Ryan’s Pov
I knew Aurora was close. Her scent, warm, soft, undeniably hers, lingered in the air before she even stepped inside. I should have stopped talking the moment I sensed her.
But I didn’t.
And that was my biggest mistake.
She heard the worst part.
I saw the hurt in her eyes before she ran. I saw the way she looked at me like I had shattered something fragile, something I wasn’t sure I could piece back together.
She didn’t wait for me to explain.
She didn’t know that I was about to tell Elliot she was mine. That no one…not my uncle, not the pack, not anyone was going to take her away from me.
But now?
Now, she wouldn’t even look at me.
She was fast, faster than I expected, but I didn’t stop. I chased after her, my heart slamming against my ribs as I watched her disappear into my room.
And then…click.
She locked the door.
She fucking locked me out.
I exhaled sharply, pressing my palm against the door. I could hear her crying on the other side, and it made something inside me twist painfully.
Aurora shouldn’t cry. Not because of me.
“Aurora,” I called softly.
No response.
“Aurora,” I tried again.
The crying stopped, but she still didn’t answer.
I clenched my jaw, forcing down my frustration. “Aurora, please open the door.”
Nothing.
I sighed. “Little one.”
“Don’t call me that!” she snapped.
At least she responded.
“Open the door, little one,” I coaxed, keeping my voice calm even though I felt anything but. “Let’s talk this out.”
“Let me be.” Her voice cracked.
“I can’t,” I said simply.
“Leave me alone.”
She was being stubborn.
Draven, my wolf, growled in my head. Break down the door.
I wouldn’t do that, yet. But she had to know I would if she kept this up.
“Aurora,” I warned. “Open up, or I’ll break the door.”
Silence.
I took a step back. “Alright, I’m breaking in.”
The moment I moved, the door swung open.
Aurora stood there, eyes red from crying, arms folded, looking at me like she wanted to set me on fire.
“What do you want?” she asked, voice sharp.
She was breathtaking even when she was furious.
I smirked. “You’re in my room.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Is everything a joke to you?”
“Fine,” she snapped, pushing past me. “Have your room. I’m going home.”
Like hell she was.
I caught her waist before she could take another step, pulling her back against me. She struggled, trying to break free, but I held firm.
“Everything is not a joke to me, Aurora,” I said, voice low. “You are not a joke to me.”
But she wasn’t listening. She kept fighting me.
So I did the only thing I could.
I picked her up.
“Let me go!” she yelled, thrashing in my hold.
“You’ll hurt yourself if you keep struggling,” I warned, carrying her into the room before setting her down gently on the bed.
She sat up immediately, ready to bolt.
I met her gaze, voice firm. “Sit, Aurora.”
She hesitated, then obeyed.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then, softly, she said, “You said you knew.”
Her eyes met mine, searching desperate for the truth.
I exhaled. “You didn’t let me finish.”
“Are you using me?” she whispered.
The question hit me harder than I expected.
Using her?
I crouched in front of her, leveling our gazes. “Why would you think that?” My voice was softer now, careful. “I could never use you.”
“When we were outside,” she murmured, “I heard people talking. They said I wasn’t welcome. That you’d use me and throw me away.”
A growl rumbled in my chest.
“Who said that?”
She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter.”
It does.
But right now, this moment was about her.
She studied me, her next words barely a whisper. “What were you going to say… before I interrupted you?”
I didn’t hesitate.
“I know your presence here will cause problems,” I admitted. “But that doesn’t matter, because you’re mine.”
Her lips parted slightly. Her eyes welled up.
Then she broke.
She collapsed against my chest, her fingers gripping my shirt as she sobbed quietly.
I held her.
Ran my fingers through her hair.
“Don’t cry,” I murmured, pressing my lips to the top of her head.
And then, before I could stop myself..
“I love you.”
Aurora froze.
Slowly, she pulled back, looking at me with wide, disbelieving eyes.
“What did you say?” she whispered.
I held her gaze.
“I love you, Aurora.”
I love her.
I don’t know when it happened, or how, but I love her. More than I’ve ever loved anything in my life.
She’s stubborn. She’s reckless. She’s a human in a world she doesn’t belong in.
But she’s mine.
And I will fight for her.
“You don’t have to say it back. Say it when you’re ready,” I told her.
She hugged me tight, her fingers digging into my back as she whispered, “Thank you,”
I knew about her feelings for me. She loved me, but she was still unsure.
And for now, that was enough.
*****
We stayed like that for a while, her warmth pressed against me, grounding me in a way I never expected. But I couldn’t postpone the question any longer.
“Who said I would use you?” I asked, my voice low but firm.
Aurora looked up at me, hesitation flickering in her eyes. “Forget it, Ryan. It doesn’t matter.”
But it did. It mattered more than she realized.
“Come,” I said, taking her hand gently. She resisted at first, her brows furrowing in confusion, but I didn’t let go. I led her out of the room, my mind already set on finding the truth.
When we walked out, I saw Leila passing by
“Alpha,” she greeted, bowing slightly as she tried to walk past us.
“Stop,” I commanded.
Aurora’s grip on my hand tightened. “What are you doing?” she whispered.
Leila hesitated before stepping forward, her gaze cast downward.
“I need you to tell me who spoke ill of my Luna,” I said, my voice laced with authority.
“Alpha?” Leila’s voice wavered.
“Tell me. Right now.” My patience was running thin.
Aurora tugged at my arm. “Ryan, stop.”
“I won’t.” My voice was final.
Leila swallowed hard. “I…I don’t know them by name,” she said, still bowing.
“By faces?” I asked, my tone sharp.
“Yes, Alpha,” she admitted.
That was enough. “Lead the way.”
Aurora let out a sigh beside me, but I didn’t back down. She needed to see that I wouldn’t let anyone disrespect her, not now, not ever.
Leila led us to a busy area. Conversations quieted as we approached, and all eyes turned to me. They rarely saw me outside the mansion when I was in Shadowhaven. The shock on their faces was evident.
“Who?” I asked Leila.
She hesitated for a moment before pointing at two people.
“If she pointed at you, step forward,” I ordered.
Murmurs spread through the crowd. The two men hesitated before finally stepping forward, their faces paling.
Still holding Aurora’s hand, I stared down at them. “What did you say about my mate?”
They immediately dropped to their knees, pleading. “Alpha, we meant no harm! It was just talk…”
I grabbed one of them by the throat, lifting him slightly off the ground.
He choked, his hands clawing at mine. I could feel my wolf pushing forward, my fury unraveling. How dare they speak against her? How dare they make her feel unwelcome?
Aurora immediately placed her hand on my wrist, her voice soft but firm. “Ryan… do not be like Rhys because of me.”