Chapter 18: Damage Control
1168 Words
Cayden’s POV
The Thorn mansion’s dining hall glimmered under the amber glow of chandeliers—gold against cold marble. The walls were lined with portraits of past Alphas and Lunas: proud, regal. The only person who belonged among those legendary figures sat across the table from me.
Aurora.
The true Luna.
Her posture was perfect—elegant but distant. She hadn’t spoken a single word since we sat down… not to Alexander, and especially not to the woman hovering proudly near the kitchen doorway.
Nova Wilder.
The snake disguised as a kitten.
She carried dishes out from the kitchen with a smile too bright, as if this meal were her coronation. Her eyes glittered each time Alexander’s gaze landed anywhere near her.
She placed a bowl of roasted rabbit stew in front of me.
The scent of rosemary and garlic filled the room.
Alexander cleared his throat and attempted something like civility.
“I asked Nova to prepare dinner tonight since—”
“I insisted,” Nova interrupted. “It’s the least I could do to show my gratitude.”
I stared at the food.
Then at her hands.
Then up at her face.
“Since when does the Luna cook?” I asked lightly, though the barb was aimed straight at her heart. “Or whoever believes they’re entitled to her title.”
Porcelain clattered as Nova nearly dropped a plate.
Alexander’s jaw flexed, irritation pushing through his forced calm.
“Nova only wants to help,” he said, voice clipped.
“How admirable,” I replied, tapping a finger along my goblet. “Though a Luna’s hands are meant for ruling. Not… frying fish.”
I shifted my gaze to Aurora, whose expression remained blank.
She wasn’t defending herself. She didn’t have to.
“Lady Aurora,” I continued casually, “has never been asked to do the work of a maid. Not while she still holds the crown.”
Nova set the last plate down with more force than necessary—silverware rattled.
Her smile cracked.
“I’m not Aurora,” she hissed. “I’m just an omega. I don’t mind working hard to—”
“So you admit you’re beneath her?” I asked, raising a brow. “Good. Then we understand each other.”
The air froze.
Alexander slammed his hand on the table, rattling glasses.
“Enough, Cayden.”
“Oh?” I tilted my head, voice low and quiet. “Did the truth offend you?”
“Unlike Aurora, this is Nova’s life. She is used to cooking because she had to fend for herself. Unlike Aurora who is living in this huge mansion with hundreds and thousands of people working for her, Nova does not have that. I would appreciate it if you will not compare my wife to her.” Alexander stood up for her, as usual, and will always do.
I could not contain myself at all. It was impossible to handle my emotions, let alone control my facial expressions.
“Wife? The infidelity was so clear yet, you boldly call her your wife.” The disgust in my tone was unbearable.
“Cayden, know your place.” He’s clearly mad. “I know you are friends with Aurora, which is why you are acting like this. However, this is not your ground to disrespect Nova and humiliate her.”
I could see his fist curling up and the heat of the dining area immediately rising. As if he wanted to punch me in the face, but was too afraid to make an enemy out of the same person he swore he needed.
“All I am saying is that, if she was so eager to replace Aurora, why would she not learn how to act like her?” I could see the tears forming at the sides of her eyes. The way her mouth twitched while she looked down on the floor as shame was swallowing her whole.
“I knew how much Nova wanted that position for herself, I mean… if the alpha showed interest in me, I would aim for higher position too.” I laughed and took a sip out of the red wine served a while ago.
I expected Aurora to stay silent.
She had been silent for weeks… too hurt to even show she was hurt.
But she finally spoke.
“Cayden.”
Her voice… soft as nightfall.
Yet it silenced me instantly.
She didn’t look at me.
Instead, she gazed at Nova—pity in her eyes.
Actual pity.
“I dislike her,” she admitted calmly. “But she is still a guest here. Do not disrespect her in my name.”
Nova’s eyes widened—shock, confusion, triumph.
Alexander watched Aurora like he was seeing her for the first time.
Not the jealousy he expected.
Not the tears he deserved.
Just… emptiness.
I wasn’t finished—not even close—but Aurora’s wishes always outweighed mine.
So I leaned back and smirked instead.
Nova took a shaky breath, like she needed to reclaim the moment she just lost.
“I didn’t ask for any of this,” she said dramatically, placing a hand to her chest. “I only want Alexander to be happy.”
“That’s the trouble with thieves,” I replied. “They never ask permission to steal.”
Alexander shot up, chair scraping violently.
“You will watch your mouth when you speak to Nova.”
“And you,” I countered, rising as well, “will remember who you vowed yourself to before you let another woman into this mansion.”
His eyes went feral—he was seconds from shifting.
But then—
Aurora stood.
Not a sound from her chair.
Not a tremble in her hands.
Just quiet.
Cold.
Queen.
Her gaze didn’t soften.
Didn’t warm.
Didn’t even flicker with emotion.
“I’m done with dinner,” she said, voice flat. “Enjoy the meal.”
She walked away—not hurried, not shaken.
But each step echoed like judgment.
She didn’t look back.
Not once.
I followed her with my eyes, pride swelling in my chest.
She had been torn apart by love—yet tonight, she walked away with her crown intact.
Alexander stood frozen.
Nova looked like she had swallowed glass.
I pushed my chair back slowly. “Well,” I murmured, “I suppose that’s the end of dinner.”
I strode after Aurora, leaving the two of them choking on the silence she left behind.
The tension inside that room was too much to bear. The way Nova acted like an innocent child who were being mocked and humiliated in front of every maids who were supposed to do what she did was making me vomit.
I wonder what Alexander saw in that girl…
I wonder what’s so special about that omega that he would rather hurt the woman he vowed to love for the rest of his life… than give up on that commoner.
- Writer
