Claimed by My Bully Alpha Chapter 369

Aurora’s P.O.V

I didn’t think I’d be this giddy walking back into the packhouse after a long day at Jeremy’s Diner, but as the last rays of sunlight dipped beneath the horizon, the air was charged with something different. Graduation. Freedom. That electric sense that something had ended and something else was about to begin.

The packhouse was already buzzing when I walked in. I could hear Jade’s voice from the hallway, probably shouting instructions to the decoration crew, and the sound of music thumping softly behind closed doors. My stomach flipped a little from the excitement. I wasn’t alone—I had Caroline practically bouncing beside me, her long curls bouncing wildly as she grinned from ear to ear.

“Oh my god, we’re actually doing this,” she squealed. “It’s real! We’ve graduated!”

“I know,” I laughed, my voice catching a bit in my throat. “Feels like we were just yesterday we were getting detention for bunking class despite staying away for so long. I never thought I’d graduate this year!”

Caroline snorted. “Because we were just getting detention. Don’t act like that was years ago.”

The moment we entered the main room, everything hit me at once—the flashing fairy lights strung across the ceiling, the tables full of food, the speakers blasting music that Jade must’ve picked, and Shane trying to pop open a bottle of something clearly alcoholic with a butter knife.

Mia spun toward us in a tight dress that shimmered under the lights. “Aurora!” she screamed, rushing over and handing me a glass of…questionable liquid. “You’re here! Now it’s officially a party.”

“I’d never miss it,” I murmured, pulling her close. “Tonight, we celebrate everything.”

It also felt like just yesterday when Mia hated my guts for sending Shane away. But now, it truly felt like a new beginning for all of us…a beginning that all of us deserved.

However, amid the party snacks and the decorations, I could see a good few bottles of champagne and other alcoholic drinks, which would’ve been frowned upon at any other occasion.

But for once, Luna Maya let us. She stepped into the room with that calm authority she always carried, her dark eyes scanning each of us with a fondness that made my heart warm. We all quieted instinctively. I wasn’t sure if it was respect or fear. Probably both.

“Alright, you little delinquents,” she said, smirking, arms crossed. “I know what day it is. And I know what you all want to do.”

There were a few scattered giggles, and someone—I think it was Shane—actually whispered “booze” under his breath.

She raised a brow, clearly hearing him, and then—God help me—she smiled.

“I’m not going to pretend I didn’t graduate once too. And I know none of you are going to listen to me if I say no. So this time…” she paused for dramatic effect. “You’re allowed. Just tonight. Just for graduation. I’ll handle the kids. Riley and Millie will be in bed by the time this gets out of hand.”

There was a beat of stunned silence before the entire room erupted. Caleb practically launched his hat into the air. Jade jumped on Shane’s back, screaming. Mia was hugging Luna Maya so tightly, I thought she might lift her off the ground.

“Wait, you’re serious?” Caleb asked his mother, wide-eyed. “We can actually drink the good stuff? No grounding tomorrow?”

Luna Maya shrugged, a small smirk playing on her lips. “Enjoy it. Don’t make me regret it.”

And with that, she left us to it.

That was the moment the party truly began.

Shane finally managed to get that bottle open, spraying champagne across the room and onto poor Jade’s shirt, though he just laughed and shoved him back, stealing the bottle. I poured myself something neon and terrifying from a bowl I was pretty sure Mia had made with way too much alcohol and not enough juice. Caroline found a speaker and made sure we were all dancing like lunatics within the hour.

It wasn’t long before Ashton and Maggie even Avery joined us, but Avery had promised not to touch any of the drinks, even though I wasn’t counting on it.

“I’ll keep an eye on her.” Ashton promised, laughing. “And I’ll send her home early so she doesn’t get in trouble.”

“Thank you,” I managed with a smile, before the song changed into something funky, drowning out everything else.