LOGINChapter 05
Aurora's POV
I was about to get a job as a tracker.
It was both a nightmare and a dream come true. Finally, I could start doing one thing I've always loved, catching bad guys.
Cartel De Imperio was the rogue werewolf gang linked to my father's death years ago, finding them had been my obsession until my mother made me promise I wouldn't chase them on my own.
Now, with Kaelen and his security firm, I would help bring them down and stop other wolves from getting hurt.
But then, working with Kaelen didn't seem much like a sweet dream.
It was a day after I'd gotten into a hotel and finally left Gina in her apartment with him.
Kaelen insisted that he didn't promise me any job but I could come for the interview later today. But I knew I was good at what I did and maybe, just maybe, Gina would put in a good word for me too.
After all, she was his girlfriend.
The thought alone made me feel a lump in my throat.
I was happy for my sister. Although she seemed a little unhappy and almost bored. But still, I knew Kaelen would love her and care for her.
I couldn't let her ever know what had happened between Kaelen and I. I didn't want to ruin my sister's happiness. I knew what it felt like to be betrayed by Daphne and I'd never do that to anyone.
Dropping my bags and unpacking a little, I changed into something formal, picking out a black pencil skirt and silk blouse and pair of heels.
When I arrived at Kaelen's company later that afternoon, I couldn't help but marvel at how well he'd done for himself.
Gina told me he owned a vast majority of the shares and has been doing a good job in the town, being among the top security firms.
Who would have thought that Kaelen would not take over the pack like his father had, after all, he was the alpha's son. But then, I always knew he had a mind of his own and he wanted to help and protect people.
“Are you here for the interview?" The front desk lady asked me and I nodded with a soft smile.
“Please, sit. The Chief Officer will see you shortly," she said and offered me a small cushioned bench.
I sat there, looking at my reflection on the glass and wondering if my hips were a little too stuffed in the shirt? Could I really see my nipples through the lacy bra or was it just the cold?
I inhaled deeply and clutched my file in hand. Kaelen just had to give me a job and I'd make sure to avoid him for the rest of my stay.
Going back to the pack wasn't an option, at least not any time soon. Sylvester was still blowing up my phone and I'd received more missed calls the last 48 hours than I had in my entire life.
But still, I wasn't going back on my decisions. A broken engagement was better than a divorce and perhaps, it was high time I started a new life away from my past, no matter how hard it was.
Ironically, starting a new life was literally dropping me in the laps of my ex lover, Kaelen. Could I call him that? Did all the protective teasing and endless arguments and one passionate night qualify him as my ex lover?
I wasn’t sure, but I knew my heart skipped each time he was near and he wouldn't take those enchanting pair of sinful eyes off me.
“Aurora Thompson?” The receptionist called and I jerked up.
"That's me,” I said with a startled smile.
"The Chief Officer will see you know.”
"Thank you,” I muttered and rushed to the elevator leading to the top floor like she's instructed.
When I stood outside his office and knocked twice on the door, I didn't expect him to call me by name.
“Come on, Aurora," he said hoarsely.
I swallowed, opened the door and got in.
"Sit down,” he said without looking up from his laptop and I sat, laying my file on the table.
“Do you know you're the most qualified I've seen today? Some of these trackers have no idea what their job is.”
Hearing that actually made me smile and I knew this was my opportunity to pitch myself if I wanted to be hired. “I'm honored to hear that…I have been tracking the Cartel De Imperio for a while now…”
"Why?”
"What?”
"I'm asking why you're tracking a dangerous cartel that could get you killed.”
For a second, I just wanted to tell him that I thought they killed my father and I've wanted to track them down since I was a kid. But that would make me sounded like a psycho.
"It's…it's personal."
Kaelen looked up and frowned at me. “Just like your wedding?"
I was stunned, what did he know about my wedding? Did Gina tell him anything?
"I don't know what you mean.”
"You know I don't want you to get hurt, Aurora. And it's frustrating when you hide things from me,” he growled, glaring at me.
I was not ready to be scolded. "I'm not your responsibility, Kaelen. You have a girlfriend now and I just need a job so are you going to…”
“Stop worrying about Gina, she's just…” he paused and then shrugged. "Forget it.*
“You both look great together,” I choked out and added, "if you just look at my CV, I'm sure you'd hire me, I won't be in your way, I swear.”
But I didn't get to finish when he was out of his seat and leaning across the table until his face was just inches away from mine.
“It's my company, I can decide whether to hire you or not despite how qualified you are. And as for being my responsibility, I never stopped thinking about you, little duckling,” he breathed and then lifted his hands, grazing my cheeks tenderly as he stared at my lips. "I won't let anything hurt you, not even some stupid job.”
“So you're not giving me the job?" I choked out, barely breathing with how close he was.
“I didn't say that," he growled and his fingers dropped a little, resting right on my throat, where my pulse was jumping like I was having a cardiac arrest.
His eyes went to my house where even I could see my nipples sticking out like freaking pebbles.
“Your skin is so soft. I can't bear the thought of anything or anyone hurting you."
"Kaelen…" I purred, unable to get away until he got even closer and could smell his cologne and the mint on his breath.
I could feel my breath leave my lungs and the mating mark begin to burn as his lips hovered over mine, almost touching.
Abruptly, I slapped him across the face and stood up, panting.
“Stop!" I panted, “you're my sister's boyfriend."
Kaelen's face twisted to the left and I could already see my red print on his cheeks. He didn't say a word as his cold eyes followed my movement.
“It's fine if you won't hire me, I'll leave! I'll just get another job and stay away from you!"
