Aurora’s Pov As soon as Kieran left, I felt relieved. I was half scared he would want to try something funny but thankfully he didn't. I let out a long sigh. Finally, I can lay my head to sleep. I wasn’t sure which emotion was stronger, relief or anger. Relief that he was gone, that I didn’t have to deal with his manipulative behaviors tonight and anger that he even dared to think he could touch me after being with another woman. I wasn’t that weak, stupid, naive girl anymore. I wouldn’t let him have sex with me again. More than anything, I wouldn’t let history repeat itself. I felt my heart clenched as I remembered Caleb. The memories of Caleb came flooding, my heart felt like it was being squeezed. The pain was suffocating, making it hard to breathe. I remembered Caleb, my sweet, innocent child, and the agony I felt when I lost him. I sobbed uncontrollably, the tears streaming down my face. I even made Aria his godmother. A deceitful, two-faced bitch. She honestly des
Darius’s Pov I woke up by dawn, the familiar urge stirring within me. It was time for my daily run, a ritual I cherished a lot. It gives Magnus freedom as well while I get to clear my head and give in to my animal side. I quickly got dressed and headed out. I was eager to let out all the pent up frustration and irritation inside of me. All through the night, I was restless, unable to stop thinking about her. The way she reacted to my touch in the stall had me craving for more. My body ached with desire. Even had wet dreams and my erection ached all through the night.Stepping outside, the morning air filled my lungs, I ran towards the forest in the pack. I put off my shirt and pants, not wanting to rip them apart when I shift. The last thing I needed was to walk home naked, especially when everyone would be awake.The shift was quick due to Magnus' eagerness to hunt. As I transformed, I felt a rush of adrenaline in me, heightening my senses. No matter how far I ran, the thoughts of
Darius's POV I leaned back in the chair, resting my head on the sofa, my fingers tapping against the armrest gently as I thought of the best answer to give Ezra. He sat in silence, looking at me with a look of quiet concentration, expecting what my response will be. Everything happened so suddenly, I haven't been able to process it all without the bond kicking in and making me act all unreasonable but I blame it all on my pent-up hormones. “So I spoke to our investigator about her after you asked me to find everything about her,” he said, seeing I wasn’t saying anything. “He’ll be getting back to me soon with details. Once I have them, I’ll forward everything to you.” I exhaled slowly. Aurora was still too much of a mystery, I really know nothing about her apart from the fact that she was introduced to me as Kieran's mate. I needed to know everything about her. Where she came from, what kind of life she lived before she ended up in my territory, before she became Kieran’s mat
Aurora’s Pov I wasn't expecting anyone this early, but I knew exactly who it would be when I heard the knock. Kieran. He must have already heard or seen the news about Darius and me. I sighed, bracing myself for the confrontation. I pulled the door open.The moment the door swung wide open, a sharp sting exploded across my cheek. My head snapped to the side, the impact so sudden I barely registered it at first. I blinked, my breath caught in my throat as I struggled to process the shock.The sting on my cheek gradually gave way to a dull throb, and I could feel my face burning with heat. I slowly reached up to touch my cheek, wincing at the tender spot where the slap had landed.I turned to look at her, Avery, Kieran’s mother standing before me, looking pissed and filled with rage.How dare she?My left hand still on my burning cheek as I stood in shock. Without waiting for my invitation, she pushed me aside and entered the room. I closed the door behind her, taking some minutes to g
Aurora's POV “Don't” I held up a hand.He sighed. “Look, I know my mother can…” “She hates me. I know,” I cut him off. “I’m used to it.” It wasn't a secret to everyone that she had always hated me. Avery jumps at every opportunity she sees to make me miserable, calling me names, correcting my mistakes and when she heard that Kieran and I were mated, all hell broke loose that day, especially when Kieran told her that he had no plan to reject me. “She had no right to hit you,” he frowned. “And yet, you stood there and did nothing until your father stepped in,” I scoffed. Kieran exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “That’s not fair. What could I have done?” “Something or anything?” I crossed my arms. “You didn’t exactly defend me, Kieran.” He clenched his jaw but didn’t argue. Instead, he changed the subject. “I’m going into town for some business,” he said. “Would you like to come?” “With all the news about me right now? Do you really think that’s a good idea
