AIDEN'S POVI froze, my heart slamming against my ribs like a wild drum.Julian stood there, his shadow spilling out behind him, and in his hand gleamed a small, wicked knife. He waved it at me like I was some enemy, some intruder he didn’t want near."Aiden?" he breathed, his voice a harsh whisper.My jaw dropped. He could see me? Isadora couldn't but Julian saw me. A thrill shot through me, so intense it almost knocked me out of my astral form. This was… amazing.He could see me!Suddenly, the knife didn't matter. The anger in his eyes faded into the background. All that mattered was that my brother, my twin, could see the real me. It meant we were connected.The words bubbled up inside me, a torrent of excitement that needed to be expressed. My hands flew into action, fingers wiggling and twisting, forming the rapid, intricate shapes of sign language. I bounced on the balls of my feet, unable to contain my joy.‘Julian! You're so cool! Best brother ever! Awesome! You can see me! Y
Aiden's POVThe next day at school felt like walking on eggshells.Mom and Dad were still giving me looks at breakfast, their silence thick enough to spread on toast. I knew they were worried about my quietness but I just wanted to see Julian, to try and make things right after… after whatever that was last night. The astral projection thing. The knife. His mom, Isadora…. Hurting him.It was all a jumbled mess in my head.They dropped me off at school, Mom pressing a kiss to my hair. And Dad rubbing my back gently.They were great but I still needed to get closer to Aiden.As soon as the school bell rang and Mom and Dad were out of sight, I grabbed the straps of my backpack and ran into the academy. I had a plan. A peace offering. I'd packed all my favourite things: Mr Snuggles, my superhero figurines, my best crayons, and even the half-eaten bag of gummy bears. It was everything a five-year-old could need to make a friend.I spotted Julian near the entrance, talking to some othe
(Aiden's POV)Julian saved me! He actually saved me from his mean friends! My heart did a happy dance.When he told me I could hang out with them, I almost burst with joy. This was it! This was my chance to finally be close to Julian.And when he said I had to do everything he said… well, that was okay too. I would do anything for Julian.When he told me to get him a snack, I ran as fast as I could to the cafeteria. I grabbed a juice box and a bag of cookies, just like I had offered him before.I ran back to the bench, my heart pounding with excitement. I handed him the snacks, beaming.He took them without a word, but I didn't care. He was letting me be his underling! That was the coolest thing ever!I followed him and his friends everywhere, watching their every move, trying to learn how to be cool like them. They were playing tag, so I played tag. They were telling jokes, so I tried to tell jokes (even though I couldn't talk, I could still make funny faces). They were being mean
Aiden's POVThe world swam back into focus, not with the gentle tide of waking, but with the jarring crash of a rogue wave. One moment, I was trying to escape that creepy guy's arms, and the next, I was… here. But where was here?The air hung thick and stale, carrying the scent of old paper and something else, something vaguely medicinal. My head throbbed a dull, persistent ache that resonated with a deeper unease. I blinked, trying to clear the fog from my mind, and slowly, the room resolved itself around me.It wasn't a room I recognized, not exactly. It was… opulent, in a suffocating kind of way. Dark wood panelling lined the walls, reaching up to a high, ornate ceiling. Heavy velvet curtains, the colour of dried blood, were drawn tight across the windows, blocking out any hint of daylight. A massive, mahogany desk dominated one corner, piled high with books and scrolls. And in the centre of it all, hunched over a particularly formidable-looking tome, sat Julian.Ah. I was soul-wa
Aiden's POV I felt myself unconsciously shrink back even if I knew she couldn't see me.She was dressed in a expensive, flowing gown, the color of faded lavender, and her long, dark hair was pulled back in a tight braid. Her gaze swept over the room, lingering for a moment on Julian, before darting nervously towards the hallway. But she sensed something. A presence. A faint, almost imperceptible shift in the atmosphere.Her brow furrowed. "Julian?" she said, her voice barely a whisper. "Who are you talking to?""No one," Julian stammered, his face paling. "I was just… reading aloud."Isadora didn't look convinced. She took a tentative step into the room, her eyes scanning the shadows. "I thought I heard… laughter.""You must be seeing things mom," Julian said, his voice trembling slightly.Suddenly, a commotion erupted from downstairs. Loud voices, angry shouts, and the unmistakable sound of something heavy being dropped.Isadora's eyes widened in alarm. "He's here," she whispered.
