Aiden's POVI slowly opened my eyes, the world coming into focus. My body felt heavy, and a dull ache radiated from my wounds. As I blinked, trying to clear the haze from my vision, I noticed Lucas sitting nearby, engrossed in his tablet. The light from the screen illuminated his face, casting shadows in the dimly lit room.When Lucas noticed I was awake, he jumped up and called for the nurse. "Nurse! He's awake!" he shouted, his voice filled with relief. He rushed to my side, his face a mix of concern and joy. "Aiden, are you alright?" he asked, leaning over me."Yeah, sure," I said, my voice hoarse. "How long was I out?"Lucas looked at me seriously. "You were out for over four days," he replied, shaking his head slightly. "We were worried about you.""Wow," I muttered, trying to raise my head. But something tugged at my body, stopping me. Tubes and wires were attached to me, and the effort made me feel dizzy."Don't try to move too much," Lucas said, gently placing a hand on my sho
Chloe's POVLucas's face softened with sympathy. "Ashley," he repeated, thinking for a moment. "Yes, Ashley was assigned to another part of the palace to work since you have been imprisoned."Relief washed over me. At least she was still here, somewhere. "Please, can she be assigned to be my maid again?" I asked, hopeful."Sure, no problem," Lucas replied with a reassuring smile. "I’ll make sure that happens."Lucas turned to go again, but I stopped him once more. "Lucas, wait," I said, my voice trembling. "I’m sorry for the way I treated you earlier. I didn’t even allow you to help me out when all this was still solvable before it all blew up in my face."Lucas looked at me, his eyes kind. "It's all good, Chloe. You don’t need to worry about that. We all make mistakes, and it’s important to learn from them. You and Aiden will surely find a way around this."His words brought a sense of comfort. I felt a tear slip down my cheek. "Thank you, Lucas. For everything.""You're welcome, Chl
Chloe's POVAs the door opened, Claire walked into my room, her face twisted in a look of disgust. Immediately, Ashley's eyes widened. "I think I should go," she said, her voice quiet."You're excused, Ashley," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. She nodded, gave me a reassuring smile, and left the room.Claire marched over to my table, pulled out a chair, and dragged it close to where I was sitting. She sat down, crossing her arms and looking at me with cold eyes."What do you want?" I demanded, trying to inject authority into my voice and not let her see how scared I was."Chill, Chloe," Claire said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I even expected you to last longer in that cell of yours, but I guess Aiden still pities you and brings you out. I don't know what his problem is.""Go to hell!" I shouted, my voice trembling as tears started to gather in my eyes.Claire smirked, enjoying my reaction. "Oh, Chloe, always so dramatic. You really should learn to control that temper
Chloe's POVI looked at Claire, and she looked at me. I just smiled, even as I told her that all her plans to keep me locked up had failed. She laughed and said, "Nah, I still have that bastard son in my womb. So, I still definitely have you where I want you. You shouldn't rejoice yet because I'm still going to come for you."I didn't know where the courage came from, but I told her, "Get out of my room.""Wow, really?" she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "It looks as though Aiden has fueled your pride. You have no idea who you're dealing with," she said, even as she stormed out of my room.Claire stormed out of my room, her face twisted with fury. The way she slammed the door behind her told me everything I needed to know: she was plotting something big. I couldn't let her get the upper hand. I had to act fast.I grabbed my phone and dialed the front gate. The guard answered on the second ring."Get me Ashley," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I need to see her right a
Chloe's POVAs I approached Aiden's room, my heart pounded with worry. I pushed the door open and saw Aiden sitting on his bed, his normally strong and commanding presence now diminished. He had several bandages wrapped around his torso and arms, and his face was pale, etched with pain."Aiden," I said, rushing toward him. Before I could reach him, he raised his hand, and his guards blocked my path."Please, Aiden, I'm so sorry. What happened to you?" I pleaded, trying to push past the guards.Aiden just looked at me, his eyes filled with a mix of hurt and anger. He didn't say a word, just sat there in silence. The room felt heavy with unspoken words.He reached for a letter on the side table near him, but his hand trembled and seemed too far to grasp it. He let out a small cry of pain, his body swaying as he struggled to stay upright.Seeing him like that broke my heart. "Aiden, please," I cried, fighting against the guards. In a burst of strength, I broke free and ran to his side, c