Aurora’s Pov “Like how?” I asked, checking my outfit out.“Ivy sent this to me,” I added, unintentionally doing a complete 360 degree turning around.“Why are you dressed like a fugitive?” His lips curled into a smirk.I adjusted my scarf, keeping my face hidden more. "Just being cautious," I said. "I’m trying to avoid attention." Darius scoffed. I rolled my eyes. “Clearly, you haven’t seen the papers.”“I saw them,” he shrugged. “Well, I care,” I shot back, adjusting my scarf for what felt like a hundredth time. “I have a reputation to maintain.” I smoothed out the vintage fabric, making sure it was perfectly aligned. Then I realized it had begun to slip off again. I frowned puzzled.I had no idea why it keeps slipping off. ‘Why did it keep doing that? I had tied it securely’ I thought. I adjusted it once more.“Reputation, huh? And what exactly do you think I am? Some scandal waiting to happen?” he scoffed.He stepped closer, his fingers brushing against mine as he gently r
Aurora’s Pov The air in the restaurant shifted the moment Kieran and Aria approached our table. I felt my stomach tighten, already bracing myself for whatever stupid remarks Kieran was about to throw my way.“Good afternoon, Alpha Darius,” Kieran and Aria said at once together. “A pleasant afternoon to you both as well,” Alpha Darius responded.“Hey dear sweetie, how are you doing? How was school today?” Aria crouched down to greet Ivy with a warm smile.“I'm good, thank you ma'am,” Ivy answered in a polite and formal voice. “School was fine.” “Aurora... didn’t expect to see you here” Aria looked stunned, but she quickly masked it with a forced smile.“Well, well,” Kieran said slowly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “I didn’t know you’d be out, Aurora. You said you wanted to stay home, away from attention.”I met his gaze, unbothered. I wasn’t about to explain myself to him. “Plans change,” I said simply, refusing to give him the satisfaction of an excuse. His smirk d
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 Pov The air in the restaurant shifted the moment Kieran and Aria approached our table. I felt my stomach tighten, already bracing myself for whatever stupid remarks Kieran was about to throw my way.“Good afternoon, Alpha Darius,” Kieran and Aria said at once together. “A pleasant afternoon to you both as well,” Alpha Darius responded.“Hey dear sweetie, how are you doing? How was school today?” Aria crouched down to greet Ivy with a warm smile.“I'm good, thank you ma'am,” Ivy answered in a polite and formal voice. “School was fine.” “Aurora... didn’t expect to see you here” Aria looked stunned, but she quickly masked it with a forced smile.“Well, well,” Kieran said slowly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “I didn’t know you’d be out, Aurora. You said you wanted to stay home, away from attention.”I met his gaze, unbothered. I wasn’t about to explain myself to him. “Plans change,” I said simply, refusing to give him the satisfaction of an excuse. His smirk d
Aurora’s Pov “Like how?” I asked, checking my outfit out.“Ivy sent this to me,” I added, unintentionally doing a complete 360 degree turning around.“Why are you dressed like a fugitive?” His lips curled into a smirk.I adjusted my scarf, keeping my face hidden more. "Just being cautious," I said. "I’m trying to avoid attention." Darius scoffed. I rolled my eyes. “Clearly, you haven’t seen the papers.”“I saw them,” he shrugged. “Well, I care,” I shot back, adjusting my scarf for what felt like a hundredth time. “I have a reputation to maintain.” I smoothed out the vintage fabric, making sure it was perfectly aligned. Then I realized it had begun to slip off again. I frowned puzzled.I had no idea why it keeps slipping off. ‘Why did it keep doing that? I had tied it securely’ I thought. I adjusted it once more.“Reputation, huh? And what exactly do you think I am? Some scandal waiting to happen?” he scoffed.He stepped closer, his fingers brushing against mine as he gently r
Aurora's POV “Don't” I held up a hand.He sighed. “Look, I know my mother can…” “She hates me. I know,” I cut him off. “I’m used to it.” It wasn't a secret to everyone that she had always hated me. Avery jumps at every opportunity she sees to make me miserable, calling me names, correcting my mistakes and when she heard that Kieran and I were mated, all hell broke loose that day, especially when Kieran told her that he had no plan to reject me. “She had no right to hit you,” he frowned. “And yet, you stood there and did nothing until your father stepped in,” I scoffed. Kieran exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “That’s not fair. What could I have done?” “Something or anything?” I crossed my arms. “You didn’t exactly defend me, Kieran.” He clenched his jaw but didn’t argue. Instead, he changed the subject. “I’m going into town for some business,” he said. “Would you like to come?” “With all the news about me right now? Do you really think that’s a good idea
Aurora’s Pov I wasn't expecting anyone this early, but I knew exactly who it would be when I heard the knock. Kieran. He must have already heard or seen the news about Darius and me. I sighed, bracing myself for the confrontation. I pulled the door open.The moment the door swung wide open, a sharp sting exploded across my cheek. My head snapped to the side, the impact so sudden I barely registered it at first. I blinked, my breath caught in my throat as I struggled to process the shock.The sting on my cheek gradually gave way to a dull throb, and I could feel my face burning with heat. I slowly reached up to touch my cheek, wincing at the tender spot where the slap had landed.I turned to look at her, Avery, Kieran’s mother standing before me, looking pissed and filled with rage.How dare she?My left hand still on my burning cheek as I stood in shock. Without waiting for my invitation, she pushed me aside and entered the room. I closed the door behind her, taking some minutes to g
