AURORA

Joclyn raised a brow at Trajan, her expression puzzled. “What happened? Is there something on my face?” she asked.

“Trajan?” I called out, snapping him back to reality.

He blinked rapidly, realizing how close he had been to Joclyn. Clearing his throat, he shifted back slightly. “Sorry… erm, you were saying?”

I narrowed my eyes at him, my curiosity piqued. “Trajan,” I called again, trying to pull his attention away from his obvious distraction.

Joclyn shook her head before turning to me, seemingly brushing off Trajan’s odd behavior.

“Well… I know Trajan must have some experience in the woods, considering he was once a rogue. He’s the perfect person to accompany me to gather the flowers.”

I nodded, acknowledging her logic, while Trajan gave an eager nod of agreement. His enthusiasm was apparent, as if he’d follow her anywhere without a second thought.

“Good plan,” I said, though I couldn’t ignore the potential danger. “But what about the harmful effects of the flowers?”

“I’ve already accounted for that,” Joclyn replied, pulling out a

ntainer, She slid it across the table toward me. “This is a special mixture I created. It’s applied to the arms and dries into a protective musk. It presents direct contact with the flowers and neutralizes their toxins,”

I picked up the container and examined it. “This is impressive,”

I said.

“Very impressive,” Trajan chimed in, though I doubted he had paid attention to half of what she’d said.

Joclyn stood, brushing her hands off as she looked at Trajan. “We’ll need to discuss this further and set a date to retrieve the

flowers.”

“Of course,” Trajan said quickly, his gaze lingering on her.

Joclyn offered him a polite smile before walking out of the room. Trajan’s eyes followed her until she disappeared, his expression softening, in a way that made me arch an eyebrow. When he finally turned back to me, he grinned sheepishly and licked his lips.

“I’ll get going now,” he mumbled, standing up. He still clutched the file he’d brought as he made his way toward the door.

“Trajan,” I called, making him pause. He turned back to me with a questioning look.

I extended my hand toward him. “Hand over the file,” I teased, unable to resist poking fun at his obvious distraction.

“What?” His jaw dropped as he stared at me in shock. “I–I’m sorry, Luna, but I can’t do that.”

I raised an eyebrow. “And why not?”

“Because… I’m not in the right state of mind,” he admitted, closing his eyes briefly as if to steady himself. “Can I just leave?”

I chuckled and nodded. “Go ahead.”

He wasted no time, nearly sprinting out of the room. I laughed softly to myself, shaking my head before leaning back in my chair to stretch.

Feeling restless, I stood and wandered to the window. Looking out, I felt a deep sense of contentment as I watched the pack members going about their day. They moved with a newfound happiness and unity that warmed my heart.

A few days ago, the atmosphere had been different–tense and uncertain. The warriors had been divided, whispers of fear spreading among them. Now, they trained together with reewed purpose. Women laughed with their children, and the pack grounds were filled with a lightheartedness that had been absent for so long.

My gaze softened as I spotted Rowan and Lila playing outside, their laughter ringing out as they chased each other.

“I’m so glad I gave him a second chance,” I murmured to myself. “Everyone deserves a second chance…”

“Aurora!” A sharp voice cut through my thoughts, jolting me.

I spun around, searching for the source of the voice.

“Aurora!” The voice came again, louder this time, accompanied by the clanking of chains.

My fists clenched as anger surged through me. I knew exactly where the call was coming from. Storming toward the dungeon, I ignored the greetings of the guards I passed, too consumed by fury to respond.

Not everyone deserves a second chance, I thought bitterly. Snakes like Kaida don’t change. If you let them go, they’ll only come back to bite you.

Kaida… She was worse than a snake.

Descending the dark staircase to the dungeon, my anger boiled in my veins. Kaida had tormented my people alongside Orion, and she’d dared to toy with Dane’s life. She had even coveted. him, my Dane, as if she had any right to him.

When I reached her cell, I grabbed the cold bars, glaring at her with unfiltered hatred.

“Aurora!” she called again, her head hanging low as if unaware of my presence.

“Shut up!” I snapped.

Her head shot up, and she glared back at me through a curtain of tangled hair. Her clothes were torn and filthy, her body covered in scratches that suggested failed escape attempts.

She tossed her hair back, her face illuminated by the dim light in the cell. A twisted smile spread across her lips.

“Welcome, Luna,” she greeted mockingly, bowing with exaggerated flair.

I rolled my eyes, unimpressed. “Cut the act and tell me why you called for me,” I demanded.

She chuckled darkly. “In such a rush… Is Dane waiting for you?” Her gaze roamed over me, and she licked her lips. “Lucky bitch,” she muttered venomously.

Throwing my head back, I laughed. “Unlucky tramp. You’ll never have my man.”

Kaida smirked, biting her lip. “Is that so? You think I can’t get noveldrama

Dane?”

I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes. “What are you trying to

sav?”

“Dane’s just a man,” she sneered. “And all men are the same. Flash a little cleavage, and they’re yours.” She tugged at her tattered dress, exposing the curve of her chest.

“Slut,” I spat. “Dane isn’t just any man–he’s mine. He already has a queen, and there’s no place for anyone else. Especially not a pathetic, desperate soldier like you.”

Her expression faltered for a moment, and I smirked, satisfied that my words had struck a nerve. Turning on my heel, I started to walk away.

“Wait!” she called out, her tone desperate. “We need to talk… I know something you’ll want to hear. Something worth buying my freedom.”

I froze in place, her words echoing in the silent dungeon. My curiosity was piqued despite my loathing. Slowly, I turned back toward her.