Hudson's POV"Can you imagine the gatekeeper telling me that I can't go out because he got orders from Aiden that he shouldn't allow anyone in or out of the pack house?" I said, my voice rising with frustration.Black J was way surprised. "What's wrong with the gatekeeper? Doesn't he know who you are?""See, don't mind them. I will deal with them all at the right time, surely," I said, rubbing my head as I sat down on the sofa.Black J stood up and walked towards the fridge, a sleek stainless steel appliance that stood in the corner of the room. He opened the door and pulled out a bottle of red wine. It was a Merlot, its deep, rich color visible through the glass. He grabbed two crystal wine glasses from a nearby cabinet and carried everything back to where I was sitting."What will we do now?" he asked, as he poured the wine into the cups. The dark red liquid swirled gracefully into the glasses, the aroma filling the room."I really don't know," I said, accepting the glass he handed
Hudson's POV"Black J, do you ever wonder how long this fight will go on?" I asked, staring at the ceiling.He looked at me thoughtfully. "Sometimes. But then I remember what’s at stake. This throne is your birthright. You deserve it.""Exactly," I said, frustration creeping into my voice. "It's my birthright. How is my brother making me suffer this much for what belongs to me? It’s so stupid. Why?"Black J sat down across from me. "Your brother is desperate. He knows you're the rightful heir. He's grasping at straws to hold onto power."I nodded, trying to calm my anger. "I need to do something really fast. I can’t let him keep this up.""We will," Black J assured me. "We’re already making moves. Chloe's reputation is taking a hit, and Mason will slip up soon. We just have to stay patient and strategic.""Patience," I muttered. "Easier said than done.""I know," Black J said. "But think about the end goal. Picture yourself on that throne. All this struggle will be worth it."I closed
Hudson's POVAs I sat down to plan the day with Black J and Marcus, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out to see an unidentified number flashing on the screen. Curious, I answered the call."Hello?" I said cautiously."Who is this?" a female voice asked.I frowned, recognizing the voice almost instantly. "It's Clara. Meet me at the old bridge in town. I have something to show you."Before I could respond, the line went dead. I stared at the phone for a moment, trying to piece together why Clara, of all people, would call me out of the blue."Who was that?" Black J asked, noticing the look on my face."It's Clara. She wants to meet at the old bridge. Says she has something to show me," I replied, pocketing my phone."Are you sure it's safe?" Black J. asked, concern etched on his face."I don’t know, but I need to find out," I said. "I'll be back soon. Keep working on our plans. We need to be ready."Black J nodded. "We'll make sure everything is in place by the time you get bac
Years LaterThe grand festival continued into the night, but as the celebrations waned, a quieter, more reflective scene unfolded. Amidst the joy and laughter, Aiden and Chloe found themselves watching their children, Alex and Mia, play in the castle’s expansive gardens.Alex, now a young man of seventeen, had inherited his father’s strong, determined spirit. He was tall and confident, with a sharp gaze that seemed to miss nothing. His interactions with the other children were marked by a natural leadership, a blend of kindness and authority that spoke of his future role as a leader.Mia, a year younger than Alex, was equally impressive. She was vibrant and intelligent, with a keen sense of justice that mirrored her mother’s. Even at her young age, her ability to understand and empathize with others was remarkable. She moved through the crowd with a grace that drew people to her, her laughter and energy infusing the air with an infectious enthusiasm.As Aiden and Chloe watched their c
Aiden’s POVI stood there, my mind racing with a mix of shock, betrayal, and disbelief. The flashing red and blue lights of the police cars painted an eerie glow on the faces of the people I once called family. Claire, Mason, and Hudson were being led away in handcuffs, their expressions a mixture of anger and resignation."It's funny," I muttered, more to myself than anyone else, "how people you call your family and blood would turn against you."Ashley, my best friend, stood beside me, her face pale. "I can't believe they had a hand in your son's disappearance," she whispered, her voice trembling. "All this time..."I shook my head, feeling a bitter laugh bubbling up. "Yeah, I know the world is wicked and all, but nah... this was too massive," I said, my voice rising with emotion. "Like wow... damn... so I really had fake bloods around me."The words felt foreign in my mouth, like speaking in a language I didn't quite understand. I watched as the police shoved Claire into the back o
Claire’s POVI arrived at the abandoned building, its skeletal structure of steel beams and concrete looming ominously against the twilight sky. This place, once a construction site left unfinished, now served as a perfect hideout for clandestine activities. Pulling up in my car, I shut off the engine and stepped out, my senses on high alert. Just then, my phone buzzed with a call from Mason."Mason, where are they?" I asked, my tone brisk."They’re inside the building, Claire. Just walk in, and you’ll find the kid," Mason's voice crackled over the line."Alright," I replied, my eyes scanning the darkened entrance. "I’m heading in now."Walking towards the entrance, the crunch of gravel underfoot punctuated the silence of the evening. As I stepped inside, the dim light from the setting sun barely penetrated the building’s interior, leaving me in shadowed uncertainty. I called out as I moved further in, my voice echoing off the empty walls."Mason, I’m inside. I don’t see anyone yet."
