldn’t believe this was happening and honestly, neither could I.“Fuck, Aurora…” Darius breathed against my lips, breaking the kiss for only a second. “We need to stop.”“I could smell your arousal and I’m on
Aurora's POV Watching as he turned to leave the kitchen, he walked with nonchalant grace, his movements were swift, full of grace and virility. I had to fight the urge not to study his body when he pushed me against the kitchen counter earlier. When he left the room earlier, I noticed his shorts were tattered from shifting and I could tell it had skipped his mind. The good thing was that it wasn’t totally shredded or hanging by the threads. I would have gotten myself a good show of what was down there. I wouldn't say I wasn't curious to know.I couldn't study his body in the room since he was under the sheet but seeing him in the kitchen brought the mischievous side of me till he killed the vibe when he answered me with a serious tone that maybe he was in love with me. Sighing, I looked down at the plate of food untouched in front of me. I couldn’t eat. I stared at it, hoping my stomach will growl for it but my body had other plans. My heart was too busy racing, and my head were c
Darius's POV I sat up instantly, cursing under my breath. “Magnus,” I growled silently. “What the hell did you do?”"You're welcome," my wolf purred smugly.“You took over. You came in here last night.”"You wouldn't. I had to meet her." He snapped at me.“You were supposed to stay put. I thought we agreed,” I hissed mentally.He didn't answer.Typical Magnus move. Whenever he does something impulsive, he vanishes when it was time to deal with the consequences.I ran a hand down my face and then glanced back at Aurora. Her long lashes rested on her cheeks, her hair splayed out over the pillow like waves of caramel and ink. I loved how peaceful she looked. Hating and loving what Magnus did at the same time. I stared at her with longing and how right it felt to be here beside her.I reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair away from her face and the moment my fingers grazed her skin, I felt it again.An electricity tingling sensation.It started at my fingertips and coursed throu
Darius’s POVThe moment I stepped out of Aurora’s room and gently closed the door behind me, I exhaled a breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding. My chest was tight, my head buzzing with all the things I’d just heard and the things I hadn’t been brave enough to say to her. Every time I think I’ve figured her out, she throws me off balance again and again. I made my way to the room across the hall that has been prepared for me for the weekend. I shut the door behind me, leaning against it for a moment before getting off and stripping off my shirt.I headed straight for the shower, hoping the water would cool the thoughts rushing through my mind and as the warm water touched my skin, I rolled my neck, letting the water run over my back. Things weren't going as I planned it except the part where she had agreed to stay for the weekend. I didn't expect her to stay but she did. One thing I was sure of was that she didn't stay because of the way I persuaded her, I can tell from the lo
Aurora’s Pov I looked at him, my heart thumping hard in my chest, and knew there was no turning back now once I spilled it out. I could tell from the way Darius's brows shot up that I had his full attention now.“I found out some things,” I began carefully, my voice low, “about Lily.”His expression darkened slightly with a mixed expression of confusion and curiosity. “Lily?” he repeated. “Alpha Alaric’s daughter? Kieran’s sister?”I nodded. “Yes.”He straightened, his gaze locked onto mine. “What kind of things?” he asked in a serious tone.“There are documents and images,” I began. “I left the folder in my bag, and my bag’s in the car that brought us.” I sighed heavily.Darius waved a hand dismissively. “No, it’s not in the car anymore. Mason already brought everything in. They’re in one of the rooms.”He stood and looked down at me then stretched out his hand in assisting me. “Come on,” he grabbed my arm and led me towards the room. “I’ll show you where you’ll be sleeping anyw