A Storm Between Us

Seraphina sat in silence, her fingers trembling as she held the small vial in her hands. The answer was right in front of her, yet her mind refused to accept it. Pregnant. The word echoed in her head, louder than the pounding of her own heart.

"This… this isn't possible," she whispered, staring at the result as if willing it to change.

Aiden, who had been watching her carefully, stepped forward. "Seraphina?" His voice was steady, but there was an edge of concern.

She lifted her gaze to him, her crimson eyes wide with a mix of fear and disbelief. "Aiden… I'm pregnant."

A sharp silence followed. Aiden's expression didn't change immediately, but in his chest, his heart clenched. This should have been impossible. He had been cursed—stripped of the ability to have a child. And yet, here she was, carrying his child.

Seraphina shook her head, gripping the edges of the table as if grounding herself. "This happened before," she murmured, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps. "I was pregnant… and then I lost everything." Her voice wavered. "Aiden, is this fate repeating itself?"

Aiden walked over and placed his hands firmly on her shoulders. "No," he said, his voice leaving no room for doubt. "This time will be different."

Her lips parted, her body still tense beneath his touch. "But what if—"

"Seraphina, listen to me." He lifted a hand to her cheek, brushing away the tear that had slipped free. "Nothing will happen to you. Nothing will happen to our child. Just believe me."

But deep down, he knew the price he had to pay.

This child's existence was already a miracle—proof that fate was not set in stone. And if fate could change once, he would make sure it changed again. Even if it meant giving up his own life.

Aiden had already made his decision. He would transfer his powers—his strength, his very essence—to Seraphina and their child. He would bear the weight of fate's wrath, shielding them from the cruel destiny that had always loomed over them.

But he couldn't tell her. Not yet.

Instead, he pulled her into his embrace, holding her close. "You once told me miracles don't happen," he whispered against her hair. "But this is proof that they do. And if this miracle is real… then so is the future we choose."

Seraphina closed her eyes, her body sinking into his warmth, but the fear in her heart refused to fade.

Somewhere deep inside, she felt it too. A storm was coming. And this time, fate wouldn't let them go so easily.

Aiden's Growing Strength

Lately, his power had been shifting. Growing. There were moments when he felt faster, stronger—like the energy inside him was expanding beyond what his body could contain. At first, he thought it was a sign that he had more time. That he could fight longer.

But now he understood.

It wasn't a gift. It was preparation. His body was reaching its limit, pushing itself to the peak so that when the time came, he could give it all away.

And he would. To Seraphina. To their child.

Aiden's Silent Resolve

That night, as Seraphina rested, Aiden sat beside her, watching the faint rise and fall of her chest. He reached out, barely brushing his fingers against her stomach. His child was in there. His and Seraphina's.

For a fleeting moment, warmth spread through his chest. He closed his eyes, focusing—not on his own fate, not on the curse, not on the war that loomed ahead.

Just this. Just them.

"You're already strong," he murmured, feeling the faintest flicker of life under his fingertips. "Just like your mother."

Seraphina stirred, shifting slightly in her sleep, but Aiden didn't move. He just sat there, memorizing everything.

Because soon… he wouldn't be here to see them.

And he would never let her know.

He was going to make sure fate did change, even if it meant giving up his life

As the night deepened, a strange unease settled over Seraphina. She couldn't shake the feeling that something—or someone—was watching them. The air felt heavier, charged with an unseen force that made her instincts flare.

Aiden noticed her tension and stepped closer. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice calm yet alert.

She glanced at the window. "I don't know… It feels like the palace."

Aiden's expression darkened. The Vampire Palace—the very place they had been running from, the seat of ancient power that governed their kind. If Seraphina could feel its presence, it meant they weren't as hidden as they thought.

A gust of wind blew through the open window, carrying a scent that made Seraphina's eyes widen. "Blood," she whispered.

Before Aiden could react, a shadow moved outside. His body tensed as he reached for his weapon. But the moment the figure stepped into the moonlight, Seraphina gasped.

A familiar face stood there—one she hadn't seen in years. "You," she breathed.

The vampire before them smiled coldly. "It's been a long time, Seraphina."

Aiden stepped in front of her protectively. "What do you want?"

The vampire's gaze flickered between them. "The palace knows. You can't run forever."

Seraphina clenched her fists. "I was never running."

The vampire smirked. "Then why do you look so afraid?"

Aiden's grip tightened on his blade. "Leave."

The vampire tilted his head, amused. "We both know that won't happen." His eyes locked onto Seraphina's. "You belong to the palace. And soon… you'll remember why."

And with that, he vanished into the night, leaving behind only his chilling words and the creeping sense that their time was running out.

Aiden didn't hesitate. The moment the vampire turned to leave, Aiden moved like a shadow, his blade flashing in the moonlight.

The vampire barely had time to react. His smirk faltered as Aiden's weapon tore through him, slicing cleanly through his chest. A choked sound escaped his lips as his body jerked, his crimson eyes widening in shock.

