Novel-novel oleh Author Marr

Year after year passed like a gentle breath of wind. The life of that small family grew through difficult moments, tears, laughter, and a love that never faded. Every passing strand of time never truly disappeared; each remained in their hearts, becoming pieces of a long journey they would never trade for anything.The days after Liam officially retired moved with a different rhythm. For the first time in a long while, their home was filled with the sound of Liam’s footsteps almost all day long. There were no sudden emergency surgeries or late, night calls anymore.I continued working as a full-time surgeon, respected, well known, and often invited as a speaker at international medical conferences. Yet every time I stepped outside the house each morning, my heart remained the same as it always was longing to come home.Liam often walked me to the door, kissing my forehead like an old habit that never faded."Fight well today," he said every morning with a warm smile.I always replied,

Days felt different since that decision was announced. The elders began arranging a special training schedule for Elena, including strategy classes, interpack diplomacy, territorial law, and even more intensive physical training. Meanwhile, Adrian became busy with advanced warrior training, preparing himself as a young Beta who would someday stand beside his sister.But the biggest change was visible in Liam.After decades spent in hospitals and in the leadership office of Darkmane, this year he officially entered retirement from being a surgeon. I was still used to seeing him in a white coat, walking quickly along the hospital corridor with a stethoscope around his neck. Now, that coat hung neatly in the wardrobe, and I could feel the emptiness left by a routine that once filled his entire life.On the first morning as a retired doctor, I found him sitting on the porch, reading a book with a frown as if he was forcing himself to enjoy his free time. The cup of tea in front of him had

The Darkmane Pack meeting hall was filled with tension from the moment we arrived. The scent of pinewood and traditional incense filled the grand chamber, yet it was not enough to cover the uneasiness of the elders and warriors sitting in a circle. The temperature of the room seemed to drop several degrees as soon as Liam and I entered, while Elena and Adrian walked a few steps behind us.Liam, as always, radiated the authority of a leader. The elders bowed their heads in respect.“Thank you all for being here. We gather to discuss the future leadership of Darkmane. I will not be Alpha forever, and the time to choose a successor grows nearer,” Liam said.Quiet murmurs immediately echoed. Everyone was waiting for one thing, the name Liam would say next.The oldest elder stood up first. His white hair flowed and traces of battles were visible on his aged skin.“We respect your decision, Alpha. And we have considered everything. Based on strength, combat ability, and shifting control, we

The sun had just risen when I finished making rounds in the post-operative ward. I was wearing my white doctor’s coat with a name tag that had become very familiar to many people. The nurses greeted me with respectful smiles, and a few young doctors followed behind me, taking notes on every word I said. It still felt strange every time someone addressed me with that long title, Doctor Sienna, a general surgery specialist who often appeared at national conferences and spoke abroad. But in reality, I had truly reached this point.I opened the door to a small procedure room, and Liam was already inside waiting for me, sitting casually while writing a report on his tablet. His hair had begun to turn gray, the fine lines on his face were more defined, but he still looked as handsome as he had twenty years ago, now with the added wisdom that made him even more captivating.“Finished your rounds?” Liam asked without lifting his head.I took off my mask and smiled widely. “Yes. You’re too fas

Time passed. The house that used to be filled with the sound of a crying baby was now more often filled with laughter, music, and longer footsteps.Adrian grew from a tiny baby who fought for every breath into a strong, active boy who never got tired of chasing curiosity. Elena, who used to carry her unicorn doll everywhere she went, had now become a teenage girl with a diary full of dreams, ambitions, and the colors of adolescence. But one thing did not change: their love as a family.One afternoon, the golden sunlight streamed through the living room window. Liam was in the kitchen making fruit juice while I folded laundry on the sofa. Adrian, now 11 years old, sat on the floor tinkering with his robot toy. Elena, 15, sat at the dining table studying, though every now and then she glanced at her phone and smiled shyly.I knew that smile.“Is there something special?” I asked.Elena immediately closed her phone, her cheeks turning red. “Nothing. Biology assignment, something funny.”

Finally, that day arrived.After weeks of living with seconds that felt like hours and hours that felt like years, the pediatrician stood beside us with a wide smile and a file in her hands.“Congratulations, Adrian is stable. His weight has increased, his independent breathing is good, and all vital organs are functioning normally. If nothing changes until tomorrow morning, you can take him home.”I immediately covered my mouth as I tried to hold back my tears. But they still streamed down uncontrollably. Liam took my hand right away, kissed the back of it, and stroked my hair gently.“We did it,” he whispered.I held Liam tightly.I looked down at the tiny incubator that now felt like the most loyal companion in our lives. Adrian was sleeping peacefully, his chest rising and falling slowly, his little hand gripping the blanket given by the nurses.“You’re finally going home, sweetheart,” I whispered as I touched the tip of his finger.The next morning, we signed all the discharge do

