Luna Aurora novel (Alpha Fenrir)

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."

Aurora shook her head, her voice trembling. "What if I tell him the truth, and it changes everything? What if he turns his back on me like Fenrir did?"

"Cassian isn't Fenrir," Lila said firmly. "He's proven that in every decision he's made. But if you wait too long, you might push him away anyway."noveldrama

Aurora's stomach churned as her mother's words settled over her. Deep down, she knew Lila was right.

***

Aurora helped prepare dinner in the communal kitchen. The warmth of the firelight illuminated the space, and the comforting scent of roasted meat and fresh bread filled the air. Yet she couldn't shake the tension coiling in her chest.

The wolves around her worked in pairs, their movements efficient and coordinated. They laughed and teased one another, their camaraderie evident. Aurora envied how easily they seemed to belong here, unburdened by secrets or fears.

She was stacking plates when one of the younger wolves, a girl named Mara, approached her with a curious expression. "You're really graceful, Aurora," she said, her tone admiring. "Like a proper Luna."

Aurora stiffened, forcing a smile. "I'm just doing my part," she said.

Mara tilted her head. "Do you ever think about staying here? Like, officially?"

Before Aurora could respond, Cassian entered the room. His presence was immediate, commanding attention without demanding it. Mara quickly excused herself, and Aurora busied herself with the plates, hoping to avoid his gaze. "Aurora," Cassian said, his voice calm but insistent.

She turned to face him, her heart pounding. "Yes, Alpha?"

He gestured for her to step aside, and she followed him to a quieter corner of the room. His expression was unreadable, his dark eyes studying her intently.

"You've been distant," he said.

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

"It's not an apology I'm looking for," he interrupted gently. "I just want to understand what's going on. You've been part of this pack long enough to know you don't have to carry everything alone."

Aurora's throat tightened. His sincerity disarmed her, making it harder to keep her walls intact. "I don't want to burden anyone," she said finally.

Cassian's gaze softened, but his tone remained firm. "That's not how this pack works. We take care of each other. But I can't help you if you won't let me."

Aurora nodded, though the guilt weighed heavy on her chest. "Thank you," she murmured.

As Cassian walked away, Aurora pressed a hand to her abdomen, feeling the faint stirrings of her twins. She had been given another chance to trust him, but fear kept her rooted in silence.

As she lay in bed that night, Aurora thought of Cassian's unwavering kindness and the pack's growing acceptance of her. But the specter of Fenrir loomed large, his shadow tainting every moment of peace. She couldn't shake the memory of his cold eyes and the words he had spoken before casting her aside.

"Let's get divorced."

The wound still felt fresh, and the thought of reliving that rejection with Cassian terrified her. But as she placed a hand over her stomach, she made a silent vow to protect her children, even if it meant risking her heart again.