It was not the weight of the room and everything or the imposing mahogany desk that made the office feel oppressive.It was Aurora was here. As she waited for me to speak her hands were clasped tightly together and her delicate features revealed her shock and surprise.She just didn't know how much I hated all this .We arrived at this point per my fathers orders and I now had to deal with this sham of a marriage I stood up straight and gave her a chilly look. "Aurora let me be very clear about one thing."I said my voice even. "This marriage is not built on love."There was a brief moment of bewilderment on her face as her brows furrowed." I don't love you.This arrangement and all that exists is just a duty to the pack and to my fathers desires. Thats that."I went on using a harsher tone. Her lips parted slightly as if she wanted to reply but wasn't sure how and the shock in her eyes turned into a searing sting. I continued." You're my mate but don't think for a second that th
A fog of frustration and self-blame hung over the remainder of the evening. I was haunted by Aurora's face because of her wide and vulnerable eyes which were making a strong effort to hide the hurt my words had caused even though I knew she wanted to tear up.I had wanted to be firm in order to set the boundaries of our agreement but I had instead hit harder than I had wanted to. Trying to get my thoughts straight I put on my jacket and walked out of my office. The party had long ended and everyone had gone home but this night , some of the guards were in training.It had rained a little and there was a slight earthy and piney smell to the crisp night air. As I left my room, my mind was a raging storm. My guilt persisted despite my best efforts to think of something else other than Aurora and what I had said to her.It wasn't my fault though. I hadn't chosen this life. The expectations and legacy of my father had shaped me into the Alpha I am today.I just couldn't afford to have
The dining rooms large windows let in the morning sun which gave the well-arranged table a golden hue. I could hardly detect the smell of freshly brewed coffee and freshly baked bread in the air but my attention was drawn to Callum who was sitting across from me and reading a newspaper as if the chaos of the outside world didnt match the raging storm inside of me. As if what had happened yesterday didn't just happened and it was all a movie to him.We didn't say much and I wasn't sure if that was the customary cozy silence or something more serious. I wasn't going to be the one to break it in any case, I was too angry Rather I picked at the edges of my toast while feigning interest in the designs on my plate. Every step was louder and more annoying than the last and the silence was broken by the click of heels on the wooden floor and I wondered who could have thought of destroying the early morning peace and quiet.I knew who it was without having to look up. "Callum darling!"
.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
The area where we stand is illuminated by a silvery radiance due to the high and full moon. The quiet is deafening. In my ears, every breath and heartbeat sounds like thunder. Callum is standing a few feet away from me, his eyes fixed on mine while his fists are clenched at his sides.I say, just above a whisper, "You don't have to do this."His eyes are ablaze with love and agony as he steps closer. "Yes, I do." I must put this right. For you. For us.My heart twitches. My soul is ignited by the touch of this man, who I adore. Yet here we are, caught between love and loyalty, between the past and the future.I carefully extend my hand to touch his. Do it like the man I know, then. The Alpha, no. Not the heir. Simply callum.He gently nods, his shoulders becoming somewhat less tense. So it's just Callum. For you.The council waits in a loose circle behind us. They are a chilly reminder of the decision that looms over everything like a fog: betray his blood or lose me forever.Bennet a
The Calm Before the StormThe ashes still cling to the air, heavy and bitter.The next morning light filters through the smoke-stained windows of the pack house. Everything feels quiet now, too quiet. As if the world is holding its breath. I pace the hallway, my boots echoing softly.Every warrior is on high alert. The scent of blood and burnt wood still lingers, making it hard to forget what happened.We lost too many. And Lucas got exactly what he wanted…fear. But I won’t let that fear control me.Callum walks beside me, his arm brushing mine. His wounds are healing slower than normal. Maybe it’s because of the dark magic Lucas used during the attack.We haven’t spoken much since last night. Too many thoughts. Too many emotions. "The border patrols are doubled," he says quietly. "No one leaves without my permission."I nod. "Good. We can’t risk another ambush." He looks at me then, eyes dark. "You still think there’s a traitor?"I pause."Yes." I see it in his face. The same doubt I
Inside the small, empty house, the air was thick with damp wood and nothing but quiet. I sat next to Callum and put a cloth over the big cut on his side. His shirt was stained with blood, and even though he was breathing unevenly, it stayed steady. Even though the roof leaked a little, it was a place to stay, and that was all we had at the time.I grabbed his hand tighter and whispered, "Stop moving." Callum winced and gave me a weak smile. "When you're scared, you're rude." "I'm always scared when you're hurt like this," I mumbled. I dropped my head and let my hair fall forward to hide the tears that were about to fall. He brushed a hand against my face, his touch soft despite the pain he was in. “Don’t cry for me, Aurora.” I didn’t answer. Instead, I put the cloth in the bowl of warm water and kept cleaning his wound. We’d lost so much today…so much blood, so many answers. And Lucas… that name alone sent a chill down my spine.I still couldn’t believe it. He was living all this
