Chapter two
1527 Words
Aurora could barely remember how she got into the back of the SUV Kael rode in. The photograph of Lyla remained clutched tightly against her chest, its edges digging into her fingers. She thought it herself, that if she loosened her grip, the picture would disappear like every good thing in her life.
Outside the tinted windows, reporters were already chasing the convoy. Microphones were pressed against the tinted glass, and cameras lit up the gloomy afternoon like lightning.
However, inside the vehicle was filled with suffocating silence. Kael sat opposite her, with his long legs crossed and his leg arm resting lazily in the armrest. His tailored tuxedo still looked untouched despite the chaos outside. Still, he radiated with authority, wealth, and control.
“Youve lost your mind.” she finally said, breaking the silence.
“No”, Kael didn't even look at her, “I simply made the only offer you'll accept.”
She immediately let out a bitter laugh. One that made it look like she was mocking him.
“You think keeping my daughter away from me gives you the right to control my life?” she said with utter disgust.
“It gives me leverage.” The blunt answer gave her a chilling effect. There wasn't a trace of guilt in his expression.
Aurora immediately turned her face towards the window before he could see the tears forming in her eyes. She had imagined reuniting with Lyla in a thousand ways. Not just this way. Not through blackmail. It was never on her list.
She was immediately interrupted in her thoughts when Kalel's phone vibrated.
His assistant's anxious voice peeked through the car speakers.
“Alpha Kael…. we’ve got a problem.”
“What is it?” he replied almost immediately.
“It's about the proposal.”
Kael frowned. “What about it?”
“It…. it leaked.”
Aurora turned immediately.
The assistant swallowed audibly. “It's everywhere.”
Kael hurriedly picked up the tablet lying beside him. The moment the screen lit up, dozens of new notifications flooded in uncontrollably.
BREAKING NEWS
ALPHA HIER KAEL BLACKTHORNE PROPOSES TO CONVICTED MURDERER
THE MURDER RETURNS AS THE FUTURE LUNA?
PACK IN OUTRAGE OVER BLACKTHORNES SHOCKING DECISION
Aurora's own phone–returned to her amongst her other belongings that morning–buzzed continuously.
She opened the first headline on the broken screen. It was a photograph of Kael standing in front of her outside the prison. It was followed by the video of the exact moment she had slapped him.
Comments were flooding in.
@OmegaRising_2026: She was trapped in the Alpha before. Now she's after another one.
@Luna_Rebel: Kael has lost his mind.
@CommonerVoice: Execute her before she poisons the blackthorne family too.
@District7_Pack: Poor Ronan. Even in death she won't leave his people alone. What does she really want?!!
Aurora quickly locked her phone at the sight of the last comment. Memories were flooding in. Her stomach churned.
Nothing had changed even after seven years. “Would she ever be fully free?”, the though lingered for a split second.
The SUV suddenly slowed down. Ahead of them, traffic had come to a complete stop. People were flooding the streets, with their phones fixated on the convoy.
Someone recognised the Blackthorne crest on the vehicle. “There they are.”
Within seconds, the SUV was surrounded. Some pounded on the windows, while others rained curses.
Aurora shrank into her seat. Her breathing became shallow. The noise….. The shouting…… it was just like prison riots. Her hands began trembling uncontrollably.
Kael immediately noticed her paranoia and without saying a word, he pressed a button beside him.
The windows darkened completely blocking the angry faces outside, and the shouting became muffled.
She hated herself for noticing such a small act or for wondering why a man bent on ruining her life would shield her from strangers.
“I don't need your pity,” she murmured.
Kael's eyes remained fixed ahead.
“It's not pity,” he said with a cold tone.
“Then what is it?”
“I don't let touts damage what's mine.”
Aurora turned sharply. “What did you say?”
His gaze met hers. “You heard me right.”
“I'm not your possession.” Aurora blasted at him.
“No?” his lips curbing into the faintest smile. “By tomorrow, legally you could be.”
Aurora's nail pierced through her palm. The anger in her radiated. “I haven't agreed.”
