*~Aurora’s POV~*
"Are you sure about this?" my sister asked, turning to . "Are you sure you don’t want to leave?"
I nodded. "Yes, sister. I’m not leaving. Heather is also my baby."
"No," she sighed. "She’s Hazel’s baby. I get it, you love her—I love her too—but you need to protect your ntal health. You can’t stay here. That man, his wife, her entire family—they’re all here. You need to leave."
"Sister," I said softly, "I was there when Hazel gave birth to Heather. I used every bit of my power to bring her out alive. I see her as my daughter because I went through every step of that pregnancy with Hazel. Yes, Hazel birthed her, but Heather will always be my baby. And how can I be at peace anywhere else, knowing her life is in danger? How can I go searching for peace when my peace is right here?"
I forced a small smile. "I don’t care if Leon is married now. I don’t care about him. Even though it still hurts, I’ll manage. There’s no reason for to run—so it can’t affect anymore."
Just then, the door opened. Hazel stepped in. "Aurora, your attention is needed downstairs," she said. I nodded and followed her.
When we got downstairs, the entire pack was gathered. Not just the leaders—Leon, Sophia, and her family were all there too. My pulse raced, but I kept walking, Iso right beside .
"No matter the outco of this eting," Iso whispered, "I’ll always be by your side. Because I’ll always believe my sister."
I squeezed her hand, grateful, before facing the others.
Caspian stepped forward. "Aurora," he began, "you said you saw the demons when you were leaving. You said the wolves attacked you, and those demons killed them—correct?"
"Yes," I replied.
He nodded, spreading a map across the table. "This is the direction you ntioned—the wolves’ patrol area. They guard the border of Riverdales Park. Witches aren’t allowed in that region."
"Yes," I said, recognizing the markings.
"I t with the Alpha," Caspian continued, "and asked him to na the wolves stationed there. These are the ones."
The door opened—and my blood ran cold. The wolves that stepped in were the exact sa ones who had attacked . The sa wolves I had seen ripped apart by those white-haired demons.
No way...They shouldn’t be alive. I watched them die.
"So," Caspian said, "if the demons killed them... why are they standing here?"
"Do you know these wolves, Aurora?" Aurora asked.
My throat tightened. I could barely speak.
"Aurora, answer," Hazel pressed, her voice sharp.
I glared at her, silently begging her to stop—but my expression must’ve given away.
"I... I know them," I finally said.
Caspian turned to the wolves. "Do you know her?"
"Yes," their leader said. "She’s the witch who trespassed. When we told her to leave, she threatened us. We eventually let her go, and she left."
"No, that’s not what happened!" I snapped. "A white-haired demon ca—she was naked, she sang, and then she killed you."
Natasha’s laughter broke the tension. "Oh, Aurora," she said mockingly, "how creative."
"Honestly, Aurora, how do you co up with such a lie?" Natasha folded her arms, sneering. "I won’t lie, I almost believed it. So real, right, Mother?"
She turned to Amoda with a smirk. "I an—she’s a witch. Aren’t witches always liars? Evil? Why are we even allowing this one in our pack? I missed the part where we called her mber."
"Enough," Hazel’s voice cut through sharply as she turned to . "You said you saw these wolves dying?"
"No," I corrected softly. "Not dying. They died. It’s a surprise they’re even standing here. I promise you—I saw them die."
"But we’re here, alive," one of the wolves said mockingly. "Are you sure you weren’t hallucinating? I thought you said you were powerful."
"I never knew she was mad," another wolf snorted. The others chuckled, low and cruel.
My head spun. No. I wasn’t crazy. I saw them die. I could bet my life on it. So why... why were they here?
Then Sophia’s voice sliced through the murmurs, venomous and smug. "I told my husband this whore wouldn’t leave him alone."
My chest tightened as the word whore echoed in the room.
"I’ve told you not to call her nas!" Hazel barked, stepping forward. "Do not call her nas!"
"Why else would she co back on my wedding day," Sophia snapped, tears glimring, "to ruin it with so dramatic lie? She should be punished."
Sophia extended her hand, as if demanding it. "Right, Leon?"
Natasha grinned, seizing the mont. "She interrupted the Beta’s wedding with a lie—so yes, she should be punished."
