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."

on the basket tightened, her pulse quickening. She forced herself to move past them, her mind

the time she returned to the cottage, her hands were trembling. Lila was sitting at the table, sipping tea, but she immediately set her cup down when she saw Aurora's pale

hesitated, setting the basket down with deliberate care. "They were talking about him. About

brows knit together. "What

sank into the chair across from her, her voice barely above a whisper. "That his

Aurora. Everyone here knows about it-even Cassian himself. But it doesn't define him.

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

trust. Cassian has already proven himself, and he's more than capable of handling a little gossip." Aurora nodded, though the knot in

***

grounds, where a small garden lay nestled between two cottages. It was quieter here, away

when she heard footsteps behind her. Turning, she saw Cassian approaching, his

greeted, stopping a few

unsure of what to say as

a few moments, they worked in silence, the soft rustle of leaves and the

been keeping to

her fingers brushing the edge of a mint leaf. "I've

steady. "If there's anything you need, you can

looked down, her throat tightening. "Thank you,"