5

Aurora still found it hard to believe the decision she had just made. She had actually decided to leave with the Lycan King, whom she had known for only a short time. Aurora was truly going to leave the Silver Pine Pack behind, along with all the memories she had made there.

Standing calmly before her was Cassian. The night breeze fluttered his long black cloak, making him appear even more commanding. Unlike Ryder, who always exuded an aura of dominance to make everyone submit, Cassian didn’t need to do a thing.

Cassian’s mere presence was enough to make the entire forest feel silent. Soon after, the sound of carriage wheels could be heard approaching. Aurora turned her head. A black carriage, engraved with the symbol of a full moon and a silver crown, came to a stop right in front of them.

The carriage was pulled by four large black horses that looked far more majestic than ordinary horses. The Lycan King’s six bodyguards stepped down at once. The silver-haired man who had stepped forward earlier took a step closer.

“Your Majesty, the carriage is ready.”

Cassian nodded. “Good.” The man then opened the carriage door.

Aurora instinctively stepped back. “I...”

She looked down at her wrinkled dress. Her hands were also covered in wet mud. Her hair, too, was a complete mess.

“I’ll get your carriage dirty if I get in.”

As soon as Aurora said that, the six guards exchanged glances.

Cassian frowned. “Get it dirty?”

Aurora nodded shyly. “My dress is dirty. And I’m…” She looked down.

“I’m not worthy of riding in such a beautiful royal carriage.”

For a few seconds, Cassian just stood there silently. He looked at the mud on Aurora’s dress before looking back at her.

“It’s just a mud.”

Aurora gave a small, embarrassed smile. “But still, it’s a royal carriage...”

Cassian glanced at the carriage. “It’s meant to be used.” Aurora blinked.

“Besides, things can be cleaned.” He added calmly. “Has someone made you believe you’re a burden?”

Aurora fell silent. “No one said anything.”

Cassian raised an eyebrow, looking at her questioningly. “Aurora.” His tone remained gentle.

“No one is born feeling unworthy. But there will always be someone who makes that person believe what they’ve heard is true.”

Aurora bit her lip gently. She didn’t answer right away, because what Cassian had just said was true. For years, Aurora had always heard the same phrases.

“Don’t eat too much.”

“That dress doesn’t look right on you.”

“If you were just a little thinner, you’d definitely look beautiful.”

Little by little, those phrases made Aurora start to believe it all. Cassian walked toward the train door. He didn’t get on right away. Instead, Cassian reached out his hand to Aurora.

“May I?”

Aurora blinked. “Hm?”

“May I help you get on this carriage?”

Aurora quickly shook her head. “No need! I can get on by myself!”

Aurora hurried toward the step of the royal carriage. However, because she was so nervous, her foot got caught on the hem of her dress.

“Ehk!”

Aurora’s body lurched backward. Before she could fall to the ground, a strong arm had already wrapped around her waist. Aurora froze. Cassian held her very carefully. His grip wasn’t too tight, but it was enough to keep Aurora from falling.

“Take it easy.” Cassian’s voice was so close.

Cassian helped her regain her balance before immediately taking a step back. “Are you hurt?”

Aurora shook her head. “No...”

“Good.”

Aurora immediately felt her face flush. “I-I’m sorry.”

It was a reflex. She apologized again. Cassian looked a little confused.

“You apologize a lot.”

Aurora looked at him, and gave a wry smile. “Do I?”

“I’ve only known you for half an hour, and you’ve apologized at least five times.”

Aurora gave a shy little laugh. Cassian slowly let go of her hand after making sure she was standing upright.

“You don’t need to keep apologizing for almost falling like that. You don’t need to apologize for your dress being wrinkled, and...”

His golden eyes gazed deeply into Aurora’s. “You don’t need to apologize for being yourself.”

Aurora’s heart began to race. No one had ever said anything like that to her before. Soon after, their journey began. The interior of the train was much more spacious than Aurora had imagined.

