Novel-novel oleh sophyneajike

~Riya~The drive felt endless. When the car finally stopped, I looked out the window and was amazed.The mansion before us looked like something out of a magazine. It sat at the end of the road, modern and sharp-edged, all glass, steel, and stone. The place screamed wealth and power… and something colder.“Welcome to the Steele residence,” Dorian said as he stepped out.Leanna and I followed, our eyes darting around the vast property. It was empty and silent, no one in sight.Dorian led the way inside. “You’ll be staying here until the restaurant is reopened,” he said. “The staff quarters were completely destroyed, so I expect you to make yourselves useful while you’re here.”Leanna glanced at him. “Ehmm, sir… how?”He stopped by the staircase, turning slightly toward us. “You’ll handle the house chores, cooking, cleaning, organizing. Riya will rest until she’s fully recovered.”“I can help…” I started, but he cut me off.“I said rest,” he repeated firmly. “Until the doctor says other

~Aiden~The next morning came too soon.The castle was awake before dawn; servants moved quietly through the hallways, preparing for another day of royal routine.My schedule was packed, meetings with the council, trade negotiations, and new proposals for the central border. I had no time to think, and maybe that was a blessing.I fastened my cufflinks quickly, ignoring the faint tremor in my fingers. The fire at Dorian’s place still haunted my thoughts. I’d barely slept, replaying Father’s words over and over: Riya was unconscious.Was she awake now? Was she even alive?I shoved the thought aside, grabbing my folder from the desk. I was halfway to the door when I nearly bumped into Jayden, standing right in the doorway, holding a small black box.He smirked. “Morning, bro. You’re up early for someone who doesn’t really care for the pack.”I gave him a flat look. “Jayden, not now.”He ignored me, flipping the box open with a flourish. Inside lay the pendant he’d sketched last night, s

~Riya~The first thing I felt was the stiffness in my throat, as if I’d swallowed smoke. The air smelled faintly of antiseptic and blood, and somewhere nearby, a machine beeped in a slow, steady rhythm.When I opened my eyes, bright white light stabbed through them. For a moment, I panicked, until I heard a voice.“Riya?”It was shaky, filled with disbelief.I turned my head weakly to the side. Leanna was sitting beside my bed, her fingers tightly wrapped around mine. Her eyes were swollen, and her hair was tangled.“Oh my God, Riya!” she gasped, pressing her other hand to her mouth. “You’re awake! You’re actually awake!”“You scared me so bad,” she whispered, half laughing, half sobbing.I blinked slowly. “Leanna… where am I?”“You’re in the hospital.” She sniffled, straightening up to wipe her tears. “You’ve been out since yesterday.”My memory was foggy. “The fire…” I whispered. “There was smoke, the storeroom…”Leanna nodded quickly. “Yes. It all started just after you went in the

~Aiden~Time moved differently when peace returned.Just as the seasons slipped quietly through the years, almost two had passed since we defeated the Nightfangs.The chaos that once ruled our days had been replaced by meetings, reports, and endless decisions about land, alliances, and rebuilding. Father had commanded Beta Marcus to oversee the northern region, while Jayden had firmly refused the title and returned to being exempted.And me? I governed the central domain.Father had become increasingly consumed with his marriage. Siarah had lost two pregnancies during this time, and while the pack mourned with her, I couldn’t help but think the goddess was simply returning balance for her sins.Siarah’s desperation had grown; she’d begun visiting healers from distant clans, trying one ancient potion after another, combining them with medical treatments from doctors. Father accompanied her on some visits, but mostly, he buried himself in politics, appearances, and pride.Still, he appe

~Riya~Almost two years had passed since I first walked through the doors of Dorian Steele’s restaurant, Classy Dinnings.Time had changed me.The girl who once stumbled between waiting tables and washing dishes was gone. I had become a professional, calm, precise, and confident in the kitchen. Dorian had promoted me to chef months ago, and somehow, I’d earned his trust. Leanna and I ran the kitchen with care, keeping the staff in order and the customers satisfied.Although we weren't the only chefs, Dorian had multiple chefs for different cuisines.The week had come to an end, and as usual, it was time for restocking: foodstuffs, spices, grains, vegetables, everything that kept the kitchen alive. That afternoon, Dorian called me into his office.His tone was as cold as ever. “You’ll oversee the inventory this week, Riya. Make sure the list is complete before morning.”I nodded, clasping my hands in front of me. “Yes, sir.”He looked up briefly from his desk. “Don’t disappoint me.”“I

~Aiden~The hall was already buzzing when we arrived. Gold lights glimmered across the glass ceiling, bouncing off canvases and glistening wine glasses. The air smelled of fresh paint, perfume, and wolf pheromones, this peculiar mix of creativity and ego.Jayden and I took our seats in the VIP section, right beside the stage. Every seat around us was filled: artists, alphas, betas, and their mates, all eager to display or witness some kind of talent.It started with music: a violinist whose wolf mark glowed faintly with every string pulled. Then came dancers and a short drama. After them, poets took the stage, each display cheered by the crowd.For the first time in weeks, I wasn’t thinking about Father. I wasn’t thinking about Siarah or Riya or the weight of the pack. I was just… watching, breathing, and existing.Then, the announcer’s voice rang out. “Next up, we have Jayden Steele, the alpha heir of this pack, a renowned painter from the Greene lineage. Prepare to be amazed!”The c