Claimed by My Bully Alpha Chapter 231

Aurora’s P.O.V

That night, after returning to my room, a storm raged outside, howling through the trees and rattling the windows like it was trying to force its way in. The air felt heavy, thick with something I couldn't quite name, pressing down on my chest as I sat curled up on the bed.

Every light in the room was on, pushing back the shadows, but no matter how bright it was, I couldn’t stop my thoughts from drifting back to Lucas and what he had done. He had kept my mother’s skeleton in my room—my mother’s old room—like some twisted trophy, a constant reminder of everything he had stolen from me. The image was burned into my mind, and no matter how much I tried to push it away, it clung to me, wrapping around my thoughts like vines strangling the life out of something.

I wasn’t angry that her skeleton had been destroyed when the house collapsed. If anything, I was relieved. That place—where I had suffered, where so many others had suffered—was gone, reduced to nothing but rubble and ash. And with it, the souls that had been trapped there, held captive by pain and cruelty, had finally been freed. I liked to think my mother was among them, that she wasn’t lingering in that dark, broken space anymore. Maybe now, she could find peace. Maybe now, I could, too.

But the storm outside didn’t feel like peace. It felt like a warning. Like something was still waiting, watching, biding its time. I pulled my knees closer to my chest, squeezing my eyes shut, but even then, I saw flashes of bones, of shadows stretching across cold walls, of Lucas’s smirk as he reminded me—without ever saying the words—that I had never truly been free.

I exhaled shakily and forced my eyes open, staring at the ceiling, at the light fixture swaying ever so slightly from the force of the wind outside. I wasn’t there anymore. I wasn’t trapped. I wasn’t powerless.

I repeated the words over and over, but my hands still trembled.

The thunder rumbled so violently that it rattled the windows, and as yet another streak of lightning split the sky, I felt my breath hitch. My fingers curled into the blankets, and for a brief moment, I considered burying myself underneath them, as if that would drown out the chaos outside. The storm was relentless, each crack of thunder louder than the last, and I knew that if I closed my eyes, the darkness would swallow me whole with every flash of light. My heart pounded against my ribs, my body tense as I forced myself to breathe, to remind myself that I was safe. It was just a storm. Just noise. But my body didn’t believe it.  

Then, a knock at my door. Soft, but certain. My head snapped toward it, my pulse quickening, and before I could even call out, the door creaked open. Riley and Caroline slipped inside, arms full of pillows and blankets, their presence like a breath of fresh air in the suffocating tension of my room. I exhaled, my grip loosening on the sheets as relief flooded through me.  

“We’re sleeping here tonight,” Riley announced, already making himself comfortable as he dropped his things onto the bed. His voice held no room for argument, and I felt a small smile tug at my lips despite the lingering fear in my chest.  

Caroline met my eyes, her gaze warm, understanding. “You didn’t have to ask,” she murmured, stepping forward and placing her pillow beside mine. “I could feel it.”  

I swallowed past the lump in my throat, nodding as they climbed in beside me. Riley settled between us, his warmth grounding me, and for the first time that night, I felt like I could breathe properly. The storm raged on outside, but with them here, it didn’t seem so terrifying anymore. I reached for the lamp on my nightstand, hesitating for only a second before flicking it off. The darkness settled around us, but it wasn’t suffocating this time—it was comforting. 

“Thank you,” I whispered into the quiet, my voice barely above the sound of the rain.  

Caroline’s hand found mine under the covers, giving it a gentle squeeze. “You’re my sister, Aurora. Chosen by the Moon Goddess herself. I’ll always know when something’s wrong.” She paused, her voice softer now. “And I’ll always be here to make sure you’re alright.”   

I closed my eyes, warmth spreading through my chest. The storm outside still raged, but in this moment, with Riley’s even breaths beside me and Caroline’s unwavering presence, I knew I wasn’t alone. And that made all the difference.

As I lay there, wrapped in the warmth of the moment, I turned to Caroline, my heart swelling with gratitude. The day had been long, filled with too many emotions, but in the end, it was her presence that grounded me. She had been my rock in ways no one else ever could, always knowing exactly what to say, how to hold me together when I felt like I was falling apart. I reached for her hand, squeezing it gently, my voice soft yet laced with every ounce of sincerity I could muster. 

"Caroline, I don’t think I’ve ever told you this properly, but… thank you," I whispered, my throat tightening with emotion.

"No, I should be the one to thank you. For everything. For being here. For always standing by me even when I didn’t deserve it. You’re the most amazing sister in the world." Caroline's eyes shimmered in the dim light, and she let out a quiet, breathy laugh, shaking her head as if she couldn’t believe this moment was real.

My breath hitched, and I blinked rapidly to push back the sting of tears threatening to fall. I didn’t deserve someone like her, yet here she was, telling me she felt the same about me. I let out a small, shaky laugh, rubbing at my eyes before she could see the tears. "You know, you’re going to make me cry," I muttered, half-laughing, half-sniffling. 

"Caroline, you have no idea how much that means to me," I murmured, turning fully to face her, my voice soft but unwavering. "But if we're talking about amazing sisters, then you should know—you’re the sister I never had but always needed. I don’t think I would have survived half of what I’ve been through if it weren’t for you. The Moon Goddess didn’t just bind me to you. She gave me the family I was missing." 

“Oh shush! We’re both about to fill a river.” Caroline sniffled, reaching out to brush a strand of hair away from my face. "Well, you started it," she teased, her voice teasing but filled with nothing but warmth. "Now, get some sleep before you turn this into an all-night sob-fest." 

I let out a soft chuckle and finally let my body relax. Between us, Riley was already sound asleep, his small, steady breaths filling the space with a peaceful rhythm. Caroline adjusted the blanket over him, her movements gentle, protective. I watched her for a moment, something deep in my chest settling in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time. Safe. Loved. Whole. 

"Goodnight, Caroline," I murmured, my voice heavy with exhaustion but lighter than it had been in days. 

She smiled, her fingers brushing lightly over Riley’s hair before turning to face me once more. "Goodnight, Aurora." 

And for the first time in what felt like forever, with Caroline by my side and Riley nestled between us, I finally let sleep take me, knowing I was exactly where I was meant to be.