Chapter 83

Aurora’s POV

“I’m not sure, but whatever happens, I’ll be right by your side.”

That’s what Thorne said two nights ago when I asked if he thought I could be a Lycan. The prospect of my entire life turning upside down worries me. I’m not sure what I’ll do or what will happen if I am a Lycan.

It’s still so impossible in my mind that it’s hard to think about. I’ve never once turned into a wolf like werewolves and Lycans do, and yet, I face the impossible likelihood that it’s been within me this whole time.

Over twenty years, and I wouldn’t have known.

How is that possible?

Then again, the witch could be wrong, and I could be a normal human. I won’t fully know until she’s done checking my blood again.

Though, after two days of waiting and three nights of barely sleeping, I don’t know how much more waiting I can do. I need an answer because not knowing is driving me crazy. Other people have even started to notice how stressed and distracted I am, which is why I’m leaving work early.

“Message me when you get back to the house,” Thorne says. “I’m going into a meeting, but I’ll have my phone on me if you need anything.”

Leaning in, I press a quick kiss to his cheek before fleeing. The only place I feel normal is at the house, and since Thorne is making me leave early, I’ll make the most of my time alone. I can already feel the warmth of the bath calling my name.

The uncertainty and fear that I feel about the witch’s decision sits in my chest and weighs on my shoulders, even as I finally slip into the hot bubble bath.

The scent of sugar and spice fills the air as I lay back and let my mind wander.

How will my mother and sister react if I end up becoming the daughter of a Lycan? Will they be upset or angry?

And, then there’s the matter of the thing that’s hidden within me that Madame Maura talked about.

Thorne said that having a wolf is like having another presence inside of you. You can sense them, hear them, and even feel their emotions. He described it as feeling like there was another person attached to you that is always in the back of your mind.

Two souls in one body.

But I’ve never felt like there was anything inside of me. I just feel like… well, like me.

Sighing, I sit in the bath until the water grows cold and the sun sets. When I finally climb out, I pull on a pair of leggings and one of Thorne’s hoodies. His scent surrounds me, easing the tightness in my chest and giving me a moment to breathe clearly without the impending sense of doom hanging over me.

I fiddle with the collar, bringing it up to my nose and sniffing it as I walk downstairs.

Silver moonlight shines through the window, and I pause, looking up at the full moon. From what I know, werewolves react to the moon. They have a special connection with it, but I’m not sure how far that connection goes.

If I’m a Lycan, does that mean I’ll have a connection with the moon?

I roll my bottom lip between my teeth, thinking. If there is something like a wolf soul inside me, could I bring it out by spending time under a full moon? It would be worth a shot, I think, and before I know it, I’m walking outside.

Cool breeze blows around me, and as I sit on the front lawn, I’m glad I put on Thorne’s jacket.

Now, I’m not sure how a connection with the moon goes, but I squeeze my eyes closed and try to let my mind wander. I bask in the cool breeze while I think about how nice it might be to become part of a pack. It’s essentially a big family.

Is that what I would get if I do turn out to be Mrs. Ashford’s niece?

Pulling my knees to my chest, I try to imagine more. An image of Thorne’s wolf comes to mind, and I pause. His wolf is large, it’s head almost reaching my shoulders when I’m standing, so would I have a wolf that big?

What color would my wolf be?

Thorne’s wolf has dark fur, like his dark hair, so would mine be silver? I try to imagine what a silver wolf would look like, but a rustle sounds from my left, and the image disappears.

“Who—”

The moment I open my eyes, a hand clamps down around my mouth. The grip is bruising, squeezing my jaw painfully while covering my mouth.

A man, clothed in all black, with a hood and a mask covering his face stands over me. I try to scramble back, but the hold he has on me is solid and strong. I kick him in the leg, but he dodges it, bringing his other hand up and wrapping it around my neck. I gasp, but his tight grip cuts off any and all sounds.

I scrape at his hand, at his wrist, at his arm, but it doesn’t seem to bother him.

Pain burns down my throat, like I’ve swallowed acid.

The man pulls me closer, staring at me while I struggle against him. He doesn’t budge, doesn’t falter in his grip on my neck, and doesn’t seem to care that I can’t breathe.

Is he going to kill me?

I open my mouth to speak, but a faint croak is the only thing that tumbles from my lips, until he tightens his grip more.

The hand around my mouth drops, and I try to scream, but no sound comes out as he lifts me off the ground. My feet dangle in the air, my limbs growing heavier as the oxygen stops flowing through my body.

I can’t breathe.

“Daughter of the Moon,” the man growls, lifting a hand. I squeeze my eyes closed, thinking he’ll hit me or punch me. I brace for the impact, but it never comes.

The man doesn’t hit me. He touches my hair, rubbing the silver strands between his fingers like he’s not strangling the life out of me. My head swims, and stars dance in my vision as it begins to blur at the edges. I don’t stop fighting, though. I dig my nails into his arms, again, not really bothering him.

The hand around my throat tightens, and I try to scream, try to do anything that will make him release me, but he doesn’t.

“Your hair shines like moonlight.”

The deep voice rolls over me, and his eyes flash a bright gold.

Werewolf.

My hand slides off his wrist, falling limply at my side, and his golden eyes are the last thing I see before darkness fully overtakes my vision.

Thorne’s POV

“What the hell happened?” I demand, running and dropping to my knees at Aurora’s side.

One of my gammas kneels on the other side, staring down at her unconscious form.

“I just found her like this and was checking her pulse when you arrived.”

“Was she alone?”

“There was no one else around when I came by on patrol. That’s when I saw her lying here on the ground.”

She doesn’t look injured, but I still lean in and search her. There’s blood on her fingers and bruises are forming around her neck- handprint shaped bruises.

Luna Ashford’s words from the other day pop into my head, and I growl. If someone knew that Aurora could be the Lycan King’s daughter, they would come out of the woodworks to get at her. The Lycan family isn’t one to mess with, but there are plenty of people still angry that there is a named King in the first place.

Leaning down, I slide my arms beneath Aurora’s body and pick her up, “Search the area around the vacation house again for signs of an intruder. I’m taking her to the hospital but let me know if you find anything.”

The gamma bows and disappears into the trees while I run to my car and settling her gently into the back seat.

My wolf growls when she doesn’t stir, her heartbeat being the only reason he hasn’t gone feral yet.

I’m so fucking tired of people coming onto my land and hurting my woman.