One Last Look

Aurora

I couldn’t sleep that night.

I cried a lot. Not just from sorrow but from the anger of only being seen now and because I’m their mate.

I remembered a particular day when we were younger and I’d just been declared a maid.

I had just finished mopping the kitchen and went to pour out the water in the bucket when the twins came running in playing tag.

“Be careful. The floor is wet.”

I tried to warn but it was too late.

Kaden fell and dislocated his left arm.

He cried and screamed.

Kael was trying to comfort him while I stood with my bucket motionless and white as a ghost.

“What happened?” Alpha Damon asked as he stepped into the kitchen followed by the Luna.

“He slipped and fell.” Kael explained.

“And who poured water on the ground?“ He asked looking at me.

I couldn’t speak.

“She was mopping” Kael replied again

“And she couldn’t warn you?” His voice was growing louder and angrier.

“I tried to…”

“Do you plan on killing my son?” He asked coming close. I stepped back in fear

“No alpha. Please it was an accident.”

He held my arm so tight I thought my little arm would be crushed.

“You are just like your father.” He sneered voice cold and angry.

He threw me across the kitchen floor and I hit my head making a cut.

I struggled to stand up and looked up at him

He turned and left.

The twins left with their mother.

I had to go use the first aid box and try to clean my wound alone.

Next I saw Kaden again he got his revenge.

Even in a cast.

I was sitting on a bench just outside the house when they came.

After a few words were exchanged, Kaden grabbed a handful of my hair and yanked it hard. I screamed in pain but he kept dragging my hair.

“That’s for my hand.” He shouted in my ear.

Kael watched for a while then pulled his brother off me.

“That’s enough Kaden.”

“No it’s not. She tried to kill me.”

“You fool. We ran into the kitchen she didn’t call us there..”

“Why would you defend her?” Kaden asked angrily

“I thought you were my brother. I’m telling Dad”

Kaden walked off angrily.

Karl followed him immediately.

Leaving me with a open cut wound and a spinning headache.

I cried so much calling for my dad.

Thinking back on it all was so painful

Too painful.

“Did you have any sleep sweetheart?” Nova asked and I jerked with surprise.

“No I didn’t.” I said truthfully

“Take it one step at a time ok?

It gets easier ok?”

Nova said rubbing my shoulder as she squatted beside the couch.

“I was just starting to forget Nova…”

“No you never did. There’s a part of you that yearns for them as much as they do you. “

“Mate bonds right?” I said smiling weakly

“Yh… mate bonds.” Nova replied and pecked my forehead.

Though she never found her mate every wolf knew what a mate bond was capable of.

Moon, how I loved and appreciated this stranger.

Nova gave me space and comfort all at once.

It was a difficult decision to make giving them a chance to prove how they’ve changed.

I thought of every scenario possible.

What if they just needed their maid back?

What if it was all a sham just to take revenge for causing them pain?

What if…

What if…

I was a mess for the next couple of days.

And I hated them every single minute of it

They destroyed my new found peace with their showing up and shaking my heart once more.

Limeria was a great help.

As heart broken as she was she assured me any decision I made would be just fine.

“We are stronger than you think Aurora. “

She told me and I couldn’t be more happier about her understanding.

“You don’t have to go back. You know. You can leave it all behind”

Nova said one morning as we ate.

“I know.”

“But you want to.”

I stared down at my hands. “I want… answers. Closure.”

Nova nodded because she understood. She’d run from her past too. We all had something chasing us, even when our feet stopped moving.

“Then go,” she said gently. “But don’t go alone.”

My head shot up.

“You’d come with me?”

“Anything for you sweetheart.”

I sprung into her arms sobbing.

“There, there big baby. You’ve been crying for days. “

She said rubbing my back gently.

She was my savior in all manner of ways at this point.

I mustered up all my courage and went to the diner again.

As expected they were there.

They could sense me the minute I stepped foot in the diner and within seconds they were beside me.

“I’ll go back with you.”

## Third person Pov

They had just promised to wait till she comes to a decision.

In the car ride back to their hotel Kaden was fidgeting and nervous as hell.

“What if she doesn’t agree Kael. Then what do we do?”

He asked Kael who was in the passenger seat.

“Yeah then what?” Avalon asked. He was the one driving.

“We leave her alone for good.” Kael said with a low voice and Kaden flinched.

“Leave her alone for good?? How can you even say that? She’s our mate. My mate! I can’t lose her”

Kaden said angrily

“You think I want to let her go!?!!” Kael shouted

Kael never raised on Kaden ever.

