Chapter 71

Asher pov 

The night ended as I stood in front of the restaurant, watching as her driver drove her off. With a little faded smile, I waved to her. It was like a dream which was Aurora, the one person I never thought this would happen with, just did.

I walked to my car as my phone rang. It was my mother.

"Why would she be calling me at this time?" I thought.

"Hello, Mother," I said, answering the call.

"Asher, what is this I am seeing? All these pictures...?" my mother said, her voice heavy and angry.

"What pictures are you talking about?" I asked, curiosity filling my thoughts.

"A picture of you and Aurora in a restaurant, having dinner. I don't understand - is this an old picture or what? Aurora... for over how many years ago... about five years ago, I guess," she said, confusion filling her words.

"Mother, calm down, I can explain," I said, my voice trembling.

"Come to my place right away and explain!" she yelled.

I sighed, rubbing my temples as I tried to ward off the impending headache. This was not what I needed right now. I had just finished a night of pretending to be interested in Aurora, and now my mother was calling me out on it.

"Mother, I'll be right there," I said, trying to placate her.

I hung up the phone and got into my car, starting the engine and pulling out of the parking lot. As I drove to my mother's house, I couldn't help but think about how this was going to play out.

My mother was not going to be happy about this. She had always been against my relationship with Aurora, and now that she thought I was rekindling things with her, she was going to be furious.

I pulled up to my mother's house and got out of the car, taking a deep breath before walking up to the door. I could hear her yelling from inside, and I steeled myself for the confrontation that was to come.

I opened the door and walked in, my mother turning to face me with a look of outrage on her face. "Asher, what is going on?" she demanded. "Are you really getting back together with Aurora?"

I took a deep breath and tried to calm my mother down. "Mother, please listen to me. It's not what you think. Aurora and I are not getting back together."

My mother's expression turned skeptical. "Then why were you having dinner with her? And why are there pictures of you two all over the internet?"

I sighed and rubbed my temples. This was going to be harder than I thought. "Mother, I can explain. Aurora and I are working together on a...project. Yes, that's it. A project. And we needed to be seen together in public to make it look convincing."

My mother raised an eyebrow. "A project? What kind of project?"

I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But I knew I had to tell my mother something. "It's...pack business, Mother. I promise you, it's nothing to worry about. Aurora and I are just working together to...to help the pack."

My mother looked at me skeptically, but she seemed to be calming down. "I want to know more about this project, Asher. And I want to know now."

I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But I knew I had to tell my mother something. "Mother, I promise you, it's nothing to worry about. Aurora and I are just working together to...to investigate some irregularities within the pack."

My mother's eyes narrowed. "Irregularities? What kind of irregularities?"

I sighed, knowing I had to tread carefully. "Mother, I don't want to say too much just yet. But let's just say that Aurora and I are working together to uncover some...unsavory activities within the pack."

My mother's expression turned thoughtful, and she nodded slowly. "I see. And you think Aurora is the right person to help you with this?"

I nodded, trying to reassure her. "Yes, Mother. Aurora has...skills and knowledge that will be invaluable in this investigation. And I promise you, I'll be careful. I won't let anything happen to me or to the pack."

My mother looked at me for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright, Asher. I trust you. But be careful, and keep me informed. I don't want any surprises."

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "I will, Mother. Thank you for understanding."

"But wait a minute, don't you think it's dangerous? Because Aurora, of all people, after all what we have done to her... do you think she would help you? Or would she just use you to further her plans? Sophia might be the enemy, but Aurora can be an even greater enemy. Think about it," my mother said, her voice low and serious.

"Don't worry, Mother, I will be careful," I said, followed by a deep breath.

My mother was right. Aurora is a changed person now, and I don't know the new Aurora. I need to be careful, because of what I have done to Aurora in the past... I don't think she has forgiven me.

I felt a pang of guilt and uncertainty as my mother's words struck a chord within me. She was right, Aurora was a changed person now, and I didn't know what to expect from her. Our past was complicated, and I had hurt her deeply.

As I thought back on my actions, I realized that I had taken Aurora for granted, and my mistakes had cost me her trust and love. I didn't blame her for not forgiving me, and I couldn't expect her to help me without questioning her motives.

My mother's words echoed in my mind, "Aurora can be the more enemy." I knew I had to be careful, not just for myself, but for the pack's sake. I couldn't let my personal feelings cloud my judgment, and I had to be prepared for any outcome.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. I would have to tread carefully, navigating the complex web of alliances and rivalries within the pack. And at the center of it all was Aurora, a woman I had wronged in the past, and who now held the key to unlocking the secrets of Sophia's plans.

I looked at my mother, determination etched on my face. "I'll be careful, Mother. I promise."