Claimed by My Bully Alpha Chapter 373

Aurora’s P.O.V

I woke up with a gasp that ripped through my throat like I’d been drowning in my sleep. My heart was slamming against my ribcage, every beat loud and frantic, like a warning bell. My lungs struggled to catch up, desperate for air, but the more I breathed, the more the terror sunk its claws into my chest. Sweat clung to my skin, cold and sticky, as I shot upright on the couch. The dim lighting of the room only amplified the shadows dancing on the walls, mocking me, whispering lies—or were they truths?

I blinked hard, trying to steady myself, the nightmare still clinging to the edges of my mind like cobwebs I couldn’t shake off. Everyone was asleep. I could hear the soft, even breathing of the others—so peaceful, so unaware. My eyes darted around the room, my pulse still racing.

Caleb was sleeping while leaning his back against the couch; Caroline was on another couch, with Mia practically dangling off the armrest. Shane had left earlier and he was still missing, while Jade was sprawled on the floor, his breathing even.

Nothing had changed, but everything felt different. Off. Wrong.

A sick feeling settled in the pit of my stomach as my gaze instinctively searched for them—Ashton and Maggie. My throat tightened. I didn’t even know why my mind fixated on them in particular, but I needed to see their faces, to know they were still here, that they were safe. But… they weren’t. Their spots were empty. The couch where Maggie had curled up with that ridiculous oversized blanket was now just a mess of fabric and absence. Ashton’s usual place near the far window? Vacant.

“No, no, no,” I muttered under my breath, my voice hoarse, my hands beginning to tremble.

Something was wrong. I could feel it. It wasn’t just a nightmare—this horrible weight pressing on my chest wasn’t imaginary. My instincts screamed at me, louder than any rational thought, louder than the stillness of the night.

I staggered to my feet, nearly tripping on the edge of the rug. The floor swayed beneath me and I had to grip the side of the couch to steady myself. The alcohol still fogged my senses—stupid, stupid mistake. What had I even been drinking for? A celebration of finally being out of high school? A break from the chaos? Now I was paying for it, dragging myself through this haze when I needed clarity the most.

It was still difficult to tell if I was dreaming or if this was reality, because it all seemed eerily similar…as if I was stuck in a loop, bound to experience the same horrors over and over again.

Wobbling, I moved toward the hallway, my bare feet cold against the wooden floor. Each step felt like a battle against gravity. My body was heavy, but my mind was racing. The hallway seemed to stretch endlessly, like it was mocking me too, but I knew it was an illusion from my drunken mind. I reached out and pressed a hand to the wall, fingers splayed as if I could absorb stability from it.

“Ashton?” I whispered, my voice cracking. “Maggie?”

No answer.

I stumbled again, the hallway spinning. My heart pounded like it was about to give out, but I had to keep going. I had to find them. Because the silence around me wasn’t comforting anymore—it was suffocating.

The nightmare still clung to the edges of my mind, its shadows trailing behind me like a second skin, but I shook it off as best I could and stepped out into the hallway. My bare feet met the cold tiles, grounding me, anchoring me to the present. This wasn't a dream. This wasn't some cruel hallucination stitched together from my worst fears. Thankfully, the hallways weren’t empty like they had been in my sleep. Guards were still posted along each floor, their eyes sharp and shoulders stiff with purpose. It was a small relief, but a powerful one. I wasn’t alone.

I spotted the nearest guard, a stocky man with silver-streaked hair and tired eyes, and hurried toward him. “Did you see Ashton? Or Maggie?” My voice was slightly breathless, like my body hadn’t caught up with my urgency yet.

The man straightened, his brows furrowing as he gave it a moment's thought. “Ashton was helping Maggie down the stairs, just about five minutes ago,” he said with a tilt of his head. “They went back to their condo, and it looked like she was feeling a little faint. I can fetch them for you if you want, Aurora.”

I paused for half a second, touched by his willingness, but I shook my head quickly. “No, no—it’s fine. I’ll get them myself.” My hands tightened around the sleeves of my cardigan as I nodded once, more to myself than to him, and turned on my heel.

I didn’t wait for him to respond. I just needed to see them with my own eyes.