It was like he sensed my hesitation because he imdiately stood up. His tall fra lood over as he reached for my hand.
I pulled it back instantly. "When is our wedding?" I asked, my tone sharper than I intended.
"In the next few days," he replied smoothly. "George is preparing the demon grounds already. We’re creating a safe environnt for you—and for our unborn child."
My eyes widened, but before I could speak, I noticed his gaze drifting to my stomach. I shifted uncomfortably, crossing my arms.
"I’m not trying to make you feel uncomfortable," he said quickly. "That’s exactly why I believe communication between us will help. Maybe then... we won’t be so awkward."
I let out a bitter laugh. "Listen to yourself. You said it yourself—our relationship is built on nothing. You know that, right?"
He blinked, silent.
"You stole from my family," I continued. "You brought here against my will, and now you’re hoping we’ll live happily ever after?"
"I’m not denying what I did," he said quietly. "But I’m not giving up either. I’ll keep fighting for this—for us."
"No." I stepped back, shaking my head. "Cut that fantasy out of your mind, Darius. You and I will never have that lovey-dovey relationship you’re dreaming of."
"You’re saying that because I stole you," he said softly. Then, after a pause, his eyes narrowed slightly. "Or is it because of him?"
My stomach tightened.
"Soone?" he pressed, voice low. "You an... you still love him?"
"No, I don’t," I lied instantly.
He moved closer, his presence suffocating, his voice a whisper. "Look into my eyes, Aurora."
"No." I turned my face away.
He grabbed my chin gently but firmly, turning it until I was staring straight into his eyes—those impossibly bright blue eyes that almost glowed under the moonlight.
"You still love him," he said, voice soft, but certain.
I blinked hard, my throat tightening, then slapped his hand away. "Leave ."
"So you do still love that wolf," he said bitterly. "After everything he’s done to you?"
"What can I do?" My voice broke. "Tell , what can I do? I’ve been in love with that man my entire life. I can’t think about my future without him being there."
My breath hitched as tears welled in my eyes. "I just... I just want to live. With or without him. I just want to live."
My head throbbed, the pressure in my chest unbearable.
Seeing my distress, Darius stepped closer and, for once, didn’t argue. He pulled into his arms, his hand resting gently on the back of my head.
"Calm down," he murmured softly. "It’s fine. You’re fine."
My breathing slowed as he rubbed small, steady circles into my back.
"You sure?" I whispered weakly.
"I’m very sure," he said quietly, his voice barely above the wind. "It’s fine, Aurora. Just... breathe."
"I can’t imagine what you’re going through right now," he said quietly, his voice warm and low, "but I hope I can at least soothe so of your pain."
He intertwined his fingers with mine, pulling closer until our bodies pressed together. His touch was unexpectedly gentle, nothing like the forceful man I’d known before. For a fleeting second, I felt a strange, fragile comfort in that embrace—the kind I’d been craving ever since the day Leon broke into pieces.
I didn’t pull away. I couldn’t.
"I hope I can take away all the pain you’re holding inside," he murmured, his breath brushing my ear. "I hope I can make you forget about him—and fall in love with instead."
I stiffened slightly, but before I could speak, he gave a soft, almost self-deprecating chuckle.
"I know," he said. "You might not love now... but I’m hoping that one day, soday, you will."
And then he released , stepping back. The loss of warmth made the cold air sting.
"But about Leon," he continued, his tone shifting, darker now. "Let tell you sothing—you need to stop holding on to him. He’s hopeless. At least... for you."
I frowned, my heart suddenly pounding. "What do you an?"
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "The Aurora we sent there—the one that replaced you... I don’t want to say it, but you deserve to know."
My voice ca out shaky. "What happened?"
He hesitated. "He kissed her."
My breath caught. "What?"
"And not just that," he said quietly, eyes lowering. "They were... intimate."
The world tilted. My vision blurred at the edges. "No," I whispered. "No. Leon would know. He would know that’s not ."
"I’m sorry, Aurora," Darius said softly. "But he didn’t. The demon we placed there reported everything—exactly what happened. He... he had sex with her. And he didn’t even realize she wasn’t you."
