AURORA

Chapter three

The plane landed in Oakland, and they all disembarked. At the airport entrance, Aurora sighted Tracy, who rushed into Aurora’s arms, hugging her tightly like a child who had just been given candy.

“I have missed you so much,” Tracy said, beaming with a smile after they disentangled.

“Same here,” Aurora replied, giving Tracy a thorough check-over.

“I think I have become invisible,” Lena said, coughing dramatically.

“Auntie, I have missed you,” Tracy said, running into her arms and hugging her.

“Same here, sweetie,” Lena said as they parted.

“Let’s go, my car is just a mile away from here,” Tracy said, pulling Aurora along as the guards she brought took care of the luggage. They left, giggling and reminiscing about their old life.

They got to the Riverbend wolf pack house exhausted. They stretched their bodies before getting down. Aurora glanced around as she viewed the vicinity. It was not overly modern, nor was it out of style, but it was completely different from the city she was coming from.

They all entered, and Tracy offered them seats while she asked her attendants to cater to their needs. They were warmly welcomed and given a room to stay in.

Later that evening, Tracy came to meet Aurora, who was just waking up. “How are you feeling?” she asked, sitting on the bed while Aurora sat upright.

“Fine, just a bit tired,” she answered.

“My fiancé is here. Want to meet him now?” Tracy asked, and Aurora nodded her head in excitement, eager to see the man her best friend was marrying.

They both ambled out of the room toward the sitting room. On getting there, they met two men: one with gray hair and the other with black hair. Tracy left Aurora and moved toward the man with black hair, holding his hand and taking him away from the gray-haired man.

“Aurora, meet my fiancé, Reed. And Reed, meet my best friend, Aurora,” she introduced them to each other.

“Nice meeting you,” they both said in unison.

“I hope you take good care of my friend, else…” Aurora stopped midway, clearly signifying a threat, while Tracy burst into laughter.

“Come on, he is good to me,” Tracy said, assuring Aurora, who rolled her eyes dramatically, causing more laughter from Tracy.

“I promise to always treat her right,” Reed said, putting his hand on his chest as if taking an oath, causing Tracy to keep on laughing. She couldn’t believe her best friend and her fiancé could be so dramatic over her.

“Come… Meet my friend, Alden,” Reed said, pulling them closer to the man with gray hair, who was looking at his phone.

“Alden, meet my fiancée’s best friend, Aurora.”

Aurora saw him and felt her breath hitch. His gray eyes shone under the light, his sharp jaw outlined his facial features, and his gray hair added to his handsomeness, making her heart race faster than usual.

Alden glanced up, his eyes sharp as he saw Aurora, immediately feeling the mate bond. It came as a surprise to him, as he never believed his mate would be a human.

Tracy felt an uneasiness washing over her. Alden was infamous everywhere for his ruthlessness. As the son of the ruthless Alpha of the Crimson Moon pack, he inherited the same trait as his father, earning him the title of the **ruthless Heir of the Crimson Moon Pack**. He never allowed women near him, except for his loved ones, and Tracy was among the people who feared him and never associated with him.

Alden stood up from the couch and strode toward them. Subconsciously, Tracy stood guard in front of Aurora, afraid he might hurt her, which surprised both Aurora and Reed. But to her surprise, Alden slowly pushed Tracy aside and stood in front of Aurora. He gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.

“I am Alden by name. What about you?” he asked as they all stood stunned.

Aurora parted her lips but closed them back quickly, like a fish, as she was short of words. How could a handsome man like him ask for her name and even stand in front of her, his cologne filling her nostrils? She had read a lot of fictional novels where the handsome men were ruthless, cold-hearted, and never glanced at women. Then why was reality different?

“Are you okay?” he asked again, this time softly, a demeanor completely different from his known one.

“Uh… I… am Aurora,” she replied, jolting out of her thoughts.

Alden held her hand before placing his lips on the back of her palm, sending a current through her body.

Reed and Tracy stood fixated, too shocked to utter a statement, as they couldn't believe the Almighty Alden would have a calm demeanor for a woman.