Chapter 16

Aurora’s POV

Alaric sighed, like I had said something to cause more trouble, like I was the one that had to understand and lacked common sense.

“Aurora, that's not what is going on really. Seraphina, she… she has nightmares–”

“Nightmares that require her to keep a bed with another woman’s mate, it appears,” I shrugged, finding their act funny. Alaric’s was partly pitiful as well, because he was really so blind, affected by dark magic that he didn't even know he was throwing away his life. And Seraphina, she was insidious to the end.

I made to walk away, only for Alaric to reach out a hand to stop me. I pulled away like his touch burned. Briefly, I couldn't help my lips curling up in disgust.

“I have work to do at the clinic. I will not be here long,”  I said with an edge to my words. “You two have the place to yourselves for now.”

I walked away, heading towards Asher’s bedroom. Because I still had some work to do.

I entered the bedroom to find Asher wasn't at home.

It was relieving. Better than hearing from my child’s own mouth about how great Aunt Serpahina was, or how I was not as good at her at anything, even taking care of him.

I moved over to his desk where his toys usually were.

Pushing aside the pile of boardgames, carved wolves and action figures, I tucked the third silver sachet at the very bottom.

I piled the toys back on and exited the bedroom, pausing to see a new photo I hadn't noticed before on his bedside table. A photo of my son and Seraphina, standing by my side, both smiling.

The pang in my chest did not cease, it only grew worse.

By the time I finished tucking the last pouch somewhere hidden in the living room, I was already tired of staying.

I went to grab my bag and exited the bedroom once again, only for Alaric to block my path.

“Aurora,”  he growled, clearly frustrated. “Stop this.”

I was cornered, and that left me no choice but to speak.

“Stop what?”

“Accusing us of something we haven't done,”  Alaric said. “Seraphina and I are innocent.”

“Innocent, right,”  I nodded, gazing into his purple-hued eyes. There was no arguing with him, I only had to wait for this to pass.

“Aurora, Seraphina was only staying in our bedroom for the sake of her peace of mind. She cannot sleep alone for now, she has nightmares. Why can't you understand that? Why are you making things difficult? Now, she’s inconsolable. And it’s all because of you,”  He pointed down the hallway, from where I heard the drifting sounds of sobbing.

Of course, another one of her tricks.

I recalled the times in my past life when a similar moment happened. More times than I could count, I would end up accused of doing something to harm Seraphina, or cruelly antagonizing her in front of the entire pack. Once, I was even made to apologize in front of the Elders simply for offending her in a public space.

I knew that no matter what I did I wouldn't be able to fight those accusations anyway. It was simply impossible. Alaric would always come to her defense and I would always be the bad person, the one making accusations, the one spreading rumors. I was always the fall guy.

So this time, instead of fighting the accusations, I shrugged.

“You’re right. I did say that you two were sleeping together. If it’s not true I am willing to apologize. But she has to vacate the master bedroom, because that’s not where she’s meant to be,”  I stated simply.

Alaric paused, his lips parting but no sound came out. Because this time, I hadn't fought. I simply stated a rational argument, I even agreed with his accusations that I had implied they were not innocent.

If he disagreed with Seraphina leaving the master bedroom, then that would only call his own morals into question. Anyone who heard this would question his intentions, would call him out for utilizing an innocent woman’s fears for the sake of an affair. And his reputation would be the one that gets affected, not mine. Not even Seraphina’s. His alone.

So Alaric, for the first time since this all started, faltered.

“Is there anything else?” I asked, completely numb to it all and fed up. “I have work waiting for me, Alaric. I'm afraid I cannot join you three for dinner. Maybe next time.”

Then I brushed past him and walked towards the front door.

I left that home of mine that had begun to feel more like a stranger’s house by the day.

There was a heaviness in my chest that took so long to fade away, I wasn't sure if it was the mate bond, stretched thin and on the verge of fraying, or the dark energy that had nearly choked me inside that house.

The night was quiet, everyone was resting early as usual during this time. Tomorrow the last minute preparations for the full moon festival would take place, and the day after tomorrow would be the last full moon day i would spend in this pack.

I was going to leave. As soon as the divorce was finalized, I would leave this place and never return.

I exhaled, feeling my breath shudder.

And when I returned to Elder Miriam’s home, I said, “Let’s continue.”

Elder Miriam pushed a bowl of dinner towards me, her smile kind.

“Eat first, child. You need it.”

I took the bowl, letting the warmth seep through my hands. Tears stung my eyes as I picked up the spoon to eat.

“Thanks,”  I replied softly.

I felt Lyra pat my back, a gentle touch that I didn't even know I yearned for.

My vision blurred slightly as tears fell silently down my cheeks.

The meal was spicy, the meat tender and stewed. It wasn't as elegant or resplendent as the dishes in the Alpha’s home, or the many dinners and celebrations I had attended, but it was warm, and somehow made all of this worth it.

…