Had she been right? Would he really choose her over me? His mate? His wife? His Luna?
With clumsy fingers I picked up my phone. My hands shook as I waited for my parents to answer.
Ring, ring, ring…
We’d always had a good relationship – until now. Despite the struggles we’d faced and the poverty that had made them money-hungry once Ethan had entered our lives, I’d always thought they loved me.
All of a sudden, it felt like their love for money had outrun their love for me.
“Aurora? How are you?” asked my mum as soon as she picked up.
“I’ve been better.” I took a deep breath. “Mum, have you spoken to Ethan lately?”
She sighed. Nearby, I heard my dad’s gravelly huff. “Is this about the divorce? Ethan has already been more than generous.”
Dad cut in, “Especially after what you’ve done.”
I almost crushed the phone in my grip. “I haven’t done anything!”
Mum sighed again. “Aurora, you won’t get any more money out of him. You need to be careful. If you aren’t, the Alpha family… they’re powerful. It won’t just be our money they take away.”
I bit back a growl. “This isn’t about money.”
Dad took the phone off Mum. “You need to accept this,” he said bluntly. “You can’t fight it. What’s done is done, and Ethan is at least being fair. More than fair,” he added, his voice so self-satisfied that a new spark of anger lit in my belly.
All they cared about was the money. It didn’t matter to them if I was telling the truth or lying, if I were married to my mate and happy or single, alone, and miserable. Either way, they got Ethan’s money – and that was apparently all they cared about.
‘If that’s how they’re going to be,’ I told Violet, hiding my pain behind my anger, ‘then I’ll keep my babies and start a new family. I don’t need them,’ I lied to myself, holding back tears.
But the wound they’d left behind was raw, and it throbbed and throbbed – even once my choice was made.
* * *
Months passed by in a blur. My belly grew, and my love for my babies grew with it.
Then, when our divorce proceedings got even uglier, Ethan froze my assets.
Then my family and I fell out. Badly. It was worse than before; now, they were both fully on Ethan’s side, telling me that I’d been an unfaithful wife. When my dad told me I deserved everything that had happened to me, I knew I couldn’t go crawling back to them for help. If they would believe him over their own daughter, then…
I had nowhere to go and nobody to take me in. With only the few meagre possessions I could carry around with me, I was forced to live outside. I found shelter in the woods, stringing up my coats across branches to give me some small protection from the elements, but every night was spent huddled under my lone blanket, cursing the moon for allowing such a cruel fate to befall me.
Zoe helped me financially as much as I’d allow, but I declined most of her help. This was my burden to bear, not hers. I worked three different jobs and took on all the extra hours I could.
Over the next few months, the divorce proceedings took over my life. I was entangled in a battle against my husband, the man I’d once looked to as my soulmate, my safe place, my home, over custody of our unborn children.
“It’ll be all right,” my lawyer said, over and over. “The mother always wins these kinds of cases.”
Not me, though.
At the final hearing, Ethan presented so-called evidence of my affair. I lost custody of my babies before they were even born.
All the while my health declined. Living outside during my already complicated pregnancy was taking its toll. Zoe eventually insisted that she help me rent a flat and, when I blacked out in the middle of the woods for hours and woke up disorientated, I reluctantly agreed. Not for me, but for my twins.
“You’re looking better,” said Doctor Jean, but her voice was grim. “There’s some colour in your cheeks again.”
I was back in the hospital for more tests. I tried to sit up straighter, but my huge belly made it difficult. She helped me, eyeing me with pity in her gaze.
“Have you heard anything about my request?” I asked, skipping the small talk. I’d grown cold over these past months.
Ethan had kept me hidden from society. Why should I bother conforming to it now?
Doctor Jean shifted her weight from foot to foot. “Yes, I have. The court has arranged for you to give birth in hospital.” She didn’t say it like it was good news, though that was what we’d both been hoping for.
“But?” I prompted.
“The specialist doctor I recommended and you requested – your request has been denied, Aurora. In fact, you’re moving to a different hospital.”
I frowned. “But this hospital is where the specialists are. Why would they move me away from the people I need?”
Doctor Jean didn’t have the answers. She just shrugged and apologised before getting on with my tests.
I didn’t get an answer until I was at my new hospital. It was run-down, with smashed windows on the bottom two floors and shouting echoing through the halls, night and day.
A different nurse saw to me every time I had to go in. They all dodged my questions – until one didn’t. She was younger than the others, with wide, innocent eyes. As she took my blood pressure, I asked her again: “Why was I moved here? Why wasn’t I allowed a specialist?”
“Because you offended Alpha Ethan.”
My heart froze over. I’d grown used to his callous treatment, but this… to risk the lives of our children because of his petty hatred towards me, all because of some lie about me cheating he’d convinced himself was true, was the last straw.
He’d used his influence to ensure I was mistreated. He was so far removed from the man I’d married that I almost didn’t miss him.
Almost.
Every day felt like some sort of cosmic joke. I couldn’t believe that Ethan had left me right when we’d finally got everything we wanted. We’d dreamt of having children together for years. It hurt so much that he could break up our family over a misunderstanding.
