Claimed by My Bully Alpha Chapter 247

Aurora’s P.O.V

I let out a groan, rubbing my temples as I leaned back against the couch, exhaustion seeping into my bones.

“Can’t I just skip for now?” I muttered, my voice carrying a weight that I hoped would be enough to end this conversation. “I literally just survived so much. I don’t think I can deal with school right now.”

My head throbbed at the mere thought of stepping back into that building, of walking through those halls, of facing all those eyes that would undoubtedly be on me. It was too soon. It was too much.

Caroline, ever the relentless force in my life, crossed her arms and shook her head, her expression unwavering. “Aurora, you need to get your degree,” she said, her tone firm but not unkind. “You can’t just stop now. You’ve come so far. You need this to move forward, to be successful.” She looked at me like she was willing me to understand, to see the bigger picture, but all I could see was the overwhelming fear clawing at my chest.

Caleb, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke, his gaze studying me carefully. “Why do you feel so reluctant?” he asked, his voice softer than Caroline’s, almost hesitant. His eyes held something—concern, maybe curiosity, or maybe he already knew the answer and just wanted to hear me say it.

I inhaled sharply, my fingers tightening around the hem of my sweater as I avoided his gaze. “Because,” I started, my voice quieter than before, “I’ve been gone for days. And now… now I have to go back and face those people again.” I swallowed hard, trying to push down the lump forming in my throat. “I don’t know what they’re thinking. I don’t know what kind of stories they’ve made up about me. People love to talk, to speculate. What if they—” I stopped myself, shaking my head.

“What if they think something wild happened to me?” My own words made my stomach twist, the anxiety curling around my ribs like a vice.

Caroline sighed, moving closer to sit beside me, her hand resting gently on my shoulder. “Aurora, people will always talk. That’s just how they are. But you can’t let that stop you from living your life.” Her voice softened just a little, but there was still that edge of determination, that push to get me moving even when my feet felt like they were stuck in cement.

Caleb leaned forward, elbows on his knees, watching me with something that almost felt like understanding. “You don’t have to do this alone,” he said. “We’ll be there for you. No matter what anyone says, no matter what looks they give you, we’ve got your back.”

I wanted to believe him. I wanted to believe that their presence would make it easier, that I wouldn’t feel so exposed, so vulnerable. But the thought of stepping back into that place, of pretending like I hadn’t just been through hell, made me feel like I couldn’t breathe.

I let out another sigh, pressing my fingers against my forehead. “Just… give me a little time,” I said, not even sure if I was asking for it or just delaying the inevitable. “Just a little longer.”

Caroline and Caleb exchanged a look, as if there were talking silently through the pack bond, before they turned towards me once again.

I watched as Caleb’s gaze softened, his blue eyes filled with reassurance as he placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Aurora, my father has already handled everything. No one will question you or say anything mean. And besides,” he said with a small smile, “we’re a team. We’ll be with you at all times.” 

His words settled over me like a warm blanket, easing the tension that had been gripping my chest since the moment I heard the word ‘school’. For the first time in days, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. I looked at him, searching for any trace of doubt in his expression, but there was none. Just unwavering loyalty. Just the quiet strength that made Caleb who he was. 

A small smile crept onto my lips. “That actually makes me happy,” I admitted, my voice softer now, lighter. “I was worried… I don’t know if things would be different. That people would treat me like—”

“They won’t,” Caleb cut in firmly. “Not as long as I’m around.” 

I let out a breath, nodding. If Caleb said it, I believed it. Still, one more thought nagged at me.

“What about Ashton, Maggie, and Avery? Will they be taking classes too?” 

Jade, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up, his voice carrying that usual mix of pragmatism and care. “Ashton and Maggie will have to start over as freshmen,” he admitted, casting me a knowing glance, as if he expected me to react. 

I stiffened slightly, my heart dropping at the thought. “Start over?” I echoed, my stomach twisting at the unfairness of it. 

Jade nodded. “It’s not ideal, but Alpha Camden has arranged for them to be homeschooled. They’ll still get their education, they’ll still have a future. He wants to make sure they have every chance to succeed.” 

I exhaled slowly, absorbing his words. Homeschooling. It wasn’t the same as walking those halls with us, feeling like they belonged, like they had a place. But at least it was something. At least they weren’t being abandoned. 

I glanced at Caleb, who gave me a reassuring nod, as if silently telling me this was the best outcome they could get. And maybe it was. Maybe this was just another part of the mess we had to navigate together. But as I looked at them—Caleb, Jade, the people who had stood by me through everything—I knew one thing for certain. 

We were a team. And no matter what happened, we would make it through. Together.