ëĄęˇ¸ě¸đ Authorâs Note â Chapter 40 đ
To my incredible readers, ⨠We made it to Chapter 40! ⨠I donât even have the perfect words to describe how grateful I am that youâve journeyed with me this far. From quiet forests to burning secrets, from stolen glances to soul-deep bondsâyouâve stayed. Youâve felt. Youâve believed. Thank you for every moment youâve spent here, for every page you turned, every gasp, every scream, eJames was barely at the entrance of the estate when his phone rang. His assistantâs name flashed across the screen. He exhaled sharply and answered. âSir, just a reminder, you have an important meeting in thirty minutes. The board is alreadyâ James rolled his eyes, tightening his grip on the steering wheel. His jaw hardened. âPostpone it,â he said coldly, and ended the call before another word could be spoken. His foot pressed harder on the accelerator. Reaching home, he parked and entered the mansion quietly. No greetings. No footsteps rushing to meet him. The house felt⌠still. Too still. He climbed the stairs and pushed open Mayaâs door first. She was fast asleep, curled up comfortably. He smiled faintly, pulling the blanket higher to cover her properly before brushing a gentle kiss over her hair. âSleep well,â he murmured. Closing the door softly, he walked into his own room. Empty. The bed untouched. A faint crease formed between his brows. Turning
âAunty Jan Jan?â Mayaâs voice floated down the hallway.Janis turned just as the girl peeked out from the living room. â Your portion of breakfast big brother made is in the kitchen, on the counter , incase you feel hungry.âJanis blinked, momentarily pulled from her thoughts. " oh okay baby, thank you"Mayaâs face lit up instantly. âyou're welcome big sis" then she continued stuffing her mouth with snacksJanis followed more slowly. She ate a littleâjust enough to quiet the tight ache in her stomachâthen slipped through the back door behind the kitchen, letting the fresh air wash over her.The garden was quiet.She sat on the soft outdoor couch beneath the trees, fingers curling into the fabric of her robe as her mind drifted back to the dream. Coreyâs face. His smile. The way he turned away.Her chest tightened.Then Jamesâ face surfaced knd, familiar⌠distant.The realization hit her harder than she expected.
She kept running.Mocking voices echoed behind her, chasing her relentlessly, growing louder with every step she took.Suddenly, she froze.A tall, handsome figure stood before her, his presence cutting through the darkness like light breaking through storm clouds. His smile warm, familiar pushed away the ache in her chest, even if only for a second.âCoreyâŚâ she called out, hope flooding her voice.But the happiness didnât last.Beside him, Lara suddenly appeared.She smiled slow, wicked, nothing like the gentle woman Janis knew.âAwwn⌠you want him?â Lara mocked softly.Her smile faded as she wrapped her arm possessively around Coreyâs, pulling him closer.âDream on,â she sneered. âThis is your payback for taking James away from me.âJanis shook her head frantically.âYou took my happiness,â Lara continued coldly, ânow Iâll take yours.âThen Lara laughed sharp, cruel and turned away.Coreyâs smile vanished.Without a word, he turned too, following Lara into the darkness, leaving Ja
Crane stood at the side of the bed, his chest tight as he watched Lara lying thereâalready back in her room, unconscious and still.Alex placed two fingers gently on her forehead and closed his eyes. His lips moved in a low murmur as thick black smoke curled around them both, slow and controlled.Peter and Yousef stood a few steps away, silent, their confusion evident.Worry etched deep lines into Craneâs face."Calm down. She will be fine". His wolf tried to reassure him.After what felt like years, Alex finally stepped back. Lara remained asleep, her breathing steady.With a subtle signal, they all moved out.Yousef and Peter stayed behind, standing guard outside Laraâs door, while Alex placed a firm hand on Craneâs shoulder. In the next instant, they teleported straight into Craneâs study.The moment they arrived, Alex snapped his fingers. Thick black smoke sealed the door and windows, shutting the world out.He turned sharply to Crane, rubbing his temples.âNow tell me,â Alex sai
Lara looked up at Crane and noticed how his shoulders had dropped, as though the weight he carried had finally found a place to rest. She stepped closer and held him gently.âAre you sure you want to do this?â she asked softly.âThere is still so much time. We can wait until you are reaââCrane turned fully to her before she could finish.He took both her hands in his, grounding, steady.âI have never been more ready,â he said quietly. âYou have already become a part of me. So it is mandatory that you know these things.âShe nodded slowly in agreement.Crane guided her forward, walking with her toward the bed. Laraâs eyes drifted around the room as they moved.The furniture was unmistakably expensiveâcrafted from dark, polished wood, the kind only centuries-old wealth could afford. Ornate carvings traced the edges of wardrobes and cabinets. A grand dresser stood against the wall, its gold-lined handles dulled by negl
Looking up at her window, only the high fence stood between them.His wolf stirred, restless, voice low and wary inside his mind.Lilune⌠did she send us back to Lara?Does this mean she has decided to leave for good?A sharp breath tore from his chest.No⌠that faceâJohn, could it meanâ? They areâŚHe didnât finish the thought.Crane cut him off abruptly, senses flaring.A shadow moved toward the window.Then, within seconds, Lara appeared.She stood there quietly, framed by the faint glow from inside the room. Crane saw her lift a hand and gently wipe at her eyes, blinking as if trying to steady herself. Her chest rose and fell in soft, uneven breaths.She opened her palms slowly.The little white bird resting with her chirped softly, as if answering a silent call, then fluttered from her hands and disappeared into the night sky.Craneâs breath hitched.She was about to turn awayâto close the windowâwhen she suddenly froze.Her head tilted downward.Their eyes met.For a single, susp







