Chapter 8:

AURORA POV

“Raymond, I don’t think you’d like it if you found someone having a silly conversation with Lilian in the middle of the night,” Silas said as he walked up to us. His deep voice was calm, but there was no mistaking the authority in his tone. He reached for my hand and stood beside me, his towering figure casting a long shadow. “Respect is reciprocal. Respect is a beautiful thing.”

I couldn’t help but notice how effortlessly confident he was. The way he moved, as if nothing could shake him, and his beard catching the moonlight—it was all so... commanding. My heart beat faster, though I wasn’t sure if it was because of Silas or the tension crackling between him and Raymond.

Silas turned slightly, tugging my hand as if to lead me away, but Raymond’s voice stopped us.

“You won’t tell me what to do,” Raymond snapped. His voice was low, but I could hear the anger beneath it. “How convenient for you to show up now, acting like her knight in shining armor. Where were you for the last ten years? You know nothing about what happened those period!”

Silas paused, glancing over his shoulder. His face remained calm, his expression unreadable. “I don’t think I need to know,” he said simply, his tone steady, unshaken.

I stared at him, my thoughts swirling. Silas stood so firm, so composed, like a man who had nothing to prove. He spoke with a quiet maturity, unlike Raymond’s angry, impulsive words. My chest tightened as I realized something.

Silas already knew everything about my past with Raymond. I had taken the time to explain it all to him—to let him know Raymond was Liam’s father. It had shocked him, I could tell. But he’d asked me one question that night, a question that showed how different he was from Raymond. Will you be okay with the plan to continue pretending as my wife?

At first, I didn’t understand why he’d even cared more about me, then what he want. Silas had made it clear he had given up on love after losing his fated mate. His late mate had been a doctor, a woman who dreamed of building a massive hospital to save lives. Silas had disappeared from the pack for years, dedicating himself to fulfilling her wish. And somehow, through him, I’d found a purpose too. I’d gone to nursing school, wanting to help in any way I could.

Now, as he gently pulled me forward, I realized how much his quiet strength had helped me survive.

We walked away, leaving Raymond behind. I glanced over my shoulder, catching the dark, expression on his face. His fists were clenched, his jaw tight with anger.

But Silas didn’t even look back. He held my hand firmly, guiding me away like a shield between me and the chaos.

***

We got to the room, arranged for us, a seperate apartment, not too far from Packhouse, Silas didn’t say a word. He just walked over, rubbed my head gently like I was some little girl, then went to lie down on the couch.

“Silas,” I called, trying to reason with him. “The bed’s big enough for both of us. We can share.”

“No,” he said firmly, not even looking at me. “We’ll sleep separately.”

I sighed but didn’t argue further. Since we were pretending to be a couple, we have to stay in the same room. Liam had his own, not far from ours.

The next morning, I woke up and found the couch empty. Silas was gone. My heart raced for a moment before I quickly got dressed and stepped out to check on Liam.

“Where’s Liam?” I asked one of the maids I passed.

“Oh, he’s already dressed and went outside,” the maid replied. “He’s with the chief maid’s little girl.”

I frowned, then made my way to the window. Sure enough, through the glass, I spotted Liam outside, playing with the little girl. He laughed, chasing each other

Relief washed over me, and I turned to head back inside. But just as I stepped into the hallway, a voice came from behind me.

“Good morning,” Lilian said, her tone light and cheerful.

I turned, forcing a small smile. “Good morning.”

Lilian had been overly friendly since we got back. She acted like we were close, but I could see right through her. Now that she had Raymond all to herself, she was clearly happy. And this sudden attempt to be nice felt unnecessary.

If she wants to pretend we’re cool, fine by me, I thought to myself. I don’t mind playing along.

Her hand resting on her belly. She was rubbing it slowly, almost as if trying to draw attention to the small bump. “I was thinking of heading to the pack hospital today for some treatment. You know, just to make sure everything is fine with the baby.”

I forced a polite smile. “That’s a good idea. It’ll be good for you and the baby.”

She nodded and turned as if to leave, but then stopped and glanced back at me, her smile too sweet to feel genuine. “Maybe I’ll come to you later in the day to get some advice,” she said, her fingers lightly tracing her stomach. “You’ve been through this before, so you must know the best ways to keep a pregnancy safe.”

