Chapter 50

Thorne’s POV

Aurora whimpers and cries in my arms, the scent of fear overwhelming my senses as I carry her back to our room. Every time I shift her in my arms, she startles. She hasn’t looked up at me, keeping her face firmly planted in my chest.

“You’re safe,” I whisper, rubbing my cheek on the top of her head. “I’ve got you. You’re safe.”

I repeat the mantra over and over, tightening my hold on her as I walk. I need the contact and holding her and pressing my cheek to her hair is helping calm my agitated wolf and me. Watching her fall like that took years off my life, and the only thing keeping me from shifting is the fact that she’s in my arms.

Her cries have become quieter, a big difference from the desperate and broken cries from just a few minutes ago. She was freaking out but now she’s just crying quietly.

It’s a bit unsettling.

I push the room door open with my foot and close it the same way, walk over to the bed, and try to set her down. However, Aurora clearly has other plans because her arms around my neck tighten, and she turns more into my body.

“You don’t want me to let go?”

She doesn’t respond, so I sit on the bed and pull her into my lap. I rub a hand softly up and down her back. Hopefully it’ll offer her a bit of comfort.

“Can you tell me what happened?”

No response.

“How did you get on that balcony?”

Nothing.

Again, she doesn’t even look up. Aurora just continues to softly cry and soak my shirt. I don’t think this is normal, and not answering after a while like this can’t be good, right?

Carefully, I lean back and gently untangle Aurora from me. She sniffles and when I move her back so I can look at her, I realize she’s not really here. Her eyes are unfocused and hazy, her movements are sluggish, and her face is blank.

“Aurora, can you hear me?”

She must be in shock. I’m not surprised, after a fall like that, either. Again, guilt eats at me. I should’ve been with her to make sure nothing like this happened. I left her alone and vulnerable, and everything that happened was my fault.

“I’m going to check you for injuries, okay?”

Again, Aurora doesn’t respond except for when I pull away more. Her hand shoots out, grabbing me by the arm. Nails bite into my skin, but I don’t mind. She’s scared and seeking comfort.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I tell her, gently patting her hand. “It’s okay.”

Instead of letting her be exposed and cold, I lift Aurora, walk to the bathroom, and settle her on my lap as I sit on the edge of the tub. Turning the knob, I set the water to warm and let it begin filling up.

“I’m going to take your clothes off, okay?”

Aurora’s eyes finally meet mine, and even though she doesn’t say anything, I know she’s at least more present now.

So, I move slowly, helping her out of her dress and maneuvering her when she doesn’t move herself. I don’t know what the hell happened earlier, but when I get her down to her bra and panties, I check her over.

I gently turn her arms over, checking for bruises or other injuries. There are none, so I move to her chest, stomach, and back. She doesn’t fight me as I turn her around, brushing my fingers over her smooth and clear skin.

Nothing there either.

Crouching, I slip her heels off and check her legs, finding nothing. There are no marks or bruises, just clear unmarred skin. Thankfully.

“Good. You’re not physically hurt,” I murmur before lightly pressing a kiss to her thigh and standing.

Aurora’s eyes track my movements, the small sniffles and tears still there, but she’s not hysterical anymore. That has to be a good sign, I think, while I shut the bath water off.

“I think a bath would help us both relax,” I whisper, moving her toward the tub. I don’t want to make her more uncomfortable, so I don’t fully strip, leaving underwear on. Though, I’m not sure she really notices because I still have to step in first then lift her when she doesn’t move.

It’s almost like moving a mannequin, and it makes my wolf growl.

“I’ll kill whoever did this,” he snarls.

“We’ll find out later. Right now, she’s priority.”

I cut our link off because the murderous intent that swirls between us won’t allow me to help Aurora to relax. And that’s what she needs now more than anything.

The moment we’re sitting in the tub, with me behind her and Aurora between my legs, she turns. Sad, heavy eyes watch me before she leans in and lays against my chest again.

“Who did this, Aurora?” I whisper, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her closer. I need to know because I have a feeling this wasn’t an accident.

Aurora stiffens slightly, the first real response to my words.

“W-Where were you?” She asks, her voice broken and raspy from crying. “I needed you.”

Shit. My heart shatters at her words, and the guilt comes back at full force. I let her down, and she got hurt because of it.

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, hugging her closer. I shouldn’t have left her alone in a foreign place without protection or someone watching over her. She shouldn’t have been in danger, but I should’ve thought ahead and took precautions.

“Can you tell me what happened?”

She nods and pulls back some, looking me in the eyes as she explains. She tells me about a note—that I didn’t write—about going to the balcony to meet me. There were two rattlesnakes, and someone locked the door so she couldn’t get out. The more she talks, the more she curls into me.

The snakes are a surprise, making me remember how Sanders and I checked for the intruder in an area that should’ve had snakes. Whoever the bastard is had planned this.

“Did you see who it was? Any identifying marks or clues as to who would do this?” I ask, tipping her chin up to make her look at me. “Was anyone bothering you before you got the note?”

When the tears form in her eyes again, I realize it might be too soon.

“It was a man, but I don’t know,” she sniffles. A tear slides down her cheek, and I brush it away with my thumb. I didn’t mean to upset her again.

“I’ll find whoever did this, Aurora,” I promise, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “They won’t get away with hurting you like this.”

She watches me for a moment before nodding and burying her face in my neck again. I let her take whatever comfort she needs, just holding her.

Soon, the water grows cool, and I lift her out of the bath, grab her a towel, and help her dry off. Aurora continues to move stiffly even as I help her change and climb into the bed. Again, the moment I’m beside her, she curls into my chest and holds on tight. I want to find who did this, but I’m not leaving her alone. Not again and not while that bastard is still out there.

“Jace, search the balcony and the surrounding areas for any signs of tampering or intruders,” I tell my Beta through the mind link.

“Already on it, Alpha.”

Good.

No one will be getting close to her tonight.