5

Aurora still found it difficult to believe the decision she had just made. She had actually agreed to leave with the Lycan King, a man she had known for less than an hour. She was truly leaving the Silver Pine Pack behind. The only home she had ever known. The place where she had spent years cooking, working, laughing, and quietly enduring every hurtful word thrown her way. Tonight, all of it would become nothing more than a memory.

Aurora glanced at the man standing calmly before her. Cassian Ravenshade. The night breeze fluttered his long black cloak, making his already imposing figure appear even more commanding. Yet unlike Ryder, who always seemed to rely on his Alpha aura to make others submit, Cassian didn't need to do anything. His mere presence was enough to make the entire forest fall silent. Not because he was trying to intimidate anyone. But because everyone instinctively knew how powerful he was.

A moment later, the sound of carriage wheels echoed through the forest. Aurora turned her head. A magnificent black carriage emerged from between the trees and came to a stop in front of them. Its dark surface was engraved with the symbol of a silver crown beneath a full moon. Four enormous black horses pulled it, their coats gleaming beneath the moonlight. The six Lycan guards immediately stepped forward. The silver-haired man who had spoken earlier approached Cassian and bowed.

“Your Majesty, the carriage is ready.”

Cassian nodded. “Good.” He immediately opened the carriage door.

Aurora, however, didn't move. Instead, she instinctively took a step backward. “I...”

Her gaze dropped to herself. Her dark green dress was wrinkled and stained with mud. Her hands were still dirty from crawling through the forest, and her long brown hair was a complete mess after running from the Rogues. Aurora looked at the pristine carriage again.

“I'll get it dirty if I get inside.”

The six guards exchanged confused glances. Cassian frowned slightly. “Get it dirty?”

Aurora nodded shyly. “My dress is dirty. And I’m…” Her voice became quieter. “I’m not worthy of riding in such a beautiful royal carriage.”

For several seconds, Cassian said nothing. His golden eyes traveled over the mud on Aurora's dress before returning to her face. Then he spoke calmly.

“It’s only mud.”

Aurora gave an embarrassed smile. “But this is a royal carriage…”

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

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

Aurora immediately fell silent. “No one said anything.”

Cassian raised an eyebrow. “Aurora.”

His voice remained gentle, but there was something strangely perceptive about the way he said her name.

“No one is born believing they're unworthy.” His gaze softened. “But there will always be someone who makes them believe it.”

Aurora bit her lower lip. She didn't answer. Because Cassian was right. For years, she'd heard the same things over and over again.

“Don’t eat too much.”

“That dress doesn’t suit you.”

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

At first, those words had only hurt. Then they had become familiar. And eventually, Aurora had started believing them herself. Cassian walked toward the carriage but didn't get inside. Instead, he turned around and extended his hand toward her.

“May I?”

Aurora stared at his hand. “Hmm?”

“May I help you get inside?”

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

She hurried toward the carriage. But perhaps because she was still nervous, her foot caught on the hem of her dress.

“Ah!”

Her body suddenly lurched backward. Before she could hit the ground, a strong arm wrapped around her waist. Aurora froze. Cassian had caught her. His grip was firm enough to keep her steady, yet surprisingly gentle. He immediately helped her regain her balance before taking a step back.

“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 quickly. “No...”

“Good.”

Aurora's cheeks immediately heated. “I-I’m sorry.”

It was a reflex. She apologized again. Cassian stared at her. There was a brief paused.

“You apologize a lot.”

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

“I've known you for less than an hour.” His lips curved slightly. “And you've apologized at least five times.”

Aurora couldn't help but let out a small, embarrassed laugh. Cassian released her hand only after making sure she was standing steadily.

“You don't need to apologize for almost falling.” Aurora looked up at him. “You don't need to apologize because your dress is dirty.”

He paused. “And you certainly don't need to apologize for being yourself.”

Aurora's heart skipped. No one had ever said those words to her before. Not once. Cassian gestured toward the carriage.

“Now.” He gave her a faint smile. “Shall we?”

Aurora nodded slowly. “All right.”

She finally stepped inside. The interior of the royal carriage was far more luxurious than Aurora had imagined. The seats were covered in soft velvet. Dark blue curtains framed the windows, and a small table was positioned between the seats. In one corner sat a silver thermos filled with hot tea, along with several wooden food boxes.

