Bennet's look pierced mine, and I felt a surge of worry wash over me as he approached me. My heart quickens as I look into his eyes, which used to be so familiar, but now they have a scary focus that makes me feel scared instead.Bennet growls, his voice raw with anger, "You don't belong with him." And now he's too close. "Aurora, you belong with me." His tone was one of privilege and charge, and the words struck me like a slap. My mouth opens, but nothing comes. His very presence stirs up feelings I thought I had buried deep. He's looking at me as if I'm still that girl who would do anything to be close to him. However, I'm not. No more. I manage to say, "Don't," taking a reflexive step back. I am grounded by a sense of security when my back touches Callum. The action causes Bennet's eyes to flicker, getting darker with anger and envy that are bubbling beneath the surface. The smell of danger fills the air as the wind blows up around us. Bennet keeps her attention on me as though
With a storm forming behind them, Bennet's eyes enter my own, tightening the air between us. I prepare myself for his words as his lips turn into a sneer, but I don't flinch. I am unable to. Not right now.I strongly say, despite my heart beating in my chest, "I don't belong to you." "I'm with Callum now." My hand naturally goes to Callum's as I feel his power and warmth surrounding me. Despite my greatest desire to flee the destruction Bennet causes in my life, I refuse to allow him to scare me. As he moves forward, Bennet's jaw tightens, and his eyes narrow. "You believe you can simply take away everything we owned?" There's a hatred in his voice that makes my skin crawl, and it's low and scary. "You believe he can love you as much as I did?" The words, each tinged with poison, come out of his mouth. I don't want to think about what he said. I turn to face Callum, who is straight and strong beside me. As though to tell me that I'm not facing this war alone, he puts his arm around
I can hear dogs howling and bodies crashing all around me as the night is a blur of mayhem and carnage. Every time my heart beats, the fear that shoots through me is repeated. I make an effort to focus and maintain my composure in the face of chaos, but it's difficult to remain calm when things move so quickly. There are wolves everywhere, their growls sending shivers down my spine as shadows dart in the darkness.My legs give way under me as I stumble over a rock, but strong arms grab me before I can fall to the ground. Callum. He is constantly present, constantly on guard, and constantly prepared. His eyes never leave mine as he firmly grasps me and drags me back to my feet. His presence works as a calming force amid the mayhem, and his touch is grounded. Despite the nervousness in the air, he replies quietly, "Stay with me." Even throughout this fight, something is reassuring about the way he looks at me, as if he would never allow anything to hurt me as long as he is present, and
Every breath feels labored, and the night air is heavy with the smell of perspiration and blood. Despite being assaulted and bruised, I am still alive. Just thinking about that truth makes me feel guilty and thankful. Many others were unable to attend. The eerie hush left by those who fell, the distant growls, and the turmoil gradually calming down are all still audible to me. But just now, the anguish pulsing through my body is so intense that I can hardly think. My legs shake under me, straining to support me, but Callum is there before I can pass out.He always is. With that recognizable strength, his arms glide beneath mine and raise me to my feet. He touches me gently but firmly, as if he's scared of shattering me. I look at him, and for the first time tonight, I take him seriously. He's still standing despite having blood on his shirt, a horrible cut across his arm, and raw knuckles from fighting. He was keeping me safe, therefore, I'm still standing. "Are you alright?" His vo
We scarcely have time to catch our breath as Mia's unsteady, piercing voice pierces the environment. "You must accompany me. Right now. I glance at Callum, who is still maintaining his arm around my waist for safety. My whole body is rigid from strain, and the adrenaline from the previous round hasn't left my system. However, Mia's shocked look is what truly chills me. That look on her face is unlike anything I've ever seen. "What's happening?" I ask, sounding more controlled than I am. Right now, when everything appears to be coming apart, I can't afford to be terrified. Mia pauses, appearing as if she's having problems finding the appropriate words, her pale face distorted. She trembles as she continues, "I found something… something you both need to see." Her eyes flit between Callum and me, imploring, as if she wishes whatever she's discovered would just disappear. Callum nods to Mia as his grasp on me increases. "Show us," he begs, his voice as powerful and harsh as ever. I f
Standing in the place, Callum and I look at the tree. The words "This isn't over," inscribed into the bark, throbs in my thoughts like a horrible premonition. I'm convinced Callum can hear the beating of my heart in my chest. I can't take my eyes off the message; it appears to be mocking us and demanding that we take action. "Who is involved in this?" I quiver as I whisper. I attempt to restore control by tightening my hands into fists as they shake a bit. This crushing sensation of impotence is something I loathe. It's disturbing that whatever is responsible is playing tricks on us and keeping us in the dark. Callum takes a long time to answer. His eyes are concentrated on the message, and his jaw is tightened. I can sense the wrath bubbling behind his serenity and silence. His strength has always been his protectiveness, but it appears to be hanging on the verge of something more dangerous and deadly these days. I remark, "We need to figure this out," but it sounds empty, like I'
