LOGINShare
Chapter 5: Mom
Last Updated:
2025-01-26 12:22:31The next morning, Mom came to my room. I poured my heart out to her, feeling like everything in my life was spiraling out of control. She listened patiently, her warm eyes never leaving me. When I finally finished, she sighed, her voice soft but firm.
“Aurelia, I know your heart is broken right now. You just lost your love, and I know how hard that is. But you can’t live in that moment forever. You have to allow yourself to heal, and to let go. He found his true mate. That’s a part of life, even when it feels unfair.”
The next morning, Mom came to my room. I poured my heart out to her, feeling like everything in my life was spiraling out of control. She listened patiently, her warm eyes never leaving me. When I finally finished, she sighed, her voice soft but firm.
“Aurelia, I know your heart is broken right now. You just lost your love, and I know how hard that is. But you can’t live in that moment forever. You have to allow yourself to heal, and to let go. He found his true mate. That’s a part of life, even when it feels unfair.”
She handed me a plate of breakfast, and wrapped me in a tight hug. I felt the comfort of her embrace, but even so, I could tell she saw the weight in my eyes. She kissed my forehead gently.
With that, she left me to my thoughts, and I headed to the bathroom to take a long, hot shower. That was always my therapy—cleansing, soothing, the one moment of quiet where I could just breathe.
When I returned, Mom was there, holding something in her hands. She smiled as she handed me a beautiful necklace. The pendant was a crescent moon with a wolf nestled against it, shimmering with a quiet elegance.
“Aurelia,” she began, her voice steady, “this belonged to my mother, and she passed it down to me. Now, I want to pass it on to you. It’s a family heirloom, and I want you to have it.” Her words lingered in the air, soft and meaningful. “The crescent moon is a symbol of new beginnings. And that’s what I want for you—a fresh start.”
I took the necklace in my hands, feeling its cool weight, and before I could speak, she added, “I’ve set it up for you to spend this summer with my family. You’ll be with us in Alaska, in Chase. It’ll be good for you.”
I didn’t even flinch. Without thinking, I threw my arms around her and hugged her tightly. "Thank you, Mom," I whispered.
At that moment, I didn’t think about her old pack in Alaska, or how cold I’d be there all the time. I didn’t worry about leaving my friends behind, not knowing when I’d see them again.
There was no internet where we were going—just dial-up, which felt like some ancient relic. I thought I’d be completely cut off from the world. But, at least, no one could reach me either.
*****Third person POV
Amanda sat at the kitchen table, her fingers nervously tapping against the phone. She had spent the last few hours trying to convince herself that this was the right thing to do. But now, as she prepared to make the call, the weight of it hit her all over again.
Aurelia needed this. And so did she.
With a steadying breath, Amanda picked up the receiver and dialed the number she had memorized years ago. The phone rang a few times before the voice of Alpha Jerry came through, calm but laced with the authority that came with his position.
“Amanda,” he said, his voice steady but guarded, as always.
“Alpha Jerry,” she replied, her voice a little tighter than she’d hoped. “I hope you’re doing well.”
“I’m fine. It’s been a while. What’s this about?” he asked, his tone shifting slightly. He knew there was something important on her mind.
Amanda swallowed hard, trying to keep her nerves in check. “I’m calling because I need to ask a favor. Aurelia... she’s been struggling ever since everything happened with Jeremy. I think some distance would help her. I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and I believe it would be good for her to spend the summer with my old pack in Alaska. I’m asking for your permission.”
There was a long silence on the other end of the line. Amanda could almost feel him processing the request, understanding what it meant. The history between their families was far from simple, and the situation was delicate.
“Aurelia wants to leave?” Alpha Jerry finally asked, his voice even but holding a hint of concern. “That’s a big step.”
“She needs space,” Amanda replied quietly. “She needs to heal. Being around my family, people who understand where I come from, could help her find some peace. I want her to spend the summer there, away from the memories here.”
Another long pause, and Amanda knew he was weighing his words carefully. “You’re asking a lot, Amanda. Especially considering the... circumstances.”
Amanda’s heart clenched at the mention of her daughter’s past with Jerry’s son, Jeremy. “I know. But I think it’s what’s best for her. She can’t keep living in the shadow of what happened here. And, honestly... it would give Jeremy the space he needs too. He’s got Shanika now—his true mate—and I know he’s been struggling with the guilt of what happened between him and Aurelia.”
