Chapter 8

Aurora’s POV

My heart ached, and I stepped forward, but Alaric suddenly stepped between me and Asher, his gaze darkening.

“Aurora, what did you give to him?’ He demanded, his voice tight with anger.

My brows furrowed.

“What kind of a question is that?” I asked.

And of all things he chose to speak it in front of everyone, in front of the entire clinic.

His eyes shimmered with intensity, a purple hue flashing.

It took everything in me to not scream. Even if the dark magic Seraphina placed on him was affecting him, it didn't mean he should accuse me of such actions against our own son.

“Just answer, Aurora,” Alaric stated. He pointed at Asher, still in Seraphina’s arms. Lyra had taken charge, had cleared the hallway of nosy staff and patients, but there were still people craning their necks to look at the Pack Alpha and Luna in a clear disagreement over their son’s health. And Seraphina? She was staring right at me, her lips curled into a near imperceptible smile. I knew she was enjoying this. I had to maintain my cool, the same dismissive expression I had held before.

“I gave antipyretics, and some multivitamins, Alaric. Nothing that could cause this,” I gestured. “You cannot blame me for this.”

My defensiveness seemed to stir something in him.

“But Seraphina had made something for him to take and you didn't let her give it. You threw it away, poured it all down the sink, and now you think this isn't something that could have been caused by you?”

I exhaled sharply.

Now wasn't the time for this.

What was I doing? I was playing right into Seraphina’s hands.

Yet, my heart ached. It ached for the man I thought I knew, or rather, the shell of him I saw in front of me. It ached for not being strong enough, not training hard enough to protect my family, my son.

“Is Seraphina a doctor now?” I couldn't hide the bitterness in my voice. “Or am I a monster so as to harm my own son?”

My question made him blink, falter for just a moment. But then a soft, pleading voice spoke up behind him.

“Alaaric, please. Don't fight with her because of this,” Seraphina again. Her eyes were full of pity, of remorse and grievance. She looked innocent and pitiful, the same way she had been since she arrived. “Asher needs us, Alaric.”

Alaric hesitated, his eyes flickering back to mine, but I refused to meet them.

“Go,” I stated. “I have matters to take care of. Lyra,” I called.

My best friend nodded, still beside Asher and monitoring his vitals.

“I’ll handle things here, Luna.”

WIth that, I turned and walked away, feeling every step from the scene weigh down on my chest. I could feel a dark gaze boring into my back, and as I turned the corner, I lifted my head to meet it head on. Seraphina.

She knew I was watching, and she also knew I was onto her. She would do anything to ensure that I lost, even if it meant harming my son, even if it meant destroying him.

But what was her goal?

What made her push for this?

I exhaled again, pushing away the thoughts and questions that sparked in my mind.

I had to work, and when I wanted to think again I would work more.

I had to get stronger, I thought.

I had spent too many years catering to the needs of everyone, shrinking myself to protect egos and doing what I thought was being a good, submissive wife and mate.

Now I knew how much I had failed myself.

My family failed.

By the time my work hours passed, I felt empty, numb, just a shell of myself. Lyra came to me just as i was clocking out and removing my white ward coat, dropping it in the laundry basket for the porters to dry clean the next morning.\

“How are you feeling?” She asked, softly.

She knew exactly what we were fighting against. The dark magic I had yet to fully understand.

And she supported me like a good friend would.

“Fine,” I simply replied. I paused then and asked, “How is…”

“He got better quickly. Stable. The Alpha had him discharged about an hour ago.”

I nodded, the exhaustion heavier.

“I noticed something odd about that woman, though,” Lyra continued, leaning on the desk in front of me. “She always tried to stay close to Asher. I mean, really close. It was almost like she needed to keep in contact with him.”

I pressed my lips together. I recalled seeing that purple strand connecting her fingers to Asher’s head some nights ago. I hadn't been dreaming then.

“Dont worry about it, Lyra. Just be careful. DOnt let her get too close to you<’’ I stated.

Lyra laughed a little and then reached into her inner pocket. Then she pulled out a gray silk sachet.

“Protection. Elder Miriam gave it to me for some reason. She said that I needed to help you keep your head straight.”

I felt a stirring in my heart at that, and the emotions I had held back overwhelmed me. Tears prickled my eyes. I nodded, striving to keep my breaths calm.

I wasn't alone in this. I just had to keep going, to try my best just for the sake of it. I had 21 days to go, and soon, I would be divorced from Alaric anyway.

Being reborn didnt stop me from feeling, but it at leas tgave me a reminder of what I woyld become if i hesitated. Dead and watching another woman being called mom by my son, unable to fight.

When I walked in through the front door of my home I could hear laughter in the dining room.

Asher’s laughter rang the loudest, uncontrolled and adorable. I had regained most of my composure by then and simply passed by it, keeping my face impassive as I entered my bedroom.

I didnt even have an appetite to eat.