Chapter 20
1657 Words
Aurora’s POV
I needed to get out. The party felt too loud, too stuffy, like the walls were closing in.
“Emette, I’ll step out for a bit, okay?” I said. He gave a small nod. I slipped through the doors and stepped into the night.
The cool breeze brushed against my skin and I breathed it in, eyes closed for a second. Finally. I started walking slowly along the path, letting my thoughts settle. But the farther I went, the more I heard it—low, painful growls and gnawing sounds, like someone was hurting badly.
I slowed down. My stomach twisted. When I rounded the corner, I froze.
Lucian and Liam were both clutching their chests, faces twisted in agony. Their bodies shook with each growl. For a moment I just stood there, heart hammering.
Why should I care? I thought, turning away. They don’t deserve my help.
“You know you won’t be able to just walk away,” my wolf whispered.
I hated that she was right. My feet wouldn’t move. I clenched my fists, fighting myself, but the growls behind me only grew louder, rawer.
“f**k this,” I muttered.
I turned back and hurried over. “Are you okay?” My voice came out shaky. They couldn’t even answer. The pain looked unbearable.
“I’ll get the doctor—” I fumbled for my phone, but there was no signal. Their growls deepened. Panic rose in my throat. I couldn’t just leave them here like this.
“Okay… lean on me,” I said, stepping between them. “I’ll get you up.”
I slid their arms over my shoulders. They were heavy, but I planted my feet and pushed. I’m not as weak as I look. With a grunt, I got them both standing. Their weight pressed down on me, warm and solid.
Then something shifted.
Their growling slowly faded. The tension in their bodies melted away. They straightened up, no longer needing me to hold them. I stepped back, breathing hard.
Both of them stared at me like I was a ghost.
I should leave. Right now.
I turned without a word.
“Aurora, wait.” Lucian’s hand closed around my wrist. A strong pull shot through me, magnetic and warm, making my breath catch.
“You saved our lives,” he said softly. His eyes held mine like I was the most precious thing he’d ever seen. That look… it used to make my heart melt. Not anymore.
I yanked my hand free.
“I didn’t do anything,” I said flatly.
“No, you did,” Lucian insisted. His gaze never left my face. “The pain… it just disappeared the moment you touched us. How did you do that?”
I stayed silent.
Lucian, don’t act like she’s special or anything,” Liam cut in, voice cold. “It might’ve just been a coincidence.”
Rude as always.
“Yeah. Coincidence,” I shot back, matching his tone. “I did nothing.”
I turned and walked away fast, my chest tight with anger.
“He is so f*****g rude,” I muttered under my breath, fists clenched. “I tried to help them when they looked like they were dying, and he still talks to me like that. I don’t blame him… I blame myself for even caring about that loser.” Annoyance burned hot in my veins with every step.
“Are you okay, Aurora?” Emette asked, his brows pulled together in worry. “You didn’t come back and I got so worried.”
I rubbed my arm, avoiding his eyes for a second. “I… just wanted some fresh air, that’s all.”
“Thank goodness you’re here,” Damon said, breathing out in clear relief as he walked up to us. “I think we should all head home now.”
I nodded quickly. The ride back was quiet. The moment we reached the house, I went straight to my room, washed up, and changed into my night clothes. I slipped under the covers and stared at the ceiling. Sleep refused to come.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw them—Lucian and Liam clutching their chests, faces twisted in pain, growling like they were dying. My heart squeezed. Yes, they had hurt me deeply… but I never wanted to see them like that. Never. And why did the pain suddenly vanish when I touched them? None of it made sense.
“Maybe you should stop overthinking this and just sleep,” my wolf said gently.
She was right. I let out a long breath, forced my eyes shut, and let exhaustion finally pull me under.
The next morning, the rich smell of coffee filled the air.
“Here’s your coffee,” Emette said, handing me a warm mug with a soft smile.
I took it and smiled back, the warmth spreading through my palms. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He sat beside me at the table and went back to typing on his laptop.
I took a slow sip. “Hmm… where’s Damon?”
“He’s at work,” he replied casually.
My eyes widened. “He didn’t wait for me?”
Emette looked up, his expression gentle. “I told him to give you the day off. You seemed really tired yesterday, so I figured you needed the rest.” A small, caring smile touched his lips.
“You know you’re spoiling me if you keep treating me like this,” I said, half-teasing, half-warm.
He nodded without hesitation. “That’s exactly how I want you to feel—spoiled. I’m your older brother, after all.”
I couldn’t help smiling. The words sat sweetly in my chest. It suddenly hit me that I had never asked him about his past.
“Emette, if you don’t mind me asking… what happened between you and your foster parents?” I asked softly.
The smile on his face faded. He looked down at his laptop for a moment.
“They were okay,” he said, voice flat. “I was treated like a person. I got an education… so I guess they were good people.”
Something felt off in his tone, but the way his shoulders tensed told me not to push. I let it go.
“I’m glad you’re well now,” I said gently.
He gave me a small smile and returned to his work.
I spent the rest of the day curled up with a book. Having this much free time felt strange and wonderful. Back at the mansion, I never had real “me time.”
A soft knock sounded on the door. I stood up and opened it, finding Emette standing there with a warm smile on his face.
“Aurora, would you like to go out with me for lunch?” Emette asked, his eyes warm.
I nodded, a smile tugging at my lips. “Of course. I’ll go get ready.”
He smiled back. I went to my closet, picked the first dress that caught my eye, slipped it on, and did a light touch of makeup. When I stepped out, Emette’s face lit up. We headed out together.
At the restaurant, Emette ordered a whole box of pizza. We ate and talked easily, laughter slipping out between bites. For a while, everything felt light.
Then Liam walked in.
He had a woman beside him, her arm linked with his. My smile faded instantly. I tore my gaze away and focused hard on Emette, my chest tightening.
Emette noticed. His expression shifted with concern. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I said, forcing an awkward smile. My voice sounded too bright, even to my own ears.
“Now I get it,” he muttered, anger flashing in his eyes as he glared toward Liam. “We should get out of here.”
“No,” I replied quickly, shaking my head. “Leaving would mean I’m affected by him… and I’m not. Please, let’s just stay.”
He studied me for a second, then nodded. “Okay. If that’s what you want.”
We went back to chatting. Slowly, I pushed Liam out of my mind and let myself relax again.
A few minutes later, I excused myself to the bathroom. It was quiet and empty. I went to the sink and washed my hands, the cool water soothing. When I looked up at the mirror, Liam’s reflection stared back at me.
I gasped and spun around. He leaned against the wall, a smirk curling his lips.
“Are you sick?” I snapped, annoyance and confusion mixing in my voice. “This is the women’s bathroom.”
“You enjoy this, don’t you?” he said, his tone dripping with venom. “You’ve got your fiancé at home, yet here you are, out with another man. You just love men’s attention. That’s why you were so excited about the divorce—so you could finally be the w***e you really are.”
My blood boiled. I slapped him hard across the face, the sound echoing sharply in the tiled room.
“Don’t you dare speak to me like that,” I hissed, my voice shaking with rage. “Know your place. You aren’t my husband anymore.”
Fury burned in his eyes. His jaw clenched, and he stepped forward, fuming. I instinctively took a step back, heart pounding.
Before I could react, he grabbed my wrist and slammed me against the wall. Pain shot through my back.
“What the f**k are you doing?” I shouted, struggling to pull free, my pulse racing in fear and anger.
“You love attention so much?” he growled. “Here’s mine.”
He crushed his lips against mine, hard and punishing. My eyes widened in shock, my body going rigid against the wall.
- Writer
