1

“We had sex again and I don't know how it happened,” Aurora said, clutching the blanket around her trembling frame, it was her only thing keeping her from being naked as she felt. The words tasted bitter, like a heavy lid on her tongue, but she forced them out.

Lightning flashed outside, illuminating her in the dim room. Her hair clung to her damp face, a wild mess, and her feet, bare against the cold floor, felt numb.

“Wait... what?!” Easton’s voice cut through the silence, his wide eyes flicking to the thin nightgown peeking from beneath the blanket. His expression darkened.

“That’s—”

“Phoebe’s,” Aurora finished flatly. Her lips twisted into a bitter smile. “Of course it is.”

Easton clenched his fists. “That bastard—”

“Don’t.” Aurora cut him off, shaking her head. Her gaze dropped to the floor as she tried to blink back her tears. “I don’t need you defending me. Not from him. Not now.”

Her voice cracked, but she swallowed the lump in her throat and kept speaking. “He threw it at me. Told me to get out.”

Easton exhaled sharply, his nostrils flaring as he paced the room. He wanted to say something—anything—that might undo the damage Maverick had inflicted, but words felt useless. The silence between them grew heavier, broken only by the soft rumble of thunder outside.

“And then you called me,” Easton said, his voice softer now.

Aurora nodded, pulling the blanket tighter. “I didn’t know who else to turn to.”

Before Easton could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed in the hallway.

“Of course, you don't,” The voice came before the person and they knew just who it was.

Both of them turned, their gazes snapping toward the door just as Phoebe appeared, she did nothing to hide mocking smile. Beside her was Maverick, his broad shoulders filling the space as his cold, calculating eyes locked onto Aurora.

Easton moved instinctively, stepping in front of Aurora, his body shielding her from their intrusion.

“What the hell do you want?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

Phoebe flinched for a moment before she laughed venomously.

“Relax, Easton. We’re just here to check on Aurora. After all…” Her eyes flicked to the blanket, the corner of her lips curling. “She had such a memorable night.”

Aurora’s stomach churned, and she averted her gaze, refusing to pay Phoebe any attention which made the woman mildly irritated. But before she could act in it Maverick stepped forward, brushing past Phoebe with an air of authority that made the room feel smaller.

He stopped in front of Aurora, his presence suffocating. For a fleeting moment, she thought she saw something—remorse, hesitation—in his gaze. But it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

Aurora couldn't depict his thoughts like she used to be able to do but she wishes that he would go back to the man she used to know, the man who cared about her and would give her anything and everything. A flick of his stony blue eyes were all she needed to know that it was all her wishful fantasy.

He held out his hand, palm up. “Take these.”

Aurora blinked, her gaze falling to the small pills in his hand. It took her a moment to realize what they were.

“Contraceptives,” he said, his voice devoid of emotion and Aurora almost heard the howl of her non-existent wolf. “I don’t want any mistakes.”

Her breath hitched. The words were a blade, cutting deeper than she thought possible.

Easton scoffed in restrained anger while Aurora's heart stuttered in pain, the tears she was keeping at bay were shining brightly in her eyes now. The only sound she could hear was her uncontrolled thoughts that keep tumbling over one another.

“Mistakes?” Aurora's voice was barely above a whisper. Her hands trembled as she took the pills, the weight of them heavier than anything she had ever carried.

As she stared into his cold eyes, Aurora wondered how they got to this level that the thought of her carrying his pups disgust him so much.

She was his mate, and had been his mate for three years! If he didn't want anything to do with her, why did he accept her as his mate?

Was is just so he could experience endless wave of torture?!

They loved each other so much, what the hell changed?!

Maverick’s expression didn’t waver.

“Take them now, Aurora. While I’m here.”

“Bastard!” Easton exploded, lunging forward, but Maverick caught his fist mid-air, his lycan strength effortlessly stopping the blow.

“It’s Alpha Maverick to you,” he said coldly, shoving Easton back with enough force to send him stumbling.

Aurora’s instincts took over, and she stepped between them, raising a hand to stop Easton from retaliating. She swallowed the pills, the bitterness coating her tongue as her tears threatened to spill over.

Satisfied, Maverick’s gaze raked over her one last time, lingering for a second too long on the borrowed nightgown. His eyes softened for a millisecond, but before she could decipher it, he turned and walked away, Phoebe quickly rushed after him.

The door slammed shut behind them, leaving a suffocating silence behind.

---

Easton moved toward her, his expression a mixture of anger and heartbreak. “Aurora…”

She shook her head, cutting him off. “I’m fine.” Her voice was barely steady, a whisper that didn’t convince either of them.

“You’re not,” Easton said firmly, his hands gripping her shoulders gently but insistently. “He can’t keep doing this to you. You deserve better.”

Aurora laughed bitterly, the sound hollow. “Deserve better? I’m his mate, Easton. The Moon Goddess herself paired us. This—” She gestured vaguely to the empty room, to the pills she had just swallowed, to the invisible chains binding her to Maverick. “This is what I deserve.”

“No,” Easton said, his voice hardening. “This is what he’s making you believe you deserve. There’s a difference.”

Aurora didn’t reply. She couldn’t find the words to argue, to agree, or to even admit that a part of her still hoped for Maverick to turn back into the man she once knew.