As we push ourselves harder and faster, the trees in the forest mix around us as we run through it. My face stings from the wind, and my heart beats in sync with our motions.I have a nagging feeling that something isn't quite right. It goes beyond the animals that nearly attacked us or the writing on the tree. This seems deeper and more personal. I look at Callum, who has a hard-lined face and eyes that are set on the future. Even from a distance, I can feel the stress in the air as the packhouse comes into view. There is a problem. As we get closer, Callum slows down and tightens his hold on my hand, so he must feel it too. Callum's dad, Hunter, is standing at the entry with his arms crossed across his chest. Normally, he is quite cool and controlled, but right now, he is acting differently. His jaw is locked as he watches us come closer, his face blank. Unease makes my stomach turn over. Callum shouts, "Hunter," as we stop in front of him. His voice is quiet and deep, yet it has
I stand motionless, looking at Mia with my heart beating in my chest. Could it truly be the friend who had always backed me and fought beside me through so much? Was she an enemy to us? I'm trying to piece together all the times that now seem like lies, and my mind is rushing. But I'm not going to believe it. Until I get word from her."Is it true, Mia?" I mumble, my voice wavering. Her eyes suddenly meet mine, and I realize something I hadn't previously noticed. Shame. Her eyes are filled with sorrow, and it's written all over her face. The pain of deceit pierces me more deeply than any hurt. I move back with shaking hands as my breath catches in my throat. At first, she stays quiet, opening and shutting her mouth as though she's trying to find the right words. The stress in the room tightens like a noose around my neck, and the quiet between us is startling. "Mia," I repeat, my voice breaking under the force of my feelings. "Tell me that's untrue." Unable to look me in the eyes,
The area where we stand is illuminated by a silvery radiance due to the high and full moon. The quiet is deafening. In my ears, every breath and heartbeat sounds like thunder. Callum is standing a few feet away from me, his eyes fixed on mine while his fists are clenched at his sides.I say, just above a whisper, "You don't have to do this."His eyes are ablaze with love and agony as he steps closer. "Yes, I do." I must put this right. For you. For us.My heart twitches. My soul is ignited by the touch of this man, who I adore. Yet here we are, caught between love and loyalty, between the past and the future.I carefully extend my hand to touch his. Do it like the man I know, then. The Alpha, no. Not the heir. Simply callum.He gently nods, his shoulders becoming somewhat less tense. So it's just Callum. For you.The council waits in a loose circle behind us. They are a chilly reminder of the decision that looms over everything like a fog: betray his blood or lose me forever.Bennet a
The Calm Before the StormThe ashes still cling to the air, heavy and bitter.The next morning light filters through the smoke-stained windows of the pack house. Everything feels quiet now, too quiet. As if the world is holding its breath. I pace the hallway, my boots echoing softly.Every warrior is on high alert. The scent of blood and burnt wood still lingers, making it hard to forget what happened.We lost too many. And Lucas got exactly what he wanted…fear. But I won’t let that fear control me.Callum walks beside me, his arm brushing mine. His wounds are healing slower than normal. Maybe it’s because of the dark magic Lucas used during the attack.We haven’t spoken much since last night. Too many thoughts. Too many emotions. "The border patrols are doubled," he says quietly. "No one leaves without my permission."I nod. "Good. We can’t risk another ambush." He looks at me then, eyes dark. "You still think there’s a traitor?"I pause."Yes." I see it in his face. The same doubt I
Inside the small, empty house, the air was thick with damp wood and nothing but quiet. I sat next to Callum and put a cloth over the big cut on his side. His shirt was stained with blood, and even though he was breathing unevenly, it stayed steady. Even though the roof leaked a little, it was a place to stay, and that was all we had at the time.I grabbed his hand tighter and whispered, "Stop moving." Callum winced and gave me a weak smile. "When you're scared, you're rude." "I'm always scared when you're hurt like this," I mumbled. I dropped my head and let my hair fall forward to hide the tears that were about to fall. He brushed a hand against my face, his touch soft despite the pain he was in. “Don’t cry for me, Aurora.” I didn’t answer. Instead, I put the cloth in the bowl of warm water and kept cleaning his wound. We’d lost so much today…so much blood, so many answers. And Lucas… that name alone sent a chill down my spine.I still couldn’t believe it. He was living all this
