Chloe's POVI hesitated, thinking about how to explain the situation. "What happened was that I crossed paths with Claire later, and it didn't end well at all."Ashley’s brow furrowed in puzzlement. “What really happened?”I took a deep breath, remembering the tension and confusion of the encounter. “Well, at first, I was just enjoying myself and mingling with everyone. Then I heard Claire say a few things to some people in the restroom. They all sounded off, so I tried to hear what they were saying. And boom! She caught me!”“Wow! What did she do when she caught you?” Ashley asked, her curiosity growing.I took another deep breath, trying to steady my nerves as I recounted the events. “She held me at knife point, Ashley. She warned me not to say anything about what I might have heard to anyone.”Ashley’s eyes widened in shock. “She held you at knife point? That’s insane! I know Claire can be tough, but I never imagined she could be that wicked.”“Yeah,” I said, nodding slowly. “It wa
Aiden's POVI paced back and forth, my footsteps echoing in the empty hall. The party, my party, was supposed to be a triumph, but thanks to Claire, it had turned into a complete disaster. I could still see the chaos she had caused, hear the angry voices, and feel the tension in the air. Why did she always have to ruin everything?"Aiden, calm down, calm down," I muttered to myself, trying to keep my cool. I needed to stay composed, especially with Lucas on his way back. He'd dropped Chloe off at home and promised he'd be quick. I needed him to take me somewhere—anywhere away from here. I couldn't stand being in this place any longer.As I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves, I heard a voice from behind me."You are Aiden, right?"I turned abruptly to see who it was. A figure stood in the shadows, hood up, face obscured. My pulse quickened. This was the last thing I needed right now—some mysterious stranger adding to the turmoil."Yeah, I am," I said, trying to sound more co
Aiden's POVI headed up to my apartment, the adrenaline still coursing through my veins. Inside, I found Lucas pacing the living room, worry etched across his face."Where have you been?" Lucas demanded the moment he saw me. "I've been calling you for the past hour.""Something came up," I replied, glancing around to make sure we were alone. "I need to talk to you. It's about Hudson."Lucas's expression shifted from concern to curiosity. "What about him?"I took a deep breath, trying to collect my thoughts. "He's plan to take the throne from me is becoming a reality, and he's been trying to frame me to do it."Lucas's eyes widened in shock. "What? How do you know this?""I have proof," I said, pulling out my phone and showing him the photos of the forged documents. "A contact of mine helped me find these. Hudson has been working behind the scenes to discredit me and make it look like I'm the traitor."Lucas studied the photos, his jaw tightening. "This is serious, Aiden. We need to ac
Aiden's POV"Your highness, you called for me?" Lucas asked, his voice steady and respectful."Yes, Lucas," I replied, standing up from my chair. "The meeting with Hudson didn't go as I planned."Lucas's eyes narrowed slightly, his interest piqued. "Tell me what happened, your highness."I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before recounting the evening's events. "I confronted Hudson with the evidence I had gathered. I thought I could force him to reveal where he was hiding the rest of the evidence against me. At first, it seemed to work. He gave me the code to his safe, but then he started laughing."Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Laughing, your highness?""Yes," I said, frustration creeping into my voice. "He found the whole situation amusing. He mocked me, saying I was delusional for thinking I could beat him to the throne. He was so sure of himself, Lucas. It was infuriating."Lucas nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Hudson has always been arrogant. He underestimates you, your
Aiden's POVI paced the floor of my room, the plush carpet doing nothing to muffle the sound of my footsteps. The room, usually a sanctuary, felt like a cage tonight. Every time I circled back to the window, I stared out at the moonlit garden, hoping the cool night air would clear my mind. But the same questions kept swirling around in my head. How is Claire getting ahead of me? What is he doing that I can't see?My thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. "Come in," I called out, trying to sound composed.The door creaked open, and to my surprise, it was Lucas, my trusted confidante. Her face was etched with concern. "Aiden, I've been looking for you everywhere. What's going on? You look like you haven't slept in days."I forced a smile, though it felt more like a grimace. "Just a lot on my mind, Lucas. I'm trying to figure out how Claire is managing to outmaneuver me at every turn."She stepped inside, closing the door behind her, and sat on the edge of the bed. "Tell
Aiden's POVI was taken aback by her sudden assertiveness. Claire had always been gentle and soft-spoken, never one to confront or challenge anyone, especially me. Yet here she was, standing in my room with a confidence I had never seen before. It was both bewildering and oddly intriguing."Aiden," she said, her tone now firm and unwavering, "you need to listen to me."I was surprised by her boldness. What confidence did this lady have? I wondered. I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure. "Alright, Claire," I said, my voice calmer now. "I'm listening."She took a step closer, her gaze never leaving mine. "Do you know how long I've been waiting for this moment?" she asked, her voice a mix of determination and vulnerability.I shook my head, genuinely puzzled. "What do you mean?""For years," she began, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, "I've watched you, supported you, loved you. But now you have made it, and what do you do first? You go and get yourself a MATE! Disre
Aiden’s POVClaire then walked closer to me, her eyes gleaming with a mix of determination and something darker. She stood right in front of me, close enough that I could feel the heat of her breath. “Aiden,” she began, her voice low and almost conspiratorial, “there’s a whole lot you don’t know about this throne-taking. And having me by your side will go a long way to help you achieve this.”I stared at her, searching her eyes for some hint of deception. “What are you not telling me?” I asked.She chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Telling you? Nah, I’m keeping my mouth shut. But if you really want to win this, you’ll make sure you have all your brother’s plans at the back of your hand.”“Why should I trust you?” My voice was harsher than I intended, but the stakes were too high for gentle inquiries.“You don’t have a choice, dear,” Claire said, her tone dripping with a mix of sweetness and malice. “I own this right now. You either ally up with me or lose this throne.”I swallowed h
Chloe’s POVI hurried back home, my mind spinning with possibilities. Confronting Aiden directly might push him further into Claire’s grasp. But staying silent could give them the time they needed to put their plan into action.As I walked through the front door, I knew I had to do something. Claire had warned me to stay out of her business, but this was my business now. My marriage, my life, was on the line.The next morning, I decided to confront Claire directly. I needed to know what she was planning, and I wasn’t going to let fear stop me.I found her at her office, a sleek building downtown where she ran her PR firm. Taking a deep breath, I walked in, my heart pounding. The receptionist looked up, surprised to see me.“Can I help you?” she asked.“I need to see Claire,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.The receptionist nodded and picked up the phone. After a brief conversation, she gestured for me to follow her. I was led to Claire’s office, a spacious room with floor-to-c
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