4

Aurora Ashcroft was convinced she was dreaming right now. There was no other explanation. The Lycan King, the most powerful being she had only ever heard about in old stories was standing before her, claiming that she was his fated mate. How could that possibly be real?

‘Yes, this must all be just a dream. How could the Lycan King, the most powerful being I’ve ever heard of only in the elders’ stories, become my second mate?’ She thought to herself.

“Y-Your Majesty.” Aurora hurriedly took a few steps backward. “You must have mistaken me.”

Cassian remind silent for a while, then he sight. “I hope I have.”

Aurora frowned. Cassian's expression softened. “Because if my instincts are right, then the Moon Goddess has just given me the greatest surprise of my life.”

He paused. “My wolf believes you're my mate. And I'm still trying to understand it myself.”

The words made Aurora freeze. Mate?

“No.” Aurora shook her head quickly. “That was impossible. I already have a mate.”

Cassian's expression immediately changed. For the first time since meeting Aurora, confusion and concern appeared in his golden eyes.

“What happened?”

Aurora bit her lip. She didn’t want to remember. She didn't want to relive the humiliation, the whispers, or the pain that had torn through her chest only hours ago. But then Ryder's voice echoed inside her mind.

“I reject you as my mate.”

Aurora’s chest tightened. “I…” She lowered her gaze. “I’ve been rejected.”

Silence fell over the forest. Cassian didn't respond immediately. He simply stared at Aurora. Then his voice came softer than before.

“Who was the man who rejected you?”

Aurora slowly raised her head. Something had changed in Cassian's eyes. They were still gentle. But beneath that gentleness was something else. Anger.

“Alpha Ryder Thorn of the Silver Pine Pack.” Aurora forced a small smile. “He didn’t want me as his mate.”

Cassian's hands slowly curled into fists. His jaw tightened. A cold, overwhelming aura suddenly spread through the forest. The leaves around them began to tremble. Aurora immediately sensed the change.

“Your Majesty?”

Cassian closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It took several seconds before the terrifying pressure surrounding him finally disappeared.

“I’m sorry.”

Aurora shook her head. “Why are you the one apologizing?”

Cassian looked directly into her eyes. “Because someone made you believe you weren't worthy.”

Those simple words shattered the last of Aurora's defenses. Tears immediately filled her eyes. She hurriedly wiped them away.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cry.”

Cassian looked genuinely confused. It was almost as if he couldn't understand why she was apologizing for something as natural as tears.

“You don’t need to apologize.”

Aurora let out a bitter little laugh. “I’m always apologizing.” She lowered her gaze.

“When I eat too much. When my dress doesn't fit properly. When I'm not pretty enough.”

Her voice trembled. “I'm always apologizing for simply being myself.”

Cassian fell silent. Aurora swallowed hard. “Maybe Alpha Ryder was right.”

She forced the words out. “Maybe I'm really not the kind of woman worthy of being a Luna.”

Cassian's expression darkened. He took a step toward her. Aurora instinctively stepped backward. But her back soon met the rough bark of a tree. There was nowhere else to go. Cassian slowly raised his hand. Aurora immediately closed her eyes. For some reason, she was afraid.

Afraid that this man would look at her the same way Ryder had. Afraid that she would hear those same cruel words again. But instead, she felt something warm and gentle brush against her cheek. Cassian was wiping away her tears with his thumb. His touch was incredibly careful, as though she were something fragile.

“Look at me.”

Aurora slowly opened her eyes, and those golden eyes were watching her. Warm. Steady. Certain.

“I want you to listen to me carefully.”

Aurora nodded faintly. Cassian's gaze never left hers.

“There’s nothing wrong with your body.” Aurora's breath caught.

“Not a single thing is wrong.” His voice was firm.

“You may not believe me yet, and I may not know you well enough to tell you everything you are.”

He paused. “But I know this. No one deserves to be humiliated the way you were tonight.”

Aurora's eyes filled with tears again. “But I, ” She tried to speak.

“Are you hurt?” The sudden question caught her off guard.

Aurora blinked. “My knee... It hurts a little.”

Cassian immediately lowered himself to his knees. Aurora's eyes widened. “Your Majesty!”

But Cassian was already examining her injured knee. The wound was small. Yet the sight of blood made his expression turn unusually grim. Anyone who saw him would have thought Aurora had suffered a terrible injury. In reality, it was little more than a deep scratch.

Cassian gently placed his palm over the wound. A warm golden aura began flowing from his hand. Aurora stared in disbelief. Within seconds, the bleeding stopped. The wound slowly closed until nothing remained except unbroken skin. Aurora's eyes widened.

“This...”

