.I turned away from the window, discarding the thoughts and peeked through the door, thinking of going die stairs and thought over it.I didn't want to see Callum.I had just shut my door when I heard footsteps coming from behind me. It had to be Greta of course. I knew it had to be her.The sound of her heels on the marble where unmistakable.With the same sweet tone that made my skin crawl she called out to me."Aurora."She didn't even have the decency to knock, acting like she owed the whole pack and was already luna.I walked across the room while feigning to arrange the books on the dresser not bothering to look at her stupid face .Oh, moon goddess She was so annoying.Clicking her heels on the floor more loudly than before, she entered without being invited and walked up to me." I hope I'm not interrupting." She said sweetly but we both knew was and she didn't give a damn about it.I turned away from Greta and said, my voice kind of low and I tried not to sound so angry.
Callum's POV Even though the house had returned to its typical nighttime quiet, I could still feel the tension in the air. Greta had rushed into my office earlier sharing her version of the argument she had with Aurora, her face flushed with outrage. They had already had disagreements before and if things continue this way it won't be the last.I walked to Aurora's room with a sigh. Greta was occasionally a bit too much but Aurora was a completely different kind of storm. I rapped twice on her door pushing it open without waiting for a response. The moonlight was dimly shining on her as she stood by the window. She had her arms folded and it was clear that she was angry too.Her expression was a mixture of annoyance and fatigue as she turned to look at me. Her voice was sharper than needed as " What do you want Callum?" She said.My arms were crossed as I leaned idly against the doorframe." I came to discuss what had happened earlier." She rolled her eyes and looked out the w
Aurora's pov The faint moonlight that came through the curtains didnt help ease the pain in my chest. I was lying in bed looking up at the ceiling with my eyes burning and swollen from crying .Callum’s words from earlier replayed in my mind like a haunting melody I couldn’t escape. *Try not to make Greta cry, you know how sensitive she is.*I scoffed but the sound barely came out of my mouth.Sensitive? It was like being betrayed. The always flawless Greta who somehow succeeded in gaining Callum's love and respect—even at my expense. My body shook with frustration as I gripped the pillow tightly. No matter how hard I tried it seemed like I was always falling short in his eyes Was I the issue? He was more concerned about Greta than he was about me and that was evident from every argument and sidelong glance.And it broke me. I buried my face in the pillow as the hot, unrelenting tears came again and poured down my cheeks. I wanted to stop crying. I didn't want to feel this po
I had hurriedly dressed, my head still clouded by the events of the previous few days. Callum claimed to have scheduled a visit with a doctor on my behalf. Although I had no idea what to expect I knew I had to do it. I had to take responsibility for the growing baby in my womb. This was the first time I had ever looked at my reflection in the mirror. I sighed and smoothed down my blouse as my dark hair tangled around my shoulders. Even though I no longer gave a damn about how I looked, I still wanted to feel put together. Everything that was weighing on me was getting to be too much, so I had to cling to what little strength I still had. I forced Greta from my mind for the moment but she was still there. I couldn't allow myself to become sidetracked. Not today. I needed to concentrate because I had to go to the clinic. After a few more seconds of contemplation, I left my room and headed to the hall. Without listening to me , Callum was idly browsing through his phone while
When I got there, it was too quiet in the clinic. I tried to relax as I sat in the waiting room.He had been nice though to arrange for I and my baby's treatment. A woman in a white-coat came out from the office as I heard the door open. She was older and her warm smile and gentle eyes made me feel a little more at ease. "Luna Aurora ." My throat went dry as I nodded."Welcome, come in."She gestured for me to enter and I did so and went with her to her office. It had a cozy chair, soft lighting and was compact. She motioned for me to take a seat. "Make yourself comfortable please, luna."she said politely." I'm Dr. Miller I'm here to make sure your pregnancy is going well." She said and smiled warmly at me.Even though I sat down to listen to her my thoughts kept returning to Callum. Thinking about the baby or what would happen next was the last thing I wanted to do because I felt lost and unsure about everything. Dr. Miller took a seat across from me and began going throu
As I left the clinic the air seemed heavier. Even though the sun was shining on my face I didn't feel any better. Every word I had said to Dr. Miller was being replayed in my mind. Every step I took was accompanied by the realization that the baby wasn't Callum's. A familiar figure was leaning against the car parked outside the hospital entrance and I froze Gretta. She was here of course. She always seemed to show up when I least expected her to as if she were waiting for me to vanish in the dark. She was smiling but it wasn't a warm one. No, she had that smile that made you feel insignificant as if she knew something you didn't want her to know. With a mockingly sweet tone Greta asked ."Did you enjoy your little check-up?"I was unsure of how to react. My heart was pounding as I simply stood there. Everything around me seemed to have stopped moving and the only sound left was her voice. “You know I heard some interesting things” Greta added moving closer her eyes shining. "
