Claimed by My Bully Alpha Chapter 316

Aurora’s P.O.V

I could see Riley just ahead of me, his small body trembling, his face twisted with fear, and for the first time, I saw it clearly—the hurt in his eyes, the betrayal. He wasn’t just running from me; he was running from everything I’d done. From all the lies and all the misunderstandings that had led us here. He wasn’t just scared of what I might say anymore; he was terrified of me, terrified of the truth I had hidden from him. My heart twisted painfully in my chest.

“Riley, wait!” I finally called out, my voice cracking as I reached out a trembling hand. He didn't stop. Instead, he picked up speed, his small feet pounding against the ground, his breath coming faster as he ran away from me. I could feel the ache in my bones, the desperation clawing at me to make him understand, to make him see that I wasn’t trying to hurt him. I was never trying to hurt him.

"Riley!" I shouted again, my voice louder this time, but it only seemed to push him further away. He was too fast, too determined to get away from me.

I ran after him. My legs felt like they were moving through water, sluggish and heavy, but I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t let him get away. Not like this. Not when I was finally starting to realize the gravity of everything I’d done.

I pushed myself harder, closing the distance between us. My breath was ragged, my chest tightening with every step, but I had to reach him. I was almost there. Just a few more steps and I’d grab him, hold him, make him listen. But then, in one swift motion, Riley made a sharp turn towards the stairs. My heart skipped a beat as I saw him darting toward the steep steps, the panic in his eyes matching the panic in my chest. “No! Riley, stop!”

But it was too late. He didn’t hear me. I reached out, my fingers grazing the air as he lost his footing. Time seemed to slow down as I watched in horror. His small body tumbled forward, his legs flailing, and I screamed his name. “Riley!” The sound of my own voice was strangled with fear.

Then, just as I thought I was going to watch him fall, I saw a flash of movement. Strong arms wrapped around Riley's waist, lifting him mid-air before he could hit the ground. I blinked, breathless with shock, and saw Ashton standing there, his face a mask of concentration, his arms holding Riley securely against his chest. My knees almost gave out from the relief that flooded through me.

“Ashton!” I gasped, rushing toward them. “Is he okay? What happened? Is he hurt?”

Ashton looked down at the unconscious form of my little brother in his arms, his brow furrowed with concern. “He’s knocked out, but he’ll be fine. We need to get him to the doctor now,” he said, his voice calm but laced with urgency.

I didn’t think twice. I grabbed Ashton’s arm and nodded, my heart racing. “Please, let’s hurry.” I was already moving, my legs carrying me faster than they ever had before, but my mind was still focused on the small body in Ashton’s arms, the fragile form that I had almost failed.

Ashton followed, his footsteps steady and sure as we rushed towards the doctor’s office. My breath came in ragged bursts, the adrenaline coursing through me as I prayed that Riley would be okay. That I hadn’t ruined everything beyond repair.

When we finally reached the office, I burst through the door, my voice shaking with panic.

“Doctor! Please, you have to help him! He’s—he’s not waking up, and I—” I choked on the words, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me.

“Please, help him.”

The doctor looked at me, his eyes taking in the situation quickly. “Bring him in here,” he said, his voice cool and collected. Ashton gently placed Riley on the examination table, and I stood there, feeling helpless as the doctor moved quickly, checking Riley’s pulse and checking for any signs of injury. The minutes felt like hours, each second dragging on, each beat of my heart like a countdown to a moment I didn’t want to face.

Finally, the doctor straightened, his expression softening just a fraction. “He’s fine for now,” he said. “Just knocked out. We’ll keep him under observation for a while, but I don’t see any serious injuries.”

I exhaled shakily, my knees buckling as the tension left my body. Ashton steadied me, and for a moment, I just let myself breathe, the relief washing over me like a tide. Riley was safe. He was okay.

But the guilt—the guilt was still there, thick and suffocating, making it hard to breathe at all.