Dusk slowly settled over the Wrenford mansion's yard. A gentle breeze rustled the maple leaves in the corner of the garden. Amid the rustling sounds, the soft laughter of Evan and Elis echoed as they ran around with soap bubbles reflecting the evening light.From the terrace, Liora sat leaning on a rattan chair, her hand holding a cup of warm tea. Her gaze fell on the two children, two little miracles who had become the center of her universe. Beside her, Xavier sat quietly with a closed laptop on his lap. Not because he was busy, but because he chose not to open it."It seems you’ve truly recovered," Liora said softly, without turning her head.Xavier smiled. "If my illness was ambition, then the cure is all of you."Liora looked at him for a moment. "And now, what remains?""Gratitude," Xavier replied.They fell into a long silence, enjoying the peaceful sounds of the evening. Below, Evan burst into laughter when his bubble popped in the air, while Elis clapped her little hands in d

The morning sun streamed through the windows of their villa in Amalfi. Liora slowly opened her eyes and found Xavier already sitting on the balcony, gazing at the shimmering sea. There was a calmness in his face, something she rarely saw before, as if all the weight of the world had finally been placed somewhere he no longer had to carry it alone.“Awake this early?” Liora asked.Xavier turned and smiled. “I just wanted to remember this. The sound of the waves, the salty air, if I could bottle it, I’d take it home with me.”Liora stepped closer and sat beside him. “You can keep it here,” she said, tapping his chest lightly. “As long as you don’t forget how it feels.”Xavier gazed into the distance. “I won’t forget.”Liora took his hand in hers.Their plane took off that afternoon. Evan pressed his face to the window, pointing at clouds shaped like animals. Elis slept in Liora’s lap. Xavier watched them with a soft expression, two small reasons that made him smile even under the same s

Morning in Italy felt different. Sunlight streamed through the olive branches that swayed gently in the courtyard of the small villa where they were staying. Liora sat on the terrace with a cup of coffee in hand, wearing a simple cream-colored dress. Her hair was loose, softly tousled by the wind. From inside the villa came the sound of Evan and Elis laughing, arguing over a straw hat.“Dad said this is an adventurer’s hat,” Evan insisted.Elis crossed her arms. “Papa said I’m the pretty one when I wear it!”Xavier appeared at the doorway, still in a white casual shirt and linen trousers. He held a camera in his hand.“If you two keep arguing, I’ll take a photo right now and send it to Grandma. She can decide who deserves the hat most.”The children immediately stopped fighting. Liora chuckled softly, watching her husband quietly snap a picture of them.“You’re enjoying being a spontaneous photographer,” she teased.Xavier sat down beside her.“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Liora murmured.“Y

Xavier looked at Liora’s face, which reflected the soft glow of the garden lights. The smile on his wife’s lips slowly dissolved all the weariness in his chest.“Vacation, huh?” Xavier murmured, as if trying to imagine the word. “It’s been a long time since I’ve heard that word in my life.”“Exactly. You need to pause for a while. We all do. Max and Isabelle have started their new life. Now it’s our turn to enjoy ours,” Liora said.Xavier looked at her for a long moment, then lowered his gaze to their two children, still asleep on the chairs.“Maybe you’re right. They’re growing so fast, I don’t want to miss it.”“So?” Liora asked teasingly.Xavier raised an eyebrow. “You’ve already planned everything, haven’t you?”Liora pretended to look away. “Maybe a little.”“Liora,” Xavier’s voice was half a laugh, half resignation. “You’re always one step ahead of me.”The next morning, the Wrenford house was filled with the aroma of breakfast and the sight of suitcases lined up by the door. Ev

In the Wrenford mansion’s backyard, white tents stood tall, adorned with neatly arranged fresh flowers along the path. It was a big day for Max, the man who had stood beside Xavier from the very beginning, from boardrooms to moments of crisis.Xavier stood on the upper balcony, gazing down. From there, he could see Max in a light gray suit talking with guests. His steps were steady, yet Xavier noticed the small movement of Max’s hand, the way he tapped his fingers against his pants whenever he felt nervous.Isabelle, his sister, had just stepped out of the house accompanied by Liora. A simple white gown graced her figure, her hair tied up in a soft bun decorated with tiny pearls. Liora adjusted her veil while Evan and Elis stood on the steps, each holding a small basket of flowers.“Dad, can I throw the petals now?” Evan asked impatiently.“Not yet,” Xavier replied, patting his son’s shoulder. “After Aunt Isabelle walks, then you can throw them, okay?”Elis nodded, her expression seri

A few days after that, Xavier’s house returned to its usual rhythm: the sound of small footsteps, short bursts of laughter, and first words that were not always clear in meaning but always made Liora smile.That morning Evan walked with enthusiastic little limping steps, dragging a cloth lion doll that had once been a gift from Liora. Elis, calmer but just as curious, followed behind carrying a bottle cap she considered a treasure.“Do not fight over it…” Liora warned before anything happened. But of course, she was too late, Elis grabbed the lion’s tail and Evan immediately screamed in protest.Xavier appeared from the kitchen with two slices of toast. “Good morning.”Evan immediately ran toward Xavier and hugged his father’s leg. Xavier lifted the child with one arm as if his body had no weight.“Hey, little fighter.”“Papa?” Evan mumbled half asleep.Elis saw that from Liora’s arms and began whining, asking to be carried too.Xavier laughed. “Alright, alright. Social justice applie

