Darius's POV The moment I noticed the black sedan following me, my instincts sharpened and I gripped tightened on the steering wheel, my eyes fixed on the road ahead, pushing all my thoughts behind me. At first I had thought it was a coincidece but after I had noticed it following me for a while now and we were driving in the same direction even though I had taken a few wrong turns and the black sedan took it as well then I knew I was wrong. This was not a coincidence.I pressed my foot harder on the accelerator, the engine roaring as my car picked up speed. A tail wasn’t unusual, but this wasn’t some casual surveillance. Whoever was behind me was persistent, and I intended to find out, who was in that car, and what did they want.I was now going at a speed of 80km/hr and I felt a surge of adrenaline as the car sped up. The black sedan also kept same pace with me, refusing to back off. I took a deep breath and made a sharp turn, hoping to lose it in the streets but to my surprise, a
Aurora’s POVSeven years of marriage and seven years of torture.“Sign the papers,” his voice was cold as he threw the document and pen at me, watching me with nothing but hatred and disgust, a familiar emotion I knew too well. I stared into the distance with a blank expression. I felt nothing.“Oh my Goddess, what did I tell you? She’s crazy,” I heard the voice of my sister-in-law whisper behind me and the angry curses of the Luna seemed to fade into the background.“Look at her, after killing her son, she dares act pitiful.”Why me?“I told you she is a heartless witch. Poor Caleb. He died because he couldn’t stand her being his mother, after all.”Why me? What did I do to deserve this?I closed my eyes, and a single tear fell. Regret and self-blame washed over me. The voices in my head seemed to want to tear me apart.“Yes, you deserved this. He died because of you, you!”“I, Kieran, the next in line Alpha to the Emberfang Nation, reject Aurora as my mate.”“Ahh,” I clutched my ch
Aurora’s POVI stared into the far distance in confusion. There was a lake in front of me. I could hear the sounds of crickets. The night was cold, and I seemed to be drenched and I was… I was breathing.Wait a second, let me rephrase that again, BREATHING?But that was impossible. I died. The sound of desperate coughing brought my attention back to the present, and I looked down to see a young girl around six to eight years expelling water from her mouth and gasping for air.My hands were on her chest and I titled my head in confusion as I tried to register what was happening. This… this felt oddly familiar.The girl opened her eyes slowly and was now watching me, but I stared back like an idiot, not knowing what to say or do.What was happening?“Miss Ivy!” A scream jolted me awake, and I tore my eyes from the girl to see people rushing towards us.Ivy? Where have I heard that name before?“Oh my Goddess, Miss Ivy, are you okay? Alpha Darius was so worried!” A middle-aged woman sc
Aurora’s POVThe name Aurora was all I knew about my identity. I had always been an outsider, one that wasn’t from the pack, and people did not easily accept my kind. And I guess being wolf-less did not make it better, so the hate began when I was just four, brought to the Emberfang Nation by Alpha Alaric.Alpha Alaric was the only person who treated me better than everyone, so when I found out I was his son Kieran’s mate, I was beyond happy to be part of his family.Just to be the perfect Luna in training, I stopped the only thing that I knew and was good at, medicine.The only time I was allowed to operate was on behalf of Aria, she took credit for what I did and became the best doctor in the country and I, well I hid from the limelight to serve my mate, to be the perfect future Luna everyone would love and perhaps, perhaps one day they would look past my flaws and accept me.How ironic.I did all that, not knowing that was the beginning of my downfall, the day I had decided to mate
Darius’s POVShe was the star of the party.When she walked down the staircase with her head held up high and her smile, that smile seemed to have done something to me.“Mine,” Magnus, my wolf, growled in my head, and my eyes narrowed at her as my frown deepened.“What do you mean by mine?” I asked back, head tilting slightly to the side as I watched her hug Ivy.“She is ours, Darius,” Magnus replied.I clenched my hand, not understanding what my wolf was implying, but hell, that scent of hers had been driving me crazy since last night.“That is impossible. She already has a mate.” I sneered.My eyes darkened as the supposed mate walked up to her and held her hand, but Ivy refused to let her go.Good girl, Ivy, keep her right there.“I don’t know what is happening, but I’m not mistaken. She belongs to us” I could feel Magnus slowly break out of my restraint, wanting to rush out and claim her right there.I stroked my chin, managing to keep him in check. What exactly was this girl?“Al