Had he ever really loved me at all?
Or had it always been Selene?
* * *
About a month before my due date, Zoe stormed into the hospital and demanded to have a meeting with the manager.
“Don’t make a big deal out of this,” I pleaded with her. “I don’t want to make things any worse than they already are.”
“It’s for your own good,” she replied firmly. Then she kissed my forehead and squeezed my hand before she was ushered upstairs, to a fancy floor with unbroken windows, no doubt.
A surname meant so much in our world. It opened doors for Zoe that would always be shut for me.
She came back shortly with a grin on her face and triumph gleaming in her eyes. “I’ve arranged for a better doctor to take care of you this last month.” She put her hands on her hips. “I can’t move you back to your old hospital; Ethan is in control of where you are. But I can make damn sure my best friend is being taken care of by the best doctor in the place.”
I bit my lip. Zoe held a power I never would. I didn’t want to take advantage of it, but for my kids…
“There’s something I need to ask you,” I said gravely. “A favour.”
“You know I would do anything for you,” she replied.
I wondered if she regretted that, later.
A month later, to be precise.
“Everything’s in place?” I asked nervously, gripping the sides of my bed.
Zoe nodded. “Of course. I said I’d do this for you; I won’t let you down. But…”
I grunted. My contractions had started. “But?” I groaned, my hands going to my distended belly.
“Are you sure you want to do this?”
“I don’t have a choice.” I forced the words out through gritted teeth. “It’s this, or losing my babies to him.”
Zoe’s jaw was set. “Then we’ll do it, Rory. I won’t let you down.” She checked her phone. “Raina is in position. We’re both ready for you.”
My muscles convulsed. I cried out.
I blacked in and out of consciousness as my babies came. The pain was so intense that I couldn’t stay awake.
But, for every ounce of blood that soaked into my bed sheets, Zoe tripled it. Her job was to make my labour appear even more difficult than it truly was.
And, when the time came, she and Raina did it.
They helped me fake my own death.
As soon as my babies were born, I was escorted out of the building. A dummy was put in my place. I waited anxiously for Zoe and Raina to meet me outside with my kids.
Zoe came, but she didn’t look happy. She slid into the car beside me and pressed a bundle of cloth into my arms.
I cooed down at the little baby boy. Love surged in my chest – but fear made my heart stall. “Is Raina bringing my other baby?” I asked desperately.
“Raina isn’t coming. She’s tying up some loose ends,” she explained. Her voice was hesitant, and so unlike her own that I started to panic.
“Zoe, where’s my other baby?”
“I’m so sorry, Rory.” She blinked back tears. “There were complications with your delivery, and…”
I clutched my little boy to my chest. “Where’s my other baby?” I breathed.
“Zoe, she… she died. I’m so sorry.”
I couldn’t hear anything else Zoe said over the ringing in my ears. As she drove away from the hospital, I clung to my baby and sobbed for the child that I’d lost.
I’d done it. I’d faked my own death and I’d escaped.
But at what cost?
Aurora’s POVFive years laterSammy grinned toothily at me. My little son was the picture of innocence as he said, “What about Simon?”I sighed. “No.”We both looked through the glass wall of my office, out into the waiting area. Simon wiggled his fingers at me and stood up.I shook my head at him. With a huff, he sat back down. “He’s been out there for a long time,” said Sammy, his gaze drifting over to one of my would-be suitors. “He must really want to be my new daddy.”Laughing, I lifted Sammy onto my lap. “Yeah,” I teased along with him, “that must be it.”Five years ago, I’d run away from my life. I’d changed everything about myself to stay hidden after faking my own death. I wasn’t Aurora Everhart anymore; now I was Aria Black.It wasn’t just my outward persona that I’d changed. Along with switching out Aurora for Aria, I’d lost the naïve, trusting parts of myself. I’d had to do whatever I could to survive, cutting ties with family and friends alike just to get away from Ethan
Ethan’s POVThe drive from the airport to the Eternal Bonds Pack was a breath of fresh air, figuratively and literally. I rolled down the windows and let the crisp, autumnal air buffet me as I put my foot down. The tension in my shoulders had drifted away the second I’d waved goodbye to Selene and Serena, dropping away fully as I’d watched their plane take off. Goodbye, stress. Goodbye pretending and preening and primping. Hello… I didn’t know what I was about to walk into, actually.As much as I needed to be alone – so much so that I’d told my usual driver to take some time off while I was visiting Eternal Bonds, despite his stern frown at the thought of me driving myself around while I was there – it brought with it other complications. Not having my wife bleating at me meant that feelings I normally kept squashed rose, unbidden, to the surface.I loved Selene. At least, I thought I did.She was the only woman who’d ever shown me kindness. True kindness, anyway – not like the fake
