Novel-novel oleh Celestine S

The white glare of the hospital room lights pressed down on her. The monitor beside Tessa’s bed let out a steady, monotonous beep, keeping time with her heartbeat. The sound was a constant reminder that despite the earlier panic, both she and the baby were fine.Dr. Bennett had just left after reviewing her latest test results, a satisfied smile visible even behind his mask.A few weeks ago, her heart issues had felt endless. Now everything was under control thanks to the medication. The idea of having to take it every day for the rest of her life wasn’t pleasant, but it was far better than the risk of things getting worse and endangering her baby or herself.“Everything looks good, Mrs. Hale,” Dr. Bennett had said earlier. “Your liver enzymes are back within normal range. The baby’s development is right on track. Honestly, this is an excellent example of well managed high risk pregnancy.”The words brought a wave of relief. After all the chaos, at least one thing was finally going ri

“Why are we here?” Tessa asked.Nathan didn’t answer. He shut off the engine, stepped out of the car, then walked around to open her door. His face was serious, but not angry. More like someone who had already made a decision and wasn’t backing down.That was when Tessa saw them. Doctors standing at the hospital entrance, white coats on, looks of expectation on their faces. Her liver specialist. Her OB. Both clearly waiting.The realization hit her hard, like a punch to the gut. That phone call. How quickly Nathan had agreed to take her out. Not to meet a detective like he said. This was a setup. A trap to drag her to the hospital.The thing was, if Nathan had just asked her to see a doctor, she wouldn’t have refused. She wouldn’t have minded at all. What she couldn’t understand was why he had to lie, like an adult tricking a kid with candy when the real destination was the dentist.“Traitor,” she whispered without meaning to. It wasn’t anger in her voice, just pure shock.Nathan, app

Nathan yanked the steering wheel toward an exit ramp, forcing the car into a sharp turn. The move dragged the truck behind them into the narrow curve, nearly tipping it over. Somehow, the vehicle managed to regain its balance, then surged forward again with a terrifying determination.“What do they want?” Tessa asked, her voice tight as her fingers dug into the seat.“Us,” Nathan said shortly, swerving around another car in a sudden maneuver that made their vehicle fishtail dangerously.That was when, through the rearview mirror, Nathan saw Julian’s car flash into view like a streak of silver. It slipped neatly between them and the truck, positioning itself as a living shield.Nathan’s brow lifted, half shocked, half disbelieving.He had to admit it. That third-rate lawyer had guts.“What is he doing?” Tessa asked, eyes wide as she followed Julian’s movements.Nathan didn’t answer. His focus was absolute. His mind raced, searching for an opening, a way out.Julian forced the truck to

It was already ten at night, but the detective clearly had no intention of waiting any longer to say what he had just uncovered.The engine roared beneath the hood, a sound that usually calmed Nathan. Tonight, it did the opposite. His fingers tapped restlessly against the steering wheel, his gaze shifting between the road ahead and the rearview mirror. Behind them, Julian Steele’s car stayed close, clinging like a shadow.In the passenger seat, Tessa sat quietly, staring out the window. Her small hand moved slowly, gently rubbing her stomach.Nathan felt the tension in her silence. The meeting at the office earlier had left behind a sour feeling that still hadn’t faded.Without thinking, he slid his right hand off the wheel and rested it on Tessa’s thigh. The touch made her body flinch, as if pulled back from her thoughts. She turned to him, green eyes shining a little too brightly.Nathan forced himself to look back at the road. “I don’t like that guy,” he said, trying to sound calm

“Fired?” Tessa finally managed to speak, her brows knitting together. “Why?”Jack shook his head slowly. Confusion still lingered in his eyes, mixed with something deeper, like he was weighing several things at once.“Not fired,” he said. “I mean, I’m no longer Mr. Hale’s personal bodyguard.” He straightened, some of his professional composure returning. “I’ve been reassigned.”Tessa blinked a few times, still not fully processing it.“So…?”“Starting now,” Jack continued, meeting her gaze directly as he chose his words carefully, a hint of anticipation in his tone, “I’ll be working exclusively for you. I’m your personal bodyguard.”Tessa’s jaw nearly dropped. “For me? But I already have guards.”“Mr. Hale’s decision isn’t up for debate,” Jack cut in, his voice gentle but firm. “Given the recent situation, he believes I’m the best choice to ensure your safety. My experience and skills are superior. And honestly, after what happened with Remington, I agree with him.”He paused. His gaz

Tessa heard the sound of Nathan’s engine fading away, followed by the heavy doors of Hawthorne Estate closing. She stared at the wooden surface for several seconds, as if doing so might somehow solve all the problems already weighing on her, along with the ones still waiting ahead.The blue-eyed man with that cold, cutting gaze was clearly involved in her missing phone. Tessa was a hundred percent sure of it. That was how Nathan had found Julian. But how had he known the name? She had never saved it in her contacts.Then again, when it came to Nathan, nothing was impossible. So far, there had never been a single thing beyond his reach. Everyone and everything could be controlled.She had just taken a step forward when a tall, familiar figure appeared in front of her.“Jack,” she murmured.After such a brutal day, seeing a calming face felt like relief she hadn’t realized she was desperate for. Jack made her feel safe. He was like a shadow who always knew the right distance, staying ba