It was known that he pampered his little brother and would never scold him harshly even if he was wrong.

But he did just now.

Avalon was shocked to say the least.

Kaden went white as a sheet.

He didn’t expect that.

“She’s my mate too. I’m hurting Kade! I need her too! But we wronged her all her life. Do you expect me to force her home with us?”

Kael Palmed his forehead and closed his eyes.

Kaden touched his shoulder

“I’m sorry K. I didn’t realize you were hurting just as much because you always seemed so chill while I burdened you with my emotions. I’m sorry”

Kael held his hand and squeezed it.

“It’s ok little brother. I’m sorry too.”

Avalon smilled. He admired their love for each other right from the start.

Nothing could come between them no matter how hard it tried. Their only flaw was how they treated Aurora. He was glad she was their mate honestly.

“If she refuses we let her go. And pray the moon goddess forgives us for all we did to her.”

Kael said softly.

“She must have been so hurt having to reject us in addition to all that happened. You’re right we don’t deserve her.” Kaden said dejected.

For days they waited at the bar.

Everyday hoping she’d come in .

Everyday she didn’t come and they went home more heartbroken than the day before.

It was hard but they took it as their punishment.

Back home their father was livid when they left to find her. But they didn’t care. She was theirs and they would do all it takes to make her love them.

Then she came. Her scent fresh and intoxicating as she stepped into the diner.

In seconds they were by her side.

They didn’t know what to say to her

They were staring with hope in their eyes and some thing else, Fear .

“I’ll go back with you.” She said.

“Thank you so much” Kaden said reaching to hold her hand but she backed off.

“I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing it for me. And I won’t stay for long.”

“That’s ok baby. Thank you for even allowing us see you and be around you for some time.” Kaden said.

“We will try our very best to make you feel safe with us once more. We are so sorry Aurora” Kael said.

# Aurora

I searched Kael’s eyes for lies or deception.

I didn’t see any. He was sincere.

I didnt know what to make of it.

“Would you please sit with us for a moment?

Maybe have something to eat?” Kael asked politely

Kaden nodded.

“Alright” I joined them at their table and saw Avalon.

Their beta.

He used to look at me with pity in his eyes.

Never helped, never tricked me or bullied me either.

Just watched with pity.

“Hi Aurora. I don’t know if you know me. I’m Avalon. Their beta.” He said politely standing up to shake my hand. First time anyone’s treated me with respect honestly.

“Yes I know you Avalon. Everyone does.” I said and shook his hand before taking a sit.

The twins sat beside me on each side. Both staring holes in my face.

“We can leave tomorrow. If you’re alright with that.”

I said looking at both of them.

“Any thing for you baby.” Kaden said smiling softly.

“Youve called me baby twice.” I said looking at Kaden.

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to offend you. I just can’t help but call you that.”

“I see. Not a fan of the name though.” I said and turned away.

He looked visibly hurt.

Yeah that’s better. Hurt cause I did hurt.

“I’ll take my leave now. Pick me up tomorrow.”

I stood and left.

When I reached the house I released a breath I dint even know I was holding.

“How did it go?” Nova asked coming to help me take off my jacket.

“I told them to come pick me up tomorrow.

I don’t know Nova. I’m scared.”

Nova hugged me. “I understand sweetheart. One step At a time alright? If you don’t like the place we can leave. “

I nodded and held her tight.

The next day came faster than I would have wanted it to honestly.

I watched the sunrise through the cracked window of the house I called home for the first time in a long time, my knees pulled to my chest, my wolf restless beneath my skin.

They were already waiting outside the house by the time we stepped out, Kaden and Kael, standing with their backs straight but their eyes uncertain.

They didn’t speak when they saw me. Didn’t rush forward. They just… waited.

I hated how familiar it felt. The way they stood shoulder to shoulder, protective, like I was something to be shielded. But this time, there was no arrogance in their posture. No smugness.

Only caution.

And something rawer.

Hope.

“I’m not here to stay,” I said before they could speak.

Kael nodded. “We know.”

“I just… want to see it. One last time.”

“The pack house?” Kaden asked carefully.

I hesitated.

Then nodded.

The place I once scrubbed and cleaned like a slave. The house where I spent half my childhood as a ghost, sleeping in the attic while they lived in velvet and marble. The place I dreamed of escaping every night.

“I want to walk through it as a free wolf,” I said. “Not as their maid. Not as a prisoner. Just once.”