Thunder rumbled again, and Aurora finally let the tears fall, her shoulders shaking as Easton pulled her into a hug. For now, in his arms, she allowed herself to break, even if just for a moment.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Aurora adjusted her grip on the glass of champagne, her fingers cold against the smooth surface. The laughter and chatter of the ceremony filled the air, but it all felt distant, muffled by the storm of thoughts raging in her head.

From across the field, she could see him. Maverick. Standing tall and proud, his arm resting lightly on Phoebe’s waist as he introduced her to the guests. They looked every bit the perfect couple, their smiles practiced and charming.

It was supposed to be her standing beside him.

Aurora blinked hard, forcing back the tears threatening to spill. She wouldn’t give them the satisfaction—not here, not now.

“You shouldn’t be here,” Easton said softly, his voice pulling her from her thoughts.

Easton never agreed to Aurora’s and Maverick's relationship, he and Alec—Maverick’s best friend, had been against it since they started dating in secret seven years ago. He had always been sceptical of what kind of relationship that could exist between them, a runt and the next Alpha wasn't something the pack council supported. 

But he had little say about it, they had been friends since they were thirteen, before Easton even dreamt of meeting Aurora. The secrecy with which they carried out their plans as friends and lovers had been embedded deeply in them and it was their normal life and daily routine.

She turned to him, her expression blank. “I’m the Luna, Easton. This is where I belong.”

“No, you’re supposed to be the Luna,” he corrected, his tone sharp with frustration. “But he’s made it painfully clear he doesn’t see you as that. Hell, he doesn’t even treat you like a pack member, let alone his mate.”

Aurora’s gaze dropped to the ground. She knew he was right.

All through their time as lovers, none of them feared the punishments dished to them for abruptly going missing— the loads of paperworks dumped on him and the whips of her stepfather that tore her back meant nothing. It was just a price for their scarlet love.

All they had to do was wait till the mate awakening ceremony where Maverick would proclaim Aurora the Luna, shut everyone else up and no one would dare look down on her.

But now that the time came, Maverick had stripped her of any real authority as Luna, leaving her in a position that was nothing more than a title. She was the Luna in name only, a ghost was better when compared to her.

“I can’t leave,” she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. “If I do, I lose what little connection I have left to him.”

Easton sighed, his jaw tightening as he fought back his anger. “No you can. You just don't—”

He stopped short, his words hanging in the air as Maverick and Phoebe approached. Aurora’s heart clenched at the sight of them together, the perfect picture of unity and power.

Phoebe’s smile was as sweet as poison. “Aurora, darling. You look… well.” Her eyes flicked over Aurora’s plain dress, her lips twitching with amusement. “But don't sulk in the corner for too long, people might forget you still exist.”

“You can keep that advice for yourself, don't stomp around too much. There are still a lot of people who know that you are just the side chick,” Aurora replies calmly and Phoebe bit her lips in anger, remembering that the title she wanted most was still Aurora's.

Maverick’s gaze barely touched her before shifting to Easton. “Is there a reason you’re standing so close to my mate?” he asked, his voice cold and clipped.

Easton didn’t flinch. “Maybe because you’re too busy parading someone else around to care about her.”

The tension was thick in the air.

For a moment, Aurora thought Maverick might lash out, but he didn’t. Instead, he stepped closer to her, his presence overwhelming as he leaned in.

“You shouldn’t be here,” he said quietly, his tone devoid of emotion. “This isn’t your place anymore.”

Aurora’s breath hitched, but she forced herself to meet his gaze. “I’m the Luna. It’s exactly where I should be.”

Maverick’s jaw tightened and he clenched his fist in irritation at her stubbornness, but before he could respond, Phoebe looped her arm through his. “Come on, darling,” she purred, her eyes glinting with satisfaction. “We have more guests to greet.”

He hesitated for a fraction of a second, his gaze lingering on Aurora. Then he turned and walked away, leaving her standing in the suffocating silence of their absence.

---

Easton let out a low curse. “He’s unbelievable.”

Aurora didn’t respond. She felt numb, the weight of Maverick’s words was crushing her.

“You don’t have to do this, you know,” Easton said, his voice softer now.

She turned to him, her eyes glistening. “What choice do I have, Easton? He’s my mate. This bond—it’s not something I can just walk away from.”

“You could leave this place,” he said, his tone firm. “Start over somewhere else. Hell, I’d go with you if that’s what it takes.”

Aurora shook her head, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. “I know what you are trying to say,” her tone was flat but her eyes were stormy. “And you are probably right but it doesn't change anything. The pain. It doesn’t go away.”

Easton reached out, his hand brushing against hers. “Then let me help you carry it.”

The sincerity in his voice nearly broke her. She wanted to believe him, to let herself lean on him completely. But she knew it wouldn’t be fair. Not to him, and not to herself.

“Thank you,” she said quietly, pulling her hand away. “But this is something I have to bear alone.”

Easton looked like he wanted to argue, but he didn’t. Instead, he stepped closer, his presence grounding her in a way she didn’t realize she needed.

“If he lays another hand on you, I’ll make sure that he regrets it,” he said finally, his voice low and steady.

Aurora didn’t reply. She couldn’t. The pain and exhaustion were too much, and all she wanted was to get through the rest of the ceremony without breaking completely.

As the night wore on, Aurora stood in the shadows, watching Maverick and Phoebe bask in the adoration of their pack. She felt invisible, a ghost haunting the edges of her own life.

But she wanted to believe that one day, she would find a way to reclaim herself. To rise from the ashes of everything Maverick had destroyed.

One day, she would be whole again.