I spot the flicker of a flashing light that signals where the house is, realizing that it’s one of the younger she-wolves’ grandmothers’ house.
It’s none other than Sandy—the notorious bully who’d cornered Aurora in the market. If I hadn’t become jealous when I found Aurora with Brooks that day, I would have heard what the real problem was and dealt with it accordingly. It was Brooks who cleared the air later and told me he took care of Sandy and her friend, which is why I didn’t need to intervene then.
Groaning, I turn to Aurora and roll my eyes.
“It’s nothing to worry about. It’s just one of the she-wolves snowed in at the house behind me,” I nod back. “I’ll go take care of it.”
Internally loathing that I’m about to save one of the she-wolves who’d troubled my mate with cruel words, I know that Aurora wouldn’t want me to leave them stuck in the house. For whatever reason, they can’t just shift and crash through the house to get out—probably because she doesn’t want to damage the property—I’m forced to help someone whose head I’d rather snap.
“That house over there?” Aurora asks as she peeks to the side.
I nod and lean in to kiss her on the forehead, but before I know it, Aurora swiftly moves away and skips to the side.
“I’m gonna go help,” she smiles widely, and before I can stop her or warn her that the person in trouble is someone who bullied her, Aurora is gone.
Folding my arms, I watch as Aurora miraculously wields her magic in a more controlled way, using the amethyst fire to melt the snow that covers the door. When the door opens up,there’s a moment of awkward, hesitant tension before Sandy flings her arms around Aurora’s neck and hugs her, probably relieved and thankful that her luna came to the rescue.
I can barely believe what I’m witnessing, but as Aurora turns and skips back toward me, a broad smile on her face and a joyful twinkle in her caramel brown eyes, I realize that she’s delighted with herself and that this is exactly what she’d been missing all along.
All Aurora ever wanted was to fit in, to belong, and to be the luna who’s developing her magic powers to help the pack is exactly what she needed to feel that belonging. As she skips into my arms and recounts the exchange between her and Sandy, her voice filled with cheer, I realize something else.
Helping others is what fulfills her the most.
And I love her for it.
The striking realization dawns upon me suddenly, prompting me to stare at Aurora with a newfound sense of appreciation.
I love Aurora.
I just have to find the perfect moment to tell her how I feel.
Chapter 24 - Aurora
“Good morning, beautiful,” comes Elias’s gentle whisper in my ear. My lips curve into a soft smile, my eyes opening slowly to take in the full effect of his face and what it does to me every time I’m blessed with the sight.
His hazel eyes sparkle with mischief that lingers from our night of passion, the remnants of it still present between my thighs, the tingling sensations growing more intense now that I’m awake.
“Are you ready for today?” Elias asks as he lifts my hand to his lips, pressing gentle kisses on each of my knuckles as he stares at me through the veil of his long lashes.
I take a deep breath so I don’t falter and become lost to the feeling of his lips and warm breath as it fans my knuckles and draws goosebumps to the surface of my flesh.
“I think I’ve rested enough,” I giggle when he raises one skeptical brow.
“Are you sure?” he quips snidely. “I haven’t been giving you much time to rest.”
Giggling still, I pull myself upright, cracking my neck on either side and feeling the extent of my powers charged within the core of my being. “It’s exactly what I needed,” I admit with a confident smirk. “You know what happens every time we make love. I become stronger.”
Elias concedes with a thoughtful nod. “Then I suppose you’re all fully charged up and ready to use the device Thane constructed.”
Nodding in agreement, I let Elias lead the way to the bathroom, where we shower together and prepare for the dayahead. Elias had been insistent that I get enough rest to charge up my powers before we proceeded with the plan they’d set out to trap the demon, and thankfully, the demon hadn’t returned in almost a week.
Feeling stronger than ever, I owe my strength to the mate bond between Elias and me. Every time we make love, I feel my powers building inside, soaring to heights I’ve never felt before.
If I thought I was strong when I put out the fire at the clinic, I feel like I’m ten times stronger now. Even my confidence radiates that strength when I walk arm in arm with Elias through Girdwood toward the pack den where we meet with his subordinates.
“Ah, you’re here!” Thane cheers from where he’s seated inside the den.
“I thought you two would never make it today,” Dawson cracks with a chuckle, his blue eyes sparkling brighter than the afternoon sky, a hint of mischief evident there.