Darius's POV I leaned back in the chair, resting my head on the sofa, my fingers tapping against the armrest gently as I thought of the best answer to give Ezra. He sat in silence, looking at me with a look of quiet concentration, expecting what my response will be. Everything happened so suddenly, I haven't been able to process it all without the bond kicking in and making me act all unreasonable but I blame it all on my pent-up hormones. “So I spoke to our investigator about her after you asked me to find everything about her,” he said, seeing I wasn’t saying anything. “He’ll be getting back to me soon with details. Once I have them, I’ll forward everything to you.” I exhaled slowly. Aurora was still too much of a mystery, I really know nothing about her apart from the fact that she was introduced to me as Kieran's mate. I needed to know everything about her. Where she came from, what kind of life she lived before she ended up in my territory, before she became Kieran’s mat
Darius’s Pov I woke up by dawn, the familiar urge stirring within me. It was time for my daily run, a ritual I cherished a lot. It gives Magnus freedom as well while I get to clear my head and give in to my animal side. I quickly got dressed and headed out. I was eager to let out all the pent up frustration and irritation inside of me. All through the night, I was restless, unable to stop thinking about her. The way she reacted to my touch in the stall had me craving for more. My body ached with desire. Even had wet dreams and my erection ached all through the night.Stepping outside, the morning air filled my lungs, I ran towards the forest in the pack. I put off my shirt and pants, not wanting to rip them apart when I shift. The last thing I needed was to walk home naked, especially when everyone would be awake.The shift was quick due to Magnus' eagerness to hunt. As I transformed, I felt a rush of adrenaline in me, heightening my senses. No matter how far I ran, the thoughts of
Aurora’s Pov As soon as Kieran left, I felt relieved. I was half scared he would want to try something funny but thankfully he didn't. I let out a long sigh. Finally, I can lay my head to sleep. I wasn’t sure which emotion was stronger, relief or anger. Relief that he was gone, that I didn’t have to deal with his manipulative behaviors tonight and anger that he even dared to think he could touch me after being with another woman. I wasn’t that weak, stupid, naive girl anymore. I wouldn’t let him have sex with me again. More than anything, I wouldn’t let history repeat itself. I felt my heart clenched as I remembered Caleb. The memories of Caleb came flooding, my heart felt like it was being squeezed. The pain was suffocating, making it hard to breathe. I remembered Caleb, my sweet, innocent child, and the agony I felt when I lost him. I sobbed uncontrollably, the tears streaming down my face. I even made Aria his godmother. A deceitful, two-faced bitch. She honestly des
Aurora’s Pov Immediately I saw through the small gap in the bathroom that it was Kieran, I felt pissed and irritated. As time passes, I find it hard to withstand him but I knew I needed to keep my cool, so I can achieve my goals.I should have known.Of course, he would come looking for me. Not because he cared. Not because he was worried but because I had stepped out of line tonight, and Kieran never liked it when I did something he couldn’t control. I wasn't loving the fact that the events this present time was changing or was I not getting the events right?But how can I forget tonight when it marked the beginning of how my life later turned out. It was a stepping stone to how miserable I later became. How I gave up life and stupid me worshipped the floor Kieran and his family walked on because of duty and love.Stepping out of the small bathroom, I tightened the robe around me, my wet hair clinging to my back as I faced him.He was standing at the edge of the bed, looking all
Aurora’s PovAfter Alpha Darius left, I took a moment before heading back to the Villa that served as the packhouse. Tonight's dinner party had taken place in the Grand dining hall inside the villa which was the only route I knew back to my room. As I entered the hall, I could hear whisper of hushed conversations, but I ignored them as I made my way to the staircase that leads to my room on the second floor. Just as I reached the stairs, I heard Aria call my name “Aurora”.But I didn't acknowledge her. I saw my mother in law, Avery, coming to my direction, her eyes locked on me but I didn't slow down and quickened my pace when a woman intercepted her in a conversation. The moment I stepped into my room, I exhaled, letting the weight of the evening settle over me. My body ached from tension, and my mind was a mess of twisted thoughts. I had changed something. I hope.In my past life, this dinner had been a disaster. Kieran’s mother had humiliated me in front of everyone, showing e