The seats were very plush. The windows were adorned with dark blue velvet curtains. In the corner of the carriage sat a thermos of hot tea and several small wooden boxes. Aurora sat awkwardly at the end of the seat, while Cassian sat across from her.

The atmosphere inside the horse-drawn carriage grew very quiet. Aurora kept fidgeting with her fingers,  she didn’t know what to say to Cassian. Cassian, however, had noticed this all along.

“Are you hungry?”

Aurora immediately shook her head. “No. I’m not hungry.”

Grrrttt...

Her stomach growled right after that. Aurora froze instantly.

‘Oh Moon Goddess. Why does my stomach have to growl right now?’ Aurora thought to herself, trying to hide her embarrassment.

Aurora hurriedly covered her stomach with her cloth bag. “I-I’m really not hungry.”

Cassian stared at her for a few seconds. Then, he opened one of the wooden boxes. Inside were several warm rolls, cheese, fresh fruit, and smoked meat.

“Help yourself.”

Aurora swallowed hard, staring at the food that looked absolutely delicious. However, she didn’t move right away. Cassian noticed the look on her face.

“Don’t you like the food?”

Aurora shook her head. “It’s not that.”

Cassian furrowed his brow. “Then what?”

Aurora gave a small smile. “I’m just trying to cut back on eating.”

Hearing that, Cassian immediately began to slowly close the wooden box. Aurora immediately panicked.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it that way!”

Cassian wasn’t angry, but his expression had turned very serious now. “Why?”

Aurora blinked rapidly. “Hm? Why what?”

“Why do you have to cut back on eating?”

Aurora gave a slow, hollow laugh. “Of course, because...” She pointed to her own body. “I’m already look like this now.”

Cassian stared at Aurora for quite a while, until she began to feel uncomfortable.

“I think,” Cassian began, and Aurora waited for him to continue. “The person who’s been making you starve is a much bigger problem than your body.”

Aurora’s eyes widened, but she couldn’t interrupt Cassian. He then pushed the food box back toward her.

“Eat.”

“But...”

“You’re clearly hungry, Aurora.”

“I just...”

“You’ve walked a very long way from that pack.”

“But Your Majesty....”

Cassian gave a faint smile. “That’s your King’s order.”

Aurora let out a small, spontaneous laugh. “That’s clearly cheating.”

“Maybe so. But you still have to eat.”

Aurora finally took a piece of bread from inside the wooden box. The first bite tasted so soft it almost made her cry. She only then realized that she hadn’t eaten anything since that afternoon. Cassian just watched her silently.

Aurora began to take a bite of the second piece of bread, then took a slice of cheese, and some fresh fruit as well. Aurora ate slowly, but truly savored every bite of food she was now receiving from Cassian. It wasn’t until a few minutes later that Aurora began to realize something.

“Aren’t you eating?”

Cassian shook his head slowly. “No.”

Aurora immediately frowned. “Then I’ll eat later.”

Cassian give her a small smile. “Please don’t.”

“Why?”

“Because, my wolf won’t stop worrying until it knows you’re safe enough.” Aurora frowned.

Cassian seemed a little uncomfortable admitting it. He cleared his throat softly. “It’s a Lycan instinct. I’m still getting used to it.”

Aurora nodded slowly. Aurora looked down and felt her heart racing again, wildly. Strange. This all felt so strange. Just a few hours ago, she’d been rejected by the man who was supposed to be her mate. Yet now, here was another man who was even willing to check whether she’d eaten properly or not.

And for some reason, that simple act of care felt far more sincere than all the beautiful words Aurora had ever heard in her entire life. Cassian looked out the carriage window. The forest slowly disappeared behind them. His wolf had finally fallen quiet. Not because the bond had disappeared, but because Aurora was finally safe.

Cassian exhaled softly. He still didn’t understand why the Moon Goddess had chosen her. Or why fate had crossed their paths tonight. One thing, however, was certain. Until Aurora decided where she truly wanted to go, he would make sure no one forced another decision upon her again.