Chapter 43

Aurora’s POV

After lunch, Thorne returned to training. I told him I wanted to look around a bit, and surprisingly, he said I could.

However, he left me with a stern instruction, “Keep the training grounds in sights at all times, and have your phone in your hand, on, and ready to call or answer it at any moment.”

I think he was worried I’ll get lost or in trouble, so I promised I would. It makes me feel a bit better anyway, to be close to him and have a way to contact him. Alpha Sander’s warning sticks in my mind, so I try to avoid people as I walk.

Soon, I reach the edge of the forest and look back over my shoulder. I can’t see Thorne from here, which probably means I’ve gone too far. The trees are tall and if I’m honest, a bit ominous. There are probably werewolves in this forest and creatures like snakes, spiders, and other things that I don’t need to run into.

I take a step back then decide to return to the training grounds. I’m curious, not stupid. There will be no stories about how the curious human went and got herself hurt or killed while wandering around a forest.

Nope. This curious cat would rather lay in the sun and watch her man work out.

I giggle at the analogy even as my cheeks heat with the thought of Thorne being my man. He’s not, but I find myself allowing the slip to remain. I’ll just remember not to make that distinction next time.

Not wanting to get lost, I make my way back toward the training grounds. Thorne is probably wondering where I am anyway, and—

Something slams into me as I come around the corner, and I fall back. However, before I can hit the ground, the person catches me and pulls me back up. A little disoriented, I stay still for a moment, looking at the man.

He’s younger than Thorne, probably around my age or a little older, and he’s smiling.

“Careful there…” his words fall off when he looks me over and sniffs the air. “And what would a human be doing here?”

I push away from him, instantly on guard. His smile does nothing to ease the growing tension, but he does raise his hands in the universal sign of surrender.

“You’re the human here with Alpha Thorne, right? My brother told me he brought a human with him,” the man says, his eyes moving down my body again. “I just didn’t know you were a woman.”

“Who is your brother?” I ask, wondering how the word of my presence was already spread. Maybe he’s related to one of the Gammas.

“Alpha Sanders is my older brother,” the man answers, smiling. “You know, I’ve met several humans before, but I have to say, you’re the prettiest.”

I blink up at him, realizing he’s flirting. What in the world? Why would he flirt with me?

“Are you exploring?” He asks when I don’t speak.

“I was. I wanted to look around, but now I’m headed back to the training grounds,” I tell him, moving around him and walking in the direction I’d originally come from.

The man isn’t put off by my sudden exit. In fact, he follows and walks beside me.

“I’m headed there, too. I’ll accompany you,” he says, then holds out a hand. “I’m Joseph, by the way.”

Feeling like it would be rude to ignore him, I take his hand and shake it, “Aurora. It’s nice to meet you.”

A bit of an awkward silence falls over us when I shake his hand off and continue walking. I almost make a wrong turn on the way back, which Joseph corrects and soon, we’re back at the training grounds.

Thorne is in the middle of running laps with the Gammas, so I sit where I sat this morning. Joseph follows.

“So, did you find anything while you were exploring?” Joseph asks.

“Not really. Just some buildings that I wasn’t comfortable getting close to, a storage area, and the forest,” I answer, wrapping my arms around my legs and pulling them to my chest.

“Oh yeah? Did you see the new guest house that’s being built?”

I nod. Before I got to the forest, there was a house being built, and it looks like it’s almost done.

“I designed that house,” Joseph states proudly.

Turning, I look at him. I thought he’d come here to train, but I guess not. Maybe he’s just here to check on things before he leaves.

“I’m an architect, so I get to design new buildings in the pack or even in other packs,” he explains.

“Have you ever worked with Thorne?” I ask, curious.

“I have. The new pack house they built last year was my design, and it’s beautiful, if I do say so myself.”

I almost laugh at the proud grin that appears on his face while he straightens his imaginary jacket. And just like that, with a little tease, we fall into a comfortable conversation about the pack and how the Redwater Pack and Thorne’s pack are allied.

They work together, trade favors, and even hold parties together, like the one that is coming up.

As Joseph talks about some of his pack duties, I watch Thorne working through another maneuver with the Gammas.

“Have you heard about Thorne’s ex-lover?” Joseph suddenly asks, gaining my attention. I don’t want to be interested, but I can’t help it. Any information about Thorne immediately sucks me in and captures my attention.

Besides, this is a chance to get more information about Thorne without asking him personally.

It’s a rare opportunity.

I glance back at Thorne who is fighting with a Gamma. I knew he had former lovers because he’s… well, he’s Thorne. The question is, do I want to know about them?

Not really, but if I didn’t agree to hear Joseph out, he might find it suspicious.

“Who is she?”

Joseph smiles mischievously and leans a bit closer, “Her name is Angeline. They dated for two years, and everyone could see they were in love and that they were going to be mates. We all thought they would get married.”

The idea of Thorne marrying another woman sends a spike of irritation into me, but I shove the feeling down.

“Two years is a long time to date, and eventually, they broke up,” Joseph tells me with a shake of his head. “Thorne was too much of a workaholic from what Angeline said, but I’ve heard whispers that Thorne is still in love with her.”

Is that true?

My eyes move back to the training field and to Thorne. He moves effortlessly, fighting three men at once. Everything about him screams that he’s the one in control. Calm and collected, like always, and that makes me think about our conversation after leaving his parents’ house.

Thorne never answered my question about who he wanted to marry, which I was fine with. It wasn’t and isn’t really my business, but I can’t help being curious. He told his parents he wouldn’t marry the woman they chose. Is Angeline the true reason?

Is he still in love with her?