(Audrey's POV)The tension in the air was suffocating. The peeling beige walls of the police station seemed to close in around me as we waited for Arthur to arrive.Sarah sat quietly next to me, her arms folded, but I could feel the sharp tension radiating off her.She hadn’t said much after admitting what she’d done, though her sharp glares at Victoria, seated across the room, were loud enough.Victoria, on the other hand, was pacing dramatically, her clipped heels echoing on the tiled floor. Her heavily perfumed scent invaded my senses, irritating both me and my wolf.Every now and then, she’d shoot venomous looks in our direction, her lips curled in disdain.It wasn’t long before I felt it.The undeniable presence of an Alpha entering the station.Arthur arrived, his stride purposeful, his demeanor cold yet commanding. The officers and staff instinctively moved aside, their heads bowing slightly.His dark eyes swept over the room, landing first on Victoria, then shifting br
(Audrey's POV)"I'm moving in," Arthur repeated, his voice flat but resolute.The weight of his words hit me like a punch to the gut. My fingers tightened on the keys in my hand, the edges digging into my palms.I took a shaky breath, trying—failing—to keep the irritation out of my voice. "Arthur, you can't just... waltz in here and decide to uproot my life whenever it suits you.""I'm not 'uprooting' anything," he replied calmly, though a flicker of annoyance crossed his face. "This is a mutual decision. We’ve both agreed to delay the mate bond severance for Elder William."I blinked at him, incredulous. "Delaying the severance doesn’t mean we need to live together, Arthur. There’s such a thing as boundaries.""Boundaries?" He tilted his head slightly, as though the concept was foreign to him. "We’re marked mates. Sharing territory is natural—even expected. You can’t act like strangers in your own pack."His words dripped with that same calm authority that grated on my nerves.
(Audrey's POV)My sleep was a tangled mess, filled with fitful tossing and turning. My already fragile nerves felt frayed to the point of snapping, worsened by the cruel reality that sleep wasn’t offering even a sliver of respite.The events of the previous night replayed in loops in my head—the sound of Arthur’s declaration at the police station, his unmistakable presence at my door, his stubborn decision to stay in *my* territory. Every memory churned in my mind, setting my emotions in chaos.Grace, my wolf, wasn’t helping either. She whimpered quietly, conflicted as I tried to calm her with reassurances. But even my subconscious betrayed me when stray thoughts of Arthur seeped into my dreams. It was like trying to hold back a tidal wave.When morning finally crept in, I felt like I had barely caught a wink of rest. My head pounded, my limbs heavy and slow as I got ready for work. The dark circles under my eyes were impossible to hide—even with excessive concealer.I sighed deep
(Audrey's POV)The silver pendant Arthur had left in the breakfast bag weighed heavily in my thoughts. The significance of it being our first moon-turning ceremony anniversary stirred a mixed bag of emotions.Had he remembered this on his own? Or maybe Lucas or Daniel had reminded him?My wolf, Grace, wanted to believe in some spark of genuine intent behind his actions. But my rational side, the part bruised from three years of indifference and betrayal, urged caution.As I passed down the therapy center’s corridors, the warm morning light filtering through the large windows felt stifling rather than energizing. I had planned my day meticulously to keep my thoughts from wandering back to Arthur, back to the silver pendant, or to the memories tied to it.I closed my office door behind me, sat briefly at my desk, and leafed through my schedule for the day. It was packed with clients — which usually helped keep me centered. But even as I reviewed notes and prepared my approach, my mi
(Audrey's POV)Arthur's face was flushed. His usual sharp features now seemed raw, untamed. Sweat glistened on his forehead, and his breaths came in heavy, uneven bursts that filled the room with a strange heat.His wolf-gold eyes locked onto mine, wild and full of something primal. It wasn’t the Arthur I knew. This was someone—something—lost in chaos."Arthur," I called out, my voice shaky. "What’s wrong with you? Do you hear me?"He didn’t answer. Instead, he took a step closer, his movements slow but purposeful. Cold dread crept up my spine.His shirt was half-unbuttoned, exposing the mate mark on his chest. My eyes darted to it involuntarily. That mark. The one that once gave me hope. The one that now felt like a cruel reminder of all the pain between us."Stay back," I warned, my voice firmer now. But my hands trembled, betraying the resolve in my tone.Arthur didn’t stay back. He stepped closer, his wolf’s gaze fixed like a predator cornering prey. His voice, low and unste
(Audrey's POV)To my surprise, Arthur didn't say anything. He just turned around and walked towards the door.I sat on the edge of my bed, the weight of the night before looming heavily over my shoulders. Arthur's constant presence was suffocating, yet my wolf, Grace, stirred uneasily at the thought of him leaving.The memory of his touch from last night refused to fade, his words still echoing in my ears. But I couldn’t let it sway me. I had to put distance between us. For my sake. For the sake of the pups.I held my breath as I heard heavy footsteps approaching outside my room. Seconds later, there was a sharp knock on the door."Aren't you coming out for breakfast?" Arthur's voice carried through the wood, calm yet insistent.I hesitated, glancing down at my sleepwear. I hadn't even mustered the energy to change. "I’m not hungry," I called, hoping he’d leave it at that.The door creaked open without so much as a warning. Arthur stepped inside, his gaze instantly locking onto
