Luna Aurora (Alpha Fenrir)

Chapter

22

The morning was unusually still, the crisp air carrying none of the lively chatter that usually filled the pack grounds. Aurora walked the perimeter of the central square, her basket slung over one arm, her thoughts swirling as heavily as the low clouds above. The silence felt

like an omen, pressing against her chest.

She passed by a group of wolves stacking firewood near the main hall and caught snippets of their conversation.

"...Cassian will handle it," one of them said.

"Sure, but it's not like he's immune," the other replied. "Not after what happened last time."

Aurora slowed her steps, feigning interest in a flower bed nearby.

The first wolf lowered his voice. "You mean with her?"

"Who else?" the second wolf muttered. "She ruined him. And now everyone's talking about how he's spending time with that rogue."

basket tightened, her pulse quickening. She forced herself to move past

table, sipping tea, but she

basket down with deliberate care. "They were talking about him. About his

knit together. "What did

barely above a whisper. "That his mate betrayed him. That it

knows about it-even Cassian himself. But it doesn't define him. If anything, it made

her abdomen. "And yet they still talk about it. What if they talk about me that way when they find

people say, but you can decide who you trust. Cassian has already proven himself, and he's more than capable of handling

***

She wandered to the far side of the pack grounds, where a small garden lay nestled between two cottages. It was quieter here, away

footsteps

stopping a few feet away. "May I join

unsure of what to

moments, they worked in silence, the soft rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds filling the

Cassian spoke. "I've noticed you've been keeping to yourself more

hesitated, her fingers brushing the edge of a mint leaf. "I've just had a lot

nodded, his dark eyes steady. "If there's anything you need, you can come to me. I hope

tightening. "Thank