Aurora’s Pov
Was I dead?
I tried moving, forcing my eyes open, but my body screamed in protest. The pain was unbearable, radiating through every inch of me like fire licking at my skin.
Nope. Definitely not dead.
My eyelids felt heavy, as if they’d been sealed shut for years. It took effort, but finally, I pried them open. The room around me was unfamiliar, blurry at first, and when I tried turning my head for a better look, I realized I couldn’t move much. My muscles felt like they had been filled with lead.
Where was I?
Panic bubbled up in my chest, but before I could let it consume me, my gaze landed on a familiar figure. Ryan.
He stood by the massive window, his back facing me. The window was so large it almost looked like a door, casting long shadows across the dimly lit room. The sight of him should have comforted me, but confusion still clawed at my mind.
I tried to call out his name, but my throat was so dry, my voice barely came out. Before I could try again, Ryan turned suddenly, his sharp gaze locking onto mine. It was like he sensed I was awake.
Within seconds, he was by my side, his arms sliding under my head, supporting me gently.
“Hey, hey, lie back down,” he murmured, his voice softer than I’d ever heard it. “Your wounds are still fresh.”
Wounds? Oh right. The stabbing pain in my stomach and throat reminded me exactly what had happened. My body felt like it had been run over by a truck…twice.
I tried to speak, but only one pathetic word came out. “Hi.”
Ryan exhaled sharply, almost like a laugh, and brushed the hair out of my face. His touch was careful, his fingers barely grazing my skin. And then he did something unexpected, he smiled.
A real, genuine smile.
He’s been smiling a lot lately. I kind of like it. Maybe dying, well, almost dying was worth it for this rare sight.
I wanted to enjoy it, truly, but then my body decided to remind me just how much pain I was in. A fresh wave of agony crashed over me, and I cried out, my fingers clutching weakly at the sheets.
Ryan’s entire demeanor shifted in a second. His eyes darkened, his muscles tensed, and-was he panicking? The great, mighty Alpha, panicking?
“Call the pack doctor, now!” he bellowed so loudly I was sure the whole house shook. Also, my eardrums? Yeah, definitely not appreciating that right now.
Before I could mentally tell him to lower his damn voice, the pain became too much. My vision blurred again, the edges darkening, and before I knew it, my eyelids shut on their own accord.
And just like that, I was swallowed by darkness once more.
****
I woke up again, my body still heavy, but something was different. There was someone else in front of me, definitely not Ryan, and definitely not a doctor.
Before I could say anything, a warm hand covered mine. That was when I noticed Ryan was still beside me.
I blinked, my vision adjusting to the dim lighting of the room. The woman standing in front of me looked… strange. Her attire was ridiculous, layers of fabric draped over her body, embroidered with intricate patterns. Gold jewelry covered her wrists and neck like she was some ambassador of sparkle. And her hair? Definitely styled with effort, yet something about her presence felt unsettling.
Yeah, and the pain was back. Again.
“Should I do it now?” Ryan’s voice was low, controlled, but I could hear the tension beneath it.
“Do it quickly, or she won’t survive it,” the woman answered urgently.
Do what?
I tried speaking, but my throat felt raw. “Do… do what?” I whispered.
Ryan squeezed my hand, his grip firm but reassuring. “Trust me, little one. Just trust me.”
That should have reassured me. It didn’t.
I watched, my breathing uneven, as he closed his eyes and straightened his posture, his hands still holding mine.
I had no idea what he was doing, but then….
Something shifted inside me.
I gasped as an invisible force seemed to pull from within, like an unseen thread being tugged from my very core. My gaze dropped to our joined hands, and I saw something…something dark, almost like wisps of smoke flowing from my skin into his.
It hit him like a strike of lightning. His jaw clenched, his muscles tensed, and I knew whatever was happening was hurting him.
Ryan was taking my pain.
“Stop,” I rasped, trying to pull away, but his grip was unyielding.
Seconds felt like hours before he finally let go, inhaling deeply as if coming up for air. Then, just like that, he sat back and opened his eyes.
He looked… fine. Perfectly fine.
Meanwhile, I felt….
I frowned. Actually… I felt better.
The crushing pain that had me barely breathing earlier was now dull, manageable. The weight pressing on my chest had lifted.
I turned back to Ryan. “What did you do?”
“I took some of your pain,” he said simply.
“That’s not alright,” I shot back. “How do you feel?”
His lips curled, amused but firm. “I’m the Alpha, Aurora. I only felt the pain while taking it. I’m good now.”
I wasn’t convinced, but he looked steady, strong. And I wasn’t exactly in a position to argue.
“How do you feel?” he asked again, his tone serious.
I rolled my shoulders slightly, testing the discomfort. “I feel much better. Like the weight of pain has been taken away.”
He studied me, his sharp eyes searching mine for any sign of dishonesty.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, Ryan. I’m okay.” I sighed, glancing at the pillows behind me. “Help me sit up.”
Ryan stood immediately, his hands guiding me carefully as I leaned back against the bed’s headboard.
“Easy, Aurora. I took your pain, but your wounds haven’t healed,” he warned, his voice dripping with authority.
I gave him a small, teasing smile. “I’m careful.”
He huffed but didn’t argue.
Then, as if remembering the other person in the room, I turned my attention back to the jewelry-covered woman. She was still staring at me. Hard. Like she was analyzing every breath I took.
“I’m Nara,” she finally said.
“I’m-”
“Aurora,” she interrupted.
I blinked.
“Everyone in this home knows your name,” she added, casting a pointed look at Ryan before turning back to me. “Ryan has had everyone on edge because you wouldn’t wake up.”
Oh.
I turned to Ryan, my lips parting slightly.
He had everyone on edge… because of me?
The thought sent a strange warmth fluttering through my chest.
I tilted my head, biting back a smile. “Did you give everyone a hard time?” I asked, my voice laced with amusement.
Ryan narrowed his eyes at me. “You need to rest, Aurora. Ignore what Nara is saying.”
I didn’t answer immediately, my mind swirling with thoughts I couldn’t quite grasp. But just as I was about to say something, anything to break the silence, Nara suddenly spoke again.
“Ryan,” she said, her tone firm. “We need to talk. Now.”
“Now?” Ryan asked, his voice edged with reluctance.
“Yes, right now,” Nara replied, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Ryan hesitated, his eyes flickering toward me as if he didn’t want to leave.
Nara must have noticed because she sighed, crossing her arms. “We’ll just be right outside the door, Ryan. I’m not taking you across the world.”
I rolled my eyes and nudged him lightly. “Go, Ryan.”
He still looked uncertain, but after a moment, he exhaled. “I’ll be back. If you need anything, just call my name.”
Then, before I could respond, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.
I blinked, momentarily frozen as warmth spread through my chest.
Did he just-?
Before I could fully process it, he straightened and walked out with Nara, leaving me alone in the ridiculously luxurious room.
I let out a slow breath and looked around properly for the first time.
The walls were massive, dark yet elegant, with intricate carvings and paintings that made the place look like something out of an old gothic novel. The towering windows were draped in deep, heavy curtains that barely let in any light, giving the whole place a mysterious, dark-century kind of vibe.
Everything about the room screamed power, history… and money.
Where was I exactly?
I was still marveling at my surroundings when a voice-Nara’s voice-cut through the air like a blade.
“Ryan, stay away from her! She’s dangerous!”
The sharpness in her words sent a chill down my spine.
My stomach twisted, and I sat up straighter despite the dull ache in my body.
Dangerous?
Who?
Me?