All Chapters of Aurora and the ruthless Lycan king: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

The next day after the girls had breakfast they decided to try and find a library to get the last of their studying in before the challenge. After a long 30 minutes of walking around in circles the girls had found it. The soft creak of the ancient library doors echoed faintly as Aurora pushed them open. A gust of cool, musty air greeted her—a blend of old parchment, polished wood, and something darker. The scent made her pause, her hand tightening around the door handle as her heart gave a little lurch. Allie and Bella stepped in behind her, their eyes wide with awe. Iris followed last, her soft gasp barely audible. The library was enormous. Towering shelves stretched all the way to a ceiling lost in shadows, carved with intricate scenes of wolves mid-hunt, snarling under the moonlight. Every surface seemed touched by history—ornate moldings adorned the edges of balconies, and spiral staircases wound like ivy up the wooden walls. Golden candle chandeliers hung suspended in midair,

The palace dining hall was unusually light that morning. Sunlight streamed through towering stained-glass windows, casting colored fragments across the long stone floor. The tension from the previous day’s history challenge had lifted, replaced by buzzing disbelief and—of all things—laughter. “I still can’t believe we passed,” Allie said, sliding onto the bench beside Aurora and setting down her tray of warm bread, fruits, and tea. “Especially considering what some of us wrote.” She looked directly at Iris with a wicked smile. Aurora raised a curious brow. “What did you write, Iris?” The blonde-haired girl flushed immediately. Her hands gripped the edge of the table, eyes wide with mock innocence. “Nothing too bad…” “Don’t believe her,” Bella cut in, biting into an apple with a grin. “Our sweet little sunshine child here scorched the page with what she wrote.” “I just… I wrote the truth!” Iris finally said, flustered. “And maybe I called one of the past kings a bloodthirst

The water from the shower poured over Aurora’s skin, washing away the dirt and adrenaline from the day’s challenge. Her muscles ached, and her mind was still spinning from everything that had happened. She could still feel the rush of sprinting through the dense woods, the sting of branches against her skin, the icy burn of the lake as she submerged herself to mask her scent. Her friends had done the same, and somehow, they had all survived the challenge. Only twenty girls remained. After drying off, she wrapped herself in a soft robe and stepped into her quarters. Moments later, the familiar toll of the palace bell echoed through the hallways. She glanced at the ornate clock on the wall. It wasn’t challenge time. What now? She barely had time to ask the question before a gentle knock came at the door. It was a servant. “You are to make your way to the main hall,” she said with a small bow. “Theron is waiting with an announcement.” Still slightly damp, Aurora quickly got dressed

Morning light filtered through the tall windows of Aurora’s chamber, casting a warm glow on the stone walls. She sat up slowly, the remnants of her dream clinging to her consciousness like morning mist. The vivid images of her burning pack lands and King Aries rescuing her played repeatedly in her mind. She dressed quickly and made her way to the common room where Iris, Allie, and Bella were already gathered, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Bella remarked, handing Aurora a cup of tea. Aurora took a sip, the warmth grounding her. “I had a dream last night. Our pack lands were on fire, but it wasn’t the King who started it. He… he saved me.” The room fell silent. “Are you sure it was just a dream?” Iris asked cautiously. Aurora nodded. “It felt real, but dreams can be deceptive.” “Still, it’s odd,” Allie mused. “Especially considering everything that’s happened.” They sat in contemplative silence, the weight of the dream set

As the four girls stepped into Aurora’s quarters, a familiar comfort settled over them. The flicker of warm candlelight danced across the walls, casting a soft glow that eased the tension from their shoulders. The quiet hum of the night beyond the windows was calming, like the palace itself was breathing with them. Aurora’s mind was anything but calm, though. The letter from King Aries weighed heavily in her thoughts, as if it had taken root inside her and refused to be ignored. Every word was etched into her memory—especially the ones she didn’t understand. Her mother had never once mentioned anything about gifts or powers. Had she hidden it out of fear? Or shame? Iris flopped onto one of the armchairs and kicked her shoes off, groaning. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say we’re just pampered guests here.” Allie pulled her hair free of its braid, letting the thick auburn waves fall over her shoulders. “Except guests don’t get thrown into arenas or watched like prey.” Bella