There was a brief silence on the line before Alpha Jerry spoke again, his voice softer now. “You’re right. Jeremy’s been torn. I don’t want him carrying the weight of that guilt any longer. He’s got to focus on his future with Shanika. And I can see how it’s been hard on Aurelia.”
Amanda’s voice softened as she responded. “I’m not trying to make it harder on either of them. I just... I want to give Aurelia the chance to start over, to breathe again. And I think being away from here, from everything that reminds her of Jeremy, could give her that.”
Alpha Jerry exhaled slowly. “Alright, Amanda. I’ll allow it. But this isn’t just a vacation. She’ll need to respect the rules of your old pack. I won’t have her causing trouble while she’s there.”
“I understand,” Amanda said, relief flooding her chest. “I’ll make sure she follows the rules.”
“Good,” Alpha Jerry replied. “I’ll let the pack know. But I also need you to make it clear to Aurelia—no contact with Jeremy while she’s there. It’s time for both of them to move on. They need to let go of the past if they’re going to heal.”
Amanda nodded, even though he couldn’t see her. “I’ll make sure she understands.”
Another pause filled the line, and for a moment, Amanda thought Alpha Jerry might say more. But instead, he just said, “Take care of her, Amanda. I know you’ll do what’s best.”
“I will. Thank you, Alpha Jerry,” Amanda replied softly, feeling a sense of finality settling in.
“Take care,” he said, and the call ended with the click of the receiver.
Amanda sat in silence for a moment, processing everything. Aurelia was going to Alaska. The space would be good for her. And maybe, just maybe, it would give everyone the opportunity to heal—Aurelia, Jeremy, and herself.
Related chapters
Whispers of Frost and Fire Chapter 6: Departure
I sat at the kitchen table, a cup of lukewarm tea in front of me. The steam no longer rose from the cup, but I didn’t have the energy to drink it. My mind was whirlwind. The summer trip to Alaska was becoming real, and the closer the departure date came, the more I felt the weight of it all.Mom’s voice broke through my thoughts as she walked into the kitchen, her eyes warm but tired. “I just got off the phone with Alpha Jerry,” she said, standing in front of me with her arms crossed. “It’s all set. You’ll leave in two days. I’ve arranged for you to spend the summer with my old pack.”I nodded silently, unsure of how to respond. She was right. I had known this was coming. After everything that happened with Jeremy, after all the pain, it felt like the only option. But even though I was preparing for it, even though part of me wanted the space, part of me still wasn’t ready. The goodbye would be harder than I thought.“Okay,” I said softly. The word felt like it was stuck in my throat.
Last Updated : 2025-01-26Whispers of Frost and Fire Chapter 7: Mates
Jeremy POVThe morning sun filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over the pack house. It was early, but I was already up, sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee in hand, staring out at the vast desert landscape. My thoughts were a tangle of confusion—memories of the past few weeks, of Aurelia, of the decision I had made, and now, of Shanika.Shanika.The name brought a bittersweet smile to my lips. She was inside, preparing breakfast, the scent of pancakes and fresh coffee drifting through the open door. I could hear her humming softly as she worked, and I couldn’t help but feel this quiet warmth in my chest. She was perfect. She was my mate.And yet, my mind kept wandering back to Aurelia. I couldn’t stop thinking about her—about the way I had hurt her. The guilt never really left.I ran my fingers through my hair, leaning back in my chair. I’d never expected this—to feel torn between my past and my future. Shanika was my true mate, no doubt about it. Every time I look
Last Updated : 2025-01-26Whispers of Frost and Fire Chapter 8: Arrival
As soon as the plane touched down, I felt the chill hit me like a punch to the chest. Chase, Alaska, was as cold as the rumors had said, and then some. The town itself was barely a shadow of what I had imagined—a cluster of empty, weather-beaten buildings, standing as if waiting for the inevitable winter that would likely last for most of the year. It was so quiet, so still, it felt almost deserted. There were no bustling markets, no busy streets—just a few scattered houses and shops that looked as though they hadn’t seen a visitor in ages. The kind of place where time itself seemed to slow down.The air was thick with a sharp, biting cold that made it hard to breathe at first. It stung my skin, sending a shiver down my spine as I stepped out of the plane. The snow-covered ground stretched out before me, a pristine, untouched white that seemed to go on forever. I could see the looming silhouette of the Foraker Mountain in the distance, its peak covered in thick snow and jagged cliffs.
