Ryan’s Pov
When I left Aurora at the party, I sensed someone who shouldn’t have been there. I sensed Karen.
The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as I scanned the room discreetly, but I didn’t see her. I couldn’t pinpoint exactly where she was, but I knew she was nearby. The scent was unmistakable. My wolf stirred, restless and alert, but I forced myself to remain composed. This wasn’t the time or place to create a scene, especially not with Aurora here.
I lingered for a while longer, my gaze sweeping through the crowd, but Karen was nowhere in sight. Still, my instincts told me she was there, hiding in the shadows, watching.
When I returned to Aurora, she looked exhausted. The brightness in her eyes from earlier had dimmed, and she leaned against me as we made our way out of the venue.
By the time we got back to the suite, she was half-asleep on her feet. I helped her settle into bed, making sure she was comfortable before sitting on the edge of the mattress, just watching her for a moment. Her breathing evened out quickly, and her face relaxed, soft and serene in sleep.
She was beautiful.
How would she feel if she knew who I really was? Would it change how she looked at me? Because I knew she was drawn to me, and I knew she liked me, even if she hadn’t said it out loud.
But love? I wasn’t sure if I could go there.
I ran a hand through my hair, sighing quietly. I had to tell her the truth soon. I couldn’t keep pretending to be someone I wasn’t. If she found out in a way I couldn’t control, I’d lose her. And the thought of that…
I forced myself to look away and grabbed my phone. I messaged Cornel to check on the apartment, needing a distraction from my spiraling thoughts. Within seconds, he replied with a picture, showing the completed work.
It looked good. Better than I expected, actually. He and the pack members had done an excellent job, and I felt a small sense of relief knowing it was ready. I hoped she would like it.
I set my phone down and turned back to Aurora, who was still sound asleep. The thought of her waking up and looking at me differently once she knew the truth weighed heavily on me.
“You don’t have to tell her now,” Draven’s voice echoed in my head.
“Why not?” I asked, annoyed by his intrusion.
“It will scare the living hell out of her. She’ll run,” he said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“I can’t keep living like this,” I argued. “I can’t keep lying to her.”
“Then take the risk,” he said mockingly. “But don’t come crying to me when it blows up in your face.”
“Shut up,” I snapped at him.
With that, I closed my eyes, determined to get some sleep. But even as my body relaxed, my mind stayed alert, on edge for any signs of danger.
****
I woke up to find Aurora still sound asleep beside me, her breathing soft and steady. She looked peaceful, and I didn’t have the heart to wake her.
Quietly, I sent a message to the workers, instructing them to pack up her things without making a sound. She deserved to rest after the night she had.
As they worked, I leaned against the wall, watching her. Last night’s events played in my head, and I couldn’t shake the image of her laughing at Clyde’s stupid jokes. It bothered me more than it should have.
Her laugh was mine to hear. Her smile was mine to earn.
I was jealous and I didn’t mind.
The workers finished packing and left silently, but the moment the door clicked shut, her eyes began to flutter open.
I watched as she slowly woke, her face puffy with sleep and her hair a mess. She looked so endearing, so completely unguarded, that I couldn’t stop the warmth that spread through me.
She yawned, stretching like a sleepy cat, and her gaze finally landed on me. “Good morning,” she said softly, her voice still raspy from sleep.
“Good morning, beautiful,” I replied, unable to hide the smile tugging at my lips.
“Did you sleep well?” she asked, rubbing her eyes in the cutest way possible.
“Yes, I did,” I told her. “What about you?”
She nodded. “I slept well too.”
Of course she did. We kissed last night, and I stayed beside her the entire time. What more could she need?
“You need me,” Draven interrupted.
I ignored him, my attention fully on Aurora as she reached for her phone. Her eyes widened the moment she looked at the screen, and she shot up so fast she nearly lost her balance.
“What is it?” I asked, instantly on edge.
“The time!” she exclaimed, her voice laced with panic. “It’s already 11:30. I didn’t mean to sleep this late.”
I blinked, my tension easing. That was it? She was freaking out over the time?
“Is that all?” I asked, crossing my arms.
“Yes!” she said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“No one’s stopping you from sleeping,” I pointed out.
“But-”
“No buts, Aurora. You can sleep as much as you want.”
She hesitated, her expression softening as she looked down. “My dad never allowed me to sleep past five. I was always up at four,” she admitted quietly, her voice tinged with something I couldn’t quite place.
I opened my mouth to say something, but she stood abruptly, grabbing her clothes. “I’m going to take a shower,” she said, heading to the bathroom before I could respond.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. She wasn’t ready to open up about her past yet, and I wasn’t going to push her. Not now.
But I knew one thing. I had to tell her the truth about myself soon. I couldn’t risk leaving her behind, not with Karen lurking in the shadows. Not with all the preying eyes that would follow her if I wasn’t there.
She came out of the bathroom a few minutes later, fresh-faced and glowing. I had already showered earlier, so I leaned against the table, watching as she did her hair in front of the mirror.
“We have to leave soon,” I told her. “The flight is in two hours.”
She turned to me with wide eyes. “I haven’t even packed!”
Her gaze darted around the room, and she froze when she saw the suitcases. “Wait. The bags are all packed. I don’t remember doing that.”
“I had the workers pack them while you were asleep,” I said. “I didn’t want to wake you.”
“Oh, Ryan, you shouldn’t have,” she said softly, a small smile playing on her lips. “Thank you.”
I nodded and grabbed my phone to order us some food. If I could make her smile like that every day, I’d do whatever it took.
We were done eating, and before long, we were already at the airport. As usual, Aurora clung to me during the flight. She still wasn’t used to flying, but I didn’t mind.
When we landed safely, she stretched her arms out as we stepped off the jet. “Finally back,” she said, closing her eyes and breathing in deeply like she was savoring the moment.
“Yeah, finally back,” I echoed, watching her.
“I’m gonna miss the suite so much. The comfy bed, the view…” She pouted, and I couldn’t help but smile.
I took her hand and led her to the car. “Let’s drop you home.”
She nodded, sliding into the seat and staring out the window as we drove. A few minutes in, she turned to me, her brows furrowed in confusion.
“This isn’t the road to my apartment,” she said.
“No, it isn’t. Just hold on, I’m taking you somewhere,” I replied.
“Oh, okay,” she said softly, curiosity in her voice.
We arrived at the new apartment quickly. Cornel was already waiting and handed me the keys. I led Aurora to the second floor, unlocked the door, and stepped inside with her.
Her eyes widened as she took in the space. It was clear she loved it, though she didn’t say a word.
“This is your new place, Aurora,” I said.
“Huh?” She froze, turning to look at me.
“This is your new apartment. I got it for you. I can’t let you stay in that unsafe place, it doesn’t suit you. And don’t say no or ask why. Just accept it and make yourself comfortable.”
Her eyes welled up with tears, and before I could say anything more, she broke down. I pulled her into a tight hug, stroking her hair gently.
“Hey, hey, it’s okay. You don’t have to cry,” I said, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
Before she could respond, there was a knock at the door.
“I’ll get it,” I told her, stepping away as she wiped her tears.
It would be either Jaime or Cornel, I Will kick their asses for ruining this moment.
But when I opened the door, my stomach dropped. It wasn’t Cornel or Jaime.
It was Karen.
She didn’t waste a second, stepping inside and wrapping her arms around me. Before I could react, she pressed her lips to mine.
I pushed her back, but it was too late. Aurora had seen everything.
“I’ve missed you, babe,” Karen said sweetly, her voice dripping with fake innocence.
She finally turned to Aurora, a smug smile on her face. “We meet again, Aurora.”