Novel-novel oleh Vane Emberly

SARAHThe abandoned building stood beyond the main settlement of Lycan territory, far enough from the busy roads that nobody had any reason to pass it after dark. Its broken windows and crumbling walls made it look forgotten, but Sarah knew better than to mistake an empty place for a safe one.She stepped inside, pulling her coat closer around herself. The air smelled of dust and damp wood, and a single lantern illuminated the figure waiting near the far wall.“You took your time,” the hooded man said.“I had to make sure nobody followed me.”“And did anyone?”“No.” Sarah’s irritation sharpened. “Must you question everything I do?”“When the consequences of your mistakes could destroy us both, yes.”She clenched her jaw but held her tongue. She needed him, regardless of how much she disliked his attitude. He was the only person who understood the full extent of what they had done to secure her position.And now, at last, their efforts were paying off.“Aiden officially acknowledged my

ELENALiving in my little house had taught me that independence was both freeing and exhausting. I had to manage my expenses, keep up with my medical appointments, and find a way to earn money without knowing whether my writing would ever become a reliable source of income.Still, every morning, I sat at my kitchen table with my laptop and notebook, determined to improve.For five years, most of my identity had revolved around being Aiden’s Luna. Now, without the title or the marriage, I sometimes struggled to answer a simple question.Who was I when I wasn’t trying to be enough for someone else?I didn’t know yet, but I was determined to find out.That morning, I was collecting supplies at the community centre when a woman stopped me.“You’re Elena, aren’t you? Blood Moon’s Luna?”“Former Luna,” I corrected.“I heard you disappeared. Alpha Aiden has been searching everywhere for you.” Her gaze sharpened. “And Alpha Alec is helping you hide?”“I’m staying in a house that belongs to Si

AIDEN“Nothing?”I stared at Damon across my desk.My Beta sighed. “We’ve questioned the guards, checked the roads, and spoken to everyone who might have seen Elena leave. No one can confirm where she went after crossing the eastern checkpoint.”“Then question them again.”“Aiden—”“Alpha,” I snapped.Damon’s expression tightened. “Martha Evans insists she drove to visit a relative that night. She denies helping Elena escape, but I believe she’s protecting someone.”“She was protecting Elena.” I stood and walked toward the window. “Find out who she visited and where she went. Someone must have seen her vehicle.”“Yes, Alpha.”“And contact the neighbouring packs again. Offer a reward for credible information.”Damon hesitated. “The announcement has already attracted attention. A reward might encourage false reports.”“Then verify them before bringing them to me.”He nodded but didn’t leave.“Is there something else?”“Have you considered that Elena might not want to be found?”My jaw t

ELENAAlec placed a set of keys on the breakfast table.I stared at them. “Should I be worried?”“That depends. Have you committed any crimes recently?”“Not yet.”He laughed. “Good. Then you might appreciate this.”“Alec, what are those?”“Keys to a small house on the outskirts of Silverpine. It’s within our territory, but away from the main settlement. You’ll have more privacy, and it’s close enough to the medical centre if you need help.”I looked at the keys again.“Because of the strangers near the borders?”“Partly. We still don’t know who they are, and I would rather take precautions than wait for trouble. You’ll also have more space to yourself.”The offer was tempting, but I hesitated. “How much will it cost?”“You won’t be paying rent immediately. Once you’re earning, we can discuss a reasonable contribution if you’d like.”“I don’t want you supporting me forever.”“And I don’t want you rejecting help because you’re afraid of owing someone.”His words struck a nerve. I’d spe

ELENAThe first sign that something was wrong was the unusual silence in the dining room.Two warriors sat near the windows, speaking in low voices, while Marcus showed Alec something on his phone.“…third sighting in four days,” Marcus said. “This time, they were closer to the eastern boundary.”“Did the patrol identify them?” Alec asked.“Not clearly. They left before our warriors could approach, but they seemed more interested in watching the roads than passing through.”Alec’s expression hardened. “Increase the patrols. Quietly. I don’t want unnecessary panic before we know what we’re dealing with.”I hesitated in the doorway.Strangers watching the roads. Aiden’s public announcement.The connection was impossible to ignore.Alec noticed me and gestured toward the table. “Good morning. Have you eaten?”“Not yet.”“Then sit down before Nora blames me for starving you.”“I heard that, Alpha!” Nora called from the kitchen.A few pack members laughed, easing the tension.I sat, but my