Last Updated : 2025-01-26Whispers of Frost and Fire Chapter 9: Alpha
As I stepped out of the vehicle, the cold air of Chase bit at my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. I took in my surroundings, eyes scanning the military-like compound that stretched before me. Everything seemed so different from home, so distant.And then, I saw him.Alpha Rhett stood at the entrance of the pack house, his tall frame cutting a striking silhouette against the darkened sky. At 6'4", he was a giant, his broad shoulders and muscular build only adding to his imposing presence. His brown hair was tousled in a way that made him look effortlessly handsome, and his brown eyes were sharp, as if they could see right through me.In that moment, I couldn’t help but stare. He was the most handsome man I’d ever seen, with an aura of power that felt almost suffocating. But there was something about him that felt cold, distant. As if he was above even acknowledging my presence.When I finally walked closer, his gaze shifted. His eyes widened for a fraction of a second, then narrow
Last Updated : 2025-03-15Whispers of Frost and Fire Chapter 10: Interrogation
Sitting in front of Alpha Rhett’s desk felt like being on trial—except I wasn’t guilty of anything. I wasn’t even sure what was happening, but I could feel the weight of his eyes on me, sharp and calculating. My mom sat beside me, her posture rigid, but her eyes were still distant. It was like she was physically there, but mentally, she had drifted somewhere else entirely.Alpha Rhett leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest, eyes never leaving mine. For a long moment, the room was silent, heavy with anticipation. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, not sure what to expect. But then, he broke the silence.“Tell me about yourself,” he said, his voice stern but not unkind. It wasn’t a friendly request—it felt more like an order. Like he needed to know who I was, what I was, what I could bring to the table.I swallowed hard. “I’m Aurelia,” I started, my voice quiet, unsure. “I’m from Arizona. I came here with my mom.”Alpha Rhett raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.
Last Updated : 2025-03-15Whispers of Frost and Fire Chapter 11: Settling
Aurelia’s POVThe way he looked at me when he first saw me… He seemed surprised, but maybe it was just my imagination. The expression disappeared as fast as it came. He spoke to us in a very military-like manner, but when he looked at me, it felt like he was staring into my soul. At times, it almost seemed like he was disgusted.“You can settle in your family’s old cabin. It remains uninhabited. There is some work that needs to be done. I don’t take it easy on my people, and I won’t take it easy on you. It is your responsibility to ensure the cabin is livable,” Rhett said with such disdain that I almost scoffed. I guess if I had, he would’ve made me do twenty push-ups or something. What a stuck-up Alpha.My mom and I made our way to the cabin, which was located on the edge of the compound, near the forest. It had been abandoned for years, but it used to belong to her. The small space was cold, most of the furniture was broken, and dust covered every surface. A fireplace stood in the c
Last Updated : 2025-03-15Whispers of Frost and Fire Chapter 12: Gatherers
The night was eerily quiet as I sat on the floor of the loft, my fingers trembling as I reached for another box. The others had been filled with relics of the past—coats, journals, maps—but something told me this one would be different.As I lifted the lid, my breath hitched.Inside, neatly folded beneath a layer of silk, were dresses.Not just any dresses—gowns of breathtaking elegance, made of rich fabrics like velvet and silk, embroidered with delicate silver and gold thread. They weren’t the kind of clothes meant for a warrior, nor for someone surviving in a harsh mountain pack. They were regal, like something out of a forgotten fairy tale.Who had worn these?Nestled on top of the garments was a brush, its wooden handle worn smooth by time. A small, clear crystal was embedded into the back, faintly catching the dim light. The moment my fingers brushed against it, a strange warmth spread through me, like a forgotten memory trying to surface.Then, at the very bottom of the box, I
Last Updated : 2025-03-15Whispers of Frost and Fire Chapter 13: Ready
The cabin was finally ready. It was small but comfortable, with a single bedroom, an open space that served as the kitchen, dining area, and living room, and a loft where I created a cozy reading nook. I hung some of the dresses I found in the chest, which I will wash later and carefully laid out the photographs and other trinkets on a small wooden table. The space felt like mine now—a mix of old and new, of discovery and belonging.“Aury, are you ready? Get your bow,” my mom called from the doorway.We were heading out to hunt—Alpha Rhett had made it clear that we had to provide for ourselves. The elk we caught would last a week, with its bones useful for making broth, and the antlers could be crafted into knife handles or even jewelry for trade. The hide would be turned into satchels and other items we could exchange for supplies. I was learning so much.“It’s amazing how I forgot all these skills in Arizona,” my mom mused as she opened the cabin door. “But now that I’m here, it’s a
