Luna Aurora (Alpha Fenrir)

Chapter 21

The forest was still and serene, but Aurora felt anything but calm. She moved through the gardens with careful precision, her basket in one hand as she picked herbs from the communal plots. Each pluck of leaves seemed to require more energy than the last. Her breaths

came slower now, her body feeling heavier with each passing day.

She paused to steady herself, glancing around to ensure no one had noticed her moment of weakness. The distant sound of wolves training in the central grounds carried on the wind, mingling with the rustle of leaves.

"You've been quieter than usual," Lila said as she approached, carrying her own basket of gathered vegetables. Her mother's sharp eyes studied her. "What's going on, Aurora?"

Aurora hesitated, her gaze dropping to the basket in her hand. "Nothing. Just tired."

Lila's lips pressed into a thin line. "You can't keep brushing me off. You've been hiding behind your chores, pushing yourself too hard, and it's obvious something is weighing on you."

Aurora set her basket down, her shoulders slumping. "I don't know what to do, Mom," she admitted softly. "Cassian keeps watching me like he's waiting for something, and every time I feel his kindness, it just makes it worse. I'm lying to everyone here."

Lila moved closer, her voice gentle. "You're protecting yourself and your children. That's not a lie it's survival. But you can't let fear keep you from trusting someone who clearly cares about you."

trembling. "What if I tell him the truth, and it changes everything? What if he turns his

firmly. "He's proven that in every decision he's made. But if you wait too long, you might push him

her mother's words settled over her.

***

dinner in the communal kitchen. The warmth of the firelight illuminated the space, and the comforting scent of roasted meat and fresh bread filled

and teased one another, their

her with a curious expression. "You're really graceful,

stiffened, forcing a smile. "I'm

tilted her head. "Do you ever

demanding it. Mara quickly excused herself, and Aurora busied herself with the plates,

turned to face him, her heart pounding.

and she followed him to a quieter corner of the room. His expression was unreadable, his dark eyes

been distant," he

sorry," Aurora replied quickly. "I didn't mean

what's going on. You've been