I grabbed my files and purse and was about to open the door when his voice stopped me.
“You're hired," he snapped.
I froze and whipped around. “Really?"
His voice sounded thick and raspy as he added. "You'll be working directly under me. Your job starts tomorrow, don't be late.”
“I'm sorry…for the slap, I didn't mean…”
His face was stony as he replied. "Get your details to HR, Miss Aurora. Have a great day."
Chapter 155Aurora’s POV"Kaelen...?" I whispered disbelievingly. "You're... you're awake?!"Before I could even blink, Kaelen closed the distance between us. He reached out, grabbing my waist and lifting me straight off my feet as he pulled me hard against his chest. He buried his face in the crook of my neck, wrapping his arms around me so tightly I could barely draw a breath."I'm awake, duckling," he murmured, "I'm right here."All the stress of the night just left me overwhelmed in that minute. My knees gave out and I wrapped my arms around his neck, burying my face against his broad shoulder, and burst into tears."I thought you were dead," I sobbed, my fingers clutching at the back of his shirt. "I thought that old bastard had poisoned you into a permanent coma.”."Hey, girl, I'm here now.” I looked up at him tearily. "They kept telling me it was a healing sleep, but you wouldn't move, you wouldn't wake up, and I was all alone out here with them."Kaelen didn't try to stop
Chapter 154 Aurora’s POV"Touch me and you die!" I roared, taking a step back as two guards lunged toward my arms.The crowd in the village square gasped, stepping backward from the scene. I could see how mindless these people were and if they grabbed me, I wouldn't find a way out until this cunning man said so. I couldn't allow them to take me no matter what. Master Alistair sneered at them. “I said take her, what are you waiting for?" “Try it and I'll have your heads," I stood my ground. “I am your mistress." "Look at her!" Alistair snapped. "Look at the wildness in her eyes. I'm sure the savagery and blood of the lowlands has corrupted her mind. I brought her here believing she was our pure-blood savior, but her wolf is unstable! The madness has taken her!"The more he spoke, I could see the villagers glancing at me wearily, clearly believing all the words he was saying. One girl even turned away and began to cry on her mother who equally avoided my eyes. “I am not unstabl
Chapter 153 Aurora's POV Joshua’s jaw dropped open. "The... the breakfast hall?""Yes!" I said, pointing upwards. "Why do we need to have such an elaborate breakfast hall just to eat raw fish once a day, when we could use that space to take proper care of our people? It has large windows, access to sunlight, fresh water, and plenty of room for beds. Do you understand how much better that would be?""With all due respect, Mistress Aurora?" Joshua gasped, looking around as if checking if anyone else was listening. "The Great Pavilion has been used as our sacred gathering and breakfast hall for forever! It is ancient tradition!""Then it is time we change that law!" I shot back, taking a step closer to him. "Human beings come first! Not your stupid breakfast traditions! The servants should be moved into the Great Pavilion at once.” "Mistress…" “I'm not done talking!" I held up my hands. "From now on, people can eat breakfast in their own individual lodges for all I care. And if we ca
Chapter 152Aurora's POV The young girls scrambled up from their straw mats, sobbing in relief, and huddled tightly behind me.Joshua led our group quickly up the ravine path and out into the open. Oh my god! I could hear people crying out and grunting already. But Joshua wasn't leading us into the fight. He shoved open an iron door by the side of the ravine and ushered all of us into a large tunnel that opened into a fancy hall. In fact, just looking at this, one wouldn't believe that right down the same tunnel was a shit hole like that so-called living quarters.“Stay here, I'll come for you once it's safe," Joshua said, looking into my eyes. “What's going on? Why would that Alpha attack us…” “There's no time for questions, Mistress, please, wait for my return." “Joshua!" I didn't get his attention as he slammed the door and we were locked inside. That same moment, the earth shook again from another explosion and several girls continued weeping hysterically. But Liora and
Chapter 151 Aurora’s POVAfter Liora left my lodge, I couldn't relax. Her words kept ringing in my mind about the dark, damp cellar where the servants were crammed, sleeping on filthy straw mats with no running water and no sunlight. For the rest of the day, I locked myself inside, praying no one would come knocking about some stupid tradition bullshit again. Thankfully, I was left alone until evening, when I decided I needed to see all that Liora had told me with my own eyes before I confronted Alistair.I met Liora by the edge of the pottery shed, and she nervously guided me down a steep, narrow dirt trail that went down into the deep ravine behind the main village.The farther we went, the darker and colder it got, until I was almost shivering. When Liora finally stopped in front of an old wooden door that was so rickety it was dangling off its hinges, my heart fell. She fumbled with the door for a bit and then pushed it open. God! The smell hit me instantly. It was a foul,
Chapter 150Aurora's POV A few minutes later, we were inside the sitting room of the couple's lodge.Kaelen was still lying motionless on the bed in the inner room, caught in that deep, endless coma sleep. I kept the velvet curtain pulled shut so Liora wouldn't have to see him or worry about anyone else being in the house.Excusing her for a bit, I went into the small kitchenette to fix her something. I knew she hadn't eaten lunch because of the whole ruckus, and the girl looked much too thin. “What would you like to eat?" I asked softly and she blinked at me, finally tearing her eyes away from the window. “Oh, don't bother, Mistress," she said softly, looking down and fumbling with her skirt. I knew that modest tone but I wasn't going to allow it to deceive me. She could be starving and still reject my food. “I'll make you some pork soup and veggies," I said decisively without asking any more questions and went to work. I wasn't the best of cooks but soon, I whipped up somet







