Claimed by My Bully Alpha Chapter 341

Aurora’s P.O.V

The morning sunlight was warm against my skin as I laced Riley’s little sneakers, his excitement bubbling over like a soda can shaken too hard. He could barely stay still, his little hands fidgeting at the hem of his shirt, eyes bright as he whispered again, “Are we really going to see the turtle today, Aurora? For real this time?”

I smiled and pressed a kiss to his forehead, standing up and brushing off my jeans. “For real this time, baby. Ashton and Maggie’s place. You’re okay to go there, right?”

He nodded furiously, already half-skipping toward the door before I even had the chance to grab my keys. “Avery was telling me all about it. I can’t wait to see Nova.”

I chuckled, locking the door behind us and grabbing his hand as we made our way down the sidewalk. He was practically pulling me along, too excited to take in the details around him. I, on the other hand, was suddenly very aware of every step, of every breath. There was a quiet anxiety in my chest, like something was coiled too tight inside of me. I wasn’t sure why until I realized we were only five minutes away from Ashton’s place.

Ashton.

I hadn’t seen him since… well, since the revival spell. Since the conversation felt more like a reckoning, that left both of us silent and raw.

By the time we reached the condo, Riley had let go of my hand and was hopping up each step like it was a game. I rang the bell, heart beating a little too fast, and Maggie opened the door, all warmth and bright eyes as always.

“Aurora!” she beamed, stepping aside so we could enter. “And little man, hi!”

Riley grinned, clinging shyly to my leg for just a second before blurting out, “I came to see the turtle! Is it big now?”

“It’s huge!” she teased, kneeling down to ruffle his hair. “Come on in. Avery’s already feeding him. You’re just in time.”

I gave her a grateful smile and stepped inside, the familiar scent of lavender and lemon cleaner filling the space. It was lived-in, cozy—like a space that had seen joy and quiet mornings, and late-night conversations. Homey and welcoming and that made my heart ease that they were liking this place, getting used to it slowly but surely.

Riley bolted down the hallway the second he heard Avery’s voice, shouting about “treats for Nova!” and I watched him disappear around the corner, a little ball of energy and joy.

That’s when I turned to Maggie. “Hey… is Ashton around?” I asked as casually as I could manage, folding my arms over my chest to still my suddenly jittery fingers.

She shook her head, brushing her hair back from her face as she closed the door behind us. “No, he had to run to his professor’s house. Apparently he’s submitting some assignments in person. Super last minute.”

And I shouldn’t have felt it. That wave of relief.

But I did.

It washed over me like a guilty secret, like breathing for the first time in hours. Because I hadn’t been ready to see him again, not yet. Not while I was still untangling the mess of my own heart. But the guilt came next—sinking low in my stomach, thick and heavy.

After all, Ashton was my half-brother…what he had done, by helping the turtle, it didn’t make him a bad person…no matter how uncomfortable that made me feel.

Maggie’s gaze was kind though, knowing. Too knowing, maybe. “You okay?” she asked softly, like she already knew I wasn’t.

“I’m fine,” I lied, offering her a weak smile. “I just wanted Riley to have a good time.”

She didn’t push, and I was grateful for that. Some things weren’t meant to be unpacked in other people’s living rooms.

We followed the sounds of laughter into the living room, where Riley was already on the floor beside Avery, giggling as the turtle—Nova—moved slowly but determinedly toward a slice of strawberry. The tank was huge now, upgraded, sparkling clean, with little plants and tiny bridges and a filter that made the water bubble softly. It looked like a paradise, really. A little turtle kingdom.

“Look!” Riley turned to me, eyes wide with wonder. “He’s so fast now! He was walking slow on that rock, but now he’s so fast!”

I laughed, crouching beside him. “That’s turtle speed, baby. Lightning to them.”

He turned back to Nova and held out another treat with gentle hands, and for a moment, everything felt still. Peaceful.

Watching him, I felt something loose inside of me. Maybe I didn’t have all the answers yet, and maybe the mess between Ashton and me would take a long time to clean up… if it ever could be. But at least Riley was happy. At least this moment—this small, perfect moment—was his. Untouched by the drama of grown-ups, of broken things and aching hearts.

And for now, that was enough.

I leaned back against the couch, the wind teasing the strands of my hair loose from the braid I’d tied hastily that morning. Maggie had offered us all snacks and drinks while Riley and Avery were still busy fussing over Nova. Maggie was sitting on the ground nearby, her posture stiff, her gaze unfocused as she absentmindedly twisted a bracelet around her wrist—again and again.

At first, I thought nothing of it. Just Maggie being Maggie. She’s always been fidgety when something’s on her mind, but this… this was different. It was like her body was there with me, but her soul was tethered somewhere else. My eyes drifted to the bracelet, the delicate silver chain glinting in the florescent light, and I smiled faintly. “Did Ashton get you that?” I asked casually, hoping to make some small talk to get Maggie’s attention back to this moment.

But as I took a step closer, my breath caught. That bracelet—God, that bracelet—I knew it. Not because Maggie had worn it before. No. I’d seen it.

On someone else.

I blinked hard, my heart skipping a beat. Jade. The memory hit me like a slap. I’d seen it on Jade’s wrist during those quiet evenings at the cafeteria, when he’d take it off and run his fingers along the tiny charms like they meant something.

But now…the bracelet was on Maggie’s wrist…