Aurora’s POVMy heart pounded as I hurried inside. When I’d seen Ethan’s car, I’d been worried I’d bump into him – but I hadn’t thought I would so soon, and so literally. I sat down heavily on the edge of the bed and let my head fall into my hands. I sucked in shuddering deep breaths, trying to calm myself down enough to think clearly.Because all I could do right now was panic.He’d recognised me. It was the only explanation for his behaviour. He’d looked into my eyes, my green eyes, eyes I should’ve bought contacts for. The rest of me looked different, but this was my mate, my ex-husband. We’d spent hours gazing into each other’s eyes. He knew mine better than anyone.Even in the shadows of the porch, his eyes looked exactly the same. All of him did, from his carefully dishevelled head of dark hair to his brown eyes, such a dark brown they almost looked black. He was maybe more muscular; his biceps had strained against his shirt.Why had I even noticed that? This man was evil incar
Aurora’s POVHis knock was a death knoll. It made my knees shake. Panic consumed me.Should I hide? Should I run? I could go away again, change my name, dye my hair, get contacts this time–But he’d already seen me. He knew I was in here and, the longer I delayed, the more suspicious I’d become. Gritting my teeth, I edged my way over to the front door.His brow was tight with concern as he eyed me, and then the broken glass scattered across the floor. “Are you all right?” “Fine.” My voice came out all high-pitched and weird sounding. I coughed. “I’m fine. I’m sorry if I disturbed you.”“No, you didn’t.” He looked at me expectantly, but hell was more likely to freeze over than I was to invite him in. His shoulders sagged. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”“Well, I am.”He lingered. “The glass didn’t cut you, did it?”I shook my head.“What happened?” He toed his boot towards my foot, angling his body towards the open door behind me.I crossed my arms. “I tripped. Anyway, it’
Ethan’s POVFor the second time in less than eight hours, I found myself staring longingly at Doctor Aria as she walked away.I needed to pull myself together.I leant back against the front door, its maple-leaf wreath jabbing me in the back, and watched as she hurried towards the car park with her son. She slowed, glanced around, and, when she thought nobody could see, she dropped the coffee I’d bought her in the bin.But why? She had no reason to hate me, and yet it seemed like she did. Maybe she was in a relationship with someone, and saw my friendliness as unwanted advances. My chest pinched at the idea of her with another man, which was even crazier than the fact I’d got up before the dawn to get her a coffee.What was wrong with me?Sterling coughed out a laugh. ‘Where do I even start?’I groaned. ‘Not now. I need to think.’‘What, about how that beautiful woman wants nothing to do with you?’Pinching the bridge of my nose, I said, ‘Why wouldn’t she drink the coffee?’‘Why did y
Aurora’s POV“Mummy, what’s going on?” Sammy asked as I bundled him into his car seat.As promised, Zoe had arranged for an Omega to park a rental out here for me. She’d given me the key last night before she’d left. I’d barely glanced at it, and it was a shock to me to see that my borrowed car was a sleek, matte grey G Wagon. It was practical for Sammy and I, sturdy enough to traverse the country roads surrounding the Eternal Bonds Pack yet not too big for driving around Midnight City, but it was more expensive than every car I’d ever had combined.There was no doubt that it was for me, though. Someone had stuck a note under the windscreen wiper, with my fake name written in fancy script across it; inside was a quick introduction to the car, telling me where the fuel cap was, the start button, and a reminder to keep any gas receipts as the pack would reimburse me for my petrol costs. “I just think it would be better if you came to work with me today,” I said, worrying my bottom lip
Aurora’s POVI raced back to the Eternal Bonds Pack, my heart pounding, blood rushing in my ears. I could barely breathe; my thoughts whirred. Selene’s face was imprinted on my mind’s eye.Sammy tried to talk to me, but I couldn’t hear him over the static muffling my ears. I’d been so stupid to come back here, let alone with my son.“We’re going home,” I told Sammy, my eyes fixed on the road, still unsure what he’d said to me. “We’re going to get our things, and then we’re going to leave.”“But we only just got here.”“I know, sweetheart.”“Who was that lady?”My lip curled. “Selene Snowfield.”“I think I’ve heard her name before. Who is she?”“She’s not a very nice person. She…”In the rear-view mirror, I saw Sammy’s face scrunch up. “She was mean to you, wasn’t she?”“She was.” I nodded. “I didn’t want to talk to her. I’m sorry for rushing you out of there.” I met his eyes in the mirror, then flicked my gaze back to the road. “If you don’t like her, I don’t like her either,” he dec
Aurora’s POV“Maybe,” Zoe said, looking at me with so much worry in her familiar eyes that I couldn’t believe she’d ever deceive me, “you’re exhausted, worried, and seeing things that aren’t really there. You’re terrified of bumping into Selene. That fear, combined with your late night, travelling here, seeing Ethan…” She trailed off, but she didn’t need to keep listing my worries. “I get it. You think I’m hallucinating.”“Not exactly. I think you did probably see a blonde woman, maybe even one with green eyes, but not Selene. I mean, she’s not in Midnight City.” She shrugged, and then she looked at me, really looked at me, and her arms went limp at her sides. “Are you okay, Rory?” she whispered.My skin prickled. I wanted to just come out and ask her for the truth. It felt wrong, keeping secrets from her – even if I was sure she was keeping more than a vague, creeping suspicion from me.She took a half-step towards me, the movement more timid than any I’d ever seen from her before,