Thanks for all the gems sorry for the delay! xx
Aurora POV By the time I get downstairs, everyone is already gathered in the dining room. I have never particularly liked this room. It feels too rigid with its dark wood and dim lighting and red walls. I much prefer the kitchen bar stool or the lounge. That is where the kids are eating tonight so they can watch a movie because apparently, grown-up dinners are boring.Elio and Kara are in the corner chatting. My sister is wearing a black glittering dress with winged liner so sharp it could cut glass. Elio is dressed to match his fitted black sparkly suit with no shirt, which makes him look incredibly handsome.Stacey is sitting on my brother’s knee wearing a grey halter neck dress with a nude bodysuit underneath. The grey silver beads creating a webbed look that wraps around her body like a snake. Her dark glossy hair is styled in an updo; her face is natural apart from her blood red lipstick. I arch a brow at her as she gives me a smile, my brother’s hand creeping up her bare thigh.
Aurora POV “Luca will be alright, you know?” I turn seeing Caleb in the doorway as I let out a sigh, zipping up my pale blue dress with decorative large beaded flowers. “How can you know that?” Caleb adjusts his glasses coming up behind me as I add my gold earrings in the mirror. “I know things,” he teases, tapping his glasses as a smile tugs at my lips whilst I roll my eyes.What I don’t tell him is that I thought I was past my trauma. But something had been niggling at me since Kara said Dylan wasn’t our father. I know he isn’t. He’s actually a really sweet guy, to be honest, and had taken Logan’s crush well for the most part … but all the other issues Riley mentioned, the stress in their relationship, Logan biting her neck no doubt sent him over the edge. Was I projecting? My father nearly destroyed my mother. I watched it happen time and time again. She never would have left him if it wasn’t for me.It only occurs to me now I never felt with the stress of that, but seeing Luca re
Aurora POV The half-moon beams bright, casting shadows over the garden as I run back up. My legs burn and my lungs reach for breath, but I feel light. Lighter than I have been in years, actually. Ever since the moon goddess told me what was to come, I have felt like I am living with a blade dangling over my head, but now that it’s here … well started, there is a quiet acceptance of what is to come. Luca has his wolf, but I wonder if he knows the level of his abilities, his powers yet? Are they like my mates where he felt them with his wolf on his first shift, or will it be more like mine, where I summoned them out of sheer desperation to survive?Shifting back, I walk up the long lawn, feeling the breeze on my skin. The bushes rustle; the crickets are still chirping. Would Luca’s powers develop in stages? I haven’t even seen his wolf full yet, so how am I supposed to help him if I don’t know what’s coming? “I made you cocoa.” I look up from where I had pulled a rose from my favourite
Aurora POV “Dylan, that’s not what happened.” I don’t like how he is looking at Riley or how he is treating my son. This was just harmless child crush. Why is he getting so upset over this? “Really?” he challenges, grinding his teeth as he pulls Riley’s hair back to reveal the offending red mark. I see tiny imprints of teeth on her skin, making my stomach stop. “Watch your tone!” I warn, my hackles rising as Dylan looks away, baring his neck. “We’re leaving now, Riley. ”He grabs her wrist and starts dragging her out of the kitchen. “Hang on a second,” I call after them, my heart jumping over itself as fear grips me for my friend.“Dylan, you can’t seriously be this upset about this,” Ethan strides over, putting himself between me and Dylan. I sidestep perfectly capable of taking care of this myself. Dylan, however, is vibrating with rage, his knuckles white as he grips Riley’s arm. “Stay out of this. Do you think you would feel differently if Oli marked your mate!” Ethan blanches, hi
Aurora POV I keep an ear out, listening to what Kara is doing upstairs with Luca, but with their cousins here, the house has descended into chaos. Elio has taken one of the armchairs, having poured himself a brandy as he rubs his forehead, looking incredibly drained. My mates have come in from the garden to greet everybody as Sabastian hands me a wine. My fingers drum on the countertop as I count down the seconds before I decide to march upstairs and find out exactly what is going on.I’m so mad at Kara. How could she just abandon me like that and then show up as if nothing had happened? “Careful there, kitten you will break it,” I turn to Sabastian who nods down to the wine stem I am currently strangling. “Oh, right?” I let go, my fingers drumming back on the counter. I would never have done that to her. If she had thought her child was being sacrificed, I wouldn’t have just up and left like that. Who the hell does she think she is?“Kitten, just relax. I’m sure she has her reasons.”
Luca POV A knock sounds from my bedroom, where I’m listening to music with my headphones. It’s all so loud I can hear everyone talking and playing. No matter how loud my music is, I can’t drown them out. The door opens anyway despite me not giving a reply, and Auntie Kara comes in. She gives me a big, bright smile as she walks over to sit on my bed. Unlike the others, I can’t feel her in the same way. Her energy is calm, peaceful. Still. Unlike my dads, mum and siblings. I want to be around them, but it’s like being shouted at and bumped into even when they are on the other side of the room. It’s all too much.“How are you doing Luca,” Auntie Kara begins as I slip off my headphones, shrugging. Somehow the noisy is quiet with her here. I can just hear them playing, but it was like before I was taken. Not like it has been since returning. Kara gives me a look, her green eyes turning purple, and I feel my wolf rise within, pressing forward. My eyes slam shut, trying to push him back dow