Claimed by My Bully Alpha Chapter 325

Aurora’s P.O.V

It took me a moment to steady myself, to get back the full functionality of my senses. I blinked rapidly, to keep the darkness at bay, to keep the fatigue from creeping back in and taking control over my body.

“Oh, yeah, you’re definitely not going to class,” Caroline said, her arms crossed as she hovered nearby. “Don’t even try to argue, Aura. You look like you’re about to pass out again.”

“I’m fine,” I insisted, even as my legs refused to cooperate and I leaned more heavily into Caleb. “I just… stood up too fast.”

“You nearly collapsed,” Caleb said, not even pretending to believe me. “You’re not going anywhere but home.”

“But we have class—” I looked up at him, my voice catching with guilt. “I don’t want you to miss it because of me. It’s just a little dizziness. I can—”

He cut me off, his voice low and firm. “You’re my mate, Aurora. I’d walk through hell for you. You really think I’m going to leave you like this to go sit through some lecture?” His jaw clenched, eyes blazing with that fierce protectiveness that both comforted and terrified me.

“I just… I don’t want to be a burden,” I whispered, my throat tightening.

“You’re not,” he said instantly, his fingers brushing along my cheek as he tilted my face up to meet his gaze. “You are never a burden. You’re everything to me. If taking care of you means I miss class, then so be it. Nothing’s more important than you.”

I didn’t have the strength to argue anymore—not with my body still weak, and not with the look in his eyes that told me he wouldn’t budge no matter how many times I said I was fine. And…I wouldn’t dare admit it out loud, but it felt kind of nice to lean on him from time to time.

“Okay,” I whispered.

He nodded, already reaching for his jacket to drape it around my shoulders. “Come on, let’s get you home.”

The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the sidewalk as Caleb helped me into the seat of his car and fastened my seatbelt, before he rounded the car and got into the driver’s seat, before turning to gaze at me to see if I was comfortable. I couldn’t help it—there was something about Caleb that made my insides feel like warm honey. He had just finished adjusting the side mirrors on his car, his hair fell slightly over his eyes as he turned to look at me, the corner of his lips tilting into that lopsided smirk I loved way more than I should. My chest swelled with happiness.

Goddess, I was a goner. Not that I didn’t know that already…

“I still don’t get why that’s impressive,” Caroline muttered from the backseat, her voice sharp and laced with mockery. She made an exaggerated gagging noise as she pretended to retch. “He adjusted your seatbelt, Aurora. He didn’t cure cancer. You’re so amateur, it hurts.”

I turned slowly toward her, blinking out of my Caleb-induced haze. “Caroline…” I began, but she raised a finger and wagged it at me.

“Nope. Don’t even try defending this. You looked at him like he hung the damn Moon. You’re embarrassing us all.”

Caleb scoffed turned to face her, his eyes narrowing at her as if he was going to war. “Not all mates are such high maintenance, Caroline,” he bit out, giving her a pointed look. “Some of us actually enjoy the little things, you know—like a peaceful afternoon without your constant sarcasm poisoning the air.”

Caroline clutched her chest like she’d been shot. “Oh, I’m so sorry, did I hit a nerve? Poor baby. Should I fetch a violin while I’m at it?”

“All right, that’s enough,” I cut in quickly, stepping between them before one of them decided to start throwing punches or—worse—turn into their wolf forms right here in the school parking lot. I placed my hand on Caleb’s chest and looked up at him, forcing a smile. “I will gladly let you drive me home, handsome.” Then I glanced over my shoulder at Caroline, who was already crossing her arms and rolling her eyes. “But only if Caroline gets to bunk the rest of the day and go frolic around with Damien. Deal?”

Caleb paused, visibly calculating. “Fine,” he muttered, still glaring at her. “But she’s your responsibility if she gets caught.”

Caroline’s eyes lit up instantly. “Worth it. Damien and I have plans.”

“You just don’t want to be third wheeling in the back seat while we make goo-goo eyes at each other,” I teased her as I slid into the passenger seat.

“Damn right I don’t. Watching you two gives me cavities,” she snorted and hopped into her car with a dramatic flourish.

Caleb chuckled under his breath as he started the engine. “Don’t let her get to you,” he murmured, one hand reaching over to brush against mine. “She’ll come around. Eventually.”

I nodded, heart fluttering again like it was the first time he’d touched me. I couldn’t help glancing at him from the corner of my eye, feeling the warmth in my chest spread further. “You know,” I whispered, “you really didn’t have to defend me.”

He looked over briefly, eyes soft. “I wasn’t defending you. I was stating facts.”

Of course he was. Caleb didn’t need to try to be charming. It just happened naturally, like the sun rising or my pulse skipping every time he smiled.

Behind us, Caroline revved her engine obnoxiously loud before speeding past us and shouting out the window, “Get a room, lovebirds!”

“Are we even surprised?” I said with a laugh, leaning back into my seat.

“Nope,” Caleb replied, grinning wide as he pulled out of the parking lot. “But at least she’s not gagging anymore.”

“For now,” I muttered, but even I couldn’t stop the smile tugging at my lips. Because in that moment, even with all the chaos that usually followed us, everything felt perfect.