“Lycans possess powerful healing abilities.” Cassian stood again. “I simply accelerated the natural healing process.”

Aurora continued staring at her knee. Everything that had happened tonight felt too impossible to process. The rejection. The rogues. The giant black wolf. The Lycan King. And now, a second mate.

Before Aurora could say anything else, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the forest. Several figures emerged from between the trees. They were dressed entirely in black. The moment they saw Cassian, all six men immediately dropped to one knee.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Aurora instinctively stepped backward. There were six of them. And every single one possessed an aura far stronger than Ryder's. The man standing at the front had silver hair and sharp, intimidating eyes. But the moment his gaze landed on Aurora, his expression changed. Surprise flashed across his face.

“That’s...” He looked at Cassian. “Your Majesty, is she the one?”

Cassian nodded. “My wolf believes she is.”

All the guards exchanged glances. They understood immediately. Without another question, they lowered their heads toward Aurora.

“Lady Aurora.”

Aurora immediately panicked. “W-wait! You’ve misunderstood! I’m not…”

“Do you have somewhere safe to go?” Cassian's question interrupted her.

Aurora look at him, then slowly shook her head. “I... I don’t know where to go actually.”

Cassian's expression softened. “Then allow me to offer you a safe places.”

Aurora stared at him. “But why?” Her voice was quiet. “Why are you being so kind to me?”

Cassian didn't hesitate. “Because I couldn’t forgive myself if I left you alone in this forest.”

He turned toward his guards. “Prepare the carriage.”

The silver-haired man looked confused. “A carriage? Your Majesty, your horse would be much faster.”

“A carriage is more comfortable.” Cassian's answer came without hesitation.

Aurora blinked. “The journey to Moonveil is long,” Cassian continued.

He glanced at her injured knee. “Aurora is exhausted. That’s reason enough to use a carriage for the trip. So prepare it immediately.”

The silver-haired guard immediately bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty.” The six guards disappeared into the forest.

Aurora looked at Cassian. “You.”

The man turned toward her. “Yes?”

“I never said I wanted to go with you.”

Cassian went silent. “Oh.”

Aurora almost laughed. For a man who ruled an entire kingdom, his reaction was surprisingly innocent. Cassian cleared his throat.

“In that case...” He straightened. “I'll ask properly.”

He bowed his head slightly. The Lycan King lowered his head slightly. “Aurora Ashcroft.”

His voice was calm and respectful. “Will you come to the Moonveil Dominion as my guest?”

Aurora clutched her cloth bag tightly against her chest. “I...”

She hesitated. She had known this man for only a few minutes. She shouldn't trust him. She shouldn't follow a stranger to an entirely different kingdom. And yet... She wasn't afraid of him. Cassian wasn't forcing her. He simply stood there, waiting. Giving her the choice.

Aurora looked toward the sky. The full moon still hung above the forest. Then she looked back in the direction of the Silver Pine Pack. There was no home waiting for her there anymore. No family. No place where she belonged. Only memories of humiliation. Aurora took a slow breath.

“If I go with you...” She looked at Cassian. “How long will I have to stay?”

A faint smile touched Cassian's lips. “Moonveil welcomes travelers.” He paused. “Stay as long as you need.”

Aurora's eyes widened slightly. “And when you're ready to leave, no one will stop you.”

Something inside Aurora's chest warmed. She had just lost the only home she'd ever known. And yet this man, whom she'd met only tonight, was offering her another place to stay without demanding anything in return. Aurora stared at him for several seconds. Then, slowly, she nodded.

Her voice was quiet. “I'll go with you.”

A small smile appeared on Cassian's face. “Thank you.”

Aurora immediately shook her head. “No. I should be the one saying that.”

Cassian simply smiled. “You're welcome.”

From a distance, the six guards had quietly returned. They exchanged glances. They knew their king better than anyone. Especially Gareth. The silver-haired warrior had served Cassian for nearly eighty years. He had seen his king defeat armies. He had watched him face ancient monsters. He had witnessed him negotiate treaties that seemed impossible to achieve. He had seen Cassian remain calm in situations that would have terrified ordinary werewolves.

But tonight, for the first time, Gareth saw something completely different. Their king was choosing every word carefully. Moving carefully. Even keeping his distance carefully. As if he were afraid that one wrong move might frighten a wounded bird away. And when Aurora finally said those four simple words, “I'll go with you.”

Cassian smiled. It was barely noticeable. But Gareth saw it. And so did the other guards. For the first time in decades, their king looked genuinely happy. Because the woman standing before him had chosen to take the first step toward his world. And none of them knew it yet, but that single decision would soon change the fate of both the Silver Pine Pack and the Moonveil Dominion forever.