GretaThe following day came more quickly than I expected. I had prepared myself for the evening by thinking about what would happen for hours. It was expected to be the year's most anticipated event—a lavish banquet. The leaders of nearby packs, Callum's inner circle and the pack members themselves would all be present. I could hear the murmurs already. His new mate Aurora, the woman who had abruptly taken over everything would be present.But I had a plan. She would discover Callum's true identity tonight. I raked my fingers through my hair as I stood in front of the mirror. I needed to look flawless so that nothing could go wrong. Staring at me the dress I had selected, it was sleek black and elegant. I was skilled at drawing attention and starting conversation. I wished I could spend so much time by Callum's side tonight.But Aurora was just something that stood in my way. Imagining how I would make her cry tonight made me smiled at my reflection. She was unaware of wha
As soon as Greta speaks, I stop moving. Callum doesn't have the baby. The air in the room gets thicker, and everything stops. My legs feel like they're going to fall off. Now, every eye is on me, and each look burns into my skin. I can hardly hear the whispers in the dining hall because my heart is beating so fast. My throat tightens, and fear claws at me. Callum's grip on my waist gets tighter. His touch is no longer warm; it's cold and hard. Slowly, he turns to face me, his expression unclear, but his eyes, those usually warm, safe eyes...are hard, narrowed into holes. His voice is low and tense as he asks, "Is it true?" I shake my head, but no words come. My mouth feels dry, like sandpaper. How could she know? How could Greta possibly know? I never told anyone. No one could’ve known about that night. Greta steps closer, her smile wicked and triumphant. She’s loving this, rejoicing in the chaos she’s caused. Her look stays on me, daring me to deny it. “You thought you could
As we run through the woodland, Callum's hand firmly holding mine, the tension in the air is palpable. Every stride Victor's army takes gets louder and closer until I can hear it echoing in my ears. The trees appear to close in, winding around us like a prison, and my heart thuds in my chest."We must continue to move," Callum exhorts in a stern yet quiet voice. Even though I can feel the weight of the looming conflict bearing down on us, his eyes spark with resolve.I nod, but my body is exhausted from the mental maelstrom roiling inside of me as much as the running, and my legs feel heavy. Though Bennet's revelation still taints my thoughts like a poison, I can't afford to be weak right now. Not when we are about to die.The rustle of leaves in front of me abruptly stops me in my tracks. As others start to appear out of the darkness, I know what's happening and my blood chills. Victor's outlaws. They are present. There were dozens of them, encircling us from all sides and obstructin
Everything around me is poisoned by Bennet's words, which linger in the air like a curse. I suddenly lose my capacity to breathe as my heart thuds forcefully in my chest. As his revelation sets in, the ground wobbles under me, sending the sword of betrayal even farther into my heart. Unable to take my eyes off of him, I take an unsteady step back. "You did this, did you?" His statements have upset me so badly that my voice cracks. "My family was destroyed because of you?" Bennet's eyes implore me to understand and forgive him as his face contorted with humiliation. However, how can I? How am I ever going to forgive such a thing? The guy I once loved is now standing in front of me recognizing that he contributed to the devastation of my family and my world. Bennet adds, "I didn't know," in a voice that is hardly audible, as if raising his voice may fracture the tiny thread of control I'm holding to. "Aurora, I had no clue it would end this way. Victor took advantage of me and manipu
The room seems oppressively tight. With our hands securely clenched together as if the tie were enough to hold us planted, Callum and I stand side by side. However, the weight of everything hangs down on me like a thick fog, regardless of how tightly I cling to that warmth. For individuals I care about, every decision we make might be the difference between life and death, and the tension is intolerable. I can feel my chest becoming tighter as we start strategizing how to reply to Victor's attack. As he provides guidance and advise, Callum's voice is solid and steady, and I can tell he's doing all he can to keep me safe. But every time I talk or look at Bennet, I'm reminded of an old grief I thought I had long ago forgotten. The sensations swirling in my chest are bewildering and disturbing. I thought that I had moved on. I assumed I had ignored Bennet. But now that he's so close, those memories are emerging and fighting to grab a footing. I can't get rid of Bennet's presence like a