Leon’s jaw tightened. "If she disrupted my wedding with a lie, then yes, she should be punished. But... by the ti she entered, the wedding was already over."
My heart cracked, but I’d long grown used to Leon’s coldness. I turned to Caspian and Hazel—the two Alphas. I hoped, desperately, that Hazel would still stand by .
"Please," I whispered. "I know what I saw."
Hazel looked torn. "I’m sorry, Aurora. But the evidence—there’s none. The wolves you claim are dead are standing right in front of us. You know what that ans."
Before I could speak, Hazel’s voice rose again, fierce and trembling. "No, Caspian. I told you—whether or not the results of this search favor her, I will always stand by Aurora. Because what I’ve seen with my own eyes is far more disturbing. I’ve seen Heather do strange things—laughing at people who weren’t there. If Aurora says she saw demons speaking of my daughter, then I believe her. With everything in ."
I blinked hard, tears blurring my sight. My heart swelled with sothing warm—love, disbelief. How could she still trust when I barely trusted myself?
Sophia’s voice cracked the mont. "But aren’t you supposed to be the Alpha, Hazel? Fair and impartial? I’m your sister. You can’t just let soone ruin my wedding!"
Hazel ignored her. "The search is over," she said, turning to Caspian. "I don’t care if these wolves claim they saw nothing. I’ve seen enough. My sister saw people speak of Heather, and I’ve seen things too. I believe her. And from now on, every pack will continue searching for traces of those white-haired demons."
Caspian sighed. "Hazel, I understand you don’t want to disappoint Aurora, but this goes beyond that. We’re being unfair to this couple." He gestured to Leon and Sophia.
"Unfair?" Hazel scoffed. "This isn’t about them. Everything here has to do with Heather."
"But she disrupted my wedding!" Sophia cried.
"Oh, do you want us to fix your wedding now?" Hazel snapped, pointing at her. "You’re so selfish!"
Sophia gasped. "What did you say?"
"You heard ," Hazel said, stepping closer. "You keep calling for fairness—but I’m done being weak. I’m not the miserable sister you used to know. I am the Alpha of this pack."
She turned sharply to Leon. "Your honeymoon is cancelled. Until this issue is resolved, neither of you will be leaving."
"What?" Sophia’s eyes widened.
"Yes," Hazel said, voice iron-strong. "I can do worse...I could even cancel your marriage."
Sophia went pale.
I felt a rush of pride watching Hazel stand tall, she really is now an Alpha unlike the shy, naive girl that ca here.
"Better watch your mouth," Hazel warned her. "Not just for —but for my sister."
She extended a hand toward . And in that mont, I realized—she ant it.
Then she walked over to my side and grabbed my hand. "Let’s go."
We walked up the stairs together before she stopped and turned to . "I have to go see the twins now. I’ll co back to you—we have a lot to discuss."
I gave her a weak smile and nodded. Then I turned to leave.
That’s when I heard it.
"Aurora?"
Leon’s voice.
My chest seized. My heart pounded so violently it felt like it might rip out of . I didn’t even know what to do—I just kept walking, pretending not to hear.
"Aurora?" he called again, louder this ti.
When I didn’t answer, I heard his footsteps speeding up. He stopped right in front of , blocking my way. I imdiately lowered my gaze, refusing to et his eyes. If I looked at him, I would break.
I turned slightly to the side, but then his hand caught mine.
I yanked it free without a word—without even glancing at him—and kept walking.
"Fine," he said sharply behind . "Walk away. But whatever plans you have to disrupt my marriage—they won’t work."
I didn’t stop. I didn’t care.
"Do you understand?" His voice rose. "I don’t know why you had to co back today of all days. Don’t you have any sha? I told you to leave!"
I kept walking. Each step felt heavier, but I refused to look back.
Then...
"You howrecker."
That word froze in place.
I turned slowly. My tears were already spilling before I could even stop them. Leon stood there, face twisted with anger, eyes that once held love now burning with disgust.
"Can’t you just understand?" he snapped. "I don’t want you here. I want you gone."
My lips trembled. My voice was barely a whisper. "Fuck you," I muttered, the words cracked and broken.
Then I turned around and kept walking—because I wasn’t here for him.
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