All Chapters of Pause, Rewind, Play: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Alyanna Rosellini (Human) Parents - Alaric & Darla Love Interest - Jayden Carlton Jayden Carlton (Human) Cousin - Ajax Love Interest - Alyanna Rosellini, Stella Katerina Van Acker (Human) Parents – Benjamin & Eleanor Brothers – Konstantin & William Love Interest - Dimitri Volkov (Ex – Ajax, Felix) Prince Dimitri Volkov of Soare Luna (Lycan) Family – Prince Andrei, Prince Mikhail (Sofiya, Max, King Nikola & Queen Avalyn – not mentioned) Love Interest - Katerina Van Acker (Ex - Althea) Prince Andrei & Mikhail (Lycans) Family – Prince Dimitri (Sofiya, Max, King Nikolai & Queen Avalyn – briefly mentioned) Konstantin Van Acker (human) Father - Benjamin Siblings – Katerina, William Wife- Cassandra William Van Acker (human) Parents - Benjamin & Eleanor Siblings – Katerina, Konstantin Stella (human) Love Interest - Jayden Carlton

August 2026, Scars Bay, USA Jayden "She's quite persistent," Alyanna commented after Stella left. I took a breath in relief. Finally, it was just the two of us. I turned to face her and smiled. She was back. "She is." I patted the pillow on my lap. "Now, where were we?" Alya pursed her lips and ignored my invitation to lie down in my lap again. "She seems nice. Why do you want to break up with her again?" I released a breath. "She's annoying." "She was there for you when you needed it the most," she said, referring to the time after she was gone and I had begun acting out, so much so that I was impossible to be around. That was the time most of my 'friends' realized it was best to leave me on my own and gave up on me. I was better off without them anyway. I didn't need them. Or anybody else. Only Alyanna. "For which I am thankful. But I can't do this anymore. I tried to love her but I couldn't. She doesn't measure up to you!" I was frustrated that she was taking Stella's side.

August 2026, Scars Bay, USA Jayden I paused at the doorway of my old bedroom. I hadn't been here in a while. It was filled with memories of Alya. The mini library reminded me of the hours we had spent building and curating the perfect collection of books - ones that both of us loved. The shelves full of trophies, medals, and framed certificates reminded me of the years we had spent playing sports and competing for awards. The desk reminded me of our study sessions. After we started dating at the beginning of our senior year of high school, most of those study sessions ended up with us in bed. I walked in and sat on the bed. Those memories felt like a lifetime ago and yet, I remembered them like it happened yesterday. It was weird to be in here again. My eyes fell on the side table. I picked up a picture frame of Alya and me. She was smiling so hard that I could see most of her teeth. Her blonde hair was tucked behind her ear on one side and her cheeks were red. And I was kissing

August 2026,Imporia, Soare-Luna Kingdom AlyannaMikhail sat on the couch in front of me, looking more serious than I had ever seen him. He set a recorder on the coffee table in front of us and picked up a notepad and a pen. He seemed calm and collected while I felt out of place. I had never seen him in work mode. It was weird."You seem nervous," he stated."No, I'm fine.” I was nervous. I didn't particularly enjoy talking about the life that I had lived and was forced to leave. The life that I was desperate to get back to. It had been so long now. Too long. Too many things had happened. Changed. I wasn't a fool. I didn't think that going back would magically make everything okay. But it would be a start. Even that seemed like an unattainable dream right now.That didn't mean that I would give up. "Let's just start.""Okay." He nodded. "I've gone through Remi's

August 2026,Scars Bay, USA KaterinaI looked down at Felix's hand holding mine under the table. His thumb was caressing his ring on my finger.Back and forth. Back and forth.Again. And again.The weight of the ring had never felt heavier.He was reveling in his claim over me. His victory. The way he was caressing the ring felt like a taunt. It was as if he was saying, 'you're mine now. And there is nothing you can do about it.' It was true. I would have to marry this man and spend at least three years of my life with him. What an absolute waste.I looked at him. Thick dark brown hair, light brown eyes, angled jaw. He was a good-looking man. I couldn't disagree with that. And he was actually a decent guy. One who hadn't mistreated me once in the two years we had been together and loved me very much.He was simply not my type.Apparently, I preferr