Chapter 109

Aurora’s POV

“I’ll go answer it,” Anders says before making his way out of the room. The front door isn’t far away, and my hearing has improved, so I hear the air shift when Anders opens the door.

“We’re here to see Aurora,” a male voice barks. It sounds familiar, but I can’t quite place where I’ve heard it before. Is it someone I know? It would have to be because they’re here to see me, but I don’t know anyone who would look for me in Thorne’s house.

Someone, Anders, clears his throat before speaking, “I’m not sure now is a good time. She just woke up and she’s still upset and scared.”

“I’ve waited three days,” the mystery man says, and again, his voice itches at my mind. Where do I know that voice from?

Thorne, however, seems to recognize the voice instantly because he pats my shoulder then moves to the doorway. He stands there for a second before saying, “Let them in.”

Them?

I want to follow Thorne over to the door, but before I can slide off the bed, he turns and walks back to my side. He perches on the edge of the bed, taking my hand in his and softly brushing his thumb over the back of my hand.

The gesture distracts me momentarily as the touch sends a wave of tingles through me. Does he feel the tingles when he touches me too? I’ve never felt something like this before, and I want to ask, but I don’t. I tuck the question away for later.

I don’t know everything about werewolves, but even I know that mates have special bonds. Not just emotional ones, either. Werewolves are supposed to be able to know their mate from touch alone.

Peering down at our intertwined hands, I smile.

“She’s in here,” Anders says, and when I look up, confusion then curiosity fill me. Doctor Grayson walks in, followed by Mrs. Ashford and then Anders.

“I’ve been waiting for you to wake up for three days,” Doctor Grayson says. Honestly, I don’t feel like I slept for three days. It also didn’t feel like she didn’t sleep for days. All that pain and healing must have kept me asleep and used all my energy.

Doctor Grayson stops in front of me and Thorne, his eyes moving over my face then down my body. His gaze isn’t weird. Instead, it’s assessing, as if he’s checking that I’m okay. It must be the doctor in him.

“Did you come here to take me to the hospital, Doctor Grayson?” It’s the only reason I could think of that he’d be here. As for Mrs. Ashford, I’m sure she found out about what happened from Thorne.

I look back at Doctor Grayson in time to see him shake his head. He moves slowly toward me before hesitating and stopping. Thorne stands and bows, which is something new. The only person I’ve ever seen him bow so respectfully to is Mrs. Ashford.

This time, he’s bowing to Doctor Grayson.

“Lycan King Grayson,” Thorne says respectfully. “Luna Ashford.”

“How are you feeling, Aurora?” Mrs. Ashford asks, stepping around Doctor Grayson who is still staring at me. Again, his gaze doesn’t make me uncomfortable, but I can’t pin why it doesn’t.

“Aurora?”

I blink, my mind clearing and reminding me that Mrs. Ashford asked me a question.

“I could be better,” I admit, not seeing the use of lying. It wouldn’t get me anywhere.

Mrs. Ashford nods like she understands, but I’m not sure if she’s just being polite or if she really does understand. Had she been in a similar situation before? Would it be rude to ask?

“Did Thorne tell you that I was here?”

Mrs. Ashford nods, answering, “Yes. We were worried and wanted to check on you. Grayson and I…” Her words trail off, and she glances at Doctor Grayson. Something passes between them, and I notice similarities in their features.

At first, I thought they might be friends, but the closer I look, I can tell they are family. They have the same silver hair—like mine—and pale blue eyes that shine with intelligence. They both give off a regal air, and when I look at Doctor Grayson, I realize he’s not as old as I once thought.

“Wait, did you call Doctor Grayson… King?” I ask, turning to look at Thorne. He nods, his eyes landing on the man in front of me. “Are you…” I look at Mrs. Ashford. “Did you come to tell me something?”

Mrs. Ashford smiles, “We did. We finally confirmed that you are my niece.”

“I am?” My voice cracks. I look to Doctor Grayson, now wondering if this man is really the King. If he is, that means he is my father. This tall, kind man who I mistook for a regular, older werewolf is the person I’ve been trying to find a connection to.

“You are,” Doctor Grayson says, pulling my attention to him. “I’ve been searching for you all these years, but I never believed you would be hidden in the human world.”

I nod, unsure of what to say. I didn’t know this man existed before a few weeks ago, and now, he’s here. What am I supposed to do? Does he expect me to hug him? I don’t think that’s appropriate, but I’m not sure.

His head cocks to the side as he smiles softly, “I’m sure you’re confused.”

Again, I can only nod.

“My name is Grayson Ashford,” he starts. “I am the current Lycan King and will be until I pass the title or until another challenges me. However, you can just call me Grayson.”

“I thought you were a doctor,” I blurt. I snap my mouth shut, not wanting to say anything that would sound stupid to the man I’m apparently related to.

Grayson smiles and nods, “I was, and occasionally, I still am. When Leah told me about you, I wanted to meet you without putting undue pressure on you, so I came to the hospital. I thought it would be the best way to meet you without scaring you.”

“Oh, okay.”

An awkward silence falls over us, clogging the air. I don’t know what to say or if it’s okay to ask questions. Because I have plenty of questions. I love my mom and sister, but I would also love to know about my birth family.

“So, Aurora is a Lycan,” Thorne speaks up. I squeeze his hand, and he squeezes back, silently supporting and comforting me.

“She is,” Mrs. Ashford says, stepping forward. “Aurora is from the line of direct descendants of the Goddess, meaning she’s capable of bearing the strongest heirs out of all Lycans.”

Grayson interrupts, “Although, we’re still unsure how my late wife… how your mother hid your lineage for so long. We hope to look into this. I have several avenues, medically and magically, that we can explore—”

“Wait.”

All eyes turn to me, and I realize I’m the one who spoke. Just the thought of being tested and prodded makes my stomach churn and has me feeling nauseous.

Images of scalpels and medical tables fill my mind, and I lean closer to Thorne.

“Maybe we should talk about this another time,” Thorne suggests, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me into his lap.

I glance at Grayson and Mrs. Ashford, and they both nod.

“Is there anything you’d like to know about our family?”