My heart stopped. I felt hollow.
"I’m not telling you this to manipulate you," Darius continued gently, reaching out but stopping short of touching . "I’m not saying it to win your trust or your love. I’m saying it because you deserve the truth."
His voice softened even more, almost pleading.
"Leon is hopeless. That wolf isn’t worthy of your love—not anymore. Please, Aurora... just give up on him. Let him go."
He took a small step closer, his blue eyes gleaming faintly under the moonlight.
"Start over," he whispered. "Maybe then, you and I can finally have a chance to be sothing real."
Darius pecked my cheek and turned away, his footsteps fading into the cold night. For a mont, I stood there frozen, staring at his retreating back.
Of course. What did I expect? That Leon would sohow feel it wasn’t ? That he’d look into her eyes and realize the truth? I was foolish. Darius was right—Leon is unworthy of . Unworthy of my love. Unworthy of my pain. Unworthy of everything I’ve ever given him.
I sniffed, wiping the tears that kept blurring my vision. But gods, why did it hurt so much? Why does soone who hurt still have this kind of power over my heart?
I pressed my trembling hand to my chest. I am Aurora. I reminded myself again and again, even as the ache inside deepened.
But Leon... he’s part of who I am. Without him, I wouldn’t even have known my worth. He taught self-respect. He pushed when I doubted myself. Every ti a spell failed, he’d grin and remind that I was unstoppable. He believed in before I ever did.
So where did all that love go? Where did we go?
And how dare he still act like he cares—still glare when Darius touches , still pretend to worry when I’m chained or hurt? No. No more of that.
I’m the fool here. I’ve always been the fool. Every ti, I chose him over myself. Every damn ti.
But not anymore.
Today, I start choosing . Even if that ans marrying Darius.
At least he’s honest about what he feels. At least he doesn’t play gas. He’s not running from . He’s not pretending. He’s not treating my love like it’s so kind of child’s ga.
I clenched my fists, then patted my own shoulder—like I used to when I was younger. Back then, when pain beca unbearable, I’d comfort myself because no one else ever did.
I stood up and went back to my room. The mont the door clicked shut behind , the silence felt heavier than ever.
"Tomorrow," I whispered to myself. "Tomorrow, I’ll pick my wedding dress. I’ll be the most beautiful bride in the demon realm."
I inhaled deeply.
"I’m no longer Aurora the witch," I said aloud, almost daring the walls to disagree. "I am Aurora, the demon. The future mother of the demon lord. And I need to start preparing for that."
I wiped the last of my tears. "No one’s coming to save . And maybe that’s fine. Maybe I don’t need saving anymore."
I poured myself a glass of coffee, drinking it slowly, trying to fill the emptiness inside. My stomach growled. I hadn’t eaten properly since I got here.
I need to find Rebecca.
I got up and started down the hallway, though I had no idea where her room was. The castle was vast, a maze of black stone and flickering light. I just kept walking until I spotted her speaking with another demon.
She turned sharply when she saw . "Aurora? What are you doing here? You should be asleep."
"I want us to pick my wedding dress," I said quickly.
"What?" Her eyes widened.
"I said I want us to pick my wedding dress. Now."
She blinked, studying my face. "Is everything alright? Did Darius—?"
"No." I cut her off, forcing a tight smile. "He didn’t do anything. In fact, he helped."
Rebecca frowned. "Helped?"
"Yes. We talked. It... it made things clearer."
She tilted her head, still suspicious. "Aurora, what happened to you? Why are you so—"
"It’s nothing," I said, waving my hand. "Let’s just go pick my wedding dress."
"O...kay," she said slowly, smiling though confusion still clouded her face. "Well, I’ve been in touch with a few demon stylists. The ones we visited earlier weren’t available, but they’ll get back to tomorrow. I even found a design that would look perfect on you."
"I’ll pick it myself," I interrupted, straightening my back. "I want to look the most beautiful tomorrow. I want my wedding to be talked about across the entire realm."
Rebecca blinked, her brows furrowing. "Wow. This is... a very weird energy coming from you, Aurora."
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