Aurora sat awkwardly at the far end of the seat. Cassian sat across from her. For a while, neither of them spoke. The carriage began moving, its wheels rolling steadily over the forest path. Aurora kept fidgeting with her fingers. She didn't know what to say. She had never been alone with someone like Cassian before. Especially not a man who was supposedly her second fated mate.

Cassian noticed her discomfort. “Are you hungry?”

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

Grrrttt...

A loud growl came from her stomach. Aurora froze. Cassian looked at her. Aurora slowly lowered her gaze.

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

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

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

“Eat.”

Aurora stared at the food and swallowed hard. It looked delicious. However, she didn’t move. Cassian noticed the look on her face.

“Don’t you like it?”

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

Cassian furrowed his brow. “Then what is it?”

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

Cassian's hand slowly stopped. He closed the wooden box halfway. Aurora immediately panicked.

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

Cassian wasn’t angry, but his expression had become noticeably more serious. “Why?”

Aurora blinked. “Why what?”

“Why are you trying to eat less?”

Aurora gave a hollow little laugh. “Of course, because...” She gestured toward herself. “I’m already look like this.”

Cassian stared at her for several seconds. Aurora began to feel uncomfortable beneath his gaze. Then he spoke.

“I think the person who taught you to starve yourself is a much bigger problem than your body.”

Aurora’s eyes widened. She didn't know how to respond. Cassian pushed the food box toward her again.

“Eat.”

“But...”

“You’re hungry, Aurora.”

Aurora looked down. “I just...”

“You walked for hours after leaving your pack.” His voice remained calm.

“You fought for your life against four Rogues.” He paused. “And you haven't eaten since this afternoon.”

Aurora fell silent. Cassian leaned back slightly. “Your body needs food.”

“But Your Majesty....”

A faint smile appeared on his lips. “That's your King's order.”

Aurora stared at him. Then, despite herself, she laughed softly. “That's cheating.”

“Perhaps.” Cassian's smile grew slightly. “But you still have to eat.”

Aurora finally reached for one of the bread rolls. She took a small bite. The bread was still warm and incredibly soft. Her eyes immediately widened. She took another bite. Then another. Only after a few moments did Aurora realize just how hungry she actually was. She reached for a slice of cheese, then some fruit.

Cassian simply watched her. There was no judgment in his eyes. No disgust. No reminder that she needed to lose weight. He just watched to make sure she ate. After a while, Aurora suddenly looked up.

“Aren’t you eating?”

Cassian shook his head. “No.”

Aurora frowned. “Then I'll stop.”

Cassian immediately looked at her. “Please don't.”

“Why?”

He hesitated. For the first time, the usually composed Lycan King looked slightly uncomfortable.

“My wolf.”

Aurora tilted her head. “What about him?”

Cassian cleared his throat. “He won't stop worrying until he knows you're safe.”

Aurora blinked. Cassian looked toward the carriage window. “It's a Lycan instinct.”

He sighed quietly. “I'm still getting used to it.”

Aurora smiled faintly. “Oh.”

She looked down at the bread in her hand. For some reason, her heart was beating faster again. This was strange. Only a few hours ago, the man she had believed was destined for her had rejected her in front of the entire pack. He had looked at her body and decided she wasn't worthy of standing beside him.

And now, another man had crossed her path. A man far more powerful than Ryder. A King. Yet instead of judging her, he was worried about whether she'd eaten enough. Instead of telling her to change, he was telling her she didn't need to apologize for being herself. It was such a simple act of kindness. Yet somehow, it felt more sincere than all the beautiful words Aurora had heard throughout her life.

She quietly took another bite. Across from her, Cassian turned his gaze toward the window. The forest slowly disappeared behind them. The Silver Pine Pack was getting farther and farther away. Cassian could feel his wolf finally calming down inside him. Not because the bond had weakened. Quite the opposite. His wolf had simply stopped pacing because the woman they had been searching for was finally safe.

Cassian exhaled slowly. He still didn't understand why the Moon Goddess had chosen Aurora. He didn't understand why their paths had crossed on this particular night. But there was one thing he knew. Until Aurora decided where she truly wanted to belong, he would protect her right to choose. No one would force another decision upon her. Not while she was under his protection. And perhaps, for the first time in centuries, Cassian found himself looking forward to discovering where fate would lead them next.