Aurora’s Pov
It has been exactly three days.
Three days since Nara said what she said about me.
Three days since she told Ryan to stay away from me.
It seems like everyone else has moved on. Like it never happened. Like it was just another passing moment in a life filled with chaos.
But I haven’t forgotten.
How could I?
She said I know something. But I don’t. I don’t know anything.
And yet, there’s this weight in my chest, this fear creeping into my bones. What if she was right? What if there’s something about me I don’t even know?
But I push it aside. I have other things to worry about.
Ryan’s birthday is tomorrow.
Right now, he’s in a meeting with Elliot and the elders, which means I’m left with Mira and Leila. And they are way too excited about something.
Mira grins, practically bouncing on her feet. “You can’t wait to see the cake. Oh my god, it’s so fucking big. It’s so nice.”
I raise a brow, I’ve been asking her to show me the damn cake. “Let me see.”
“No, no, no.” Mira shakes her head dramatically. “You can’t see it yet. It’s a surprise. A surprise for both of you.” Her eyes sparkle with excitement. “I can’t wait for you to taste it. I can’t wait for you to see the work of my hands.”
Leila rolls her eyes. “Mira, stop being dramatic.”
Mira gasps. “You wish it was you that made the cake, huh?” She crosses her arms like she’s been deeply offended.
Leila smirks. “At least I’ve gathered what she’s going to wear tomorrow.”
Before I can respond, the door opens. Caleb walks in, his usual serious expression in place.
“Hi,” I say.
He nods. “Hi. I’ve arranged all the entertainment for tomorrow. Now we just need to figure out how to get everything in place.”
I glance at Mira and Leila, who are trying and failing not to look too excited. “Okay,” I say. “How are we going to do it?”
Caleb leans against the wall. “We have to wait for Elliot. He’ll help decide how you and Ryan will arrive.
But the real issue is getting you away from Ryan without him suspecting anything. He’s always keeping an eye on you. And since I haven’t been able to talk to Elliot yet, we’re a little behind schedule.”
I nod, thinking. “I’ll tell Ryan that I want to take him out for his birthday. We’ll dress up and go somewhere. Then, later, I’ll tell him I forgot something and come back here. By then, everyone will already be in place.”
Caleb considers it for a moment, then nods. “That could work.”
“I hope everything goes as planned,” I say.
Caleb’s face darkens slightly. “Just be careful. Ryan’s aunt… she can be mean sometimes. Watch her.”
I frown but nod. “Okay.”
“Don’t get too worked up over it,” he says. “I doubt we’ll have another chance to go over this plan, so just be ready.”
Leila and Mira are grinning like children about to cause trouble. But when Caleb glances at them, their faces go blank.
I bite back a smile.
They’re just as scared of him as they are of Ryan.
****
After Caleb left, Leila and Mira started making silly jokes.
Leila was already in full demonstration mode, pacing back and forth like a strict instructor. “Alright, Aurora,” she said, her voice firm. “You’re going to walk up to Ryan, look him straight in the eye, and say, ‘I want to sleep with you.'” She folded her arms, nodding like she had just given me the most foolproof plan in the world.
Mira groaned dramatically, flopping onto the couch. “That is so cringe. No offense, Leila, but come on.”
Leila shot her a glare. “Oh? And you have a better idea?”
Mira smirked, sitting up. “Of course. Here’s what you do, Aurora. You walk up to him, place your hand on his chest, lean in just a little-just enough to make him nervous-and then, in the softest voice, say, ‘Ryan, I need to want to sleep with you.'” She fluttered her eyelashes for effect. “Boom. He’ll be so distracted he won’t even question it.”
I rolled my eyes. “You guys, please, stop.” I exhaled sharply. “I don’t know how I’m going to do it, but I’ll do it. I’ll figure it out.”
Mira grinned. “That’s the spirit.”
We talked for a while, mostly Mira teasing Leila about her “cringe” approach, and just as I was starting to relax, the door opened.
Ryan walked in.
The air in the room shifted immediately. His presence was like a force, commanding attention without a single word. He carried that usual unreadable expression, but his sharp eyes scanned the room like he knew we were up to something.
Mira and Leila stiffened.
Ryan arched a brow. “What are you two still doing here?”
Mira and Leila exchanged a quick glance before blurting out, “Sorry, Alpha.” Then, giggling like children caught stealing cookies, they rushed out, leaving me alone with him.
Ryan didn’t say anything at first. Instead, he stepped closer, grabbed my hand, and gently pulled me up to my feet. His grip was firm but warm, grounding me instantly.
“You’re still not telling me everything,” he murmured.
I swallowed hard.
He studied my face, his fingers lightly trailing down my arm. “What else were you discussing?” His voice was lower now, more intense.
I forced a casual laugh. “Nothing.”
His eyes narrowed slightly, like he could see right through me. “Before, it was them teaching you how to give a…” he smirked slightly, “… blowjob. But I was the one who taught you.”
My face burned. “Ryan!”
He chuckled, but his grip on my waist tightened slightly. “So now, tell me, what else are you hiding from me?”
Oh, God.
I felt my heart hammering in my chest. He was going to hear it. He always did.
Ryan’s gaze flickered down to my throat. “Your heartbeat is too fast.” His voice softened. “Calm down and tell me what it is.”
I clenched my fists. Lying was useless.
So I let out a shaky breath. “Okay,” I said quietly. “I’ll tell you the truth.” I hesitated for a second, then forced myself to meet his eyes. “I don’t know what to gift you for your birthday tomorrow.”
Ryan frowned slightly.
I rushed to explain. “I don’t know this place well enough to find you something meaningful. I just… I feel bad. I should be able to give you something, but I don’t know what.”
For a moment, he didn’t say anything.
Then, he exhaled and cupped my face gently. “Stop it, Aurora.” His voice was firm, but there was a tenderness underneath it. “You don’t have to give me anything.”
“But-”
“The best gift is that you’re already here.”
I blinked.
Ryan’s thumb traced my cheek as he smiled faintly. “That’s all I want.”
I let out a relieved sigh. Thank God. At least he doesn’t suspect anything.
I tilted my head. “Are you sure? You don’t feel weird about me not giving you a present?”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “I’m sure.” He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. “You are the biggest gift ever.”
My stomach flipped, warmth spreading through me.
Then, almost without thinking, I whispered, “Can I ask you something?”
Ryan’s lips barely left my skin as he murmured, “Anything.”
I hesitated. “Do you know my birthday?”
Ryan pulled back slightly, tilting his head at me like I had just asked him if the sky was blue.
“Of course, I know your birthday.”
I squinted at him. “Then when is it?”
Without missing a beat, he said, “July 4th. Your birthday.”
A shiver ran down my spine. “How do you know that?”
Ryan smirked, brushing his knuckles against my jaw. “I know everything about you, little one.”
His voice dropped into something deeper, something that sent heat crawling up my neck. “You are the woman after my heart.” His hand slipped behind my neck, pulling me closer. “The woman who stole my heart.”
I sucked in a sharp breath.
My face was burning. My chest was tight with emotions I couldn’t even begin to name.
And for a brief moment, I forgot everything else, but not what’s going to happen tomorrow.
Oh, boy.
He isn’t seeing it coming.