Last Updated : 2025-03-15
Latest chapter
Whispers of Frost and Fire Chapter 69: Feelings
Aurelia’s POVEvening brought our usual routine: dinner, cards, then stargazing on the porch with warm tea. It was comforting and predictable. Mom, Brandon, and I had settled into it like clockwork. Alpha Rhett used to join us often, especially after night training, but ever since Ares came to visit, his appearances had slowed.Tonight, the chair he usually took remained empty.And I felt it.“Cards?” Brandon offered, shuffling the deck.“I’ll skip tonight,” I said, rising too quickly. My skin itched with something I couldn’t name—anxious energy that refused to settle. There was a hollowness in my chest, and at the same time, a strange pulling sensation, like something—or someone—was missing.Alba, what is this?I don’t know, she answered softly. But I feel it too. A restlessness. Like our soul is searching for something it already knows.That night, I tossed and turned, lost in icy dreams—blizzards roaring through endless mountains, frost curling across stone like veins, a deep hum
Whispers of Frost and Fire Chapter 68: Anxiety
Aurelia’s POVAs we ran through the forest, feeling the wind rush past us and the soft earth and fine grass under our paws, I felt free, truly, deeply free.Then I heard a shuffle in the bushes. My ears perked up; my body tensed. A rogue? A demon? I scanned the trees.Something large moved to my right, a blur in the corner of my vision. I spun around, but it vanished. Then, behind me. My heart pounded.And then…“Scared?” A voice asked in my mind, but it wasn’t Alba’s.“No. We’re waiting for you to stop your prank and show yourself,” Alba said sharply.“Here I am.”From the shadows, a massive black wolf emerged, Alpha Rhett’s wolf.“Alpha, it is nice to meet you. I am Alba,” my wolf greeted.“I am Rhys,” he replied. So that was his name, Rhys. His wolf.“Is this your first run?”“Yes. The attack left no time to explore. But here we are, finally enjoying this beautiful place.”“Let me not hold you back then.”We dipped our heads in acknowledgment and took off again. I noticed Rhys fa
Whispers of Frost and Fire Chapter 67: Sister
Aurelia’s POVLight. Bright, blinding light.I blinked once. Twice. A million times.It took me a while to adjust to my surroundings. The hum of machines. Distant voices. A window overlooking a beautiful stretch of forest. I was in the pack’s hospital.“We don’t need a hospital. We can heal ourselves. We were just sleeping it off.”Wait—who was that? “Are you serious? Alba, hello?!”My wolf. My wolf!“Yes, you do. And you’re lucky, human, to be soul-bound with me.”“Alba! How are we even talking? Do I just... think at you?”“Yes. Like we’re doing now.”I felt sore. “How long have we been in this bed?”“A couple of days, I think.”This wasn’t the first time I’d overslept something major.“Your body’s adjusting. A new wolf, me, and a strong one at that. Beautiful, too. Plus, your goddess-given power.”“Hold up. How do you know you’re powerful and beautiful? And... power?”“I can feel it. And yes, your magic. But first, let’s go for a run.”“Let me get up first, then we’ll see about
Whispers of Frost and Fire Chapter 66: Beta
Ares’ POV“Come on, Snow. You gotta get up,” I muttered to my sister, nudging her lightly. Two days. She’d slept for two whole days. Again. And I was over it.A groan came from the bed. I let out a breath. Well, that was better than the coma-like state she’d been in before.“Stop being a sleepyhead. I need you to wake up. We all need you,” I said, softer this time.The door creaked open behind me. “Has she moved or said anything?” Alpha Rhett asked.I didn’t even bother to hide my eye-roll. I didn’t care what anyone said—it was obvious he cared for her way more than any normal pack member. What Alpha spend two days straight sitting in someone’s hospital room?“She groaned,” I replied.“You should take a break. I’m here—I’ll watch over her.”Didn’t sound like I had a choice.“Sure. I’ll go get something to eat. Thanks,” I said, getting up.I stepped out of the room but didn’t walk away. I lingered by the small hallway window, peeking through the gaps in the blinds. I watched as Alpha
Whispers of Frost and Fire Chapter 65: Jerry