(Audrey's POV)I sat in the Alpha Council Medical Center, the sterile scent of disinfectant mingling unpleasantly with my overly sensitive nose. My ankle still ached faintly, but it wasn’t the pain that kept my mind churning. I was trying — failing, really — to piece myself together after everything that happened with Arthur.The room was quiet, save for the faint hum of the ventilation system and the muffled voices from the hallway. I rested a hand protectively over my stomach, fingers splayed over the slight curve that seemed more visible to me now than ever before. The realization of my pregnancy still lingered heavily, like weight pressing on my chest.Three years ago, I had convinced myself I might be pregnant shortly after Arthur marked me as his mate. I’d felt fleeting hope then, fooling myself into believing that a pup might strengthen a mate bond that had always felt one-sided. Back then, I imagined celebrating the news together. I imagined joy.This time, the emotions wer
(Audrey's POV)The corridor outside the emergency room was silent, save for the faint hum of fluorescent lights. My stomach churned, and I clenched the pregnancy report tighter in my hand. The air here felt cold against my already frail nerves, a stark contrast to the heat radiating off my turmoil.I was waiting—though I didn’t fully know why. Maybe it was some deep-rooted hope to see Arthur, to understand this façade we seemed to play. To know if he cared, even a little.The door to the emergency room creaked open, and a nurse stepped out, adjusting her scrub top. She was brisk and businesslike, her presence drawing immediate attention to the name clipboard in her hands.She looked up at the huddled group of medical staff. “Victoria Moonstone’s family?”Every nerve in my body froze. My lungs stopped mid-breath.Arthur’s tall frame shot up from the nearby chair like a spring, his movements filled with a tension I could see even from a distance.His hand rose slightly as he stepp
(Audrey's POV)"Did I ever say I would form a mate bond with you?" I challenged, raising an eyebrow at Florian Stormhowl's audacious assumption.His golden eyes glinted with amusement as a confident smile spread across his face. "Everything else is up to you, but this decision is mine."I felt my cheeks flush with indignation. The nerve of this wolf! First Arthur with his fake mate severance certificates, and now Florian acting like my future was already decided."You can't force me," I warned, turning away from him and striding toward the parking area.To my surprise, instead of arguing, Florian simply fell into step beside me. "Where are we going?" he asked casually, as if we hadn't just been discussing our potential mate bond."We? I'm going to my hotel.""Perfect."When we reached my pack car, Florian circled to the passenger side and got in before I could object. I stood outside for a moment, keys dangling from my fingers, debating whether to kick him out."Aren't you get
(Audrey's POV)I was stunned. It felt like I had been slapped across the face. The words I'd overheard between Arthur Moonstone and Nathan Snowfang spun in my mind, each syllable a knife twisting deeper into my chest.Betrayal burned through me like wildfire. I turned on my heel, my wolf senses heightened with anger. I should never have set foot in the Moonstone Pack territory again."Healer Winter, don't misunderstand. When Alpha Moonstone went to see her that time, it was only to warn her not to—" Daniel Hayes's voice trailed after me, his formal tone tinged with desperation.I barely heard him over the roaring in my ears. My fingers clenched around the photograph Nathan had given me—the evidence that would finally free me from my doubts.I stormed toward the underground parking area, each step fueled by righteous fury. The concrete walls of the parking structure seemed to close in around me as I reached my car.Just as my fingers brushed the door handle, a tall shadow fell acr
(Audrey's POV)I stared at Arthur Moonstone standing in my doorway, wearing a casual hoodie instead of his usual tailored Alpha attire. The sight was jarring—like seeing a wolf in sheep's clothing. He looked almost... approachable."The Alpha, always refined and powerful, has gone this far for me. What virtue or ability do I possess to deserve this?" I thought to myself, a bitter edge to my musings.Yet I knew better. "Our relationship didn't evolve to this point in a moon cycle, and it has nothing to do with what clothes he wears. Even if he looked exactly like Florian Stormhowl, he would still be Arthur Moonstone, unchanged in the slightest."His dark eyes flickered over my face, searching for something. Vulnerability? Forgiveness? He wouldn't find it."I just suddenly discovered that wearing this is quite comfortable," Arthur explained with uncharacteristic casualness, gesturing to his hoodie.His gaze drifted past me to the travel pack sitting prominently in my living area. H