Carefully, Selina helped Henry shift and propped him against a pillar. He was barely conscious, blood still pouring out. They had to get him to a hospital or he would not survive.Raven ran back toward them, and the man holding Lyra hostage immediately aimed his knife at Raven.“Don’t come any closer or she dies,” he threatened. He dragged Lyra tighter against him, facing Alaric.Alaric shot Raven a panicked look before stepping back, both hands raised. “I’m not going to do anything. It’s okay. Just let her go,” he said, keeping his voice calm.Selina knew why Alaric kept looking at Raven. He wanted Raven to save Lyra, just like they had promised.Raven let out a low growl as a warning. He clearly did not want to hurt one of his own and took a slow step forward. “Easy,” he said to the man who looked like he had lost control. “Don’t hurt her. This isn’t the way out. Why are you doing this? Please, you need to calm down.”Dorian appeared from behind the building with several men who had

They couldn’t grab Sofia in public. If they did, mass panic was guaranteed. And if Lyra’s secret about her involvement with the witch came out, people might kill her on the spot.So they chose to move at night, when Sofia would be alone at home, unaware of what was coming.As planned, they gathered late. Raven knew exactly where Sofia lived. Her address was listed on her CV. He also knew she lived alone.Selina, Alaric, and Lyra stayed hidden behind a parked car a short distance away while Raven stepped forward and knocked on Sofia’s door. The plan was simple. Raven would pretend he knew nothing and get inside. Once he gave the signal, the other three would move in.The door opened. Sofia looked startled, but Raven said something Selina couldn’t hear from where she stood, and Sofia let him in. His acting was flawless.Their goal was clear. Capture Sofia alive, force her to undo the spell, and extract as much information as possible.Not long after, Selina felt the mental link snap int

Lyra let out a cold laugh, hatred blazing in her eyes. “I want to curse Selina. I want to destroy her. She ruined my life,” she said flatly, then snapped her gaze toward Selina. “How dare she live happily after taking everything from me? I can’t stand seeing her smile while I suffer. I want her to hurt. That’s why I looked for a witch.” A crooked smile twisted her lips, her eyes wild and unhinged. “Do you really think I’d let you live happily? You’re wrong. I’ll never let you be happy.”She jumped up and lunged at Selina.Selina stiffened, but Raven moved faster. He stepped in front of her, blocking Lyra completely. A low growl rumbled from Raven’s throat, heavy and vibrating through the air, enough to make the hair on Selina’s arms stand up.Lyra recoiled instinctively, her body shaking.“Damn it, get a grip!” Alaric shouted. He grabbed Lyra’s arm and yanked her back, then slapped her hard across the face.Lyra froze, clutching her burning cheek. “You hit me?” she asked, breaking dow

Alaric spoke to her gently, even though his eyes stayed hard. He looked at Selina like he was trying to see straight through her defenses.“Alaric?” Selina called when he just kept staring in silence.He finally seemed to snap back to reality. “Selina… do you have a moment?” he asked, his voice almost pleading, like he had been holding these words in for too long.Selina took a step back and studied him sharply. “Is something wrong?”“Uh, I just wanted to thank you for helping my pack,” Alaric said. “You were the best Luna I ever had. After you left, I didn’t know how to control my pack. But I pushed through, and now I’ve become a responsible Alpha.”Selina frowned. “Why are you telling me this?” she asked. This was not the first time they had met since ending their mate bond.“I’ve wanted to say this for a long time,” Alaric replied. “We were always busy with pack matters, and then the virus happened. Still, I wanted you to hear it from me.”Selina blinked, confused. “Okay. You’ve sa

The next morning, Raven was still asleep when Selina called Alaric.Alaric picked up on the second ring, and Selina asked about Logan. He said Logan was fine and recovering after getting treatment. She also asked if the virus had spread further through the Nightclaw Pack, and Alaric confirmed it had.After the call, Selina hung up, and it only confirmed what they suspected: the stronger the wolf, the worse the virus hit. That explained why Raven relapsed more often than Logan.At the lab, Selina kept a close eye on Raven. From his behavior, they concluded that magic affected the inner wolf, while the virus attacked the body.Selina couldn’t shake the thought that Lyra was definitely involved, but one question remained: how did the virus even get into the pack?"I can’t believe Lyra did this. How could she hurt her own pack?" Selina said, staring at Raven as he tapped his fingers on the table."Who knows, but Lyra’s unpredictable," Raven murmured. "And she couldn’t have done this alone

Raven’s purple eyes made Selina freeze. Before she could move, he jerked upright in the bed and vomited, his gaze wild and unfocused, like he didn’t recognize anyone in front of him.Selina’s heartbeat slammed in her ears as she scrambled up. Raven let out a low laugh that wasn’t his at all. His fangs lengthened. Claws slid out. His head snapped left and right like something inside him was trying to tear its way out.The sight crushed her chest. Raven was not okay, and the pain rolling off him was so raw it made her stomach twist."Get out, Selina." Raven’s voice ripped through the room, hanging by the last thread of his consciousness.Selina flinched at the sound. "I can’t leave you," she whispered, legs shaking as she stepped toward him.Raven clutched his head and stumbled back. He blinked fast, trying to force himself to stay present, while Selina took another step. He threw out a hand, warning her to stop."I said get out," he growled before lunging forward and grabbing her arm,