Bennet's words hit me like a kick to the stomach. "Crush the pack?" Horror twisted in my blood, I whispered. It feels like my heart is going to burst out of my chest. I'm not alone anymore. Victor isn't merely chasing me. He is chasing everyone. Each and every one.Bennet is standing a few feet away, his attitude serious. His eyes are gloomy and dark with sorrow or regret. I am unable to tell. "Yes," he answers softly but with a shiver of certainty. "Aurora, he will attack soon. And everyone you care about will perish if you don't stop him. My throat tightens every breath. The world seems to have fallen away from under me. I feel as though my legs could fall at any time. The seriousness of what he's saying is beyond my understanding. Victor's goal is to destroy everyone. Callum, my pals, my pack... I turn to face Callum, and my eyes lock with his angry, protective look. I can nearly hear his teeth grinding together because of how tightly his jaw is locked. His body language is screa
At last, we reach a depth of the forest, far enough that the rogues' noises are muted. The breeze hardly stirs the leaves around us, and the night feels uncannily calm. Running has left my legs burning, and my heart is still racing. However, despite the brief security, I can't get rid of the growing doubt that makes my chest tighten like a knot.Bennet. He helped us, but why? What would make him suddenly change sides after everything he's done? The uneasiness that is churning in my stomach won't go away, and it doesn't make sense. I turn to face Bennet and stop walking, removing my hand from Callum's hold. My voice is shaky and my breath comes in short spurts, but I'm able to hold it steady enough. "Bennet, why did you assist us?" I ask, breaking the quiet with my words. Bennet's dark, mysterious eyes meet mine. My worries just get bigger when he doesn't reply right away. With a tight body, Callum approaches me, prepared to assist if Bennet makes a mistake. With a harder tone now,
Bennet, with his massive shoulders straight and his weapon still burning weakly in the darkness, stands tall between us and the outlaws. With a determined fire in his eyes, he swings around to face us when his vicious stare latches onto Victor's fleeing body. With a forceful and uncompromising voice, he announces, "I'm not letting Victor win this fight." My body trembles from the adrenaline of the near-escape, and I blink in amazement, still leaning on Callum for support. Why is Bennet now aiding us? I wasn't even positive whose side he was on until a few seconds ago. Tension pervades the air, and I can feel Callum's muscles tensing up next to me. He holds me protectively behind him as he moves forward Bennet, his jaw tightening into a snarl as his body emanates rage. "Bennet, you're the reason we're in this mess," Callum says in a low, frightening voice. "They came here because of you. We were put up by you! Bennet's expression stays uncompromising. He maintains his cool, but as
Callum takes a strong grasp of my hand and leads me over to the wood's edge. My legs feel weak from worry of the rogues chasing us, and my heart thuds in my chest. He hangs on to me when I fall, his arm surrounding my waist to keep me going. Behind us, the rogues' growls became more evil and louder. I peek over my shoulder and gasp, "They're getting closer." There are rogues everywhere, and they're coming closer. As I look straight at Victor, who is standing in the middle of the chaos and watching us with his chilly, twisted grin, my stomach flips. His chuckle makes me shudder. Callum mutters to himself, "We'll make it," but I can hear the fear in his voice. His body is straight and his jaw is tight, as though he is ready for the worst. Panic growing in my throat, my heart pounding. I shake as I say, "There's no way out." "We're confined." Callum's grasp on me becomes stronger. "Aurora, I will not allow him to take you. Never, ever now. Even though his comments are harsh, I can fe
Everything was a blur of noise and dust. Before I can react, the earth is wrenched from beneath me as the explosion sends debris soaring into the air. I'm propelled back, my body smashing into the ground. The great activity around us dulls the ache that burns through me. I struggle to make sense of what just occurred while gasping for oxygen and blinking against the fuzz. My ears are ringing from the explosion, and my head is whirling. All I can hear are the distant screams ringing in the distance and the deafening sound of falling debris. "Aurora!" Callum's gruff yet earnest voice bursts through the commotion. He's at my side, hauling me up off the ground before I can completely realize what's happening. I'm sheltered from the falling debris by his arms enveloping me. "Are you in pain?" His eyes are wide with horror, seeking my face, and his speech is frantic. "I am... I'm all right. Despite my pulse thumping in my chest, I manage to choke out. I feel as if I am imprisoned in a ni
Victor's eyes gleam with a deadly promise, and his hand is extended, fingers slightly curved in invitation. Like poison wrapped in silk, his voice is enticing and velvety. "Come with me, Aurora," he begs, twisting every syllable. "I'll answer all of your queries. The truth about your family and your own self. You can't trust Callum. His hand is hovering in front of me, and I gaze at it as if grabbing it will make everything different. My head is whirling from the gravity of what has occurred, and my heart is still beating. Callum deceived me. He concealed from me something extremely crucial about myself. However, following Victor is like walking into the unknown, a risky journey with no certainty of protection. I can feel the weight of their gaze coming down on me, and there is a lot of tension between the two guys. With a soft but forceful tone, Victor says, "Come on, Aurora." "I won't keep you in the dark like Callum has. I'll give you the replies you're due. His lips curve into a