(Audrey's POV)I watched Aunt Juliette's face carefully, searching for any hint of recognition or confirmation. The gravity of my words hung in the air between us."Aunt's expression froze. "Who did you hear this from?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper."Aunt, please don't hide it from me," I pleaded, reaching for her fragile hand.I pressed my lips together, gathering my courage. "This time... I'm certain before asking you. I've learned I'm from the Shadowcrest family in Northern Territory."Aunt Juliette's hands trembled violently in mine. Her eyes widened with a mixture of fear and shock that I hadn't expected."Shadowcrest? The Shadowcrest pack?" she gasped, her voice weak but urgent. "Your biological father's pack is Shadowcrest?"Her reaction confirmed what I already suspected, but seeing the truth written so plainly across her features still stole my breath away."Did they come looking for you?" she demanded, her frail body suddenly tense with anxiety. "Have t
(Audrey's POV)"I'll be right down." The words tumbled from my lips automatically as Arthur's news about Aunt Juliette hit me like a physical blow.My hands trembled as I ended the call. The room suddenly felt too small, the air too thin. Aunt Juliette—the woman who had taken me in when I had nowhere else to go, who had shown me kindness when others turned away—was in critical condition.Sarah Mitchell glanced at my pale face, concern evident in her eyes. "What's wrong over there?" she asked, setting down her coffee cup.I moved on instinct, grabbing essential items and shoving them into my bag. "My aunt Juliette has taken a turn for the worse. I need to rush back to Central Territory."A dark suspicion flashed through my mind: was this truly a natural deterioration of her condition, or had Emma Shadowcrest's schemes reached beyond Northern Territory? The timing felt too convenient—just as I discovered my true identity, the one person who might know about my past was suddenly at d
(Audrey's POV)Florian Stormhowl stared at me with those mesmerizing golden eyes. The moment hung between us like a fragile thread connecting our pasts and futures."Yes, you are Serena, my intended mate," he declared with unwavering certainty. His voice lacked its usual teasing tone, replaced by something deeper, more sincere.A storm of emotions washed over me. Relief, confusion, fear, and strangely, a sense of homecoming all battled within my chest. Who was I really? Audrey Winter or Serena Shadowcrest? Could I be both? The ground beneath my feet felt unsteady, as if my very identity was sand slipping through my fingers."Thank you," I whispered, fighting back tears. "For never giving up on me."His mouth curved into a small smile. "I promised I would find you.""You were always there," I said, the realization dawning on me. "Every time I needed someone most—when I was kidnapped, when someone stole my identity—you appeared."I thought of Arthur Moonstone, of Nathan Snowfang,
(Audrey's POV)"Elder!" I cried out as the elderly she-wolf collapsed in my arms, her frail body suddenly heavy against mine.Florian Stormhowl moved with blinding speed, catching her before she could fall to the floor. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, staining her pale lips crimson."Get the pack healers!" Florian commanded, his voice cutting through the shocked silence that had fallen over the room.The Beta wolf by the door immediately snapped to attention. "Is there a medical team available?" he asked, already moving toward the exit."The wolf healers are already waiting outside," Mr. Shadowcrest responded, his voice oddly detached. "They were here for... Serena's needs."The irony wasn't lost on me—healers brought to tend to a fake Serena would now fight to save the real Serena's grandmother.Within moments, the room filled with pack healers in their traditional white robes. They worked with practiced efficiency, checking Elder Shadowcrest's vitals and preparing
(Audrey's POV)The Shadowcrest gathering hall felt suffocating as I sat beneath the weight of Mrs. Shadowcrest's piercing gaze. Her demeanor had transformed from the anxious anger of previous nights to something far more chilling—cold mockery that made my skin crawl."Where are the bloodline verification ritual results that were supposed to come out today?" she demanded, her voice slicing through the tense silence.Florian's casual "Soon" only seemed to irritate her further. She turned to me, her lips curving into a cold smile that never reached her eyes."Ms. Winter," she said, practically spitting my name, "once the report comes out, I have only one request: never set foot in our Shadowcrest territory again! You've thrown our pack into chaos with your absurd claims!"I flinched at her venom, unable to defend myself against accusations I hadn't even made. It was Florian who believed I might be Serena, not me."SILENCE!!" Elder Shadowcrest's voice thundered through the hall with
(Audrey's POV)"Take me home."Those four simple words from Florian Stormhowl struck me with unexpected force. In all my years as a lone wolf, no one had ever said that to me before. Not Arthur Moonstone during our mate bond, not any pack member, not even my aunt Juliette who had occasionally taken me in.Home. Such a small word to cause such a large ache in my chest.I blinked rapidly, fighting back the moisture gathering in my eyes. Despite my best efforts, a single tear escaped, trailing down my cheek before I could wipe it away."Florian," I began hesitantly, my voice barely above a whisper, "if I'm not who you think I am... could we still be friends?"The question seemed absurd even as it left my lips. Yet I couldn't help the desperate desire to hold onto this warmth, this connection—even if only as packmates. After losing my mate bond with Arthur, after the betrayal and heartache, I'd convinced myself I didn't need anyone. But Florian's persistent presence in my life had so