Chapter 119

Thorne’s POV

Running through the forest with Aurora on my back wasn’t how I expected to leave the old Lycan’s house. King Grayson and Luna Leah follow behind me, but I’m more concerned about Aurora.

Her emotions are all over the place, mainly her fear and worry. Ever since she realized the ‘Dean’ that her mother was writing about was the man who kidnapped her, she shut down. She wouldn’t speak and barely looked at me when I tried to talk to her. I could feel her retreating into herself even as I hugged her.

Because of this, I suggested we return and let her rest. She’s had a lot going on the last few days, and I think this was the last straw. I knew she would spiral at some point, so I should have been more prepared.

I mentally kick myself. I should’ve known that something like this might be emotionally harmful for Aurora right now. I can’t quite make out what Aurora is thinking about, but every now and then, I get a little glimpse.

These could have been her mother’s last thoughts to her father.

This means that the Dark Knight Pack Alpha has some sort of obsession with her mother.

He thought she looked just like her mother.

Did that mean he would come after her?

Her mind reels, questions and worries filling her, and I can’t do anything to help her clear them out. I can feel the ache that pulses in her because it filters down our bond and settles in my chest.

“Aurora?” I call down our bond. I push my voice through the sludge in her mind, hoping she can hear me. “Aurora, I need you to focus. We’ll find out what happened and everything will be alright.”

She doesn’t respond, but I accept the slight flicker of awareness in her. She heard me. That’s a good sign.

Anders meets us outside of my vacation house, which has honestly turned into mine and Aurora’s private residence. He has a few warriors with him, and just as I slow and stop, Jace arrives.

Anders lifts Aurora off my back, holding her carefully and then transferring her back to my arms once I shift. Each of the men gathered watches as King Grayson shifts. They all know of him and his status, which quickly results in them bowing.

“Please stand. I don’t particularly like the royal treatment,” he says. I watch as my men stand, looking slightly confused.

“You may go back to your posts,” I announce. “Jace and Anders, follow us inside.”

Carrying Aurora, I note how she leans further into me and tightens her hold as we enter the house. Instead of taking her to the bedroom like I’d planned, I head to my office. I can feel everyone else following, but my full focus is on making Aurora as comfortable as possible during our next conversation.

Her thoughts have quieted a bit, but I can now feel the guilt that fills her.

“Aurora, talk to me,” I whisper as I sit behind my desk. She turns, straddles me, and buries her face in my neck. A sniffle sounds, and something wet drips onto my neck. The guilt inside Aurora grows until she’s crying softly against me. Her body shakes, and even though I rub my hand gently up and down her back, she doesn’t stop.

The men, and Luna Ashford, watch with confusion, but they say nothing.

“I-It’s my fault,” she cries. “If she d-didn’t go out of the p-pack to see that witch—” a sob rocks Auora’s body. “S-she wouldn’t have died.”

“No, no, no,” I whisper, leaning back as much as I can. I carefully lift Aurora’s face, cupping it in my hands so she’ll look at me as I say, “None of this was your fault. If you’re going to blame anyone, then blame the Black Knight Pack.”

She whimpers, her teary eyes breaking my heart.

Leaning in—not caring that there are people watching—I kiss my mate. I try to pull her out of this doubt and pain by letting every ounce of my love flow into our bond. Silently, I communicate that she is in no way responsible for her mother’s death.

She doesn’t respond immediately, but slowly, she comes back to me.

Her mind clears, and her pain lessens. It doesn’t fade completely, but she leans into me, physically and mentally, letting me take the painful thoughts from her.

When she pulls back, her eyes tell me everything I need to know, even as she says it aloud, “Thank you.”

“Always,” I mutter, kissing her softly again. A throat clears, and I look up. Aurora sighs and turns, freezing when she realizes we have an audience. Instantly, my mate’s cheeks turn red, and she ducks her head to hide.

I chuckle at her embarrassment and smile at our spectators.

“It’s not funny,” she mutters, pinching my arm.

King Grayson watches us with interest and something a bit hesitant, but he doesn’t comment. Luna Ashford returns my smile, looking happy. Jace and Anders grin widely, nudging each other, and I can imagine there’s a chorus of “I told you so” echoing between the two of them.

This time, to get attention off my embarrassed mate, I clear my throat. Everyone looks at me now, and I motion for them to sit as I begin speaking, “I believe the Black Knight Pack is still a threat.”

Aurora stiffens in my arms, but I continue, “Clearly their Alpha has a grudge against you, King Grayson, and probably now against me as well since I’ve taken Aurora back.”

“I agree. I never expected him to hold this grudge for so long, and to the extent of hurting my daughter,” King Grayson says, rubbing at his chin. His eyes move to Aurora before he signs and adds, “He was close to me and Elizabeth when we were growing up, and he had hoped they would be mates. Suffice to say, he was less than pleased when she and I turned out to be mates.”

“Is that why he thinks she betrayed him?” Aurora asks, turning.

Her father nods, “Yes. He threatened to take your mother back, no matter the cost. For a long time, I thought that he took her, and you, when he attacked. Now, I know she ran to protect the both of us.”

“So how do you know she’s dead? Did you ever find her body?” I ask, knowing neither of them could bring it up.

King Grayson stiffens, a growl vibrating from his chest as his eyes flash gold, “He sent me her clothes in a box.” His voice deepens with pain at every word. “Her blood coated the clothes, telling me everything I needed to know. He killed my mate for what he thought was a betrayal toward him. I just…”

He looks at Aurora now, his eyes softening as he adds, “I never knew if you were alive or dead, so I kept looking.”

A pang of longing thrums through my body, and I realize it’s coming from Aurora.

“Then, we need to take care of The Dark Knight Pack for good,” I growl. “He’s still out there—with that sick fuck of a doctor—and who knows what they’re planning. For all we know, they could be preparing to attack both of our packs.”

Everyone in the room nods in agreement.

“I’ll offer any aid I can for Aurora’s protection,” King Grayson says while standing. “I suggest we send out scouts to covertly search for Dean. If I find any information on his whereabouts or about the witch, I’ll inform you and Aurora immediately.”

I stand, pulling Aurora with me, and shake her father’s hand. “And I’ll protect Aurora.”