Chapter 54

Aurora’s POV

Thorne hasn’t said anything about finding me in the midst of a nightmare last night, but my face still burns from embarrassment. I’d fallen asleep on the couch and began dreaming only to find him there when I woke up.

And it was the worst nightmare yet.

It started like all the others, with the shadowy male figure.

He creeps around the corner, his face concealed in darkness, and coming right toward me. This time, I’m not on the balcony, but my heart is hammering just as hard and fast as that night.

“Leave me alone!” I cry, running from the shadow man. The forest comes on quickly, surrounding me and plunging me into an even darker night. I don’t stop running, though. He’s right behind me, and if I stop, he’ll have me.

My feet get caught up in something, and I tumble to the ground with a cry. Then, the man is on top of me. He shoves me into he ground and wraps his hands around my neck, cutting off my air supply.

“No!” I cry, hitting him as best I can. It doesn’t phase the man. He continues to tighten his hold until I’m crying, thrashing, hitting, and kicking. I’m going to die. He’s going to kill me.

This is it.

Then, I woke up, and Thorne was holding me. I’ve never wanted to be curled up in someone’s arms like I do his. Every time he comforts me, I feel so much better. It’s like an instant balm to my frayed nerves, cool and calming to the touch.

Sighing, I pick at my lunch and look around. Thorne had to leave for lunch today, so I didn’t get to eat with him. I’m alone, like usual, at my lunch table and when I turn, I notice Jackson staring at me from the other side of the room.

He’s watching me, his eyes narrowed in irritation. I’m not sure exactly what he has to be irritated about because I haven’t done anything to him. In fact, I’ve been trying to avoid him even though he’s still creeping around.

Actually, he was also creeping around in the Redwater Pack the night I was attacked too. I remember seeing Ivy alone and wondering where Jackson was. He was gone for a while too, which makes me question, did he have something to do with the attack?

I glance at Ivy who sits across from Jackson, chattering away like she always does. Neither of them like me, and had very clearly spoken up about their dislike, but would they be brave enough to hurt me like that?

If it was them, why would they wait and attack while we’re in another pack? It could have certainly caused issues with Alpha Sanders if someone ended up blaming the Redwater Pack. Then again, I am human, and they might not have worried about it affecting the alliance.

The headache that throbs behind my eyes isn’t going away, so I stand, throw my trash away, and make my way back to my desk.

When I get there, Thorne is back from his meeting and typing away on his keyboard. He looks tired, which makes sense because he didn’t get to the house until after one this morning. I’m still not sure what he was doing, but I also told myself it didn’t matter.

He’s a grown man who can do what he wants.

I just need to force myself to believe that.

“Aurora,” Thorne’s voice buzzes through my phone comms. “I need my one o’clock cancelled. Can you call them to reschedule?”

I press the blue button and respond, “Of course. I’ll take care of it.”

I call the investor Thorne had a meeting with and apologize for him. It takes a bit of fenagling and several apologies, but I get the meeting rescheduled just as a commotion on the other side of the room breaks out.

Ending the call, I turn and notice people flocking to the doorway of the main office. I can’t see past the throng of people, but it’s almost like everyone got out of their chairs to crowd at the door.

I lean over, trying to see what’s going on when excited chatter begins to fill the room. Men and women wave at whoever is in the center of the crowd. It takes several minutes for the group to part and reveal a woman.

She’s beautiful, tall, and slim with a gorgeous shimmery dress on and long, perfectly curled hair. I think calling her beautiful would actually be an understatement. She has a regal look to her that tells me she’s from the upper-class wolf status.

“Welcome back!” Somone shouts.

“Oh, you look as gorgeous as ever!” A man steps in front of the mystery woman, going to hug her but she places her hands on his shoulders and smiles, “Thank you, Tony. You look good, too. Did you do something different to your hair?”

The man’s laughs and pats her arm, “Oh, you always know everything!”

The woman smiles, and I notice Ivy walking over to her. They hug and kiss each other’s cheeks in an overly familiar way. They must be friends, which means the woman and I will probably not get along. Ivy isn’t exactly my cup of tea.

Before anyone else can interrupt the new woman, she waves at everyone and announces, “I have to go.” Then, instead of leaving like I thought she would, she turns in my direction and walks straight toward me.

For a second, I think she’s about to come talk to me, but she walks right past me. She doesn’t acknowledge me, and she doesn’t even look at me. I watch as I’m ignored again.

“Ma’am, you can’t go in unless you have an appointment,” I tell her when she stops in front of Thorne’s office door. She pauses, still not listening, and pulls a little mirror and lipstick out of her purse.

“I’m sorry, but Alpha Thorne is busy,” I try again, but she just continues to apply her bright red lipstick.

Irritated, I stand, and just as I do, Thorne’s office door opens. He steps through, his eyes on me before they sweep to the gorgeous woman standing just to the side.

“Thorne!” The woman squeals and throws herself at Thorne. He catches her as she wraps her arms around his neck, “I’ve missed you!”

A sinking feeling settles in my gut as she looks up at him. It gets even worse when I realize Thorne isn’t pushing her away. They hug for longer than I’ve ever seen Thorne hug or touch anyone. Usually, he’s distant from women, even with me in public, but this is different.

There’s something going on here.

“I missed you so much that it was painful,” she cries again before she grabs Thorne by the cheeks and smashes her lips to his.