CHAPTER 7: THE FIRST NIGHT BESIDE HIM

Aurora could still feel the warmth of Kael’s hand long after he stepped away from her.

It lingered against her skin like something dangerous.

Something she should not want.

Something she should not even notice.

Yet her wrist still burned where his fingers had held her.

And judging by the suffocating silence inside the room, everyone else noticed it too.

Selene’s smile remained perfectly calm.

Perfectly graceful.

But Aurora caught the slight stiffness around her lips.

Tiny.

Almost invisible.

Still there.

Kael slowly lowered his hand.

The strange expression on his face vanished so quickly Aurora almost questioned whether she imagined it.

Almost.

“You should sit down.”

His voice came low.

Controlled.

Directed at her.

Aurora blinked.

Lena blinked harder.

Even Selene looked mildly surprised for a second.

Because Kael Ravencrest did not fuss over people.

Especially not Aurora.

Aurora immediately straightened.

“I’m fine.”

The answer escaped too quickly.

Too automatically.

And the moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them.

Because Kael’s eyes narrowed slightly.

You always say that.

Lena’s earlier words echoed painfully inside her head.

Silence stretched.

Heavy.

Uncomfortable.

Then Selene stepped forward smoothly before it could deepen further.

“You probably exhausted yourself after tonight.”

Her tone carried soft concern.

Natural concern.

The kind Aurora had once dreamed Kael would show her.

Aurora forced a polite smile.

“I’m alright.”

Selene studied her for a second longer.

Then nodded lightly before turning toward the servants standing awkwardly near the doorway.

“You may continue unpacking.”

The servants moved instantly.

Relieved.

Very relieved.

Boxes shifted.

Footsteps echoed softly.

Movement finally returned to the room.

But Aurora still felt Kael watching her.

Watching too closely.

She lowered her gaze immediately.

Because thinking about his attention was dangerous.

Especially tonight.

One month.

That was all she had left.

One month before she walked away from this place forever.

One month before everything changed.

She needed to remember that.

Lena cleared her throat loudly.

“So.”

Nobody answered.

Lena looked offended immediately.

“So this is actually happening?”

Kael glanced at her calmly.

Selene looked amused.

Aurora wanted the floor to swallow her whole.

Lena folded her arms.

“You’re moving her beside your room after publicly announcing another woman.”

Silence.

Aurora nearly died.

Right there.

Immediately.

“Lena,” she whispered sharply.

“What?” Lena looked unapologetic. “I’m confused.”

Selene smiled softly.

“The Moon Festival requires certain traditions.”

There it was again.

Traditions.

Duty.

Appearances.

Never affection.

Never love.

Aurora felt something sink quietly inside her chest.

A tiny spark she hadn’t even realized existed disappeared instantly.

How embarrassing.

For one stupid second, she had almost wondered if Kael moved her because… no, absolutely not.

Aurora crushed the thought immediately.

Kael turned toward the servants again.

“Finish quickly.”

Then he walked out.

Just like that.

Cold air seemed to follow him from the room.

Aurora stared at the doorway after he disappeared.

And strangely…

The room felt emptier.

The realization annoyed her instantly.

Lena waited until his footsteps vanished before groaning dramatically.

“I swear that man speaks like he’s negotiating wars every second of his life.”

Aurora almost smiled.

Almost.

Selene laughed softly.

A graceful sound.

“I think that’s simply his personality.”

Lena muttered something deeply disrespectful beneath her breath.

Aurora wisely ignored it.

Selene turned back toward Aurora.

“I know tonight has been difficult.”

Aurora looked at her carefully.

Selene’s expression looked sincere.

Warm even.

And somehow that unsettled Aurora more.

Because she still remembered that tiny victorious smile inside the pack hall earlier tonight.

“You should try to rest,” Selene continued gently. “Tomorrow will be exhausting.”

Tomorrow.

The Moon Festival.

Aurora’s stomach tightened instantly.

Every year the pack gathered beneath the full moon for celebrations and ceremonies.

Formal dances.

Ancient rituals.

Public blessings from the elders.

And the Alpha always stood beside his Luna.

Always.

Aurora attended every festival since arriving here.

Yet somehow she had always stood alone.

Close enough for appearances.

Far enough to remind her exactly where she belonged in Kael’s life.

Not beside him.

Never truly beside him.

A servant approached quietly.

“My Lady… your new chambers are prepared.”

Aurora’s heartbeat slowed.

Very slowly.

The Alpha’s wing.

The place she had never been allowed near before tonight.

She nodded once.

“Alright.”

The walk through the corridors felt strangely unreal.

Servants carried boxes ahead while Lena followed beside Aurora muttering complaints under her breath about emotionally constipated Alphas.

Aurora nearly laughed once.

Nearly.

Moonlight spilled across polished stone floors as they entered the eastern wing of the pack house.

Everything looked different here.

Quieter.

Colder.

Even the air felt heavier.

This was Kael’s territory.

Everyone in the pack knew it.

Servants walked more carefully here.

Guards stood straighter.

Even conversations became quieter.

Aurora suddenly realized something strange.

In three years…

She had never once walked these halls beside him.

Not once.

Finally the servants stopped before massive silver-trimmed doors.

Aurora’s steps slowed.

The doors opened slowly.

And Aurora forgot how to breathe.

The room was enormous.

Far larger than her old chambers.

Tall windows overlooked the forest below while silver curtains shifted gently in the night breeze.

A fire burned softly inside the fireplace.

Moonlight spilled across polished floors.

Fresh flowers rested carefully near the windows.

Everything looked elegant.

Perfect.

Untouched.

Lonely.

Aurora stepped inside slowly.

Her footsteps echoed softly across the floor.

Then she froze.

Because another door stood near the far wall.

Dark wood.

Half-open.

And beyond it warm light.

Kael’s room.

Connected directly to hers.

Aurora’s heartbeat stumbled painfully.

Because suddenly…

Suddenly the reality of this arrangement felt terrifyingly intimate.

Only one door separated them now.

One.

The servants quietly placed the final boxes down before leaving one after another.

Soon only Lena remained inside the room.

Lena looked around slowly.

“…Okay wow.”

Aurora barely heard her.

Because she could feel it.

Kael.

Close.

Too close.

For three years he had remained distant even beneath the same roof.

Yet tonight, tonight he was only a few steps away.

The thought made her chest tighten strangely.

Lena walked toward the connecting door carefully.

“This is dangerous.”

Aurora blinked.

“…Dangerous?”

Lena pointed dramatically.

“One emotionally confusing Alpha.”

Then she pointed toward Aurora.

“One girl already in love with him.”

Aurora nearly choked.

“Lena!”

“I’m serious!”

Lena lowered her voice immediately.

“You cannot survive sleeping this close to him.”

Aurora looked away too quickly.

Because the terrifying part was lena might be right.

A low sound suddenly echoed from beyond the connecting door.

Footsteps.

Aurora froze instantly.

Slow.

Steady.

Approaching.

Lena’s eyes widened.

Aurora’s breathing stopped completely.

Then the door handle slowly turned.

And Kael stepped into the room.