AIDEN’S POV“The announcement must be made today, Alpha.”Elder Richard’s voice carried across the council chamber, leaving little room for argument. He sat at the head of the long table, his silver hair neatly combed and his expression hard. The other elders sat beside him, their faces reflecting the same determination.I stood by the window, staring at the pack grounds below.“I heard you the first time,” I replied.“Then perhaps you should explain why you are still hesitating.” Elder Richard tapped his cane against the floor. “Blood Moon cannot continue without a publicly recognised heir. Your pack members are already asking questions, and our allies are beginning to wonder whether you intend to leave the future of this pack uncertain.”“My son is not going anywhere,” I said coldly.“Then acknowledge him.”My jaw tightened.Sarah’s son had been born into a situation that was already complicated. I had never imagined becoming a father under these circumstances, but the child carried

A CHANGE TOO HUGE TO BE IGNORED… DRAKE “All I wanted was to carry a child, our child…” Isabella's voice echoed in my mind as my eyes were glued to her physique in front of me. The morning sun shone across the marble floors, but the warmth died before it reached the breakfast table. I sat at the head, adjusting my cufflinks, feeling the suffocating weight of the silence. Across from me, Isabella sat with her back perfectly straight. Her expression was indescribable—no anger, no tears, just a chilling, blank indifference. There was something else too… something I couldn’t quite figure out. She looked… thinner. Paler. I wondered if she was still using her pills. Then there was Emily, she was already making herself at home, draped in a robe that cost more than most people’s cars, her presence a loud stain on the quiet of our home. Emily snapped her fingers at a passing maid, the sound sharp and startling. “This tea is lukewarm,” Emily snapped, pushing the fine china away with a

IT’S TIME. Isabella “...the Sinclair family has been pushing for the legitimacy of the Blackwood heir.” I flung my phone across the room, the device skittering against the wood. I pulled my legs tight against my chest, trying to make myself as small as possible. Those last two words dug a hole into my heart. My dream was finally coming true, but it had twisted into a terrible nightmare. My mind drifted, to the image of a toddler running through these halls—a child I would never be allowed to call my own. A tear rolled down my cheek, the sting of neglect burning deeper than any physical wound. A knock on the door jolted me back to the present. I instinctively wiped the liquid from my face. “Come in,” I managed, straightening my posture and clearing my throat. The door creaked open. “You called for me, ma’am,” a low, firm voice said. A small smile touched my lips. “I’ll be down in a minute.” The door shut, and the silence consumed me again. I stood up and walked to the mirro

A TWIST IN TIME ISABEL "Isa..." Before Drake could say anything, I raised my hand to shut him up. Seven years. My heart ached with the weight of those years. Seven years of longing, of disappointment, of silent vows broken in the dark. And now, the doctor had said he made another woman pregnant. “You already had your heir. You just didn’t want mine.” My voice broke slightly, a sob threatening to come forth. The humiliation clung to me like a wet rag. I couldn't stand any further embarrassment in the hospital. I had to hear it from his own mouth first but certainly not here. "You'd better meet me at home today, Drake..." I gave him a warning glare. "Yes..." He responded, his voice hoarse, his expression unreadable. I turned on my heel and stepped out into the air. I didn't say a word to the driver as I entered the car, and the vehicle soon drove into the Blackwood mansion. My vision blurred as I stepped out of the car. The mansion gates seemed to sway before my eyes. I rea

A FRAGILE HOPE Isabella “You have six to eight months left to live.” The doctor's words crashed into me like a death sentence. Six months. Maybe eight at most and that is if I am lucky. The hospital clock ticked louder, making every borrowed breath heavier than the last. Every passing second felt like sand slipping through an hourglass. Seven years of marriage. Seven years of swallowing forced pills, empty arms, silent tears, and prayers that never seemed to reach heaven. And now, after finally becoming pregnant... I would die because of it. For a moment, I couldn't hear anything except the violent pounding of my heart. I felt the blood drain from my face, "What do you mean?" The doctor lowered his gaze. "Mrs. Blackwood, further examinations revealed a severe heart and lung condition. Pregnancy has accelerated the progression. Continuing the pregnancy puts your life at significant risk." Drawing a full breath suddenly felt impossible, as if invisible hands were squeezin