Damian didn’t say a word as he led Aurora down the long, quiet corridors of his grand mansion. The silence felt heavy, pressing against Aurora’s chest, but her determination held strong. She would find Luna, no matter what Damian had done.
Finally, they reached a door at the end of the hall. Damian turned the knob and held the door open, waiting for her to walk through. Aurora hesitated, feeling the tension of his gaze on her back, but she forced herself to move. Her friend’s life was more important than any fear she felt now.
They walked out into the courtyard, and Damian led her to a carriage already prepared for them. Aurora’s heart raced, wondering where he was taking her and what she would find when they arrived. She sat across from him in silence, holding her trembling hands together. His eyes watched her carefully, but she didn’t dare meet his gaze.
They rode for what felt like hours until they reached a grand estate, larger than she could have imagined. Damian didn’t speak as they approached the gates, which opened at his command. The servants bowed deeply as he passed, but Aurora’s mind was too clouded with worry for Luna to pay them any mind.
When they stopped at the entrance, Damian stepped out and offered his hand. Aurora ignored it, stepping out on her own, refusing to show any gratitude. He raised an eyebrow but didn’t say a word, simply leading her through the lavish hallways of the estate. The feeling of luxury around her felt empty, as if something important was missing. She knew in her heart that this was no place for Luna.
Finally, they stopped outside a door. Damian knocked, and a servant opened it, bowing low as they entered. Aurora’s eyes scanned the room frantically until she saw her-Luna, sitting in the corner, her hands folded in her lap, her face pale and tense. But as soon as she saw Aurora, her face lit up with a mix of joy and relief.
“Aurora!” Luna gasped, jumping to her feet. She rushed over and hugged her friend tightly. Aurora felt a mix of happiness and pain; Luna was safe, but the fear in her eyes told a different story.
“Luna… are you okay?” Aurora asked, keeping her voice steady, though her own fear simmered beneath the surface.
Luna nodded, but Aurora noticed her hands shaking. “I… I’m fine,” she whispered, casting a nervous glance at Damian, who was watching the two of them closely. His expression was unreadable, but there was a strange intensity in his eyes.
“She’s safe here, Aurora,” Damian said, his tone cool and detached. “She’s found a new… arrangement.”
Aurora turned to him, unable to keep the anger from her voice. “Why? Why did you bring her here?”
“She was becoming a distraction for you,” Damian replied smoothly, crossing his arms. “You seem to forget that you’re mine, Aurora. And anything that distracts you from me needs to be removed.”
Aurora felt her blood run cold. “You can’t just take her away like that. She’s a person, not a piece of property!”
Damian’s gaze darkened, his expression hardening. “Everything in my possession is mine to do with as I please. I’ve allowed you to see her one last time, but don’t mistake my generosity for weakness.”
She turned back to Luna, her heart breaking as she took in the fear hidden behind her friend’s smile. “Luna, I’ll find a way to get you out of here,” she whispered, but Luna just shook her head, giving Aurora’s hands a comforting squeeze.
“Don’t worry about me,” Luna murmured, her voice barely audible. “Just… take care of yourself, Aurora.”
But before Aurora could argue, Damian stepped forward, placing a firm hand on her shoulder. “Time’s up,” he said, his voice like steel. “Say your goodbyes.”
Aurora shot him a glare, but she knew it was useless. Luna gave her one last, trembling smile before stepping back, her eyes filled with sadness. “Take care, Aurora,” she whispered as the servant closed the door, separating them.
As Damian led her back to the carriage, Aurora felt a fierce anger boiling inside her. How could he be so heartless? She stayed silent, knowing that any words now would only make things worse.
Back in Damian’s mansion, Aurora returned to her room, her heart aching for her friend. The pain of being separated from Luna, knowing her friend was in such a vulnerable position, felt like a weight pressing down on her chest. But she refused to give up. Somehow, she would find a way to free Luna from Damian’s control.
She barely noticed the servant who brought her food. She pushed the plate aside, unable to eat, her mind whirling with ideas of how to help her friend.
As she sat in silence, a knock at her door pulled her from her thoughts. Before she could respond, Lily entered, her face set in a glare. Lily’s eyes narrowed as she took in the sight of Aurora, her expression filled with jealousy and anger.
“You’ve gotten too close to him,” Lily hissed, crossing her arms. “You think you’re special because he took you to see your little friend? Do you know how many girls would beg for his attention, to have what you have?”
Aurora looked up at her, unimpressed by the anger in her voice. “I didn’t ask for any of this, Lily. I only wanted to make sure my friend was safe.”
Lily scoffed, stepping closer, her expression darkening. “You think he does this for just anyone? You’re more naive than I thought.” Her voice was sharp, filled with bitterness. “You’re just a passing interest.