The air crackles with dark magic. Callum and I charge together, side by side, our wolves growling inside us. The hooded enemy raises a hand. A wave of black smoke races toward us. I throw up a shield of light, my new power burning inside me.The smoke crashes against it but doesn't break through. Callum leaps forward with a growl, striking at the figure. They block him easily, moving with a speed that doesn’t seem normal. I follow, hitting from the other side. But every move we make, they counter. It’s like they can see the future. Like they know every move before we make it."We have to end this!" I shout. Callum nods, sweat dripping down his face. The animals around us growl but do not move. They wait. Watching. As if the real fight is only between us and their boss.My heart pounds. I summon every bit of strength inside me. I feel Callum’s power through our bond, steady and strong. Together. We strike again, harder. Faster. The enemy falls back for the first time. A crack forms in
The gang gathers that night beneath the stars. A enormous fire blazes in the middle of the clearing, spilling golden light over everyone’s faces. Callum stands tall beside me, his fingers holding mine. Everyone is hushed, waiting. Waiting for answers.I clear my throat, my heart thumping. "They deserve to know," I say to Callum. He nods. "They trust you, Aurora," he adds gently. "Tell them the truth." So I move ahead. I feel every eye on me. Every pulse beating throughout the darkness."There’s more coming," I respond, my voice firm even though my hands are trembling. "Victor was not the end. There’s a larger risk waking awake — something older, something deeper." Murmurs spread across the throng. I elevate my chin. "But we are powerful. We are not alone. We fight for each other. For our house. And we shall stand against whatever comes next."There is quiet. Then one by one, the wolves bow their heads. A vow of allegiance. A promise. I blink back tears. Callum squeezes my
Waking to a New World: I wake to the lovely light of morning. The rain has ceased. The scene beyond the window seems clean, fresh, like the ground itself is breathing again after holding its breath for too long. Callum’s arm is stretched across me, thick and warm. His calm breathing tells me he’s still sleeping. For a time, I don’t move. I simply listen to his heart. I never believed I would survive last night. I never imagined I would experience this tranquility again. Carefully, I turn to face him. Even in sleep, he appears ferocious, like he’s ready to battle against the world to defend me. I reach out and touch his jawline with my fingertips. He stirs, his eyelids flickering open. When he sees me, he grins – a true smile, one that reaches his eyes. "Good morning, my love," he says, his voice low and raspy from sleep. My heart racing. "Good morning," I mumble back. He pulls me closer, burying his face in my neck. For a long time, we simply hold one other, saying nothing,
The rain pours heavier now, drowning the countryside in darkness. Thunder rumbles in the distance, deep and frightening, like a warning growl. I sit with Callum on the balcony for a long time, feeling his steady pulse against my side. His warmth is the only thing stopping the cold from devouring me completely.“I should go check on the others,” I whisper. Callum doesn’t let go. Instead, he draws me even closer. “Stay a little longer,” he urges, his voice raspy with passion. “Just a little longer.” So I remain.For the first time in days, I let myself relax. I shut my eyes and breathe him in – the aroma of rain, of pine, of him. But peace seldom lasts long in our world. A loud howl rips through the darkness. Another follows.And another. I bolt upright, my heart smashing into my ribs. Callum is already moving, his body tight and ready. “They’re here,” he replies ominously. Victor’s troops. Attacking in the thick of the storm. The pack house bursts into turmoil. Wolves shi
The following morning, the world feels different. The sun rises in gentle hues, caressing the sky with pink and gold. Birds chirp in the treetops. The woodland smells like new rain and optimism. But deep down, I sense it.A warning. A shift. Callum is already awake when I open my eyes. He sits at the edge of the bed, bare-chested, his head down like he’s bearing the weight of the world again. I sneak out from beneath the cover and move to him. My fingertips stroke his shoulder, feeling the strain in his muscles.He turns toward me, his eyes dark and angry. “I can feel it, Aurora. Something’s coming.” I nod. I feel that too. The bliss we tasted last night – it was genuine, but it was also fragile, and somewhere out there, danger is waiting to rip it apart.“We’ll be ready,” I answer gently. He pulls me into his lap without a word, throwing his arms around me like he never wants to let go. And for a short time, we simply hold each other. Because love is all we have today. A Visi
The night air seems cooler now. It's not warm enough.I stand there, motionless, my arms wrapped tightly around myself as if that might keep me from coming apart. The trees shake about me, whispering whispers I can’t hear, while the moon looks down, mute and uncaring.Callum is still there.I feel his presence before I ever see him move. He's standing only a few steps away, hands tightening and unclenching at his sides, like he’s fighting himself. “Aurora…” His voice breaks, raw with pain.I shut my eyes, hoping I could forget everything. Wishing I could go back to before—before Bennet's comments ruined the delicate trust between us. Before the truth fought its way into my heart and left nothing but pain.“I can’t…” I mumble, taking a slight step back. “I can’t even look at you right now.” His face twists in misery. “Please, just listen to me. Let me explain—” “What’s there to explain?” My voice rises without trying to. “Your father killed mine, Callum! Your family w