Chloe’s POVMy heart sank as I turned around, my eyes meeting Claire's as she approached. "Oh no, not her again, must I come across this lady always?" I thought to myself, frustration evident in the crease of my brow.Claire glided up to me with her entourage of maids in tow, their presence looming large and their attire extravagant compared to my simple yet elegant ensemble. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy as I glanced at their perfectly tailored outfits and immaculate hairdos."Hello, Chloe," Claire greeted with a saccharine smile, her voice dripping with false sweetness as she reached out to air kiss my cheeks. I forced a polite smile in return, inwardly bristling at the insincerity in Claire's tone. "Hi, Claire," I replied, my voice betraying a hint of reluctance.Claire's gaze lingered on me for a moment before she spoke again, her tone laden with condescension. "You look... nice today," she remarked, her words carefully chosen to sound complimentary yet lacking genuine
Chloe’s POVLucas appeared by my side, offering me his arm as we made our way inside. The interior was elegantly decorated, with soft lighting casting a warm glow over the room. I caught glimpses of familiar faces mingling with unfamiliar ones, their voices blending together in animated conversation."Wow, this place looks amazing," I commented, taking in the sights around me.Lucas smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm glad you think so, Miss Chloe. Aiden put a lot of effort into making sure everything was perfect for tonight."As we stepped into the room, the air was filled with chatter and laughter. I glanced around, taking in the elegant decorations and the soft glow of the lights. Suddenly, before I could fully process where we were, someone came up to me and planted a quick peck on my cheek. Aiden was there. My heart skipped a beat as his warm hand wrapped around mine."How are you, my princess?" His voice was soft yet full of warmth, and I couldn't help but smile. He
Aiden’s POVI sighed, knowing that my explanation would only lead to more questions. "I can't tell you everything right now," I said cryptically. "But trust me, it's for a good reason.""When did you start hiding things from me?" Lucas asked, his voice tinged with hurt.I reached out to touch his arm, hoping to reassure him. "You're still my one and only trusted person in this palace," I insisted. "But when the time comes, I promise I'll tell you everything."He nodded, still looking unsure. "Okay, I trust you," he said finally.I squeezed his arm gently. "Thanks, Lucas," I said sincerely. "I really appreciate it."He managed a small smile in return, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "No problem, Aiden," he replied. "Just... be careful, okay?"“I will”Chloe’s POVMoving through the vibrant throng of people, my heart swelled with joy. The music surged through the air.This party surpassed all my expectations, even though I was so glad Aiden had it all just because of me. Spotting
Chloe’s POV"What are you doing in here?" he asked, peering at me curiously."I'm hiding," I whispered, motioning for him to be quiet. "I'm trying to listen to Claire."Lucas's eyes widened in surprise. "Why? What's she doing?""I don't know," I admitted, frustration creeping into my voice. "But it sounds really important."Lucas nodded, understanding dawning on his face. "Can I listen too?"I hesitated, unsure if I should let him. But then I nodded, figuring it couldn't hurt to have another set of ears."Okay," I whispered, pulling Lucas into the closet with me. "But be really quiet, okay?"Lucas nodded eagerly, and together we pressed our ears against the door, listening intently.For a few moments, there was only silence, and I started to worry that we wouldn't hear anything else. But then Claire's voice echoed through the hallway again, faint but clear."We need to make sure everything is ready," she said, her tone urgent."I know, I know," the other person replied, sounding exasp
Chloe’s POVMy heart raced as Aiden's booming voice filled the room, echoing off the walls. I tried to explain, but before I could even speak, Claire jumped in, her voice shaky. Aiden's anger was palpable; his eyebrows furrowing together like two caterpillars having a meeting. "What the heck is wrong with you, Claire?" he growled, his voice low and frightening.Claire looked surprised, bumping into me as she took a step back. Aiden's intensity seemed to suffocate the air around us. "No, I'll ask you one more time," he demanded, his voice rising. "What were you doing here earlier?"I tried to intervene, to convince Aiden that Claire was telling the truth, but he was fixated on her, his gaze burning with fury. Claire looked terrified, and I could feel her silent plea for me to keep quiet. I had to think fast."Aiden, calm down," I urged, my voice trembling. "We were just talking, I swear!"But Aiden wasn't listening. He gave Claire an ultimatum, and my heart pounded in my chest as the s
Chloe’s POV"Lucas, why the hell would you do that to me?" I demanded, my voice trembling with a mix of hurt and frustration.His gaze bore into me; his eyes were red and fiery. "You think I did this to you on purpose?" he snapped, his voice sharp with accusation.My heart sank at the intensity of his anger. "No, Lucas, I didn't mean that," I began, my voice softening as I approached him. "I just... I don't understand why you did what you did."He shook his head with a tense jaw. "You can explain all you want, Chloe, but it doesn't change what happened," he said bitterly. "You made me look like a fool in front of Aiden."A pang of guilt stabbed at my chest. "I'm sorry, Lucas," I whispered, tears filling my eyes. "I never meant for any of this to happen. Things just spiraled out of control.""What the heck were you thinking, Chloe?" Lucas exclaimed, his frustration evident in his voice. "You know how much I care about you, and yet you went behind my back and sided with that witch."I w
Aiden's POV "So, how has your pack been?" because I was really interested in hearing about her life as Luna. A proud smile spread across Isabella's face as she looked into the question with wide eyes. "In fact, they've been doing pretty well," she said, her voice warm. "We've had a few challenges here and there, but overall, things have been good."I agreed, happy to hear that her pack was doing well with her leading it. "What about you and your husband? How have things been going?" I asked, truly interested in how she handled her duties as Luna and her personal life. When Isabella talked about her husband, her voice showed how much she loved him. Her smile got bigger. "We've been getting along just fine," she said in a loving voice. "He's been incredibly supportive, always there to lend a helping hand whenever I need it." As she spoke, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy at the strength of their bond. Isabella and her husband seemed to suit each other perfectly, their bond
Chloe's POVMy heart thudded with worry as I scanned the crowded party, searching for any sign of Lucas. The music pulsed through the air, mingling with laughter and chatter, but amidst it all, there was no trace of him. It felt as though he had vanished into thin air, leaving me alone in the midst of the festivities. Feeling a knot of concern twisting in my stomach, I decided to find Aiden.I spotted Aiden across the room, engaged in conversation with a lady I didn’t recognize. I then made my way through the throng of people, my steps quickening with each passing moment.As I approached, I noticed the easy way Aiden and the woman interacted, their laughter ringing out amidst the noise of the party.A pang of jealousy flickered through my chest, quickly followed by a wave of guilt. I pushed the feelings aside, forcing a smile onto my lips as I finally reached them.Probably shes just a friend of his.“Good day,” I greeted them, my voice carrying over the music.“Good day,” the woman
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