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."

tightened, her pulse quickening. She

at the table, sipping tea, but she immediately set her cup down

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

brows knit together.

her voice barely above

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

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

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

***

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

was crouched beside a bed of herbs when she heard footsteps behind her.

a few

nodded, unsure of what to say

in silence, the soft rustle of leaves and

been keeping to

mint leaf. "I've just had a lot on my mind," she

you need, you can come to me.

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