Aurora’s PovI stood frozen, my eyes locked on Darius's mischievous smile. What was he doing here? And why was he being so... flirty towards me? I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as he leaned in closer, his warm breath on my skin. I couldn't fathom why my heart was racing and suddenly I felt the need to touch him. He is the man I needed to avoid to prevent the whole rumor in my past life but why was he here in the bathroom with me, looking so mischievous and why do I feel this way? In my past life I didn't feel different about him. He was an Alpha I respected and feared but found favour in his sight because I saved his sister from drowning. In the past, he didn't follow me to the bathroom nor was he mischievous. The surprising thing is I can't explain why I felt this way about him as well. “What are you doing here?” I asked with curiosity in my voice. He moved closer, his nose brushing my neck, before I could ask him any more questions or process what was happening, the sound of f
Lycan Darius's POV I wasn’t expecting this.The moment Aurora yanked me into the cramped stall, my instincts screamed at me to resist. I was not accustomed to being manhandled, least of all by a woman as small as her. And yet, I let her. Something about the way she panicked when she heard footsteps out the bathroom made me curious.While we were in the stall, she held her breath when all I could do was inhale her intoxicating smell. The stall was tiny but perfect for the two of us there. I leaned in on her and reached to touch her. Her dress hugged her body, revealing her cleavage, which instantly gave me a boner. Why was she having so much effect on me?“Fuck! We've waited for too long for our mate and now she is also mated to someone else,” Magnus rumbled.I knew she felt the bulging when she suddenly looked down and her cheeks turned red. She reminds me of Muffins, sweet, lovely and fresh. I made a comment and called her muffins, then I saw how embarrassed then she asked me wha
Aurora’s Pov Stepping out of the bathroom, I sighed heavily, my heart pounding beneath as I tried to keep my calm. Shame burned in my chest, mixing with anger so thick it nearly choked me. I hated that Darius had witnessed that. I hated that I had to stand there, silent, while my so-called mate touched another woman in secret. But most of all, I hated that I had to pretend it didn’t bother me. Today was going to be a long and difficult night. I have to put on a smiling face and put up a deceitful face that masks my irritation and anger. Also, I have to avoid Darius, who is the Alpha of the pack we are currently, that I was entangled with in some shady rumors in the past. And now, it seemed, he's sort of obsessed about me, something I hope I'm delusional about. I took a deep breath, forcing a smile as I walked back into the grand hall. The dinner wasn’t over yet. The music and chattering filled the hall. I walked towards our table where Aria was seated and Kieran was engaged in a
Darius's POV The moment I noticed the black sedan following me, my instincts sharpened and I gripped tightened on the steering wheel, my eyes fixed on the road ahead, pushing all my thoughts behind me. At first I had thought it was a coincidece but after I had noticed it following me for a while now and we were driving in the same direction even though I had taken a few wrong turns and the black sedan took it as well then I knew I was wrong. This was not a coincidence.I pressed my foot harder on the accelerator, the engine roaring as my car picked up speed. A tail wasn’t unusual, but this wasn’t some casual surveillance. Whoever was behind me was persistent, and I intended to find out, who was in that car, and what did they want.I was now going at a speed of 80km/hr and I felt a surge of adrenaline as the car sped up. The black sedan also kept same pace with me, refusing to back off. I took a deep breath and made a sharp turn, hoping to lose it in the streets but to my surprise, a
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 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 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
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 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 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 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 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