4

Aurora Ashcroft was convinced she was dreaming right now.

‘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 back. “You must have mistaken me.”

Cassian remind silent for a while, then he said. “I hope I am.”

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

“My wolf believes that you’re my mate. And I’m still trying to understand it myself.”

Those words instantly made Aurora freeze. Mate?

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

Cassian’s expression changed. For the first time since meeting Aurora, his face showed other emotions, a hint of confusion and concern.

“What happened?”

Aurora bit her lip. She didn’t want to remember it anymore. She didn’t want to relive all the pain she’d felt before. But the image of Ryder resurfaced in Aurora’s mind.

“I reject you as my mate.”

Aurora’s chest tightened again. “I…” Aurora looked down. “I’ve been rejected by him.”

Silence filled the forest. Cassian didn’t speak right away. He just stared at Aurora for quite a while. Then, in a voice much softer than before, he asked.

“Who is this man who rejected you?”

Aurora lifted her head. Cassian’s golden gaze was now very different. It was still gentle, but there was anger slowly rising beneath it.

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

Cassian clenched both fists. His jaw tightened. A cold aura instantly filled the air. The leaves around them began to tremble. Aurora immediately sensed the change.

“Your Majesty?”

Cassian took a deep breath and tried to control himself. It took a few seconds before that terrifying aura slowly faded.

“I’m sorry.”

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

Cassian looked deeply into Aurora’s eyes. “Because someone has made you believe that you’re not worthy.”

That simple sentence caused Aurora’s defenses to crumble. Tears immediately streamed down her face, and she hurriedly wiped them away.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cry.”

Cassian looked confused. It was as if he didn’t understand why Aurora was apologizing.

“You don’t need to apologize.”

Aurora let out a bitter little laugh. “I’m always apologizing. When I eat too much. When my dress is too small. When I’m not pretty enough. I’m always apologizing for everything I do.”

Cassian fell silent. Aurora then continued. “Maybe Alpha Ryder is right, maybe I really am not the kind of Luna worthy of being the pack’s symbol.”

Suddenly, Cassian stepped closer, and Aurora instinctively stepped back. But her back was already pressed against the tree trunk. She couldn’t go anywhere now. Cassian raised his hand, and Aurora automatically closed her eyes. For some reason, she felt afraid.

Afraid that this man would say the same thing the Silver Pine Pack had said about her. But all she felt was a gentle touch. Cassian wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumb. His movements were incredibly careful, as if Aurora were made of glass.

“Look at me.”

Aurora slowly opened her eyes, and those golden eyes felt so warm.

“I want you to listen to me carefully.”

Aurora nodded softly. Cassian looked at her with a firm gaze.

“There’s nothing wrong with your body. Not a single thing is wrong. Maybe, I don’t know you well enough to tell you who you are. But I know this. No one deserves to be humiliated the way you were.”

Aurora choked up. “But I, ” She tried to speak.

“Are you hurt?” Cassian immediately cut her off.

Aurora nodded slightly. “My knee is a little sore.”

Cassian immediately dropped to his knees. Aurora’s eyes widened in surprise. “Your Majesty!”

But the man was already holding Aurora’s ankle very gently. Aurora’s knee was bleeding from the fall she’d taken while being chased by those four rogues earlier. Cassian frowned. Anyone who saw Cassian’s expression would surely think that Aurora had suffered a very serious injury. In reality, it was just a small scratch.

Cassian gently rubbed the wound. A warm aura flowed from his palm. And in a matter of seconds, the wound on Aurora’s knee vanished. Aurora stared at her knee, her eyes growing wider.

“This...”

“Lycans possess healing abilities.” Cassian stood back up. “And I merely accelerated the process.”

Aurora was still speechless. Everything that had happened tonight felt too impossible for her to comprehend right away.

The sound of footsteps echoed from the distance. Several men dressed in black emerged from among the trees. As soon as they saw Cassian, they immediately dropped to their knees.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Aurora immediately took a step back. There were six of them. All of them had an aura far stronger than Ryder’s. The man standing at the front had silver hair and a piercing gaze. But when he saw Aurora, his expression shifted to one of surprise.

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

Cassian nodded briefly. “My wolf believes she is.”

All the guards exchanged glances. They understood immediately. Then they simplty saluted as a sign of respect for the guest the King had saved.

“Lady Aurora.”

Aurora panicked. “W-wait! You’ve all got the wrong idea! I’m not…”

“Do you have somewhere safe to go?” Cassian asked.

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

“Then allow me to offer you a safe places.”

“But why? Why are you being nice to me?”

“Because I couldn’t forgive myself if I left you alone in this forest.” Cassian turned to his guards. “Prepare the carriage.”

The silver-haired man looked a little confused. “A carriage? Your Majesty’s horse is much faster.”

“A carriage is more comfortable for the journey,” Cassian replied without hesitation.

Aurora blinked rapidly. The guard still looked confused.

“The journey to Moonveil is quite long,”

Cassian said flatly. “Aurora must be exhausted. That’s reason enough to use a carriage for the trip. So prepare it immediately.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” They immediately disappeared.

Aurora looked at Cassian. “You.”

The man turned his head. “What?”

“I haven’t said I want to go with you.”

Cassian was silent for a few seconds. “Oh.”

Aurora almost laughed at his reaction. For a Lycan King, his expression was amusing. Cassian cleared his throat softly.

“In that case, I’ll ask the proper way.”

He bowed his head slightly. “Aurora Ashcroft. Will you come to the Moonveil Dominion as my guest?”

Aurora clutched the cloth bag to her chest. “I...”

She hesitated. She’d only known the man for a few minutes. But for some reason, Aurora wasn’t afraid. Cassian wasn’t pressuring her. He just stood there, waiting for her answer. Aurora gazed up at the sky, then turned her gaze toward the road leading to the Silver Pine Pack. There, there was no home left for her. No family remained. All that was left were memories of humiliation. Aurora took a deep breath, then looked at Cassian.

“If I go with you, how long will I be there?”

Cassian gave a faint smile. “Moonveil welcomes travelers. Stay as long as you need. When you’re ready to leave, no one will stop you.”

Aurora was truly surprised. Those words warmed Aurora’s heart. Having just lost her home, here was someone offering her place to stay without asking for anything in return. Aurora stared at the man for a few seconds. Slowly, she nodded.

“All right. I’ll go with you. Thank you so much...”

“You’re welcome.”

Cassian’s smile was indeed barely noticeable. But his six bodyguards, who had been quietly watching from a distance, now exchanged glances. They knew their king better than anyone else. Especially Gareth, who has served Cassian for nearly eighty years. He had seen his king defeat armies. Face ancient monsters, and negotiate impossible treaties.

Yet, this was the first time they had ever seen Their Majesty hesitate before speaking to someone. The first time they had seen the King choose his words so carefully. As though he feared frightening a wounded bird away. And tonight, Cassian smile simply because a woman named Aurora Ashcroft said, ‘I’ll go with you.’