"You—" the vampire gasped, but Aiden twisted the blade mercilessly, silencing him.

"I don't show mercy anymore," Aiden said coldly, watching as the vampire's body slumped to the ground. The scent of blood thickened in the air, mixing with the night breeze.

Seraphina stood frozen, staring at the lifeless corpse. She knew Aiden had changed, but this was different. There was no hesitation, no second thought—only ruthless efficiency.

She looked up at him, her voice barely a whisper. "Aiden…"

He wiped the blood off his blade without meeting her gaze. "They won't stop coming. I won't give them the chance."

Seraphina swallowed hard. She understood. The old Aiden might have let him go, might have given him a warning. But not anymore.

The war had already begun. And Aiden wasn't going to let anyone walk away alive.

Serafina had been noticing changes in Aiden for a while now. His power had grown immensely—far beyond what she had ever seen before. He no longer struggled with transformations; he could shift into his werewolf form at will and back to human the moment he calmed down. It wasn't just his control that had changed. His mercy was gone.

The Aiden she once knew fought to protect, to defend. But now, whenever anyone dared to attack them, he didn't hesitate—he tore them apart without remorse, burning their bodies to ash as if they had never existed.

At first, she thought it was because of the pregnancy. Maybe he felt the need to be stronger to protect her and their child. But the more she watched him, the more she realized the truth.

This wasn't just about protection.

Aiden was fighting against fate itself.

He was making sure that what happened in the past wouldn't happen again.

And it was destroying him.

That night, she followed the sound of heavy breathing and the sharp clash of metal. She already knew where he was.

The training room.

Pushing the door open, she stepped inside. The air was thick with heat and the scent of burnt wood. Aiden stood in the center, his bare chest slick with sweat, his muscles tense as he gripped a blade. His golden eyes glowed faintly even in human form, his breathing harsh.

Seraphina hesitated before speaking. "Aiden… aren't you pushing yourself too hard?"

He barely glanced at her, his grip tightening around the sword. "No, I'm not. I'm determined this time." His voice was flat, emotionless.

She stepped closer. "But you haven't been resting. You don't have to do this alone."

His jaw clenched. "Seraphina, go back to the house."

She frowned. "No. I'm worried about you." She crossed her arms, standing her ground. "I want to stay."

Aiden turned sharply, his expression darkening. "Go. Back."

Something in his voice sent a chill through her, but she refused to move. "No."

His energy flared without warning. His body tensed, his breathing deepened, and before she could react, his form shifted.

A violent growl tore through the air as his bones stretched, muscles expanding, fur covering his skin in an instant. His claws extended, his sharp golden eyes locking onto her.

Seraphina's breath caught in her throat.

She had seen him in his werewolf form before—but never like this. Never with so much rage.

Fear curled in her stomach as she took a step back.

Aiden's massive body trembled. His claws dug into the ground as he fought for control. Then, with a deep, shuddering breath, he forced himself to shift back. His human form reappeared, his chest rising and falling heavily.

"Seraphina…" His voice was raw as he reached for her. "I—"

But she didn't let him finish.

She didn't even look at him.

Without a word, Seraphina turned and walked away.

And this time, Aiden didn't stop her.

Ever since that night in the training room, Seraphina had been avoiding Aiden.

She no longer curled up in his arms at night. Instead, she turned her back to him, creating a wall between them even in sleep. She barely spoke to him, and when she did, her words were short and distant. The silence between them was suffocating.

One night, Aiden couldn't take it anymore. Lying beside her, he reached out, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "Phina, please talk to me."

She didn't respond.

He sighed, his fingers grazing her arm. "I'm sorry for what happened. My anger took over, but I never meant to scare you."

Still, she remained silent.

Aiden sat up, watching her back for a long moment before she suddenly shifted, throwing the covers off. Without a word, she got up and walked across the room, lying down on the wooden couch instead.

Aiden followed. He knelt beside her, his golden eyes filled with regret. "Phina, please." His voice was softer now, pleading. "I know I scared you, but I swear I would never hurt you."

She exhaled deeply, finally opening her eyes to look at him. "Aiden, let me sleep in peace."

He swallowed hard, nodding. "Okay… just let me apologize, and then I'll leave you alone."

She rubbed her forehead, tired and frustrated. "Fine. Say whatever you have to say."

Aiden took a deep breath. "I lost control. I let my anger take over me, and I hate myself for it. But Phina, you have to believe me—I would never hurt you. No matter how much rage I feel, no matter what happens, you are the last person I would ever harm. I love you, and I will spend every second proving that to you if I have to."

For a moment, silence filled the room. Then, suddenly, Seraphina sat up, her eyes blazing with pent-up emotions.

"You almost killed me yesterday, Aiden!" she screamed, making him flinch. "I swear, if I hadn't walked away, you would have torn me to pieces! Why are you letting your anger take over you?"

Aiden quickly stood, raising his hands in an attempt to calm her. "Phina, please. The baby—"

Her body stiffened. "What baby?" Her voice was sharp.

