Aurora’s Pov
The meeting ended, and Ryan told me he had to talk to Clyde about something. I stayed back, waiting for him. While sitting there, I caught myself smiling.
I couldn’t believe I had spoken during the meeting today. It felt like a big step for me. I was proud of myself.
I was lost in my thoughts when someone suddenly interrupted me. I flinched slightly, startled.
It was one of the men from the board meeting.
“Hi, I’m Craig,” he said with a smile that didn’t feel genuine. There was something off about it, something that made me uneasy.
“Hello,” I replied, keeping my tone polite but guarded.
“I couldn’t help but notice you during the meeting,” he said. “You were amazing.”
“Thank you,” I said, trying to brush it off. Maybe I was overthinking it. He seemed nice enough.
He glanced around, as if looking for someone. “Where’s your boss, Ryan?”
“He had something to take care of,” I said, watching his expression shift to a wide grin that felt unsettling.
“Hmm,” he said, as if what I said was amusing.
Then he asked, “Where are you from?”
I didn’t feel comfortable answering. “I’d rather not say,” I replied politely.
His smile faltered slightly. “Come on,” he said, his tone insistent. “You can tell me.”
I shook my head. “It’s personal.”
The truth was, I didn’t want anything that could lead back to Greg or Marcus.
That familiar unease started to creep in, and I decided it was time to leave. I grabbed my bag and stood up, ready to go. But as I turned, Craig grabbed my wrist.
The grip was strong. It hurt.
I looked at him, confused. “What are you doing?” I asked.
“You’re really pretty,” he said, his tone low and unsettling.
“Thank you,” I replied cautiously, trying to pull my hand away.
But the grip didn’t loosen. Instead, he yanked me closer, forcing me to stand right in front of him.
Panic started to rise. My heart was racing, and memories I tried to bury, memories of Marcus came rushing back.
Craig leaned in, his voice dripping with malice. “I think we should have some fun before I go,” he said.
My stomach dropped.
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “Please, let me go.”
But he didn’t.
His hand clamped over my mouth as he started fumbling with the back of my dress, his fingers reaching for the zipper. I struggled, trying to fight him off, but he was too strong.
Tears streamed down my face as fear consumed me.
Why was this happening?
Just as I was about to lose hope, the door flew open, and I felt the cold shift of the air. Craig released me from his hold and I looked up to see who it was.
It was Ryan.
Ryan stood there at the door, motionless. The tension in the room thickened, and I could feel my heart racing. Craig let go of me, stepping back as if nothing had happened.
“She tried to seduce me,” Craig said, his voice trembling slightly but with a forced confidence.
What?
Tears streamed down my face as I shook my head furiously. “No,” I whispered, my voice choked. “That’s not true!”
I turned to Ryan, hoping he could see the truth in my eyes. His expression was unreadable at first, but then I saw it. His entire demeanor shifted. His aura darkened, and for a moment, I swore his eyes glowed faintly. When I blinked, they were back to normal.
Ryan’s steps were slow but deliberate as he approached Craig. The air around him felt suffocating, heavy with rage.
“Ryan,” I started, but he didn’t even look at me.
In one swift motion, he grabbed Craig by the collar. Before I could process what was happening, Ryan hurled him across the table like he was nothing.
The sound of Craig crashing into the furniture echoed through the room. I gasped, covering my mouth with my hands. Ryan didn’t even flinch. It was as if throwing Craig had no effect on him at all.
People who hadn’t departed from the building rushed in from outside, their eyes wide with shock. Some of the women gasped, their hands over their mouths. No one dared to interfere.
Craig was on the floor, pleading now. “Please, Ryan! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to-”
Ryan didn’t care. His movements were calculated, precise, like a predator closing in on its prey. His presence was overwhelming, and I could see the fear in Craig’s eyes.
“Ryan, stop!” I shouted, my voice breaking.
But he didn’t. He reached for Craig again, his grip tightening around his shirt. Craig whimpered, looking like he was on the verge of passing out.
I couldn’t take it anymore. I couldn’t stand someone being tortured. I stepped forward, placing my hand on Ryan’s arm. The moment my skin touched his, something changed.
Ryan froze. His grip loosened, and he slowly turned to look at me. His eyes met mine, and I could see the storm inside them settle.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice low but filled with regret. “I should have been here. I should have protected you.”
Tears welled up in my eyes again, but this time, they weren’t from fear. “Ryan, you don’t have to do this,” I said softly. “He’s not worth it. Let’s just go.”
Ryan shook his head. “Aurora, you don’t understand.”
I felt his grip on my hand tighten slightly, but it wasn’t forceful. It was… protective.
“I’m not your responsibility, Ryan,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “Let him go. He doesn’t deserve our time.”
He looked at me, his jaw clenching. “Aurora, this is where you’re wrong.”
Ryan turned his gaze to the crowd that had gathered. His presence alone silenced the room. He stood tall, commanding, and still holding my hand.
“No one,” he began, his voice firm and unwavering, “dares to come close to Aurora, look at her the wrong way, or speak badly about her. Do you understand me?”
The room was deathly silent.
His eyes softened when they met mine, but when he looked back at the crowd, his voice became even more authoritative.
“Let it be known to every single one of you. She’s mine.” He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone. “Mine and mine alone.”
My breath hitched. The words lingered in the air, heavy with meaning.
Ryan turned back to me, his expression softening once more. “I’ll never let anyone hurt you again, Aurora.”
I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t even think straight. All I could feel was the warmth of his hand still holding mine, and the undeniable truth in his words.
I was dumbfounded by what he said, what does he mean by I was his. I looked up to him, unable to say a thing. My lips parted but no words came out.
“You are mine Aurora, you belong to me, little one.”