—Alpha Hawthorne’s Pov—Sitting before the roaring fireplace, I closed my eyes and let myself be enveloped by the soothing sound of crackling flames. It brought a sense of peace and warmth that was much needed in that moment.I was dressed in a deep red robe, the rich fabric flowing around me. In my right hand, I held a wine glass, its contents swirling gently as I stared into the vibrant orange flames. My legs were casually crossed, a personal habit of mine that I found comfortable. In my left hand, I held Aurora's note.Beside me, the butler stood ready, awaiting my command. He held a bottle of wine and poured it into my glass as I requested, his movements precise. He retreated silently once I'd had my fill. With a deliberate motion, I folded Aurora's note and tossed it into the flames. I watched it burn, turning to ash and disappearing into the fire. There was nothing left of it, just as there was nothing left of the past.The crackling of the flames filled the room, enveloping it
Aurora stood before me, her eyes filled with disdain as she cast a piercing gaze my way. Her black eyes narrowed as she clutched a baby tightly. I reached out to touch her, but she forcefully pried my hands away from her shoulder, tears streaming down her cheeks.Behind her, there was a dense cloud of fog. She maintained her unwavering gaze on me, slowly retreating into the mist. I attempted to follow her, shouting her name desperately, but my efforts were in vain.A sudden loud noise jolted me awake. I glared at the door, and to my surprise, Alex was in my room, his expression filled with apprehension.I didn't require him to explain the situation as the low growls resonating from the courtyard were enough to inform me that my home had been invaded by rogue wolves, a thought that thrilled me. I tossed the duvet aside, beads of sweat forming on my forehead.“Stay inside!” I ordered, my ears now picking up the sounds of battle. My guards were already engaged in trying to stop the invad
-AURORA’S POV- Three weeks had passed since the arrival of the stranger. Diego had fulfilled his promise by bringing a doctor to tend to the injured man, and Alpha Riel had been informed about the situation. His orders were clear. We were to take care of the young man, nursing him back to health so that we could later question him. During this time, I had made an effort to get to know all the omega slaves and create a sense of comfort around me. I managed to make a few friends among them, although many still harbored resentment, likely due to the fact that I had replaced their previous mistress. It took time, but I also managed to restore the house to its former state. I had established a few nurseries, and even Alpha Riel was impressed when he came to visit. His greatest admiration was reserved for the fact that I had formed bonds with the omegas and made them feel cherished and cared for. When Alpha Riel organized a search party to locate Bella's foster parents, he had intended t
-3rd person pov-A man navigated the streets, his face concealed by a stolen piece of cloth, making his way past the surrounding buildings. He moved with evident difficulty, nearly limping, clutching his side as low grunts of pain escaped his lips. It was clear he was suffering.Finally, he had located the woman he had been assigned to track down, and it had been surprisingly straightforward. He couldn't help but wonder if he should thank the stars for the attack by those wolves on that fateful night. Now, all that remained was either to safely return her to her mate or, if circumstances took a darker turn, to inform him of her whereabouts.The sun still hung high in the sky, and he was fully aware that he needed to act quickly to avoid getting captured. The last thing he wanted was to be apprehended and face the consequences of trespassing in enemy territory. He understood that a single mistake could cost him his life, and he was determined to avoid that fate.Sweat d
—Alpha Hawthorne’s POV—I stood before a man, the whip firmly held in my hand, as I gazed at him with a furrowed brow. His back bore the marks of the lashes, and a mixture of sweat and blood trickled down his skin. His eyes were filled with resentment as he glared at me.He was one of the wolves I had managed to capture, the unfortunate soul who had passed out within my house, only to wake up to the sound of my whip. Despite enduring weeks of torture, he remained mute, never uttering a word, and accepting his grim fate. The thrill of tormenting him sent shivers of excitement coursing through my veins.He was fully aware he wouldn’t be saved by his companions. After all, it was simply impossible to kill me unless well executed. This was their only regret and the reason they had to retreat. Despite everything and being abandoned, he chose not to speak.He was the stubborn one, and I knew I would take pleasure in breaking him and making him talk. I had removed my shirt and handed i
Walking out of the basement, I wiped my blood stained hands with a handkerchief, a deep frown on my face, while Ryan followed suit in silence.I had hoped that Ramon would have provided us with a more useful information but again, I was wrong as he only ended up telling us how his family got abducted and he was forced to join if he wanted to see them again.The narrative seemed similar to the tale of the girl locked upstairs in one of the guest rooms. I did not trust Ramon, so I made the decision to confine him in the basement, ensuring he couldn't escape.Alex had informed me that Vera was inside the mansion, eager to engage in a conversation with me. She soon appeared, her eyes briefly assessing my exposed skin before diverting her gaze toward Ryan.She appeared much better compared to before, with a heartwarming smile gracing her lips, and her hands concealed behind her back. As I approached, she curtsied gracefully.“Alpha Hawthorne.“ She began to speak before meeting my gaze. I n
—Aurora's Pov—Seated with a cup of coffee in hand, I couldn't help but think about the recent encounter with the stranger. It was getting dark and the absence of any feedback from either Diego or George continued to weigh heavily on my mind. Xavier's laughter filled the corner of the room as a maid playfully interacted with him. Outside the house, a light fog had settled in, and the cold air seeped through the window.A crackling fire blazed in the fireplace, consuming the logs as it danced and flickered in response. My worry had consumed me, and I found myself losing track of time, my thoughts consumed by Hawthorne.I instinctively touched my neck, picturing the necklace he had gifted me, now missing after my escape from the mansion.“Miss Aurora?” My butler's voice jolted me from my thoughts as he approached, drawing my attention back to the present. I arched a brow, waiting for my butler to deliver his message. He leaned in, his hands concealed behind his impeccably tailor
—Alpha Hawthorne's pov— As I walked through the garden, my brows furrowed as I looked at the battle site where I had fought with the rogues. I still couldn't come to terms with the betrayal of one of my staff members. Despite everything, I had ordered for Ramon's body to be sent back to his family, a gesture of respect even though he had attempted to kill me along with his rogue associates. The sun was setting, giving way to the approaching night, and I crouched down to pluck a rose, reminiscing about how Aurora used to like them. She had always had a fondness for these flowers, and I had caught her stealing roses on more than one occasion. I brought the rose to my nose, inhaling its fragrance, which reminded me of her scent. A smile crept onto my face as I thought about our unborn child and hoped they would resemble their mother. "Alpha Hawthorne?" A guard's voice interrupted my thoughts. I turned to him, not bothering to reply verbally. "You have a guest," he informed me. I initia