The apartment door finally opened with the soft sound of a key turning in the lock. I had been sitting on the sofa for hours after Marcus left, my thoughts tangled and my heart shattered, and I immediately tried to pull myself together. I smoothed my cream-colored silk robe, making sure the fabric still covered the seductive red beneath it, and forced a faint smile that was meant to be alluring. Maybe, after everything I had heard tonight, Gabriel’s warmth, his touch, could erase the poison of Marcus’s words and the fear that had begun to creep in.But the moment Gabriel stepped into the room, all my plans collapsed.He did not walk toward me as he usually did. He did not shrug off his jacket with a relaxed motion. He simply stood there, at the doorway, like someone who had lost his way. His face, usually full of confidence and a powerful intensity, now looked empty.“Gabriel?”He turned his head, but his gaze seemed to pass straight through me. He did not even notice my robe, let alo

It was already late at night. Gabriel’s luxurious apartment felt overwhelmingly silent and vast, echoing every step of my bare feet against the marble floor. The clock on the living room wall showed a little past eleven. Gabriel still had not come home. His last message said the meeting was running late and told me not to wait for him. But the energy from the afternoon, from the freedom of shopping and champagne, was still pulsing warmly through my veins.I took a warm shower, trying to wash away the remnants of tension and the silence that was beginning to creep in. When I stepped out, my eyes fell on the shopping bag from the luxury lingerie boutique. The champagne gold dress was already hanging neatly, but there had been one other impulsive purchase. A deep red silk lingerie set, almost the color of wine-dark blood, with delicate lace and a design that was seductive yet elegant.My heart fluttered slightly, but a mischievous smile spread across my lips. Why not? A quiet night, a lo

The late afternoon sky had turned a soft shade of orange as Gabriel walked me to the apartment lobby. He was still wearing his flawless meeting suit, but a faint crease between his brows hinted at something unexpected.“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” he said, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “There’s an emergency board meeting. I can’t turn it down.”I let out a small sigh, a little disappointed that our dinner plans were canceled, but I understood. His world was full of responsibilities like this.“Alright. Don’t come home too late.”He smiled, then reached into the inner pocket of his jacket. From his sleek leather wallet, he took out a metallic black credit card, his name embossed in elegant lettering. He slipped it into my hand with such a natural motion, as if he were handing me an ordinary piece of paper.“To make it up to you, invite your friends. Go shopping. Enjoy yourself as much as you want.”I was stunned. That wasn’t just any card. It was the kind of card whose limit could easily

We sat in a quiet corner of a luxurious restaurant, surrounded by the privacy of tall ornamental plants and wooden partitions. The dim lighting danced across the marble tabletop, reflecting faintly off crystal glasses filled with water.I pushed around the remains of my salad on the plate, my appetite completely gone. He was busy with his tablet, his brows slightly furrowed as he read something. His long, well groomed fingers tapped the screen with quick, decisive movements. In silence, I watched his face, the sharp line of his jaw, the straight bridge of his nose, his thick black brows now drawn together in concentration, and his lips, which I remembered so clearly from how they kissed me last night.Without realizing it, my lips curved into a small smile. The contrast was striking. His immense power and authority, set against the reality that he could sit here, so focused on me, protecting me, even dealing with the leftover salad I could not finish simply because he knew it was my f

Arriving at campus.“Will you be all right?” Gabriel asked as he walked me all the way to the front of the faculty building.He had to immediately attend a meeting with the dean regarding something he had deliberately arranged so he could “coincidentally” be on campus today.“I will be fine. Do not worry too much.”“Always,” he murmured, placing a quick kiss on my forehead before turning away with steps that still looked cautious.Marcus had already arranged for someone from his security team to guard the campus area, but it did not completely ease my anxiety. The walk to class that morning went smoothly. But at every corner, I felt like someone was watching.David called out to me in the hallway after the first class.“Sera. Hey, wait a second,” he called, catching up to me with a smile that was usually warm, but today felt slightly stiff.“David, what is it?” I asked, not slowing down, wanting to reach the library quickly to work on a report.“I need to talk. It is important, about

The next day.I chose to go to campus with Gabriel. Marcus was already waiting in the black SUV they usually used. He nodded at me, his usually relaxed face looking more alert. Gabriel must have told him about the Selly incident.“Everything all right?” Marcus asked as we approached, his sharp eyes scanning the underground apartment parking area.“It should be,” I replied, trying to smile.Gabriel simply patted Marcus’s shoulder, a silent signal that meant “stay alert.”We walked toward the car. Our footsteps echoed in the quiet concrete space. I was almost at the passenger door when my attention caught a silhouette leaning casually against a silver sports sedan parked a few slots away.Selly.She stood there as if she were simply enjoying the morning. But her position was strategic, right on the path we had to take to leave. She wore a white suit that was far too perfect for casually standing in a parking area, her thin smile already prepared like a weapon.“Unbelievable,” I muttered