LOGINAurelia
“Or do they just take in strays now?”The words hadn’t even settled before something else hit me.Another familiar presence.My breath caught as my eyes shifted past her—and landed on him.Everything inside me went still. For a second… I forgot how to breathe.He leaned casually against the wall, like he belonged there. Like this, all of this, was normal. Like I was the strange one.My chest tightened.No… not himKalean's POVThe moment I stepped outside, the air shifted. Not physically, but enough for my wolf to react. Storm was alert and sharp.Jace was already ahead of me, moving through the side path near the trees. I didn’t speak, there was no need. We both felt it. Something was wrong again.A low sound came from the far edge of the house, wood cracking and fast movement, then a growl. Not mine. Not Jace’s.I moved first. The ground felt different under my feet as I crossed the distance faster than normal pace, faster than anything human should manage. Jace followed without question.We reached the side of the house in seconds, and I saw them. Three figures shifting between tree shadows like they didn’t know if they wanted to run or attack. Rogues. Two already in partial shift, one still human. All of them too close to my territory.My jaw tightened.“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Jace muttered beside me.I stepped
Aurelia's POV The silence after my question didn’t leave. It stayed. Thick. Uncomfortable. Like the air itself was waiting for him to speak. Kalean didn’t answer right away. He just looked at me. Not in a way that felt kind… not in a way that felt cruel either. Just… observant. Like he was trying to read something I wasn’t saying out loud. I shifted slightly under the blanket, pulling it closer around my shoulders. My body still felt weak, like it didn’t fully belong to me yet. But I kept my gaze on him anyway, waiting. He finally leaned back a little, still not breaking eye contact. “Kalean.” “Kalean,” I repeated under my breath, testing the name. It felt strange on my tongue, like it belonged to someone important. Someone I shouldn’t be sitting this close to. “You asked who I am,” he said quietly. I nodded slightly. “
Aurelia's POV---My head felt heavy before I even opened my eyes.Not spinning like before. Just… heavy. Like I had been asleep for too long.I shifted slightly, or at least I tried to, but something held me in place.Warmth.That was the first thing I noticed. Warm… steady… surrounding me.My brows pulled together faintly as my eyes slowly opened.Everything looked blurry at first. Soft shapes. Muted light. A ceiling.Not the hospital.That thought came immediately, and it made my chest tighten just a little.Then I became aware of something else. Something closer.My body stilled.There was an arm around me. Strong. Firm. Holding me in place.My breath caught.Slowly… carefully… I tilted my head.And saw him.Him. The same man. The one from before. The one from this morning. And he was close.Too close. Closer than anyon
Kaelan's POV The drive back felt longer than it should have.No one spoke.Not because there was nothing to say… but because everything that mattered was already sitting there between us.Jace glanced at me once, then again, like he wanted to say something, but he held it in.Good. I wasn’t in the mood.Aurelia rested against me in the backseat, her body still, too still, her head tilted slightly against my arm. Her breathing was there, but faint, uneven in a way that didn’t sit right.Storm hadn’t settled. Not fully. He stayed quiet, watching, restless in a different way now.*She’s not okay.*“I know.”I shouldn't have let her escape.My hand shifted slightly, adjusting her closer without thinking, trying to keep her steady as the car slowed.By the time we reached the house, I was already out before the engine fully died.I didn’t wait or look back. I just carried
Kaelan's POV “Put her down. Now.”The MD’s voice cut through the room, sharp, loud, trying too hard to sound in control.I didn’t move.Aurelia stayed in my arms, light… too light, her head resting against my chest like she didn’t have the strength to hold it up herself. Jace shifted beside me, just a step forward, calm but firm.“You might want to be careful who you’re talking to.”The room stilled for a second. The MD let out a short, irritated breath.“I don’t care who you think you are,” he snapped, stepping closer. “This is my hospital.”I finally looked at him.“You have no idea who you’re standing in front of,” I said quietly.Something in his expression flickered, just for a second, but it was gone almost immediately, replaced with annoyance.“Enough of this,” he muttered, shaking his head like I was the problem here. “Put her down and leave before I have y
Kaelan's POV ---"Excuse me? Who do you think you are to boss me around?"The man stepped forward, irritation clear in his voice, his eyes fixed on me like I was the problem here.I didn't answer him, didn't even look at him, my attention stayed where it mattered.Aurelia.Still in my arms, still too quiet, her breathing shallow and wrong in a way that made my chest feel like something was being dragged across it.Storm shifted, restless and low.*She's getting weaker.*"I know," I muttered."Hey—" The man's voice sharpened. "I'm talking to *you.*"I lifted my head slowly, met his gaze, and for a second he faltered, his confidence stuttering behind his eyes before his jaw tightened again."Put her down," he said, firmer. "Whatever this is, you're out of line."Before I could respond, the woman stepped in, already reaching for her phone."Security!" Her voice
Kalean's POV I pushed the door open, shoulder first, and the old hinges let out this low creak that filled the quiet. The room hit me right away—her scent thick in the air, that mix of wildflowers and sweat and the sharp bite of medicine from last night. I’d left her tucked tight under
AureliaI barely had time to process my sister’s words before I tried to move.“I…I need to go…” I whispered, my voice shaking. “I have work—”Her hand shot out faster than I could blink, pressing lightly but firmly on my arm.“No,” she said simply. The word wa
Aurelia's POV --- I didn't stop moving. Even when my leg protested and my chest felt tight and my head still ached. I just… kept going. Away from that house. Away from him. My breath came out uneven as I walked faster than I should have, m
Aurelia's POV---I didn't move immediately. Even after he said it."Still looking?"My fingers tightened slightly against the sheets. I hated that he was right. I hated it more that my body felt weak enough to prove it.Slowly… carefully… I reached for the tray.I could feel him watching. Not movi







