Aurora’s Pov
I paced around the room slowly, wincing at the sharp pain that shot through my body with every step. My wounds still ached, but I couldn’t bring myself to lie down. I was restless. My mind kept replaying what had just happened.
What was wrong with Ryan? Why did he react that way? Why did his eyes turn black?
I shivered at the memory, gripping my arms as I sat down on the edge of the bed. I reached for the glass of water on the stool beside me, my hands trembling slightly as I took a sip. I needed to calm down, but the thought of Ryan out there, possibly struggling with something beyond his control, made my chest tighten.
I wanted to cry, but what good would that do? The last thing I needed was to break down when I didn’t even understand what was happening.
Just then, the door opened, and Elliot walked in. His face was calm, but I could tell he was observing me, reading my emotions like an open book.
“You need to calm down, Aurora. He’ll be fine,” Elliot said in a reassuring voice.
I looked up at him, desperation evident in my eyes. “Tell me what’s wrong with him,” I asked, my voice almost shaking. I needed answers.
Elliot hesitated. “I’m sorry, I can’t tell you. I don’t think it’s my place to.”
I frowned. “Why can’t you?”
He let out a quiet sigh and sat on the couch across from me. “It’s for Ryan to tell you. I don’t know if he’ll want to.”
A sinking feeling settled in my stomach. Ryan was hiding something from me, something big.
I swallowed hard. “Just tell me,” I said again, this time my voice softer, almost pleading.
Elliot shook his head. “I’m sorry, Aurora. I can’t.”
I clenched my fists. I understood, but that didn’t mean it didn’t hurt. Ryan should have told me. We hadn’t known each other for long, but this… this wasn’t something small. It was serious.
Elliot’s voice broke through my thoughts. “You should get some rest. The herbs will help your wounds heal faster, and it’s getting late.” His tone was gentle, almost fatherly.
I took a deep breath, exhaling loudly. I knew he was right, but my heart still felt heavy. “Okay.”
He stood up. “I’ll send for the maids to keep you company before you sleep.”
I looked up at him, touched by his kindness. “Thank you.”
Elliot nodded and gave me a small, reassuring smile before walking out and closing the door behind him.
Silence settled over the room once again. I was alone.
I laid back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. I needed to heal. I needed to be strong. Whatever Ryan was going through, I wanted to help him in any way I could.
A few minutes passed, and I still couldn’t bring myself to sleep. My thoughts kept circling back to Ryan, his sudden change, his black eyes, the way Elliot had to take him out of the room. What was wrong with him? And why wouldn’t Elliot tell me?
Just then, a soft knock sounded at the door.
“Come in,” I said, sitting up carefully.
The large double doors opened, and two familiar figures stepped in…Leila and Mira, the maids who had helped me earlier.
“My lady,” they said in unison, bowing slightly.
I sighed. “Just call me Aurora.”
They exchanged a quick look, as if I had just suggested something outrageous.
“I don’t think that’s appropriate,” Mira finally said. “You’re a guest of the Alpha, and it would be disrespectful to call you by your name.”
A guest. That’s what they saw me as.
A strange feeling settled in my chest.
What should they see you as? A voice inside my head whispered.
Ryan and I weren’t exactly… anything. Were we dating? We hadn’t even talked about it properly. He acted like I belonged to him, but where did I stand in his world?
“Miss?” Leila’s voice pulled me back to reality.
I shook off my thoughts. “Just call me Aurora,” I repeated, my tone firmer this time. “And I mean it.”
Leila hesitated, then finally said, “Alright, Aurora.”
“Your name is as pretty as you,” Mira added with a small smile.
I felt warmth spread through me. “Thank you.”
They remained standing awkwardly, hands clasped in front of them.
“Come sit,” I said, tapping the bed beside me.
Mira shook her head. “We’re comfortable here.”
“Yes, we are,” Leila agreed.
I raised an eyebrow. “I know you are, but I insist.”
They exchanged another glance before finally sitting on either side of me, Leila on my right, Mira on my left.
“Now, tell me about yourselves,” I said, wanting to distract myself from the chaos in my head.
Leila gave me an apologetic smile. “Elliot said we should get you to bed so your wounds heal faster. We’ll tell you later.”
I huffed. “Fine. Then I have a suggestion.”
“What is it?” they asked in unison.
“I’ll lie down, and you both can tell me about Shadowhaven. I’ll probably fall asleep that way.”
Mira nodded. “That would work.”
I adjusted myself against the pillows as they made themselves comfortable.
“Shadowhaven is unlike any place you’ve been before,” Leila started.
“The entire land is surrounded by an invisible barrier,” Mira added. “It keeps rogues and enemies out. No one can enter unless they’re invited, or if the Alpha allows it.”
“That’s why it’s so peaceful,” Leila said. “Well, most of the time.”
“But recently the rogues are getting help from the witches in other to get in, but Alpha Ryan Is working on it,” Mira said.
I listened, their voices soft and soothing as they continued.
“The Shadowhaven Pack is one of the strongest. No one dares challenge it. That’s why many people seek refuge here.”
“There’s also the Midnight River,” Mira said. “Legend has it that the water has healing powers, but no one knows for sure. Only the Alpha is allowed near it.”
My mind grew hazy as I listened. Their voices faded into the background, and before I knew it, sleep took over.
*****
A warm sensation wrapped around me as I stirred awake. The scent of cedarwood and something undeniably Ryan filled the air, making my heart flutter before I even opened my eyes.
As my lashes fluttered open, the first thing I saw was Ryan, lying beside me, watching me with an expression so soft it made my chest tighten.
“Good morning, little one,” he murmured, his voice deep and soothing.
Relief flooded through me. Without thinking, I pushed myself up and threw my arms around him, burying my face in his chest. His warmth, his presence, it was exactly what I needed after last night.
He let out a quiet chuckle but wrapped his arms around me just as tightly.
When I finally pulled back, I cupped his face between my hands, scanning every inch of him. “Are you okay?” I whispered, my fingers tracing the sharp edges of his jaw.
He looked fine, but was he really?
Ryan’s dark eyes softened as he looked at me. “I’m okay, Aurora. There’s no need to worry.”
But I did. I had seen him lose control, had seen something take over him that wasn’t just… human.
“Tell me what happened to you,” I said, searching his eyes. “And why it’s happening.”
Instead of answering, his gaze flickered down to my bandaged side. “How’s your wound, Aurora?”
I frowned. He was avoiding the question.
“Ryan, tell me. I want to know right now.” My voice wavered slightly, but I held his gaze. “You said I was your mate. I need to know everything about you. Please.”
His expression darkened for a moment, as if he was fighting an internal battle.
“I don’t think you’d want to know right now,” he said, his voice lower this time.
“I do,” I insisted, holding onto him. “Trust me.”
A long silence stretched between us before he exhaled, running a hand through his dark hair.
“Okay,” he finally said. “Here’s how it all started…”