Chapter 1: Blood Over My Hands

Aurora’s POV

How do you keep up with the burden of perfection lying on your shoulders? 

Can’t I just be myself? Just be the Aurora that I have always wanted to be? 

A thousand crystal chandeliers glistened above the grand ballroom, each adding a gentle glow that filled the space with a warm, golden light. The air was filled with the delicate hum of stringed instruments, their melody wrapping around the gentle murmur of elegant guests, who moved like swirls of color in their silk gowns and tailored suits.

The scent of fresh roses, imported from exotic lands, mingled with the decadent aroma of gourmet dishes served on silver platters by impeccably dressed waitstaff. Every step across the polished marble floor echoed lightly as if even the sound was too refined to interrupt the conversations of the elite.

Laughter sparkled in the air while beneath the surface, secret glances and subtle gestures wove stories of desire, envy, and power. 

“Are you alright?” I was brought back to my reality.

Alexander—my husband—slid his hands over mine, his touch a mere performance, his gaze drilling into mine as if searching for something. Concern. That was what he wanted to feign. But I knew better.

It was all for the show. Behind closed doors, we were strangers. Since the confirmation of my pregnancy, we had been sleeping in separate rooms, sharing only the illusion of a marriage.

I forced a subtle smile and gave his hands a gentle squeeze, a silent reassurance that I was fine.

“I was just admiring the beauty of the party,” I murmured, withdrawing my hands before the tension between us could suffocate me further.

“Should we go down and greet our guests?” I asked, my tone light. “We’ve been sitting here too long, just watching them dance.”

Alexander leaned back in his chair, his silence answer enough. He had no intention of joining me.

I sighed and stood. “I will greet them first. You can come down if you wish—that is, if you still wish to accompany your Luna.”

I walked away without looking back, the growing resentment festering within me. What was the point of standing beside a man who only pretended to care? Once this ball ended, we would return to our separate lives, our separate rooms, our separate loneliness.

“Dear Aurora!”

Ruppert, Alexander’s father, spread his arms wide upon seeing me. His presence always commanded the room, his booming voice impossible to ignore.

“Why are you alone?” His smile faded, eyes narrowing as he glanced past me. “Where is my goddamn son? Why is he just sitting there, watching us?”

“He isn’t feeling well. He said he’ll come down later.” I masked the lie with ease. “If he were fine, he would be here beside me, welcoming our guests.”

Ruppert’s expression darkened. He studied me, his gaze sharp. “I’ve known you since you were a child, Aurora. I know when you’re lying.” His voice was low, meant for my ears only.

I let out a soft chuckle, brushing off his suspicion. “He was just feeling dizzy. I didn’t want to force him to join me when I could handle this myself.”

He opened his mouth to protest, but I quickly turned to my parents, standing nearby.

“Mom,” I whispered, wrapping my arms around her tightly. “Thank you for coming. Pregnancy has been… difficult.”

She cupped my cheeks and laughed. “I was like you as well when I was just carrying you in my womb. I am sure your baby would grow healthy and just as beautiful as you are… it would be your pride and joy.”

I could not help but stop the tears from flowing through my eyes. “You do not know how much it means that you joined me here.”

I was about to go and hug my father who was staring at me as well when all of a sudden, a girl, dressed in a waitress outfit, squeezed in the middle and ended up stumbling in front of us. 

“Ouch!” Her voice echoed all around the room and her hands were smothered with the wine she had spilled. 

“Oh my–I did not mean to… I am sorry.” I apologized sincerely as I offered her a hand. 

“What is happening here?” Alexander suddenly jumped in front of me. His hands… it was wrapped around the girl’s wrist as he helped her stand. 

I was frozen in my stand. It took him no amount of second to help her get up? How so? 

What could have driven him out of his seat and helped this poor girl stand up after stumbling over her feet? 

“Are you alright, Nova?” Alexander asked. 

“How do you know her name?” I tried to remain composed. “Am I missing on something?” 

My heart was beating faster as I looked into his hands interlocked with hers. He had never even saved me in tough times like that… what is happening? 

“You should have been careful, Aurora.” He said. His eyes were piercing in anger and he could not even put on the mask he showed me a while ago. The fakery… it was all gone–as if he had forgotten that we have to look in love in the eyes of our subjects.

“You are the Luna, you should be taking care of your people.” He said, blaming me for what happened. 

“Alpha Alexander.” I formally used his position as I fixed my poise. “I do not see any reason why you are blaming me for a mistake that she clearly did.”

“Right. Alexander, would you please keep it down? You are embarrassing her in the crowd.” Ruppert said, trying to govern over his son. 

“No.” The alpha clearly made his statement. “You could have hurt Nova and made a huge mess. You were the one who embarrassed yourself, Aurora.”

My heart beat faster and my nerves were shaking by itself. I could hear murmurs and whispers around me and no matter how hard I try to stop my eyes from clouding by itself, I am losing my sanity. 

My lips were shaking as I tried to formulate the right words to say. What should a wife say when your husband is clearly defending a woman you have never even heard of?

“I’m sorry.” I felt as if there was a lump over my throat. “I would never do such ever again.”

Alexander just stared at me blankly as he nodded. “Good.” 

I watched him smile over Nova and turn his back at me. He did not even ask whether I was hurt or if I was fine. 

Did he prioritize a complete stranger over me? His wife? His Luna?

It felt like I was stabbed watching him go back to his seat and ignoring me. What have I done wrong to deserve this?

My hands moved on their own and grabbed the nearest drink I could get my fingers on. 

“What are you doing?!” Father asked as he tried to grab the drink from my grip but failed. 

I was able to gulp it down while I darted over to the woman who was walking back to the kitchen, soaked in the scent of a fermented grape. 

“You are pregnant, you shouldn't have done that.” He said, scolding me. 

I felt like my world was spinning and my heart was beating faster–as if someone was chasing its beat. My chest is moving in an abrupt way, up and down, losing the oxygen I have totally taken for granted. 

“Aurora, are you okay?!” I could hear my mom panicking as she held my back and gently caressed it. 

“You looked pale! Everyone, call for the physician!” Her voice raised and rang over my ears but I was shaking too much to even notice my surroundings. 

All I saw was the clouds fogging over my vision and my sweat falling over my chin. 

“Something is wrong… with my stomach.” My voice cracked as I held my belly, feeling as if something was eating me from the inside. 

Even if I tried to breathe properly, the excruciating pain was too much to bear. 

“Blood…” I heard my mom whispering as she looked at the floor. Her eyes were darted over the ground with a shocked expression, her eyes bawling out of its socket. 

I forced myself to look down and moved away to see what was going on. 

Suddenly, my eyes became clear enough to see what was happening. My heart, which was at full speed, suddenly stopped pulsing and my world seemed to be darkening. 

“My baby…” I could only speak in a ragged breath as I stopped myself from stumbling. 

My grip tightened on my mother’s wrist as I was confused… perplexed… and did not know what to do. 

“What is happening?” Tears started falling and rolling down my cheeks as I looked around to see everyone judging and murmuring about me. 

What have I done?