LOGINChapter 37Aurora could not stop thinking about what had happened yesterday. Arthur had almost kissed her. She could still feel the warmth of his breath on her face. Could still see the desire in his green eyes.But then he had pulled away. Said she was not his Luna. The words had hurt more than any physical blow.Aurora knew Arthur felt something for her. She could see it in the way he looked at her. Could feel it in the electricity when they touched. So why did he keep pushing her away?What was he hiding from her?A soft knock came at Aurora's door. "Aurora? It is Neah. Can I come in?"Aurora opened the door and saw her friend's bright smile. "I have missed you so much," Neah said. "I am so glad you are better."They hugged and Aurora felt some of her sadness lift. It was good to have a friend who cared about her."I have so much to tell you," Neah said with excitement. "There are whispers all over the pack about your fight with Lyra."Aurora felt surprise. "What kind of whispers?"
Chapter 36Arthur felt rage burn through his veins like fire. He found Finn in the armory checking weapons like nothing had happened."How could you let that fight continue?" Arthur demanded. "Aurora could have been killed!"Finn looked up with calm eyes. "They needed to settle their differences. It was better to let them fight it out."Arthur's hands made fists. "Better? Aurora might be blind for the rest of her life!""It was a fair fight," Finn said. "Both women agreed to it."Arthur stepped closer to his beta. "Fair? Lyra threw sand in her eyes!"Finn shrugged. "In a real battle, enemies use whatever they can to win. Aurora learned a valuable lesson about trusting her opponents."Arthur felt his wolf snarling inside him. "Why do you even care about a common slave?"Before Finn could react, Arthur grabbed his throat and slammed him against the stone wall. Finn's eyes went wide with shock and fear."Maybe it is time I show you your place," Arthur said. His voice was low and dangerou
Chapter 35Aurora had just finished cleaning the Alpha's chambers when the head maid appeared with a sour expression on her face."You still have work to do," the head maid said. Her voice was cold and mean. "The kitchen needs scrubbing and the laundry needs folding."Aurora felt tired but she nodded. "Yes, I will do it."The head maid smiled but it was not a nice smile. "Good. Remember, a slave is still a slave no matter how highly placed they seem."The words hit Aurora like a slap. She felt her cheeks burn with shame and anger.Aurora had agreed to serve Arthur to avoid banishment. But she did not think of herself as a slave. She thought of it as a price she had to pay. Going back to Silas was not an option. This was better than that nightmare.Aurora finished her chores quickly. Her hands moved fast as she scrubbed pots and folded clothes. Her mind was focused on something else.Training. Arthur's lessons. The secret weapons shed.Aurora felt excitement build in her chest. Today w
Aurora was back at the training grounds trying again. She had to get stronger. Had to learn how to protect herself from people like Lyra.But the other women were still cruel to her. They knocked her down hard and called her names. Aurora hit the ground so hard her teeth rattled in her head."Pathetic," said one woman. "You will never be a real warrior."Aurora looked up from the dirt and saw Arthur watching from the edge of the training area. Their eyes met across the space. Aurora hoped he would say something to defend her.But Arthur just watched in silence. His face showed no emotion at all.Aurora felt disappointment mix with her physical pain. Arthur had protected her before. Why was he staying quiet now?After training, Aurora went to her room to clean her wounds. Her whole body ached from being thrown around. Her lip was bleeding again and her ribs hurt when she breathed.A soft knock came at her door. "Aurora? It is Arthur. I have something to show you."Aurora opened the doo
Chapter 33Arthur walked to the gathering area where his warriors waited. Finn had done his job well. Twenty armed men stood ready for battle. Their weapons were sharp and their faces were determined.Finn saw Arthur approaching and stepped forward. "The men are ready, Alpha. We can leave as soon as you give the order."Arthur looked at his warriors. Good men who trusted him to lead them into battle. Men who might die if he made the wrong choice."The attack is cancelled," Arthur said.Finn's mouth fell open in shock. "Cancelled? But Alpha, this is the perfect time to strike. The wolf hunters will not expect us to attack first."Arthur met his beta's confused eyes. "I said the attack is cancelled. Send the men back to their duties."Finn stared at Arthur like he had lost his mind. "Alpha, if we wait, they will have time to prepare. To set traps for us. We should hit them now while we have the advantage.""No," Arthur said firmly. "The decision is final."Arthur walked away before Finn
Chapter 32For the next few days, Arthur refused to see Lyra. Every time she came to his door, the guards turned her away. Every time she tried to approach him in the halls, Arthur walked in the other direction.Lyra's anger grew like a fire fed by wind. It was bad enough that Arthur was ignoring her. But watching Aurora get closer to him every day made Lyra's rage burn hotter.Aurora brought Arthur his meals now. She sat with him while he ate. Sometimes Arthur even smiled at things Aurora said. It made Lyra sick to watch.Arthur tried to focus on pack business instead of his complicated feelings. New recruits had been arriving every few days. Young wolves looking for a strong pack to join.Arthur watched as fifteen new wolves knelt before him and swore the oath of loyalty. "I pledge my life to this pack. I pledge my strength to the Alpha. I pledge to fight and die for my brothers and sisters."After they spoke the words, Arthur welcomed them into the pack. But even with these new mem
Aurora worriedly looked over at Arthur as he walked away. She needed to alert him about Silas' plans? But how? She couldn't approach him openly, not under the scrutinizing gaze of the Duenna and other nobles.Her mind raced, seeking a solution. She had to find a way to speak with him privately befo
Arthur's eyes opened slow. The world around him was fuzzy and strange. His head felt heavy like someone had filled it with rocks. The light from above hurt his eyes and made him want to close them again.Faces looked down at him. Worried faces. Men from his pack. Arthur tried to sit up but his body
"What!" Aurora's voice came out sharp and high. Her heart jumped in her chest like a scared rabbit. The word hung in the air between them, heavy and full of fear. She could feel her hands shake at her sides.Arthur looked at her with calm eyes. His face was soft, not angry like she thought it would
Arthur's heart sank like a stone in deep water. They were too late. The place was empty now. Nothing but cold ashes from old fires and the smell of people who had been here but were gone.Arthur walked around the camp with heavy steps. His chest felt tight with disappointment. Aurora had been here.