“You will,” he said with so much confidence which irritated her more than his insults ever could.
“You seem very confident,” she replied.
“I am.” his gaze was still pinned on her.
“And if I refuse?” Kael leaned forward, the movement was small, but it instantly filled the small space between both of them. His Alpha scent drifted towards her, making her wolf stir uneasily.
“I'll make one phone call, and the custody arrangements end,” he said quietly.
Aurora's face immediately lost its colour. “You wouldn't.”
“I would.”
“You’d seriously use an innocent child to punish me?” Aurora stared at him.
“I'm using the only powerful thing enough to make you corporate…. that's leverage.”
For a moment she wanted to scream. To snap the smirk off his perfectly structured face….. Instead, she let out a loud sigh.
“I loved Ronan,” she whispered.
Kael's expression hardened, “He loved you too… which makes what you did even worse.”
“I didn't kill him,” she replied innocently.
“You've repeated that twice today,” Kael replied.
“Because it's true.”
“You had seven years to convince the courts.” he looked away, avoiding eye contact with her.
“The court never listened,” she said with her voice breaking.
“Well, the court listened to evidence.”
Aurora laughed bitterly. “No, they listened to your family.”
For the first time, Kael didn't answer immediately. Something unreadable flickered across his face. Doubt.
It disappeared so quickly she wondered if she'd imagined it.
The SUV rolled through the towering gates. Aurora looked outside, gazing through the Blackthorne Estate before her, like something from another world.
The mansion stood atop a hill overlooking miles of forest. Dark stone walls claimed towards the gray sky. Massive glass windows reflected the surrounding pines. Elegant fountains lined the circular driveway.
Everything about the estate screamed luxury. Power. Wealth. Authority.
It was beautiful and utterly lifeless, like the man who owned it. As the vehicle made a stop, dozens of servants pierced through both sides of the entrance in a single line.
Not one smiled at her or even welcomed her. Their eyes followed her with disgust. She could hear their whispers immediately.
“Thats her….. the murderer.”
“Poor Kael Alpha.”
“Imagine bringing someone like her into this house.”
Aurora lowered her head. She had promised herself that prison would be the last place she would ever allow people's hatred to hurt her.
Apparently, she had overestimated her strength.
The front doors opened. An elegant woman descended the marble staircase inside. She looked to be in her late fifties, dressed in a cream coloured gown adorned with pearls.
Her warm voice echoed through the entrance hall. “Kael.”
Then, the bed eyes landed on Aurora. The warmth vanished.
“So…..,” she studied Aurora from head to toe. “This is the woman who murdered Ronan.”
“I didn't–,”
“You weren't speaking.” she cut her off immediately.
Kael finally spoke. “Mother.”
Valeria Blackthorne folded her hands elegantly.
“I've already seen the headlines.” she looked at Aurora once again. “What an unfortunate way to begin a marriage.”
“I haven't accepted.” Aurora swallowed.
“Oh dear…” her voice was soft and deliberate. “The moment my son decided he wanted something….,” she leaned closer to her, towards her ears. “….it stopped being your decision.”
Aurora's pulse quickened. Before she could respond, the sound of light footsteps echoed from the upper floor. A little girl appeared at the top of the staircase.
Dark curls framed her delicate face. She couldn't have been older than six. Silver eyes–so hauntingly familiar–looked down with innocent curiosity.
Aurora forgot how to breathe. Lyla. Her daughter.
“Uncke Kael.” Her light voice echoed through the enormous hall. “Who's the pretty lady?”
Aurora's heart shattered. Pretty lady, not mom. She took a step forward, but Valeria moved subtly into her path. A silent warning.
Kael glanced from Aurora to Lyla. His expression was unreadable. Then he answered in a calm voice that pierced through Aurora. “Someone who’ll be staying with us.”
“Welcome home.” Lyla smiled at her.
Home. Aurora almost cried. Because for the first time in seven years, she was standing under the same roof as her daughter…… yet she couldn't tell the little girl who she truly was.
- Writer
