เข้าสู่ระบบI heard Arthur’s voice through the kitchen door.“Viktor. This is Arthur Hendrix.”A pause. My heart started beating faster.“I have a business proposition. There’s someone I need eliminated. Fenris Hendrix. My brother.”I pressed my hand over my mouth to keep from gasping.“He’s become a liability I can’t afford. Half a million pounds for whoever brings me proof of his death. Clean kill, no trace back to me or the pack.”No. No, this couldn't be happening. Arthur had forgiven Fenris. I thought they reconciled. My spat with Fenris could not be the reason why Arthur wants to kill Fenris.The call ended. I heard Arthur moving, pacing. I stepped back from the door quickly, my mind racing.What was I supposed to do? Confront him? Tell him I’d overheard?Think, Aurora. Think. I forced myself to take a breath, then another. Made my expression soft and sleepy.Then I walked into the kitchen.“Arthur?”He spun around, surprise flashing across his face before he covered it with a smile. “Morni
The pack house was quiet when I woke, Isabella’s warmth pressed against my side. Her breathing was soft.I extracted myself carefully, watching her face for any sign of waking. Nothing. She just curled into the space I’d left, pulling the blanket closer.Arthur’s wife. My wife now. I dressed in the dark—jeans, t-shirt, nothing fancy—and headed downstairs. The kitchen was empty except for the coffee maker I’d set on a timer last night.“You’re up early.”I turned to find Mother by the doorway, wrapped in a silk robe, her hair loose around her shoulders.“Couldn’t sleep,” I said, pouring two mugs of coffee. “Want some?”“Please.” She settled at the kitchen table, accepting the mug I offered. “Something on your mind?”Well, I could tell her I did a swap spell and the son she is talking to isn’t the son she thinks it is. That would definitely freak her out.“Just thinking about pack business,” I said instead.Mother studied me over the rim of her mug. “That’s very concerning of you. You n
The check sat on Dale’s kitchen table. Five hundred and fifty thousand pounds. More money than I’d ever seen in my life.“You don’t have to take it,” Dale said, refilling his coffee mug. “The police reward was one thing, but Victor’s family is trying to buy your silence.”“I know what they’re doing.” I picked up the check, studied the zeros line up. “But I’m taking it anyway.”Emma appeared in the doorway, dish towel slung over her shoulder. “What will you do with it?”That was the question, wasn’t it? Six weeks ago, I’d woken up in those woods with nothing. No name, no past, no future.Now I felt like I had something going on for me.“I’m staying,” I said. “Here. In town. I’m going to make this home.”Dale set down his mug with a soft clink. “You sure about that? Your memory could come back any day. You might have family somewhere, people looking for you.”“I don’t care about my past life anymore. From all indications, my life here is better.” I folded the check, tucked it in my pock
The farmhouse came into view, lights on in the kitchen. Dale’s truck sat in the driveway. Relief flooded through me.I dropped the bike in the driveway and ran to the front door, pounding on it with both fists.“Dale! Emma! Open up! It’s an emergency!”The porch light flicked on. The door swung open, and Dale stood there, his expression shifting from confusion to fury in half a second.“What the hell are you doing here?” His voice was low, dangerous. “I told you to stay away from my property. I warned you—”“Victor has Maggie!” I cut him off, breathing hard. “He kidnapped her. She’s locked in a cabin on the outskirts of town. I found her."Dale’s face went pale. “What are you talking about?”“Victor took her. He’s been keeping her prisoner. I swear I’m telling the truth. She’s there right now.”Emma appeared behind Dale, her hand flying to her mouth. “Oh my God. Dale, we need to—”“Where?” Dale’s voice was sharp, all the anger from before replaced with fear. “Where’s this cabin?”“Out
"You want to talk about it?” Sophie asked, handing me a mug of coffee. She settled into the chair across from me, tucking her legs under her.“Not much to talk about. Dale kicked me out. Had Victor and his friends throw me out.” I took a sip of the coffee. It was good, strong, exactly what I needed. “Can’t say I blame him.”“This is a safe space. I don’t want any self-pitying sob.”“I can’t help it.”“You’re just a guy who fell in love, don’t beat yourself up about it.” She set down her own mug, leaning forward. “Dale was protecting his daughter. I get it. But that doesn’t make what he did right.”“Doesn’t make it wrong either.”“Agree to disagree.” She was quiet for a moment, then said, “Look, I know this sucks. But maybe I can help you get back on your feet. Give you a place to stay while you figure things out, help you find a job, maybe even track down some information about your past.”I looked at her. Sophie was beautiful, smart, successful. She had her life together in ways I co
I’d tried calling John. Texting. Nothing. His phone went straight to voicemail every time. Either the battery had died or he’d turned it off. Maybe he’d thrown it away, decided a clean break was better than dragging this out. But still, he couldn’t have gone away forever.The thought made my chest hurt so badly I could barely breathe.I was in the barn, mucking out stalls. I needed something physical to do before I lost my mind completely, when I heard the truck pull up. Not Dad’s truck. I knew the sound of that engine by heart.I set down the pitchfork and walked to the barn entrance, squinting against the afternoon sun.Victor’s truck sat in the driveway, engine still running. He climbed out, wearing jeans and a button-up shirt like he was going on a date. The sight of him made anger spike in my brain.“What the hell are you doing here?” I called out, not bothering to hide the venom in my voice.“Came to check on you,” he said, walking toward me. “Heard you’ve been having a rough fe







