*~Leon’s POV~*
Are you joking? Are you kidding ?" Hazel’s voice shook with disbelief. "I don’t talk to Sophia...please excuse us."
"Wife," Sophia corrected smugly. "I need to have a little conversation with the Alpha," Hazel said coldly.
"Don’t stay out too long, my love," Sophia sang, bouncing away like she’d just won a trophy.
"What are you doing, Leon?" Hazel snapped the mont Sophia was gone.
"I don’t even know what happened," I said, rubbing the back of my neck. "She just—"
"You just changed," Hazel cut in, voice trembling.
"Yes. Because I’ve co of age, Hazel. I’m mated to Sophia."
"Do you love her?"
"I love her," I said automatically.
Hazel stepped closer, her eyes searching mine. "Do you love her?"
I stayed quiet.
Her gaze softened, sad but knowing. "You see?" she whispered. "You don’t love her."
"I will eventually love her."
"How?" Hazel demanded. "How do you eventually love soone? You love Aurora. You belong to Aurora. You and Aurora are like two peas in a pod. I can’t even imagine you two not ending up together."
"Well, you need to start imagining," I said bitterly. "Because the Moon Goddess has sobody else in mind for —and that’s Sophia."
"No! Sophia is—"
"You’re only saying that because you hate her," I cut in. "And she’s your step-sister. I don’t want to get in between whatever’s going on between you two. Just leave out of it. Let Aurora go. Let her find sobody else who’ll love her."
Hazel’s voice broke. "No! Why are you saying this? Would you be happy if Aurora brought another man ho and said she loves him? Would you?"
I forced a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. "Yes. I’ll be happy. Because she’ll be happy seeing with Sophia."
Hazel’s face fell. "Aurora is not happy, Leon. She’s leaving."
My entire chest froze. "She’s... leaving?"
"Yes. First thing tomorrow morning. Aurora is leaving this pack. So if you still have a heart—man up. Go after her. Stop this madness."
I couldn’t breathe. My wolf was restless, burning inside , clawing at my chest. I paced, hands trembling.
Hazel’s voice softened. "I know you think this is complicated. But it’s not. Just reject Sophia."
"Why would I reject my own mate, Hazel?" I growled.
"Because she’s not suitable for you," she said. "She’s not your Moon Goddess’ choice. She’s just an alpha—" She stopped herself. "I’m sorry for saying that."
I shook my head. "And what if soday I get bored of Aurora and fall for Sophia instead? What happens then?"
"That will never happen." She said firmly, standing hard on her word.
"How are you so sure?" I questioned her.
Hazel’s lips quivered. "Because I’ve seen it before. Cayden was in love with Natasha. Completely. But he forgot her the mont he got mated to . He forgot her. And I won’t let that happen to Aurora. I won’t let you destroy her like that."
So it’s best if she leaves," I said quietly.
Hazel stumbled back a little, tightening her hood around the baby in her arms.
"No," she said, voice trembling.
"Yes," I insisted. "In fact, she should move as far away from as possible. She should go build another life with so wizard and live happily ever after. Because I’m going to forget her. The mate bond will make sure of that. I don’t want her standing behind , watching live my life. I have to cut things off—imdiately."
Hazel chuckled bitterly. "You’re stupid," she said flatly.
And then—she turned.
I felt it before I even saw her. The air shifted. My heart stilled.
Red hair. Green eyes. Pale, beautiful skin.
Aurora.
Hazel’s voice was sharp. "Aurora, where’s your sister? You’re supposed to be asleep. You need to leave."
"No," Aurora said softly. "You need to leave. Ida is weak—she needs to rest. You shouldn’t be out here."
Hazel exhaled, defeated. "This is my business."
Aurora’s tone was calm but firm. "No. This is my business."
From her cracked voice and swollen eyes, I could tell—she’d been crying for hours. For .
How much pain have I caused her? How many nights has she cried because of ? Goddess, I don’t deserve her.
Hazel brushed past without another word and left. Aurora turned toward .
"Hi, Leon." She smiled faintly, and my heart stuttered.
"Hi, Aurora."
"I believe you have a lot to say to ," she said, crossing her arms.
I scratched the back of my neck. "Yeah. I do. I’m sorry. I never got to say anything to you since I found my mate, and now... now I’ve proposed to her."
"With the sa ring you promised to propose to with," she said coldly.
I nodded slowly. "We have to end our relationship, Aurora."
Her lips trembled. "Why?"
"Because I have a mate now." I said quietly, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Listen to yourself," she said, stepping closer. "Listen to yourself."
"I don’t want to argue," I muttered. "I just hope you’ll understand and move on."
"Leon," she said, her voice breaking, "look into my eyes and say that again."
I hesitated—but then I walked closer. I took her face in my hands, brushed my thumb across her cheek, and forced myself to et her gaze.
"I want you to move on. Far away from . Go live your life."
She pushed back and slapped hard across the face.
"Why would you say that?" she scread. "Find another person? Love another person? Leon is telling to love another person? Are you even Leon? What have you done with him?" She hit my chest, shaking.
"Aurora, please," I said hoarsely. "You need to go. A witch and a werewolf can’t—"
Another slap.
My hair fell over my face, hiding the tears that finally spilled. "I’m sorry," I whispered.
I turned to leave, but she grabbed my arm.
"I’m leaving tomorrow, Leon. If you don’t snap out of this—if you don’t stop this madness—I’m gone."
I swallowed hard, my chest aching. "Maybe it’s for the best."
Her hand slipped from my arm. And I walked away.
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