9 - Not Alone

Aurora’s POV:

The tension in the room was so thick, it felt like a knife could cut through it. As I stared across the dining table at Alpha Dante's father. I could feel the weight of his irritated gaze, sharp and heavy, like a lazerbeam piercing through me. My heart raced, thudding against my ribcage, as I wrestled with the crushing memories of how I had let my emotions blind me, leading me to this moment of stark vulnerability and loneliness. Leading me to this pitiful present. How would I explain to everyone how stupid I have been and how I lost everything because of love.

I opened my mouth to speak. To say something. Anything to at least explain to them that I’m no spy or enemy. But what would I say? What could I say? The words were trapped, tangled up in a web of shame and regret. I couldn’t find the words to defend myself or shield myself from their suspicions, but I had to say something. Just as I opened my mouth to manage a sound, Dante's deep voice cut through the silence.

"Yo