Something flickered in Kael’s eyes. Pride? Pain? I couldn’t tell.

“You deserve that,” he said.

Going back into the Red Moon Pack was surreal.

They helped carry the few things we had into the car.

“She’s coming with me.”

I said when Nova stepped out and locked the door.

They nodded with understanding.

When we got in, I noticed they came by themselves to pick me up. Avalon wasn’t in the car.

Kael read my eyes quickly.

“We wanted to pick you up ourselves. We thought it more respectful that way.”

I didn’t reply I just sat back.

I felt a little squeeze on my fingers and turned to see Nova smiling softly as if assuring me all is well.

I was so happy to have her with me.

The moment we drove into the pack grounds i felt it.

The hatred I had for this place.

It was still very much there not gone at all.

We stepped out of the car in the front yard.

Nova came to my side and held my hand.

“I’m here sweetheart.” She reassured me.

I smilled weakly.

“Please come in” Kaden said softly and led the way.

The guards stepped aside as we passed, no growls, no protests. Just stunned silence. Whispers. I kept my head up, jaw tight, even as my insides twisted.

My wolf prowled beneath my skin, both anxious and curious. She remembered this place. The pain. The hunger. The loneliness.

We stepped through the main entrance, into the grand foyer. The marble floors gleamed beneath my boots. The chandelier sparkled overhead. Everything looked just as perfect as it did the day I left.

But I wasn’t the same girl.

“Show miss Nova to her room please.” Kaden instructed a maid.

I panicked. I didn’t want her far from me even for a minute. She saw the panic on my face and hugged me. “I can’t stay in the same room as you sweetheart. You know that. I’m an outsider. If you need me just call, I’ll be there as fast as light. I promise.” She said holding my face In her palms.

Then she kissed my forehead and left with the maid.

I saw the expression on the boys’ faces.

They wished that was them. But not now. Might never be.

I didn’t feel the presence of their parents in the house.

“What about your parents? Does the Alpha agree to being with me?” I asked and saw them stiffen immediately.

“Mum just wants us to be happy. But Dad doesn’t like the idea. But I promise you, we will never follow what he thinks is best anymore.” Kael said stepping to me.

“We will protect you no matter what.” Kaden added.

I didn’t reply them I Just walked.

I walked slowly through the halls, past the dining room I used to serve in, past the staircase I used to scrub. Past the wall I was once shoved against after a plate slipped from my hands.

My fists clenched.

Kael stayed a few steps behind me. Kaden too. They didn’t crowd me. Didn’t speak. They just let me move.

I climbed the stairs to the third floor. My legs knew the way before my mind did.

To my attic.

To that cold little room with no insulation and a rusted heater that never worked.

The door was still open.

But the room… it wasn’t the same.

Someone had cleaned it. The bed was gone, replaced with a small bookshelf and fresh paint. A vase of wildflowers sat on the windowsill.

“You came back?” I asked without turning.

Kaden’s voice was quiet. “After the night of the party, I basically lived here. We felt horrible for not knowing how you were living”

“We didn’t know,” Kael added, voice full of regret. “But that’s not an excuse. We should have asked. We should have seen.”

My throat tightened. “You were right here. For years.”

“I was a coward,” Kael said. “Afraid to question what we were told. Afraid to risk what we had.”

Kaden stepped forward. “We can’t erase what we did. But we want to rebuild. Starting with you.”

I turned to face them.

“Why now? Is it just because of the bond?”

“No,” Kaden said firmly. “It’s because we see you now. And we hate who we were.”

I studied them, twin faces I once hated, now heavy with guilt and sincerity. My wolf whined quietly in my chest. She wanted to comfort them.

But I wasn’t her. Not entirely.

“I’m not staying,” I said, forcing the words out. “I still don’t trust you.”

“You don’t have to,” Kael said. “Just let us prove we’re worth the second chance.”

“I already gave you a lifetime of first chances,” I said. “And all I got was silence.”

“I know,” he whispered. “Then give yourself the chance. To heal. To take up space. To be something more than what we made you.”

Silence fell between us.

For the first time, it didn’t feel like suffocation.

It felt like breathing.

“I’ll stay for a few days,” I said at last. “Not for you. For me.”

Kaden’s smile was small but real. “That’s all we ask.”

Kael exhaled like he’d been holding his breath since the moment I left.

That night, I slept in a guest room.

A real bed.

Clean sheets.

A door that locked.

And as I lay there, staring at the ceiling, I wondered, was this peace?

Or just the eye of the storm?