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
Chloe's POVI walked slowly to the stool by the side of the room, the weight of the moment pressing down on my shoulders. Aiden lay in the hospital bed, surrounded by machines that beeped and whirred, keeping track of his every heartbeat. His face was pale, but his eyes were sharp and full of anger as they locked onto mine.“Aiden, I swear I have no idea who the father is,” I began, my voice trembling. “I know you won’t believe me, but believe me when I say I don’t know who the father is.”“Wow, really?” Aiden’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “So you still want to stick to this resolution of yours, that you don’t know who made you pregnant?”I looked straight into his eyes, hoping he could see the truth in mine. “Yes, Aiden. That’s the truth.”“Okay, that’s fine.” He took a deep breath, the effort visible in the rise and fall of his chest. “So, I will pass my judgment on you tomorrow. Get out of my sight.”The harshness of his words stung, but I knew he was hurting. I didn’t move, though
Chloe's POVLucas then drew me close to him, whispering in my ear. "Get rid of that pregnancy.""What?!" I exclaimed, trying to pull away from him. "How can you even suggest such a thing?"Lucas held me back, his grip firm but gentle. "Listen to me, Chloe. I don't know what holding onto that pregnancy will do to Aiden. Trust me, as long as you have that baby in you, it will make his heart more hardened.""I don't care," I shot back, my voice trembling. "As long as Aiden loves me later on when I convince him, I'll be fine."Lucas just smiled, a sad, knowing smile. "Who told you there would be a second chance, Chloe?""What do you mean, Lucas?" I asked, feeling a cold fear settle in my chest."Think about it," he said, his eyes locking onto mine. "If Aiden feels too betrayed, he might not be able to forgive you. He might make decisions that will make it impossible for you to be together, no matter what you do.""Like what?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper."Like marrying someon
Chloe's POVIt was Mason. I could see him even as he stepped out, wearing dark specs and looking so hot. I knew I hated him, but I couldn't deny the fact that he looked so hot today."Hey baby girl," he said to me, walking closer with a swagger."Stay away from her," Lucas said, pushing Mason back.Mason just laughed. "Chill, Lucas. Chloe will soon be mine.""I will never be yours!" I shouted, trying to free my hand as Mason grabbed it.Mason grinned, his grip tightening. "Oh, you will be. Aiden will approve of it.""Let her go!" Lucas demanded, his face red with anger."Make me," Mason taunted.Lucas didn't hesitate. He punched Mason square in the jaw, but Mason didn't react. He just laughed, a cruel, mocking sound."You think you can protect her, Lucas?" Mason said, rubbing his jaw. "She's already slipping through your fingers."Lucas threw another punch, but Mason dodged it, still laughing."Why are you doing this?" I cried, tears streaming down my face."Because you belong with me
Chloe's POV"How could you even consider saying such a thing? Mason? How? Why? When?""It's for the good of both of us," Aiden replied, his voice firm but his eyes still not meeting mine. "You being in this pack with me can’t be possible anymore. You’ve betrayed my trust, and I can’t raise another man’s child."I tried to hold Aiden's hands, desperation creeping into my voice. "Please, Aiden, you can’t cast me away right now. After all we’ve been through..."He pushed my hands off, his expression hardening. "Nah... don’t touch me. Don’t.""Please, Aiden," I begged, tears welling up. "You can’t just throw me out. Not now.""Been through what, Chloe?" he snapped, his voice rising. "We haven’t been through anything real. Don’t say rubbish.""But we have, Aiden," I pleaded, my voice trembling. "We’ve shared so much. You can’t just ignore that."He shook his head, frustration evident in his eyes. "You shared a lot with someone else too, it seems. Mason, of all people.""I didn’t choose thi
Chloe's POVI then started crying, even as Ashley put her hand around my shoulders, trying to console me. “It will be fine, surely,” she said. “Trust me. What is the problem, basically?”I cleaned my eyes, sniffling. “Aiden said I would be leaving the pack real soon... with Mason.”"What? How? Why?" Her eyes widened with shock. "Why would he make such a decision? Doesn’t he know what kind of beast Mason is?""I tried to make him see reason," I said, my voice trembling. "But he is adamant.""Wow... this is bad. I wouldn’t want you to leave," Ashley said, sadness written all over her face."Me too. I don’t want to leave... but I don’t know what to do at all," I cried harder, feeling the weight of my situation pressing down on me.Ashley pulled me into a tighter hug. "We’ll figure something out. We have to.""I hope so," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I don’t know how to change Aiden’s mind. He’s so stubborn."Ashley sighed, looking thoughtful. "Maybe we need to find a way to prove to
Chloe's POVSuddenly, I heard footsteps approaching where Ashley and I were seated. Almost immediately, we both reduced our voices drastically, even as we waited. As I was backing the person, I strained to hear who it might be. After a while, a guard walked up to me and greeted me."Good day, my queen," he said. "Prince Aiden has instructed that we start gathering your things. We would like to ask for your permission before you move into your chambers.""Wow... so soon?" I said in shock and surprise."Yes, ma'am," the guard replied. "He instructed that it happens now.""You and your men should wait," I said firmly. "I need to speak with Aiden first.""Ma'am, I—" he began, but I cut him short."Are you alright? Do you dare question your queen?" I said sharply."Sorry, ma'am," he said, bowing and walking away."What rubbish," I muttered under my breath.Ashley leaned closer, her expression serious. "This is getting more complicated by the minute.""I know," I replied, frustration seepin
Chloe's POVClaire walked in with an air of authority, her eyes immediately locking onto me with a look of pure disdain. Her gaze was piercing, filled with disgust and contempt, as if my mere presence was an insult to her. She strode confidently across the room to Aiden, her movements graceful yet commanding. The disdain in her eyes cut through me like a knife, her lips curled in a sneer that left no doubt about her feelings towards me.As she reached Aiden, her expression softened into a mask of concern. She wrapped her arms around him in a hug that seemed more possessive than comforting. "Aiden, how are you? Are you feeling any better?" she asked, her voice dripping with sweetness that felt insincere.Wait… What? I thought, my mind racing. Is this why Aiden wants me gone? So he can get back to his first wife? Wow! I thought but I just kept my mouth shut, even as I watched the scene unfold before me.Claire glanced over her shoulder at me, her eyes narrowing with satisfaction as she
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