Aiden took a cautious step closer. "Seraphina, our baby. You need to stay calm—"

She let out a bitter laugh. "Aiden, what baby? This baby that will bring us death?" Her voice trembled with pain. "Aiden, you're not dumb. You know exactly what this pregnancy means. You know what happened before."

Aiden's expression darkened as her words sank in. He took a deep breath, his fists clenching at his sides. "Phina… are you trying to say this baby will bring calamity?" His voice was low, controlled, but there was a dangerous edge to it.

Seraphina met his eyes without hesitation. "Yes, Aiden. This baby is doomed. Doomed. Doomed."

Silence stretched between them like a blade.

Aiden inhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. For a moment, she thought he might explode in anger again. But instead, he simply turned away.

"Alright." His voice was calm, but there was something cold beneath it. Without another word, he walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

But Seraphina knew.

He was angry.

And he was fighting with everything in him not to lose control again.

Aiden stormed into the woods, his chest heaving with barely restrained rage. Each step he took cracked the ground beneath his feet, his power spiraling out of control. The weight of Seraphina's words—this baby is doom—clawed at his mind, poisoning his thoughts.

"She thinks our child is cursed? That this is all for nothing?"

A growl rumbled from his chest, deep and guttural, vibrating through his entire being. His claws extended, his vision darkened, and in a blur of fury, he swung his arm at the nearest tree.

CRACK!

The massive trunk shattered on impact, splinters exploding in every direction.

But it wasn't enough.

Aiden needed more.

He spun, his muscles coiling like a beast on the hunt, and slammed his fist into another tree. CRASH! The bark exploded beneath his strength. His knuckles bled, but he didn't stop. He couldn't.

Everything inside him burned. The anger, the betrayal, the fear—it all mixed into something volatile, something he couldn't contain.

His breath came in short, ragged bursts as he tore through the forest like a storm. He punched, clawed, and destroyed anything in his path. Trees toppled, their roots ripped from the earth. The air around him grew thick with the scent of raw power, the scent of something unnatural.

Lightning crackled in the sky above. A gust of wind howled through the trees, swirling around him, feeding off his rage.

And then—his body convulsed.

Pain tore through him like fire, his bones stretching, reshaping. He doubled over, his claws digging into the dirt as his transformation took hold without warning.

He was losing control.

His wolf surged forward, demanding dominance, demanding vengeance. Aiden let out a strangled snarl, his fangs elongating, his vision blurring into a sea of red.

"She doesn't believe in us."

His wolf's voice echoed in his mind, dark and furious.

"She will."

Aiden threw his head back and howled—a sound so raw, so filled with torment, that the entire forest seemed to tremble. The ground beneath him split, energy coursing through his veins like an untamed storm.

This was no ordinary transformation.

Something inside him was changing.

Something dangerous.

And he had no idea how to stop it.

Seraphina sat alone in the dimly lit room, the silence pressing down on her like a heavy weight. The argument with Aiden still echoed in her mind—his anger, the way he had walked away without another word.

She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. No. I said what I had to say. He needed to hear it.

But then it happened.

A sharp, unbearable pain shot through her chest, stealing the breath from her lungs. Her fingers clutched at her heart as if she could physically hold it together, but the pain only grew worse, like something inside her was being ripped away.

Her vision blurred. Her entire body trembled.

And then—emptiness.

It was gone.

Aiden's presence, the warmth she had always felt in the back of her mind… vanished.

Her stomach twisted violently. The mate bond—the sacred, unbreakable connection between them—had snapped.

"No…" she whispered, shaking her head in disbelief. "No, no, no—"

Her breathing came in short, panicked gasps. The bond wasn't just weakened. It wasn't just distant.

It was gone.

A sob caught in her throat. This wasn't how it was supposed to happen. This wasn't what she wanted—was it?

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the ache, but the words she had spat at Aiden replayed in her mind. This baby is doom.

Guilt clawed at her chest, sharp and relentless.

"I wasn't supposed to say that."

Her hands trembled as she wiped at her face. But then, just as quickly, she clenched them into fists.

No. She wasn't lying.

This baby… this pregnancy… it was a death sentence.

Her heart pounded. Aiden is at fault, not me. He was the one letting his anger consume him. He was the one pushing himself toward something dangerous. If anyone was to blame for this bond breaking, it was him.

She forced herself to breathe, pressing a hand against her stomach. The life growing inside her should have brought comfort. But all she felt was fear.

"I might… abort this thing."

The thought sent a cold shiver down her spine. Could she really do it? Could she end this before it was too late? Before history repeated itself?

Tears slipped down her cheeks.

"I need to stay away from Aiden. My death is close."

Her voice was barely a whisper, but the words hung in the air like a curse.

She looked toward the door, half expecting Aiden to return, to storm in and tell her she was wrong. That he would never let fate take her.

But the doorway remained empty.

And the bond between them remained broken.

Seraphina curled up on the wooden couch, wrapping her arms around herself.

For the first time in her life, she was truly… alone.