Emma's POV I pounded the earth, my feet carrying me away from the scene. Away from Angelo's expectant gaze. Away from the question that had left me breathless.Be my mate.I couldn't answer him. I couldn't say yes, not when my heart belonged to someone else. But I couldn't say no, not when the fate of my children hung in the balance.I was stuck in a dilemma, torn between my love for Gabe and my desire to protect my kids. I knew Gabe would be heartbroken if I chose Angelo, and the thought alone was enough to bring tears to my eyes.But what choice did I have? Angelo held all the cards, and I was just a pawn in his game.I ran faster, my sweat-drenched hair plastered to my face. I didn't know where I was going, I just knew I had to get away.Away from Angelo's demands.Away from my own doubts.Away from the fear that I would lose everything I held dear.I ran until my lungs burned, until my legs ached. But still, I couldn't escape the truth.I was trapped, caught between two loves, tw
Esmeralda's POVUrghhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!! I watched Emma and Gabe's interactions with growing unease. It was clear that Emma had feelings for him, and Gabe seemed to return them.But Gabe was mine. He was my mate, my partner, my everything.I had been patient, waiting for him to come around, to realize that I was the one meant for him. But now, I saw that Emma was taking him away from me.That outfit she wore, the one that made her look like a perfect mate, it was all a ruse. She was trying to steal him from me, to take what was rightfully mine.I had been quiet, observing, waiting for the right moment to strike. But now, I couldn't keep silent any longer.Emma thought she could just waltz in here and take everything from me? No, I wouldn't let that happen.I seethed with anger, my heart burning with resentment. How could Gabe be so blind? Couldn't he see that Emma was Useless ? Just because she had triplets for him.. And so? I knew I had to act, to make my move before it was too l
Emma's POV I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that lingered inside me. Esmeralda's words kept echoing in my mind, "You're so perfect, Emma... But perfection is boring. And you're so... replaceable.” I remembered her threat when I mistakenly clashed with her in the Corridor. I knew I had to make a choice, but my heart was torn. I couldn't bear the thought of hurting Gabe, but I couldn't deny my feelings for Angelo either.As I lay in bed, I realized that I couldn't choose between them. I couldn't break anyone's heart, not now, not ever.So, I made up my mind. I would leave. I would leave this place, these people, and these complicated emotions behind.I would go to Chicago, to search for my children. I had to find them, had to know they were safe.And then, I remembered what my friend had told me about a mage, a powerful being who could help me locate my children.I had to try, had to visit the mage. It was my only hope, my only option.I packed my bags, my heart heavy with s
Gabe's POVI walked quietly beside Emma, leading her to her room. She was lost in thought, her mind consumed by the journey ahead. I couldn't blame her. I was nervous too.Once we reached her door, I turned to her and whispered, "Get some rest, Emma. We leave early tomorrow." I kissed her forehead lightly. She nodded, her eyes barely meeting mine. I could sense the tension between us, but I knew it wasn't the time to address it.I waited until she was inside her room before I made my way to Carly's room. My sister was sitting on her bed, reading a book."Hey, sis," I said, closing the door behind me.Carly looked up, a curious expression on her face. "What's up, Gabe?"I took a deep breath, knowing I had to be careful. "I'm leaving tomorrow, Carly. I'm going to Chicago very early."Carly's eyes widened in surprise. "What? Why?"I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "I'll tell you everything when I get back, I promise. But I need you to keep this a secret for now. I don't want Esmer
Emma's POV As I settled into the hotel room, my mind raced with thoughts of my children's safety. The flight to New Orleans had been a blur, my anxiety spiking with every passing minute. All I wanted was to ensure their wellbeing, free from Angelo's manipulation or any other external influence. But, to my dismay, Gabe had insisted on accompanying me, citing his concern for my safety.I couldn't help but feel frustrated by his stubbornness. Can't he see I just want to protect my children? I thought, trying to calm my racing thoughts."Get some rest, Emma," Gabe said, breaking the silence. "We have an early start tomorrow. We need to see the mage as soon as possible."I nodded, trying to hide my irritation. "Yes, because we're leaving very early. The earlier, the better," I replied, my voice laced with a hint of resignation.As I lay on the bed, my thoughts drifted back to my children. My babies, I hope they're okay... I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease, the uncertainty of what
Emma's POV As we stepped into the mage's house, I was immediately enveloped in a thick, acrid smell of black dust. Steam wafted from various tubes and contraptions scattered around the room, creating an eerie atmosphere. Gabe's grip on my hand tightened, his overprotective nature surfacing once again. I wanted to roll my eyes, but the mage's presence commanded my attention."Welcome to my territory," the mage said, her words dripping with a lovely, exotic accent. Each syllable was enunciated with precision, making her speech sound almost musical. "What can I do for you?"Her gaze locked onto mine, piercing and intense. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I explained our situation, trying to keep my voice steady. "My children are missing. I need your help to track them down."The mage's expression remained unreadable, but her eyes sparkled with interest. She nodded slowly, her dark hair bobbing with the motion. "I sense a great disturbance in the energy surrounding your children. It
Emma's POVAs we stepped into the warehouse, a chill ran down my spine. I couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that had been building up inside me. I knew the mage's words were always laced with truth, but what if... just what if he was wrong this time? What if we were walking into a trap, or worse, what if we were too late?The thought of the triplets, innocent and helpless, sent a wave of fear crashing over me. What if we didn't make it in time? What if they were already... gone? The mere thought made my heart skip a beat. I couldn't bear the idea of living with the guilt of not being able to save them.I felt a gentle squeeze on my hand, and I turned to see Gabe offering me a reassuring smile. His eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a small sense of calm wash over me. But it was short-lived, as the creaking of the old warehouse door and the faint rustling of unknown noises sent my anxiety soaring again."Let me go get Alex from the other side," Gabe said, his voice low and steady,
Gabe's POV I rushed through the warehouse, my heart racing with adrenaline. We had found Emma's kids, but now we had to find the person who had taken them. I could feel my anger burning inside me, fueling my determination to bring this person to justice."April, keep watch!" I called out, as I turned a corner. She nodded, her eyes scanning the area, her gun at the ready.Augustine was searching every nook and cranny, his face set in a fierce expression. "I've got something!" he called out, as he disappeared into a side room.I followed him, my gun drawn. We had to be careful, we didn't know what we were up against.As we searched, I couldn't help but think of Emma and her kids. They had been through so much, and now we had to make sure they were safe."Found something!" Augustine called out again, as he emerged from the room. He held up a small piece of fabric. "This was caught in a nail. It looks like our guy was in a hurry."I took the fabric, examining it. It was a piece of a blac