Chapter 19: Unreasonable Crashout
1150 Words
Aurora’s POV
The moment I stepped into my room, I felt myself exhale sharply. My palms were still trembling from the dinner table disaster, and honestly, I was one insult away from tearing that omega’s hair out. But instead, I shut my lips tight and walked away like I was made of ice.
The door clicked shut behind me… and immediately clicked open again.
Cayden slipped inside, closing the door with his foot. “You’re unbelievable,” he muttered, throwing his hands up. “How do you just sit there calmly while that she-wolf disrespects you in your own home?”
I rubbed my forehead, feeling a headache forming. “I told you, Cayden… I do not want to stoop that low.” My voice came out tired, too tired.
He stared at me as if he didn’t recognize me. “That’s it? That’s your defense? You let her insult your status, your place, your marriage, and you just—” He mimicked zipping his lips. “—say nothing?”
I looked at him then. Really looked. He was angry — red-cheeked, pacing, all fiery. A part of me wished I could borrow that fire… but mine had been drenched long ago.
“I grew up,” I whispered.
“No.” His reply was instant. “No, the Aurora I know, the girl who once dared to punch the son of a Beta because he called me a witch, she would never swallow mistreatment like this. She would stand up and rip the lies out of that woman’s throat.”
I laughed softly… but the sound lacked joy. “That girl didn’t know what it felt like to be unloved by her own mate.”
His expression softened, but I lifted a hand, I wasn’t done.
“Cayden,” I said quietly, staring at the gold embroidery on my sleeves, “if I show my hatred, if I fight her openly… Nova will cry and look like a victim. And Alexander…” My throat tightened just saying his name. “…he will defend her. Every. Single. Time.”
His jaw clenched. “He is a fool.”
“Yes,” I breathed. “But he’s a fool with power. If I attack her, I lose. If I remain calm, she loses patience. I need her to expose her own intentions.”
He blinked at me, absorbing my words. But he still shook his head. “I hate seeing you acting like this. Like you’re shrinking yourself to fit someone else’s expectations.”
“I’m not shrinking.” I smiled bitterly. “I’m surviving.”
“Do you think, if I went to fight her, I would win?” I laughed, realizing how foolish it was. “She will only make me a laughingstock until everyone turns their back on me.”
Cayden opened his mouth to argue again—
—and the door burst open.
Alexander stormed inside like thunder given form.
His chest rose and fell with fury. His eyes… those eyes that used to warm me, were now burning holes into me.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” he snapped. “How could you sit there like a statue while Nova cried?”
Cayden moved subtly, stepping closer to me.
Alexander’s attention snapped toward him like a wolf spotting prey.
“And why,” he growled, voice dangerously low, “is he in your room?”
Heat prickled down my spine, but I refused to move.
Cayden simply crossed his arms. “Do you want a medical appointment form before speaking to your own wife?” he asked, tone dripping sarcasm.
“Get. Out.” Alexander spat, fangs peeking from his snarl.
But Cayden just smirked, refusing to budge. “Make me.”
I touched Cayden’s arm lightly — a warning.
“Don’t,” I whispered. “He isn’t worth your energy.”
Alexander turned back to me, rage cracking in his voice, “Answer me, Aurora! Why weren’t you jealous? Why didn’t you react?!”
For a moment, I just stared at him. His desperation, his need for my pain was almost laughable.
He wanted me to be broken.
He wanted proof I still cared.
I held his gaze, spine straight, heart locked in iron chains.
“You have made it very clear,” I said, voice cold as moonlight, “that my feelings no longer matter to you.”
He flinched.
But I wasn’t done.
“You don’t get to demand my jealousy,” I continued. “Not when you’re the reason I stopped feeling anything at all.”
Silence. Heavy. Crushing.
And then, Alexander’s eyes flickered, something like guilt?
Like fear?
Before he could speak, I turned away.
“Leave, Alpha,” I said calmly. “Both of you. I’d like to rest.”
Cayden hesitated… but followed my lead and walked toward the door. He knows me best… out of everyone, he knew that I really needed the rest.
To breathe. To take my time and collect my scattered thoughts, one that the alpha desperately managed to mess with further.
Alexander didn’t move at first.
I could feel his stare drilling into my back.
He could not even control his petty behavior. He just wanted to make me suffer any chance he gets.
Fury. Confusion. Frustration. I could see every mix of emotions in his face…
And beneath all of that… a panic he couldn’t understand.
He left — slamming the door so hard the walls shook.
I closed my eyes.
I didn’t cry.
I do not have the energy nor the tears to give him. The heavy feeling was stuck in my chest and I could no longer distinguish whether it was hatred, pity, or simply indifference.
I heard footsteps coming over me and as soon as I lifted my head, I saw Mary.
“My lady…” Her soft voice was like a music in my ears.
“Yes?” I fixed myself and sat over the edge of my bed to look at her.
In her hands was a piece of paper. “Is that for me?”
I guess someone must’ve sent letters to me now. I have postponed every job to the point that I wasn’t able to attend to any concerns of my people.
“Yes.” She handed it over, her voice ragged alongside with her breathing.
I didn’t even wait to open the letter on my table.
“To my dearest Luna,
I am writing this letter to formally let you know that I will be withdrawing from your set of ladies-in-waiting. I have been appointed to care for the Lady Nova and could not resist the benefit the alpha gave me. I am now awaiting further announcement.
Love,
Mary.”
I was dumbfounded. My heart sank and I don’t know what to say…
“You’re going to leave me?”
- Writer
