Chapter 55

Aurora’s POV

Everyone in the room gasps before silence falls. It’s completely quiet except for the sloppy sound of Angeline kissing Thorne. Just one action, and I know this woman has to be Thorne’s ex, Angeline.

That’s the only explanation.

This had to be her. The woman who Joseph said Thorne is in love with. The one I know is supposed to be coming back this week, but even as I look at her, I can’t believe it’s so soon. And actually seeing her is very different than having to watch her kiss Thorne in the middle of the office.

My chest tightens, and a sick feeling rolls through me.

“I came back for you,” Angeline says, not worrying about the room full of people watching them reunite. Couldn’t they have done this in private where I wouldn’t have to watch?

Angeline takes Thorne’s face in her hands, “I want to be with you, Thorne, and I don’t care what I must do. It was a mistake to break up because of an argument. I know that now, and I will make things right between us.”

The dramatic flare in her voice as she declares this tells me that she wants everyone to know why she’s there. She wants people to hear her and know that she’s after Thorne. It’s a classic claiming.

“You’re all I’ve been able to think about for the past few months,” she says, and I can’t take it. I don’t want to hear or see any more of this reunion, especially since Thorne hasn’t pushed her away. Watching Thorne hold that woman by the waist while looking down at her and listening to her declaration is too much.

He didn’t push her away, but why would he?

Thorne and I aren’t in a real relationship, and this beautiful woman is presenting herself to him… why wouldn’t he seize the opportunity to upgrade to a new woman? Or at least to a woman he has a real connection with.

Turning back to my computer, I bite into my bottom lip and pull up my email. I type out a quick message to Thorne, letting him know I’m not feeling well and that I’m taking half of a sick day. It may make him angry, but I can’t stay and watch him and Angeline flirt and kiss.

At the bus stop, I look around and think about my options. If I go to the house, he’ll find me if he comes home. With what just happened, I’d rather not see him. Thorne muddles my brain and makes it hard to think, and I do need time to think right now.

If he’s going to end the contract soon, because of a relationship, I want to prepare myself. Getting more attached now will only cause me more pain in the future, so my best chance is to start putting distance between me and Thorne.

I can’t bet more attached than I already am.

Even though my options are limited, there is one place I can go. I feel like I’ve been neglecting my sister lately, and it would be nice to spend some time with her, so I hop on the bus that will take me to the stop near the hospital.

Thorne POV

Where the hell is she?

My wolf paces in my mind, matching my anxiety as I storm out of the house, listening to the phone ring endlessly. Aurora left work early, which isn’t like her. I don’t like that she left without telling me, even if she did send an email.

The call goes to voicemail for the sixth time, and I growl. I dial her number again, listening to it connect and begin to ring again. I can’t get ahold of her, and she’s not at the house. In her email, she didn’t say where she was going, but I figured it would be the house.

Maybe she went to her house, and I would go there, but I don’t actually know where she lived before I brought her here.

I climb in my car with a slam of the door when the call goes to voicemail again. I don’t know where to look for her, which makes me realize that I don’t’ know her as well as I thought. I don’t know where she lived, the places she likes to go, or even who she would reach out to in times like this.

I’ve basically kept her like a princess in a tower. Isolated.

Is that how she feels? I could’ve sworn she was happy, but thinking about it, I’m not sure. Yes, we made a contract, but has she just been fulfilling her end of the deal?

My head spins with questions and anxiety as I pull out onto the road. If she’s sick and alone, she’ll need someone to help take care of her.

“Jace, do you know where Aurora went? I know you kept tabs on her when I had you do the background check,” I call through our telepathic link.

“Did she leave? Wouldn’t she be at the house?” He asks, and I can feel his slight confusion through our pack bond.

I grip the steering wheel tighter, “I already checked. Where else would she go?”

“What happened? Did you do something to make her run off?”

His words only bring more agitation to me and my wolf, making me bark at him, “I don’t know! Her email said she was leaving early because she was sick. Now I can’t find her.”

A chuckle filters into my mind, “She might be hiding from you.”

“Hiding? Why?”

“It could have something to do with the fact that she planned a cute date the other night only for you to be busy. Or do you think it could have something to do with the gorgeous ex-girlfriend who kissed you in the office earlier?”

Shit. I hadn’t thought about that.

“Just… Do you know where she might be? I’m worried,” I tell him, knowing he’s right. I should have pushed Angeline away, but I was surprised that she was here at all.

“She’s probably visiting her sister at Winged Mercy Hospital near the pack border,” he finally answers. Of course. Why didn’t I think about that?

Turning the car around, I head toward the hospital. If Aurora isn’t there, I’ll have to find where her parents live. It’s the only other place I can think of that she’d be.

By the time I reach the hospital, I almost wish I’d run here. Cutting through the forest instead of using the road would’ve been faster, but if I’m going to bring Aurora back, I’m sure she would rather ride in the car.

Inside, the nurse directs me to the little human Sophie’s room. I stop just outside the door and peek through the window, seeing Aurora curled up in a chair by her sister’s bed. She’s cramped in a too small chair, asleep and holding her sister’s hand.

The room is tiny with barely enough room for the bed, machines, and chair that Aurora sits in. It’s not fit for having visitors stay for extended periods.

Though, she looks alright. I don’t want to disturb her sleep since she’s probably not been in the best mood today. Instead, I leave her to be with her sister, assured that she’s alright. I make my way back to the nurse’s station to find them giggling and talking, which stops when they notice me.

“I’d like to upgrade Sophie Roberts to a better room.”