Claire’s POVI entered my room and slammed the door, shaking the walls with the force of my anger. My breath came in ragged gasps, and my heart pounded furiously in my chest. God!!!! Chloe!!!!!! After all I have done to get rid of you, you still were able to squeeze yourself back into my life. Wow... Nice. I muttered to myself, an evil smile playing on my lips as I paced back and forth, trying to calm the storm inside me. I will make sure you and Aiden never have peace of mind.The room was dimly lit, the curtains drawn tight to shut out the world. My desk was cluttered with papers and books, the remnants of a life I was trying to rebuild. But now, all I could see was red. Memories of Chloe flooded my mind – the times she outshone me, the moments she humiliated me, the way she always seemed to have Aiden's attention.I paused in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. My eyes were wild, filled with a mix of rage and determination. "You always thought you were better than me, di
Aiden’s POVThe room was dimly lit, and the smell of antiseptic was heavy in the air. I blinked slowly, trying to clear the fog from my mind. My head throbbed with a searing pain that felt like it was tearing through my skull. It took a moment for my surroundings to come into focus—the hospital room, the steady beeping of monitors, and the IV drip attached to my arm."Finally, you're awake," a familiar voice broke through the haze. It was Lucas, sitting in a chair beside my bed, his face a mixture of relief and concern."Lucas..." I croaked, my voice raspy and weak. "What... what happened?"He leaned forward, his eyes never leaving mine. "Aiden, we thought we lost you. Chloe managed to reach me after it all happened. She said you both were attacked."I struggled to sit up, wincing as pain shot through my body. "Yeah, we were... Is she okay? Are the kids okay?"Lucas hesitated, his silence stretching like a taut wire. I repeated my question, my voice rising in urgency. "Lucas, are Chlo
Aiden’s POVI was beyond happy as I drove my family back with me to my pack. Having Chloe and my kids in the car was one of the happiest things that had ever happened to me. As I heard Mia and Alex having their playful banter in the back seat, I couldn’t help but smile. Yeah, finally, I had gotten what I had been missing all this while to myself."Why are you smiling really hard?" Chloe asked, her voice pulling me back from my thoughts."Ooh, nothing," I said, my smile widening."Hmm, you sure?" she asked, giving me a sideways glance."Yeah, just thinking about how perfect everything is right now," I replied, glancing at her briefly before focusing back on the road."I can see that," she said with a soft laugh. "It’s kind of contagious, you know.""What is?" I asked, curious."Your smile. The kids are smiling too. Look at them," she said, turning slightly to look at the back seat.I glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Mia and Alex giggling, their faces lit up with joy. It warmed my
Aiden’s POVThe guard took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly. "The news reaching us right now is that Aiden will be returning with Chloe.""Okay?" I replied, confusion lacing my voice. "That's good news... because I know definitely he's returning with her head in a ba—""No, Your Highness," the guard interrupted, his tone more urgent. "It is said that they are returning as couples.""What! Couples? How?" I exclaimed, standing up so abruptly that my chair toppled over. "Isn't Aiden meant to kill her for him to have peace? Wasn't that what the goddess we paid instructed him to do?""Yes, sir, but—""But what?" I cut the guard off angrily. "See, get me Claire," I told him, even as I sat back angrily in the bathtub. "What sort of rubbish is this?"The guard nodded quickly and scurried out of the room. I leaned back in the tub, the warm water doing little to soothe my rising irritation. How could Aiden betray us like this? What could possibly have happened?Minutes later, Claire,
Aiden’s POVBefore I could answer, Chloe's stepfather, the alpha of the pack, interrupted me. His stern expression softened as he looked at Chloe and then turned to me, confusion etched on his face.'What is going on here?' the alpha demanded. 'Who is this man, Chloe?'Chloe took a deep breath and stepped closer to her stepfather. 'Dad, this is Aiden. He was... he was my husband.'The alpha's eyes widened in shock. 'Your husband? The one who...''Yes,' Chloe interrupted, her voice trembling. 'The one who sent me away.'The alpha's gaze turned hard as he looked at me. 'You have a lot of explaining to do, young man.''I know,' I said, meeting his gaze. 'I owe Chloe and you an explanation.'Chloe gestured for us to sit. 'Let's all sit down and talk. There's a lot to discuss.'We moved to the sitting area, the tension in the room palpable. Chloe sat next to her stepfather, while I took a seat across from them.'Aiden,' the alpha began, 'I want to hear your side of the story. Why did you s
Aiden’s POV"Hey, sir, sorry to intrude, but I couldn't just keep quiet. You really have amazing grandkids, Sire," I said, trying to mask my curiosity with a friendly tone.King Aiden looked at me and chuckled. "Yeah, I sure do. They are really something special. My grandkids are the best gift life has given me.""That's really lovely, Sire," I said, genuinely touched by his pride. "From the way your grandson looked, I'm pretty sure their mother must be very beautiful."The Alpha's face lit up with a broad smile. "Oh, you have no idea. My daughter is beyond beautiful. She's a queen in every sense of the word," he said, his voice filled with pride as he continued praising her beauty and grace."I can imagine," I said, smiling. "She must be very special to have such a wonderful son.""She is," King Aiden nodded. "Chloe has always been the heart of our family. Strong, kind, and fiercely protective of those she loves."As we continued our meal, the atmosphere was light and filled with lau