Chapter 6

The night wrapped around us like a silent guardian as I sat in my parked SUV with the sleeping Aurora beside me. Moonlight filtered through the trees, casting silver patterns across her face. Her honey-brown hair spilled over my leather jacket that covered her shoulders.

I checked my watch: just past midnight. The wolfsbane-infused whiskey had knocked her out completely.

Not wanting to disturb her, I leaned back in my seat and closed my eyes. The pack would be wondering where their chief enforcer had disappeared to. Alexander would certainly have questions if he found out I was alone with his mate.

"Alexander..."

My eyes snapped open at Aurora's whisper. She was still asleep, her face turned toward me, eyes closed but brow furrowed.

"I'm here," I responded without thinking.

She shifted slightly, a small smile touching her lips. "You came back."

I didn't correct her. Something selfish in me wanted to know what it would feel like, just for a moment, to be the one she spoke to with such softness in her voice.

"I'll always come back," I whispered.

Aurora's hand reached out blindly, finding mine in the darkness. Her fingers were warm as they intertwined with my own.

"I loved you so much," she murmured, still trapped in her dream. "Why wasn't I enough?"

The raw pain in her voice made my chest tighten. Even in sleep, she couldn't escape the hurt Alexander had caused her.

I remained silent, not trusting myself to speak. My thumb traced small circles on the back of her hand, offering what little comfort I could.

Around 1:30 AM, Aurora stirred properly. Her green eyes fluttered open, momentarily confused by her surroundings.

"Ethan?" She pulled her hand away from mine, sitting up straight. "Where are we?"

"Still at Silver Moon Bar," I explained. "You fell asleep. I didn't want to move you until you were more comfortable."

She rubbed her eyes, the effects of the alcohol still visible in her slightly unfocused gaze.

"Look," I said, pointing through the windshield. "The moonlight through the trees."

Outside, silver beams cut through the forest canopy, creating dancing patterns on the ground. It was breathtaking—the kind of natural beauty that made even the oldest wolves pause in appreciation.

"It's beautiful," she whispered.

We sat in comfortable silence for several minutes, watching the light shift as clouds drifted across the moon. In that quiet moment, I could almost forget the complications between us.

"Ethan," Aurora said finally, her voice small. "Was I a failure as a mate?"

The question caught me off guard. "Why would you think that?"

She turned to face me, her green eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I believed Alexander could love me forever. I really did. But I was never the one in his heart, was I?"

I chose my words carefully. "Alexander has always been... complicated. Even as pups, he struggled with emotional expressions."

"That's diplomatic enforcer-speak for 'he's incapable of love,'" she said with a bitter laugh.

"That's not what I meant," I objected. "Alexander cares for you in his way."

Aurora shook her head. "His way isn't enough anymore."

I shifted in my seat to face her properly. "You know, you could always remain Alexander's mate if you wished. Future Alphas of Alexander's status rarely sever mate bonds with their mate for other younger she-wolves."

The words felt like ash in my mouth, but it was my duty to present all sides fairly. Even when part of me wanted her to leave him.

Aurora didn't respond. She simply turned back to watch the moonlight through the trees, her expression unreadable.

(Aurora's POV)

It was nearly 2 AM when Ethan finally dropped me off at my healing den. My head still swam with the effects of the wolfsbane-infused whiskey, making every movement feel like wading through water.

"Keep the jacket," Ethan said when I tried to return it. "You can give it back after it's cleaned."

I clutched the leather to my chest, nodding gratefully. It smelled of pine and something distinctly Ethan—a clean, steady scent unlike Alexander's dominant musk.

"Thank you," I managed. "For everything tonight."

Ethan's steel-gray eyes studied me, concern evident in their depths. "Will you be alright?"

"I always am," I replied with a half-smile.

After Ethan left, I stumbled into my den, not bothering with the lights. Ruby was waiting in the small living area, her amber eyes wide with worry.

"Aurora! I was so worried when Ethan said you'd been drinking."

I waved dismissively, too exhausted for explanations. "I'm fine. Just need sleep."

Ruby followed me to the bedroom, helping me when I swayed slightly. "Alexander called," she said carefully. "He's coming by later to collect some of his ceremonial Alpha attire stored here."

My heart skipped painfully. "Tell him to come tomorrow. I'm not in any state to—"

"He was quite insistent," Ruby interrupted apologetically. "Something about needing it for an emergency council meeting at dawn."