The air crackles with dark magic. Callum and I charge together, side by side, our wolves growling inside us. The hooded enemy raises a hand. A wave of black smoke races toward us. I throw up a shield of light, my new power burning inside me.The smoke crashes against it but doesn't break through. Callum leaps forward with a growl, striking at the figure. They block him easily, moving with a speed that doesn’t seem normal. I follow, hitting from the other side. But every move we make, they counter. It’s like they can see the future. Like they know every move before we make it."We have to end this!" I shout. Callum nods, sweat dripping down his face. The animals around us growl but do not move. They wait. Watching. As if the real fight is only between us and their boss.My heart pounds. I summon every bit of strength inside me. I feel Callum’s power through our bond, steady and strong. Together. We strike again, harder. Faster. The enemy falls back for the first time. A crack forms in
The gang gathers that night beneath the stars. A enormous fire blazes in the middle of the clearing, spilling golden light over everyone’s faces. Callum stands tall beside me, his fingers holding mine. Everyone is hushed, waiting. Waiting for answers.I clear my throat, my heart thumping. "They deserve to know," I say to Callum. He nods. "They trust you, Aurora," he adds gently. "Tell them the truth." So I move ahead. I feel every eye on me. Every pulse beating throughout the darkness."There’s more coming," I respond, my voice firm even though my hands are trembling. "Victor was not the end. There’s a larger risk waking awake — something older, something deeper." Murmurs spread across the throng. I elevate my chin. "But we are powerful. We are not alone. We fight for each other. For our house. And we shall stand against whatever comes next."There is quiet. Then one by one, the wolves bow their heads. A vow of allegiance. A promise. I blink back tears. Callum squeezes my
Waking to a New World: I wake to the lovely light of morning. The rain has ceased. The scene beyond the window seems clean, fresh, like the ground itself is breathing again after holding its breath for too long. Callum’s arm is stretched across me, thick and warm. His calm breathing tells me he’s still sleeping. For a time, I don’t move. I simply listen to his heart. I never believed I would survive last night. I never imagined I would experience this tranquility again. Carefully, I turn to face him. Even in sleep, he appears ferocious, like he’s ready to battle against the world to defend me. I reach out and touch his jawline with my fingertips. He stirs, his eyelids flickering open. When he sees me, he grins – a true smile, one that reaches his eyes. "Good morning, my love," he says, his voice low and raspy from sleep. My heart racing. "Good morning," I mumble back. He pulls me closer, burying his face in my neck. For a long time, we simply hold one other, saying nothing,
The rain pours heavier now, drowning the countryside in darkness. Thunder rumbles in the distance, deep and frightening, like a warning growl. I sit with Callum on the balcony for a long time, feeling his steady pulse against my side. His warmth is the only thing stopping the cold from devouring me completely.“I should go check on the others,” I whisper. Callum doesn’t let go. Instead, he draws me even closer. “Stay a little longer,” he urges, his voice raspy with passion. “Just a little longer.” So I remain.For the first time in days, I let myself relax. I shut my eyes and breathe him in – the aroma of rain, of pine, of him. But peace seldom lasts long in our world. A loud howl rips through the darkness. Another follows.And another. I bolt upright, my heart smashing into my ribs. Callum is already moving, his body tight and ready. “They’re here,” he replies ominously. Victor’s troops. Attacking in the thick of the storm. The pack house bursts into turmoil. Wolves shi
The following morning, the world feels different. The sun rises in gentle hues, caressing the sky with pink and gold. Birds chirp in the treetops. The woodland smells like new rain and optimism. But deep down, I sense it.A warning. A shift. Callum is already awake when I open my eyes. He sits at the edge of the bed, bare-chested, his head down like he’s bearing the weight of the world again. I sneak out from beneath the cover and move to him. My fingertips stroke his shoulder, feeling the strain in his muscles.He turns toward me, his eyes dark and angry. “I can feel it, Aurora. Something’s coming.” I nod. I feel that too. The bliss we tasted last night – it was genuine, but it was also fragile, and somewhere out there, danger is waiting to rip it apart.“We’ll be ready,” I answer gently. He pulls me into his lap without a word, throwing his arms around me like he never wants to let go. And for a short time, we simply hold each other. Because love is all we have today. A Visi
The night air seems cooler now. It's not warm enough.I stand there, motionless, my arms wrapped tightly around myself as if that might keep me from coming apart. The trees shake about me, whispering whispers I can’t hear, while the moon looks down, mute and uncaring.Callum is still there.I feel his presence before I ever see him move. He's standing only a few steps away, hands tightening and unclenching at his sides, like he’s fighting himself. “Aurora…” His voice breaks, raw with pain.I shut my eyes, hoping I could forget everything. Wishing I could go back to before—before Bennet's comments ruined the delicate trust between us. Before the truth fought its way into my heart and left nothing but pain.“I can’t…” I mumble, taking a slight step back. “I can’t even look at you right now.” His face twists in misery. “Please, just listen to me. Let me explain—” “What’s there to explain?” My voice rises without trying to. “Your father killed mine, Callum! Your family w