Jerry’s POVI woke up at 4 a.m. The sky outside was still dark and quiet. My body moved through its routine without thought—wake up, hit the gym, spar with one of the warriors. Then breakfast. Then the office. I had to process payroll before the banks opened. Running a pack isn’t for the faint of heart.My lovely mate was still sleeping. She enjoys her mornings slow, and I’m okay with that. Jeremy, on the other hand, was also asleep, and that I wasn’t okay with. He should be up with me, getting his discipline set. Instead, he was still floating in the honeymoon phase with his new mate.A gamma is not a bad match for an alpha. But he gave up a beta-blooded female with high priestess potential. Fated mate or not, he made a political mistake. That kind of bond could have brought strength to the pack—especially with these demon attacks getting worse.My own fated mate died in a rogue attack before we had a chance to mate. I chose another, Jeremy’s mother. Chosen mates are just as good, s
Whispers of Frost and Fire Chapter 64: Wolf
"Hi," I said timidly.She stood before me, tall, radiant, cloaked in fur as white as snow with eyes like garnets, glowing from within. My wolf. She was... like me."I have been waiting for this moment," she said. Her voice was regal, calm, and ancient. "I am Alba, descendant of the goddess Kheimon, first of my kind. High Priestess of Winter.""Is that who we are?" I asked, my voice trembling with awe. "High Priestess of Winter?""Yes, young one. That is who we are. Do you not feel our power?""I do," I whispered. "I felt it... when we attacked the demon."Only then did I look around us. We stood in what looked like the middle of a frozen ocean. Ice stretched in every direction, flawless and glistening, with no land in sight. Above us, the sky was glowing with soft, golden light, ethereal, energizing. Peaceful. Magical."Yes, we wounded that demon," she said."I thought we killed it. It turned to smoke after our attack.""To kill a demon requires more than drawing its blood," she said
Whispers of Frost and Fire Chapter 63: Survivor
The demon's grip tightened. The pressure was excruciating. I could not move, and I could not fill my lungs with air anymore.My ribs cracked, at least one of them did. I couldn't scream. Couldn’t move. The heat scorched through me, blistering my skin. I was suffocating, burning, and breaking.This is it, I thought.This is how I die.But just as the world began to fade into nothingnessI heard her.A voice. Fierce. Wild. Mine but not mine.“You will not kill us.”A sharp pain tore through my chest, not from the demon, but from within. It was like lightning cracked open my soul. My head snapped back, eyes wide, and my whole body exploded with a blinding white light.The demon howled.Frost spread across its hand and arm. The cold energized me; it was me as another surge came through my body.All the frustration, the weakness, the fear, it all exploded and dissipated in an explosion. As the demon’s hand shattered into a million pieces. It roared in agony. I fell hard onto the stone ste
Whispers of Frost and Fire Chapter 62: Echoes
POV: AureliaI woke up feeling strangely rested, as if the chaos of yesterday hadn’t left its mark. But it had. A warrior from another pack had been murdered inside our borders, and his chest was carved open, a demon mark left behind. And last night, I dreamt again.No, not a dream.The demon spoke to me.It felt too vivid, too real. Like it was no longer bound to the other side but slipping into this world… into mine.And then Rhett showed up. Like a knight in dark armor, he held me through the night. I’d fallen asleep in his arms and somehow ended up in my bed this morning. Ares was home. So was Mom, if the smell of bacon coming from the kitchen was anything to go by.Today, I needed normalcy.Breakfast with the family. Morning practice. After training, I went home, worked on some new jewelry, then walked to Market Street to drop them off at one of the shops that sold my work. I even considered expanding and maybe start selling online or even in human markets. Crazy, right?The sun d
Whispers of Frost and Fire Chapter 61: Shadows
POV: RhettI woke before dawn, a hum of unease crawling beneath my skin. It wasn’t the usual stress of leadership or the weight of politics pressing down on me. No, this was different. This was dread.I didn’t even make it to the war room before Brandon intercepted me in the hallway. His face was pale, his jaw clenched.“It’s Jonas,” he said.Jonas, the emissary from Crescent Ridge. Sharp. Steady. Loyal to the cause, if not to me.“Where?”“Behind the barracks. You’ll want to see this.”We moved through the thick morning mist in silence. The compound was quiet, save for the distant cry of a crow. One for death. Two for trouble. I remembered my grandmother saying that once.Jonas lay in the clearing, and one look told me everything.Not just murder. Ritual.His chest had been carved open with sickening precision. Symbols burned into his flesh pulsed faintly—demonic, like the ones Aurelia had described. There was no blood. No sign of a struggle. As if he’d gone willingly.Or been taken i
