A Regret in Red

"One more time."I tried to steady myself from shaking, reaching out to touch Damian's sweat-soaked chest.His Alpha scent still hung in the air, a blend of cedarwood that captivated me and something untamed that I couldn't quite name."Aurora." His voice was low and rough as he pulled me into his arms. "You're different today...""Different how?" I pressed even closer, letting my lips brush along his jawline."Passionate," he said.I didn't answer. I simply let him draw me back into that intoxicating darkness.When everything was over, I slipped from his embrace, about to walk barefoot into the bathroom.Just then, my phone rang. My father's voice came through."Aurora, have you thought about the engagement?"I glanced at Damian, who was still asleep—the Alpha of the Blackmoon Pack, CEO of the most powerful pack group in Northland. The moonlight carved out the sharp lines of his face. His breathing was still uneven from all the excitement. My fingers brushed over the fresh

Damian's words brought back all my memories from the past three years.Every time I fought with my father, Damian would always be there like some silent guardian, shielding me from everything.Those gentle hugs in the middle of the night, the quiet words during thunderstorms, the way he took care of me when I was sick…After I joined his company, my design projects had his backing. My reputation in the industry only grew.At parties in the past, I was known as a prodigious designer. Everyone seemed to shower me with praise.But now, looking back, how much of that protection was ever genuine?All this time, I was just his secret lover, while his room was covered in photos of Clara."Why should I come to you?" I laughed coldly, forcing my voice to sound like I didn't care. Damian's grip on my wrist tightened slightly. I could feel the shift in his mood."Aurora." His voice was soft, tinged with the helplessness I knew too well."Don't call my name." Anger and hurt exploded out

My senses were slowly disappearing as I lay in a pool of blood and pain.Memories of Damian and me flashed through my mind like scenes from a movie.The first time we met, I charged at him like an angry little pup, and he easily subdued me. The first time I was overwhelmed by his Alpha scent, I was lost in him completely. The shy morning after we first spent the night together. The gentle way he held me during stormy nights. The nights he stayed up taking care of me when I was sick. How I secretly prepared for the bonding ceremony, filled with hope and excitement…Every memory was so clear, every detail carved deep into my memory.But in the end, all those beautiful moments were shattered by reality.My last memory froze on that final scene. He shielded Clara without hesitation, while I was left pinned beneath the falling rack.So that was how things were. When it truly mattered, his instincts would always drive him to protect her, not me.Through the haze, I heard the wail of

The auction began. Famous painting after famous painting appearing on stage. I barely paid attention until my mother's painting was brought out."The next piece is 'Prayer Under the Moonlight.' Starting bid, five hundred thousand!" The auctioneer's gavel rang out.I immediately raised my paddle. "Six hundred thousand.""Eight hundred thousand." Clara's voice rang out from the VIP section, as casual as if she were just making small talk about the weather."One million." I pushed on, gritting my teeth, sweat in my palms."One million and five hundred thousand." Clara was still perfectly at ease, even giving me a little smile.My hand trembled. That amount was already past my limit.People around us started to whisper, all drawn in by the bidding war. Some were guessing at our identities, others were discussing the painting's origins."This bidding war is quite exciting! Both of them must really want this piece.""I heard it's from an old, prominent werewolf family.""Two mill

After I left the isolation cell, my injuries were so severe that I fainted on the spot. When I woke up, Damian was sitting beside my hospital bed. He looked tired."How are you feeling?" His tone was calm, as if nothing had happened at all.I stared at him in silence, refusing to answer.The silver had ravaged my body. My throat was so painful I could barely make a sound. And honestly, I didn't want to speak at all."Aurora, I want to ask you a question." Damian frowned, clearly irritated by my silence.Still, I said nothing, just gazing out the window.The tension in the room grew thick.Just then, I heard a healer call out in the hallway. "Alpha Damian! Clara is screaming she's in pain again!"Damian got up right away, not even looking at me."Think about what you've done," he said before rushing out of the room.Clara sent me messages every day about how Damian was taking care of her. I ignored them all.Three days later, the doctor told me I could be discharged. As I w