I sank onto the edge of the bed, too tired to argue. "Fine. Just... don't let him wake me."

Ruby nodded, helping me remove my shoes. "I'll handle it. You need to rest."

I didn't bother changing out of my partially unbuttoned healing robe. As Chief Healer, I should have known better than to mix wolfsbane with alcohol, but tonight I couldn't bring myself to care about the consequences.

I placed Ethan's leather jacket at the foot of my bed before crawling under the covers. The world was still spinning slightly, but at least in sleep, I could escape the pain of Alexander's indifference.

(Alexander's POV)

The pack house was quiet as I gathered the documents for tomorrow's emergency council meeting. Elder Blackwood had called it after Ivy's incident, concerned about the implications for pack stability.

Ivy was stable now, resting in the healing wing under careful observation. The crisis had passed, but questions remained about how a Beta's daughter had been allowed to drink enough wolf wine to endanger herself.

I checked my watch: 3 AM. Aurora would be asleep by now, but I needed my ceremonial robes from our den. The Alpha's formal attire was required for council meetings called by the Elders.

When I arrived at our healing den, Ruby met me at the door, her expression neutral but watchful.

"Alpha heir," she greeted formally. "Your robes are in the storage closet."

I nodded, stepping inside. The den smelled of herbs and healing salves—Aurora's distinctive workplace scent. But there was something else mixed with it tonight.

"Has Aurora returned?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.

Ruby hesitated. "Yes, Alpha heir. She's sleeping."

"She was drinking," I said. It wasn't a question. I could smell the whiskey and wolfsbane in the air.

Ruby straightened her shoulders defensively. "She needed to unwind after a difficult day."

My jaw clenched at her implied criticism. "I understand Ethan Gray brought her home."

"Yes." Ruby's tone was clipped. "She called for assistance, and he responded."

Something hot and uncomfortable twisted in my chest. Aurora had called Ethan, not me.

"I'm going to check on her," I decided, changing my plans.

Ruby stepped forward. "Alpha heir, she's exhausted and—"

"Ruby." My voice carried the weight of command. "I'm going to check on my mate."

She backed down immediately, lowering her eyes in submission. "Yes, Alpha heir."

I made my way to the bedroom, opening the door quietly. The moonlight streaming through the curtains provided enough illumination to see Aurora sprawled across the bed.

My breath caught in my throat.

Her white healer's robe was partially unbuttoned, revealing the curve of her breast and the pale skin of her stomach. The fabric had hiked up around her thighs, displaying the smooth lines of her legs. Her honey-brown hair was spread across the pillow, wild and untamed.

I had seen Aurora like this countless times before, yet something felt different tonight. Perhaps it was the vulnerability in her sleeping face, or the way her scent mixed with whiskey and moonflowers.

My wolf, Alex, stirred within me, responding to the sight of our mate with unexpected desire. Our relationship had been passionless for so long that this sudden hunger caught me off guard.

I sat carefully on the edge of the bed, watching the furrow between her brows deepen as she dreamed. What troubled her even in sleep? Was it me?

I knew Aurora loved me—had always loved me. It was evident in the way she looked at me, in the sacrifices she'd made for our mating bond.

But I couldn't give her what she wanted. I could offer her the title of Luna Blackwood, the status of being my mate, but not love. That wasn't the Blackwood way.

Rising to leave, something caught my eye at the foot of the bed. A leather jacket—masculine, with the scent of pine and steel. Ethan's jacket.

I knew nothing inappropriate had happened between them. Ethan Gray was too honorable, and Aurora too loyal despite our troubles. Yet something possessive surged through me, hot and demanding.

Aurora was my mate. Mine.

"Ruby," I called softly as I returned to the living area.

She appeared immediately. "Yes, Alpha heir?"

"Have this jacket cleaned and returned to the pack enforcer's office tomorrow," I instructed, handing her Ethan's leather coat.

Ruby took it without comment, though her eyes reflected understanding of my true motivation.

I collected my ceremonial robes from the storage closet, preparing to leave for the pack's border patrol. At the door, I paused, looking back toward the bedroom where Aurora slept.

She had tried to tell me something important earlier at the Silver Fang Lodge before Ivy's emergency interrupted us. What had it been? From her expression, it had seemed significant...

"Alpha heir?" Ruby prompted softly. "The border patrol is waiting."

I nodded, pushing the thought aside. Whatever Aurora needed to tell me would have to wait. Pack business came first—it always did.