For a moment, I couldn’t speak. Her words cut deeper than they should have. Memories came rushing in—those nights when I was pregnant with Liam, completely alone. The pain, the isolation, the hopelessness…

I swallowed hard and gave her a small nod. “Sure,” I replied, keeping my voice steady.

She smiled again, almost triumphantly, and walked away. I stood there for a moment, trying to push down the flood of emotions threatening to take over. Shaking my head, I turned back to the room and stepped inside.

Just as I was about to close the door, I felt it—a hand grabbing my wrist, pushed me back inside, My breath hitched as the door slammed shut behind me, the lock clicking into place.

I spun around, my heart pounding, and there he was. Raymond.

He stood close, too close, his eyes dark and unreadable. 

I turned sharply, anger boiling in my chest as I faced Raymond. “What the hell are you doing here?” I snapped. “Lilian just left. Do you want to cause trouble for me? What’s wrong with you?”

Before I could say more, Raymond dropped to his knees right in front of me.

I froze, caught off guard by the sight. “What… what are you doing, Raymond?”

He ran a hand through his hair, looking like he was about to lose it. “I think your coming back is worse than when you vanished, I can't even sleep at night anymore” he said, his voice laced with frustration. “Because now, I’m going insane.”

I folded my arms across my chest, forcing myself to stay calm. “Then leave,” I said flatly. “I didn’t ask you to come here.”

He ignored my words completely. “I’ve suffered my punishment for the past four years,” he said, lifting his eyes to meet mine. They were filled with guilt and desperation. “I don’t deserve this, Aurora. I don’t deserve this complete neglect and hate from you.”

“ hate you,” I replied coldly.

“Don’t you?” he asked, his voice cracking. “I can’t stop thinking about the way things used to be. I know I don’t deserve a second chance, but… maybe you can stop treating me like I’m nothing. Show me some of the kindness you used to have. I just…” He hesitated, then continued softly. “I just feel like you completely hate me now. And it’s killing me.”

The memories he mentioned started rushing back, but not the ones he wanted me to remember.

I didn’t see the smiles or laughter. I saw myself crying in the dark, abandoned and isolated. I felt the sharp sting of rejection, the echo of his words as he pushed me away. My body remembered the pain, the loneliness, the betrayal.

And before I knew it, my hand moved on its own. I landed a slap on his face.

Raymond looked up at me, stunned, as he touched his reddening cheek.

“Get out,” I said coldly, my voice trembling. “Stand up and get out, Raymond. Now.”

He stood but didn’t leave. Instead, he grabbed my wrist with force, startling me.

“What are you doing?” I demanded, trying to pull away, but his grip tightened.

He turned my wrist sharply and stared at the tattoo etched on my skin. His gaze darkened, and his lips curled into a knowing smirk.

“Yes,” he murmured, his eyes locking on the tattoo. “Just as I thought. You can’t just get a tattoo like this without a reason.”

I froze, my heart pounding as he continued.

“This isn’t just a date, Aurora,” he said, his voice low and accusing. “This is the date. The date mates recognize each other. This… this was the first. That means you still have the memory inside you. You’re just pretending.”

“Raymond, stop,” I warned, trying harder to pull my hand free, but he wouldn’t let go.

“What are these other dates?” he demanded, shaking my wrist. “Aurora, speak to me! What do they mean?”

I clenched my jaw, refusing to answer. The other date… it was the date Liam was born. The tattoos were a mark of pain, memories I didn’t want to hold on to but couldn’t let go of.

Raymond didn’t know that, though. And I wasn’t about to tell him.

“Let me go,” I snapped, using all my strength to yank my arm back. “Leave me alone!”

He grabbed my shoulders, his grip firm. “What’s wrong with you, Aurora? You’re not the same. You’re not the type to hate anyone, no matter what they’ve done. I know I hurt you, but for four years, I’ve lived with the guilt. And now… you don’t even seem to care about anything. What did Silas do to you? What’s changed?”

I struggled against him, trying to shove him away. “Get off me, Raymond!”

At that moment, the door opened, and Silas stepped inside. His eyes immediately took in the scene—Raymond holding onto me, me trying to push him away—and his face darkened with fury.

Without a word, Silas crossed the room in three long strides and punched Raymond square in the jaw.

Raymond stumbled back, letting me go as he wiped the blood from his lip. But instead of retreating, he came back swinging. His punch landed hard against Silas’ jaw.

I stood frozen, my heart racing as the two men fought, neither willing to back down.