Naya's POV Growling, I shoved Kieran's hnad off my back. This was his fault. If he hadn't come here again, none of this epuld have happened.“Don't! Don't you dare!" I snarled at him before returning my focus to my son. Aiden lay limp on the floor, his skin ashen, his chest rising and falling with shallow, uneven breaths. His hands trembled slightly, but remained still."Aiden! Aiden, wake up!" I cried, my voice cracking with fear. Tears blurred my vision as I reached for him.Kieran despite my rejection, still hovered nearby, his face a mask of concern, but his presence only amplified my fear. Beside him, the shaman, with his unsettlingly calm demeanor, offered no comfort. He merely stood there, an enigmatic observer in my personal nightmare.Kieran reached out, his hand hovering hesitantly over Aiden’s arm. I recoiled, pushing him away with a force born of desperation."Get away from him!" I shouted, my voice raw with emotion. "This is your fault!"I cradled Aiden’s head in my la
Tobias's POVNight had settled deep over the world, a velvet curtain studded with cold stars. The engine roared to life, shattering the fragile peace that had settled over the cottage. I glanced back at the darkened windows, a knot of guilt tightening in my stomach. Naya and Aiden were asleep, oblivious to the storm brewing within me, and the choices I was about to make. I gripped the steering wheel, forcing myself to focus on the road ahead, the empty field that awaited me, the long overdue reckoning.The night was a canvas of deep indigo, speckled with the cold, distant light of stars. The air was crisp and carried the scent of damp earth and pine, a familiar aroma that usually brought me a sense of peace. Tonight, it only amplified the fear within me. I drove fast, pushing the car to its limits, eager to reach my destination, to confront the ghosts of my past.The field was vast and desolate, a windswept expanse of tall grass and gnarled trees. As I pulled up, the headlights ill
Aiden's POVThe days after… well, after everything, felt like walking on eggshells. Mom was extra careful, always watching me with those worried eyes of hers. Papa was always around, too, his face all serious and his eyes darting everywhere. It was like we were all holding our breath, waiting for something to break.But amidst all the grown-up tension, Julian and I… we were becoming friends. Secretly, of course. We couldn't let anyone know we were buddy-buddies. It was like we were spies, working together on a super-important mission that no one else could know about.At school, it was all an act. Julian still treated me like a loser, shoving me in the hallways and calling me names like "Silent Freak" when other kids were around. And I had to play along, shuffling my feet and looking down, pretending to be all sad and pathetic and doing as he says.It was hard, especially when I wanted to shout back at him, to tell him to stop being such a mean person.But then, when we were alone
Kieran's POV I felt helpless.It was a feeling I was getting very used to this past few days.It felt like all I could do was watch as my family tore itself apart.Helpless as my son died before my eyes. Helpless as my other son let guilt swallow him and helpless as I watched my mate turn on her heel, the sound of her boots sharp and decisive against the sterile floor of the waiting room. She was a woman possessed, her eyes burning with a fierce determination that bordered on madness. I knew that look. It was the look of a mother willing to do anything, sacrifice anything, to save her child. But I also knew that she wasn't thinking clearly. She was operating purely on instinct, driven by a raw, primal need that threatened to consume her.I was tired of just sitting by and watching.It was unbecoming of an Alpha.So I took action."Naya, stop!" I yelled, my voice echoing through the tense silence of the waiting room. "Let me do it."She paused, her back still to me, her shoulders
Naya's POV The fluorescent lights of the waiting room hummed, a monotonous drone that seemed to amplify the silence. It was a sterile, cold sound that vibrated through my bones, mirroring the icy dread that had taken root in my soul. The air itself felt thick, heavy with unspoken fears and desperate hopes clinging to the edges of reality. Two hours. Two hours we had waited, each minute stretching into an eternity, punctuated only by the rhythmic beeping of machines and the hushed whispers of nurses passing by. Two hours of praying, pleading with a universe that seemed deaf to our cries, and desperately clinging to the fragile hope that Aiden, my sweet, beautiful boy, would be okay.Finally, the door to the emergency room swung open, and a doctor emerged. His face was grim, etched with a weariness that mirrored the exhaustion that had settled deep within my own being. His eyes, usually bright and filled with a professional detachment, were clouded with a somber empathy that sent
Naya's POVThe world had become a kaleidoscope of chaos. It was getting worse. The battle that is. the cave was bathed in the eerie glow of the moon. Men were fighting, their faces contorted with rage, their bodies locked in a brutal dance of death.And in the center of it all, I saw him. Elder Walsh, his eyes burning with fanaticism, his hands raised in a gesture of power.I felt exhausted, my arms arching and bloodstained from fighting off so many enemies, all to survive.And then, I saw Aiden.He was running, his small legs pumping, his face streaked with tears. He was shouting, his voice hoarse, his words lost in the din of battle."Julian! Mom!"My heart leaped into my throat. He was here. He was alive.But he was running straight into danger."Aiden!" I screamed, my voice raw with terror. "No! Get back!"Elder Walsh saw him, his eyes widening with a predatory gleam."Get him!" he roared, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Don't let him escape!"Julian, who had been crouchin
