Shaking my head slowly, I contemplate whether I should go over and reassure her that losing the house is the least of my concerns. I decide to round the table, only getting close enough so she can hear my softer tone when I whisper,
“Mom and Dad loved each other very much, that’s true. But the house they built together was just a shell of that love when they died,” I sigh, feeling the pain of losing both my parents in the span of a year rekindle its flames. I’d buried that feeling almost seventeen years ago when it happened, not wanting to revisit the heartbreak of losing two loving parents just before stepping into the role of the pack’s leader.
Mom had developed a chronic illness over the years, and it was bearable until it caught up with her. When she died, my father couldn’t handle the heartbreak of losing his fated mate. A broken heart manifested as a disease that took his life shortly after she died. But he’d died long before his body followed, spending every waking moment beside her tombstone until it was time for him to be buried beside her grave.
I can’t fathom what it would be like to lose one’s fated mate. It’s the strongest bond that any werewolf can feel—not a choice made by a wolf, but by its creator.
That’s why the need to protect Aurora is the strongest, most intense feeling I’ve ever had, and we haven’t become fully aware of our fated mate bond. Until Aurora finds it within her when she discovers the full impact of her powers, she’ll never know how deeply I care for her, how much I simplymustprotect her.
“What mattered the most was the love between them, not a building,” I go on. “It may be gone, but the memories of their love thrive in the man they left behind. And right now, all that man wants is to protect his own mate and their child. Please, Aurora…” I lift my eyes and smile wistfully. “Stop running. I cannot protect you if you’re not here.” My heart skips a dreadful beat when I recall how distraught I’d been when I heard about the fire, thinking about nothing but Aurora’s life even before I knew she was pregnant. If something had happened…
I would have easily gone down the same path my father did, a part of him dying along with his mate.
A chill runs down my spine at the mere thought of that. I can’t imagine losing Aurora, my inner wolf shriveling up at the thought.
While the silence around us stretches for miles, Aurora keeps her eyes pinned to the floor. She opens her mouth to say something, but it’s not the response I was looking for.
“Once again, I apologize for burning down the house, Alpha Elias,” she whispers flatly. “I feel terrible about it, and I promise I won’t burn down your cabin. I will be more careful from now on.”
My heart does a strange flip that leaves me feeling empty. Why is she apologizing again?
She’s avoiding speaking from her heart and being wary all over again. Feeling despondent and disappointed, I hang my head bashfully.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to rest a little more,” Aurora says softly. “Last night took its toll on me.”
“Of course,” I reply immediately, holding out a hand, the gesture ignored when Aurora turns and walks toward the bedroom.
“Aurora…” I call out after her, prompting her to pause.
“Yes, Elias?”
“There’s, um—only one bedroom in the cabin. I’ll take the couch in the living room.”
A moment of hesitant silence passes before Aurora turns with a feeble smile on her face. “You don’t need to do that. The bed is big enough for both of us,” she says before turning and disappearing into the bedroom.
I’m left staring after her, wondering where this hot-and-cold behavior comes from. She hasn’t been open with me about her feelings, her fears, and her hopes about the pregnancy.
I push aside my worries; all that matters is that Aurora is here now. I just sent Dillon a mind link to inform the beta that I won’t be attending today’s training session, and he’ll have to handle it by himself.
If Aurora is going to bed, so am I.
Chapter 16 - Aurora
The guilt building up inside me is too strong to ignore, gnawing on my conscience, especially when I’m alone in the cabin.
I stare at my palms forlornly, wondering how I could possibly get my powers under control and harness them in a way that won’t cause destruction. I’ve been struggling to make sense of my gifts, but it’s not the only thing I’ve been mentally tussling with.
I’m pregnant.
A dry laugh escapes my lips when I don’t have any need to hide what I’m feeling, followed by tears that roll down my cheeks uncontrollably.
“What am I supposed to do?!” I wail, dropping my face between my hands as I sob when I finally let my walls down. I’m only able to do this because Elias isn’t here, and the sanctuary of his empty cabin permits me to open the floodgates.
I hadn’t even realized how emotional I could be, dropping onto my side and hugging a pillow to my chest for comfort. It catches all my tears until I’m only sniffling when there aren’t tears left to cry, and the torrent of emotions becomes a chasm of all the thoughts I’ve been trying to avoid.
What am I supposed to do now that I’m pregnant? Not only am I tied to the alpha through the mating bond, but now I have his child growing inside me.
If I was confused before, I’m a befuddled mess now.
