Aurora’s POVThe room smelled faintly of roses and powder. At the moment, I was sitting behind the mirror in my room, staring at my reflection as Mira fixed my hair. When she was done, she leaned in, brushing a final stroke of powder across my cheekbone, her brows furrowed in focus.Asher was going to make up an excuse to evade the meeting. He was going to send Talen on the grounds that I was unfit to attend a function but I was quick to step in. The council were going to gang up against him, that I was sure of. Asher was strong but not when he was faced with more than twenty Council members who were strongly against him all because of me. I’m not going to give them a chance to step on his toes. — I thought, smacking my lips. “There,” Mira said, stepping back with a bright smile dancing on her lips, “Perfect.”Taking another look at my reflection after her finishing touches, my heart fluttered. The face staring back at me was almost unrecognizable, elegant, composed, and not the
Aurora’s POVThe moment Emma rushed into the reception room, my stomach did a violent churn as I slowly pulled myself to my feet. Emma hugged me tightly, almost squeezing life out of me in the process. Everyone knew it was just for show so no one was moved. After a few back and forths, Asher made me sit next to him, while holding me firmly like I was going to slump the next minute. My mission here was to meet with my father. I had only decided to see Emma and Scarlet to read their expressions but to my disappointment, they didn’t give anything. Just when I was going to head for my father's room, Asher’s arms tensed. I could feel it as my head was resting on his shoulder. “Why?" He asked, his voice making the air thick with tension. I wanted to stop him from going further but he shot at them again. When it seemed like things were going to spiral out of control soon, I clung to Asher’s arm, trying to stop him from creating a scene, but he wasn’t having it.“What are you talking ab
Reader’s POVWith Aurora out of the way, Scarlet and Emma were up and doing, trying to convince the council to hasten up the coronation of the new Alpha, which was Scarlet. Alpha Simone was yet to wake up from coma, the physician had already pronounced him brain dead and had said it would become a miracle to return to life. The council meeting had already ended and everyone was heading out of the hall. After saying her farewell to the last elder who left the hall, Emma stepped out, her head bowed as she tried to process the information she had been fed with. The long hallway of the council building was unusually quiet as she walked out, the heavy wooden doors clicking shut behind her. The weight of the elders’ decision still pressed on her shoulders. Her heels which echoed on the polished floors as she made her way to meet with Scarlet were the only sound in the hallway. Just when she was about to go around the corner, a maid burst through the corridor with flushed cheeks and fr
Aurora’s POVWas I surprised? Of course not. Since the very beginning, Miller had made it clear to me that she saw me as a competition but on the other hand, I saw her like a random subject, trying to crawl her way to the top through manipulation. Pushing my hand into my hair, I let out a little wince, not because I was overwhelmed. I just wanted to get enough rest and most especially, I wanted peace. Sitting upright with a composed look, though my insides twisted like a coiled serpent, I turned to face Asher before shifting my gaze towards the window. The room was dim, save for the thin streaks of late afternoon sunlight slipping through the curtains. Dust motes danced in the golden light, careless and free, unlike me that was stuck in a place, going around in circles and trying to survive. I hadn't cried since waking up, not even when Miller came in flaunting her triumph, not when the full weight of the auction house massacre settled in my chest and not when I realized the str
Asher’s POVBy the end of today, if Aurora hadn't shown up like my knight in shining amour, I would have been made to stick to Miller. Raising my head upwards, a little smile spread on my lips as I couldn't thank the moon goddess enough. If not for her timely intervention, I would have been even more frustrated. Also, I was grateful she had brought my mate back to me in a piece.I didn't have to scoop her bones in my hands while crying my eyes out. The silence that came after all this was louder now and almost deafening. Allowing my gaze to shift back to the construction site, I allowed myself to be immersed in it as it buzzed with life. The rhythmic pounding of hammers, the grinding whirl of machinery, and the sharp crackle of radio chatter filled the air. Workers in Dark Moon uniforms moved efficiently across the scaffolding, assembling beams and installing steel supports for what would soon become the largest gathering hall the pack had ever seen and the first in the region.
Aurora’s POV Flickering my eyes open, I slowly pulled myself up, a low sigh of relief escaping my lips. I was back to the place I called home. Still staring at the window, my door creaked open and Mira walked in with a tray. Smiling broadly, she hurriedly made her way to my side. Crouching next to me, she grabbed my hands, her eyes watering.“Thank you for coming back." She sobbed while I just looked on not knowing what to say to her. When she finally pulled away, she hurriedly reached out the tray she had brought in. Passing a bowl of soup to me, she said, “Have some." “Thank you," I replied, relieving her of the bowl.The soup was hot but my hands were cold, almost numb.After Mira took her leave, I crawled towards the edge of my bed, cradling the bowl as if it could warm more than just my fingers.The scent of herbs and bone broth should have reminded me that I was back home but all it did was to churn my stomach. Nothing about this place felt safe, not anymore.My mind repl