Naya's POV Tobias stepped forward, his face set in a hard line. “Back off, you Old bastard,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “You’ve got the wrong kid.”The Elder chuckled. “Oh, I don’t think so, Tobias,” he said, his eyes twinkling. “I know exactly who I have. That’s why I waited for the star of the show to arrive.”One of the Elder’s men stepped forward, dragging someone behind him. My heart skipped a beat.It was Julian.Isadora screamed, her face contorting with anguish. “Julian!” she cried, her voice cracking. “What did you do to him?”The Elder smiled coldly. “Don’t worry, my dear,” he said, his voice smooth as silk. “We haven’t harmed him… yet.”Isadora turned to her father, her eyes pleading. “Please, Father,” she begged. “I don’t want to be a part of this anymore. Not if it means hurting Julian. He’s the only family I have left.”The Elder’s smile vanished, replaced by a look of cold fury. “Silence, Isadora,” he snapped. “You will do as you’re told.”He turned back to
Naya's pov I woke up with a gasp, my heart hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird. The last thing I remembered was Julian saying something about Aiden being in danger, and then… nothing. Just blackness. I pushed the blanket off my lap and sat up, my head throbbing. It felt like a giant was using my skull as a drum.“Ugh,” I groaned, pressing my hand to my forehead. The cottage was silent, eerily so. Where was everyone?I stumbled off the couch, my legs wobbly. “Tobias? Aiden?” I called out, my voice trembling. No answer.Panic clawed at my throat. Everything was a mess. The cushions were askew, a half-finished drawing lay abandoned on the coffee table, and the air was thick with a sense of… dread.I ran to the window, peering out into the fading light. The car was gone. My breath hitched in my throat. He’d left. He’d taken the others and left me behind.Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. I felt abandoned, useless. But I couldn’t afford to fall apart. Aiden w
Tobias’s POVThe city air still clung to my clothes, a greasy film of exhaust and hurried footsteps. I’d spent the afternoon weaving through crowded streets, trying to finalize the last-minute details for the wedding.Naya deserved the best, and I was determined to give it to her, even if it meant battling grumpy florists and haggling with caterers who thought they were serving ambrosia instead of fried chicken. My phone buzzed in my pocket, pulling me from my mental checklist of seating arrangements and cake flavors. It was a message from the Elder.My stomach clenched as I read the words. They were laced with a thinly veiled threat, a demand for allegiance. He wanted me to join him, to fall in line with his plans, or he would… well, he didn’t explicitly say what he’d do, but the implication was clear: he'd make my life, Naya’s life, Aiden’s life, a living hell."Don't blame me when everything falls into pieces," the message concluded.I scoffed, a bitter sound in the busy street
Aiden's POV I trudged towards the front of the school, my heart heavy. I couldn't believe Julie had betrayed me like this. I couldn't believe he had said all those things to me.As I reached the front of the school, I saw Isadora waiting for me. She looked pale and anxious."Aiden," she said, her voice trembling. "We have to go. Now."I frowned. "What's wrong?" I asked."There's no time to explain," she said, grabbing my hand. "We have to leave. Your Grandfather wants to see you."I didn't want to go. I wanted to stay here, at least until I could figure out how to fix things with Julie. But Isadora was pulling me towards the car, and I knew I couldn't argue with her.We drove in silence, my anxiety growing with every mile. Isadora kept glancing at me, her eyes filled with fear.Finally, we reached the estate. I dreaded spending even one more day in that house.But as we pulled up to the gates, something strange happened. A black car pulled up behind us, blocking our path.A tall ma
Aiden's POV Three days. That's all it was supposed to be. Three days of pretending to be Julian, three days of nasty tutors and cold rooms, three days of holding in all the things that made me… me. I’d counted every minute, every second, just so Julie could have a break. But those three days felt like a lifetime.I tried my best to be Julian. I sat up straight, didn't fidget, and answered all the questions the tutors threw at me, even when my brain felt like it was going to explode till my voice, so unused to talking for long periods went hoarae5. Mistress Thorne still looked at me like I was a bug she wanted to squish, but she didn't hit me again. Maybe because she didn't want to overdo it.I had to hold in a snort of disgust.I hated that it could still happen and the fear it sent through my body whenever I even thought she might pull her hands into her robes with the cane But the worst part was being away from mom and dad. I missed their hugs, their smiles, their silly jokes. I
Julian's POVEven though I was scared, switching with Aiden felt… like breathing after holding my breath for too long. I could almost taste freedom. But as Naya led me towards their little house, my hands trembled. According to what his parents knew,Aiden didn't talk (not that they know he could talk and did so on a semi regular basis now).He used his hands always, signing words I barely knew. What if I messed up? What if Naya saw through my clumsy attempts?Naya squeezed my hand, and I tried to mimic Aiden's bouncy walk, but my legs felt like jelly."You okay, sweetie?" Naya asked, her voice warm. "You're awfully quiet today. More than usual, even for you."My heart hammered. I reached for the small notebook Aiden always carried and scribbled:'Tired. Long day.' I showed it to her, trying to copy Aiden's quick, jerky movements.Naya frowned, her eyes searching mine. "Long day, huh? Did something happen at school? Did someone tease you?"I shook my head, then quickly signed the wor