Claimed by My Bully Alpha Chapter 179

Aurora’s P.O.V

I stirred to the sound of my name, soft and insistent. “Aurora. Hey, wake up,” the voice said, low but familiar. My eyes fluttered open, and there was Caleb, sitting by my bedside, a small smile playing on his lips.

“Caleb?” I croaked, my voice rough from sleep. I pushed myself up on one elbow, blinking away the fog in my mind. The clock on the wall caught my eye, and I squinted. Nearly ten at night. “I slept this long?” I muttered, rubbing my temples. “Why didn’t anyone wake me? I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck.”

He smiled faintly, leaning back in the chair he’d pulled up beside me. “You looked like you needed it. Besides, you didn’t miss anything. The party hasn’t started yet.”

“What?” I sat up straighter, the thin blanket slipping from my shoulders. “But it’s so late! Isn’t it supposed to—?”

“Midnight,” he interrupted, his tone easy, almost amused. “They always start around midnight. You know that. Mine did.”

The memory hit me like a cold splash of water. His birthday party. That single night I’d never stop regretting. My stomach twisted at the thought, and I looked away, fiddling with the corner of the blanket. “Yeah, I remember,” I murmured. “Your party. That feels like... a different life.”

He tilted his head, watching me. “It wasn’t that long ago.”

“Maybe not,” I replied, my voice quieter than I’d intended. “But it was long enough to feel like it. Everything was so different then.” I hesitated, debating whether to say more, but his steady gaze urged me on. “I still don’t know why I even went. Everyone saw... what happened.”

“You’re talking about Shane,” he guessed, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. “Aurora, no one remembers that. Not like you think they do.”

“They do,” I insisted, my chest tightening. “I still hear about it sometimes. Snide comments. Little reminders. They don’t forget.”

Caleb sighed, running a hand through his hair. “You know how people are. They latch onto drama for five minutes and then move on. You’re the only one holding onto it.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but his words hung in the air, undeniable and frustrating. “It’s not that simple, Caleb. You weren’t the one standing there—humiliated.”

He leaned closer, his voice softening. “No, I wasn’t. But I was there. And I saw how strong you were, even when you didn’t feel like it. You didn’t crumble. You kept your head high, even when—”

“Even when I wanted to disappear?” I cut in, giving him a pointed look.

“Even then,” he said firmly, a small smile tugging at his lips. “And tonight, none of that matters. You’re here. It’s your night. So stop letting ghosts haunt you.”

I nodded, feeling more at ease. But what I had told Caleb was also true. That day, that incident…it all felt like a lifetime ago.

I sat on the edge of the bed, my hands resting on my knees, as Caleb’s voice broke through the quiet. “I’m sorry if I brought back bad memories,” he said softly, his eyes searching mine like he was afraid of what he might find. 

I shook my head, a faint smile tugging at my lips. “Don’t be. I feel like I’m not even that girl anymore. She’s… someone I’ve left behind. And I’ve changed for the better.” 

He nodded, a warm understanding in his gaze. “You have. I can see it. It’s like you’ve finally stepped out of the shadows.” His words hung in the air for a moment before he added with a grin, “But enough of this serious stuff. It’s time you joined the party.” 

I tilted my head, raising a brow. “Speaking of which, where’s Riley? He wasn’t in bed earlier.” 

Caleb shook his head, his grin widening. “Oh, he’s at the party. Living it up, making friends.” He paused, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “And you wouldn’t believe who his new ‘girlfriend’ is.” 

I laughed, the sound escaping me before I could stop it. “Girlfriend? Are you serious? Who?” 

His grin turned into a full-blown smirk. “Millie.” He let the name hang for dramatic effect before adding, “Mia’s little sister.” 

I blinked, caught completely off guard. “Wait, Millie? That Millie?” 

“The very same.” Caleb chuckled, clearly enjoying my reaction. 

I shook my head, laughing again, the sound lighter this time. “Well, I didn’t see that one coming.”

“Trust me, no one did.” Caleb shook his head again. “But they’re stuck together like glue.”

"Are you sure Mia's okay with this?" I asked Caleb, keeping my voice low as I adjusted my mother’s pendent on my neck. The nerves were starting to creep up, and it didn’t help that I wasn’t entirely certain Mia would be thrilled about me being around. She always seemed... hostile, when it concerned me.

Caleb glanced at me with that easy, reassuring smile he always seemed to have in his back pocket. "Mia’s fine, Aurora. Don’t let her tough act fool you. She’s not as cold as she wants people to think."

I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "You’re saying that you've seen a different side of her. Because from where I stand, she’s not exactly handing out warm welcomes."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Mia’s not cruel, especially not to kids. I’ve seen Mia feed Riley snacks while he played with Millie, sit with him, talk to him like he’s the most important person in the room. She has her moments, Aurora. She’s not all sharp edges."

I paused, letting his words sink in. My mind immediately went to the image of Mia, the woman who seemed to carry a permanent scowl, actually sitting down with Riley and speaking sweetly to him. It didn’t match the version of her I’d built in my head. "That doesn’t sound like the Mia I know," I admitted, though my voice was softer now. "Maybe I’ve been too quick to judge her."

"Maybe," Caleb said, leaning back with a grin. "She’s not bitter, Aurora. She’s... complicated. I think she just misses Shane. That’s all. People deal with things in their own way."

I blinked at him, suddenly seeing Mia in a different light. Maybe she wasn’t the bitter woman I’d pegged her as. Maybe she was just a person dealing with her own heartbreak, her own struggles. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, smoothing my dress and adjusting my hair. "You think she’ll actually talk to me at the party?"

"She might," he said with a shrug. "If you’re lucky. But don’t take it personally if she doesn’t. It’s not about you."

I nodded, taking a deep breath to steel myself. "Thanks for the pep talk, Caleb. Really. You always know how to make things sound a little less terrifying."

"That’s what I’m here for," he said with a wink, before holding out his hand for me. "Now, let’s go knock 'em dead. You look great, by the way."

With that, we made our way up to the party. The moment I stepped into the room, I was hit with a wave of energy. Laughter and chatter filled the air, and the place was packed with guests, each one seemingly having the time of their life.

For a moment, I just stood there, taking it all in—the joy, the warmth, the life of it all. Maybe tonight wouldn’t be as daunting as I’d feared.