Claimed by My Bully Alpha Chapter 465

Aurora’s P.O.V

The next few days were a whirlwind of events, from college applications to making sure that the rest of us didn’t separate. Everything seemed to be tense recently, especially after the announcements from Caroline and Jade, but I think, Caleb wasn’t angry at them anymore.

Finally, after days of hard  work and sending out applications, Caleb and I found some quiet time for ourselves and we couldn’t help but sneak out of the packhouse, so we could spend some quiet time together.

“Phew!” Caleb sighed as we headed to the beach, our fingers intertwined and him swaying our hands lights as we walked through the thick foliage. “It’s been a rough few days.”

I nodded, my smile faltering for a minute as I thought about all the applications that Caleb had rejected…all because of me.

He thought that I hadn't seen them, that he had managed to hide them efficiently. But he hadn't. And even though we had both now perfected the art of hiding things from each other through the mating bond, there were still a few glimpses that managed to slip between the cracks.

The sun casted a warm and golden glow over the landscape as stood silently on the sandy beach, with the shimmering sea to our side. I couldn't take my eyes off the breathtaking view, and the sight of the vast ocean was both calming and invigorating. But I knew that it was a conversation that I needed to have with Caleb no matter what.

Out of everything, I couldn’t let him destroy his future all because of me.

The ocean waves provided a soothing backdrop to our conversation, and for that moment, it was just us, the gentle sea breeze, and the promise of a beautiful evening ahead.

“You’re awfully quiet.” Caleb mused, his eyes tainted at me as we reached the white sands of the beach. “Is there something on your mind?”

“A lot, actually.” I sighed, looking up at him as we came to a stand. “Caleb…I know about the university applications that you keep rejecting.”

He stilled, his eyes widening ever so slightly as he looked at me in surprise. He hadn’t wanted me to find out, but I knew this had to be said.

“Caleb…if you find an opportunity elsewhere, somewhere that can really help you in your future career…please don’t hold back because of me.” I told him, a heavy weight settling on to my heart. “I know you love me, and I love you too, Caleb, but I don’t want to hold you back from a bright future.”

Caleb looked at me in silence for a few moments, the wind blowing back our hair from our face. And finally, he cracked a small smile that made all my worries melt away.

Reaching out, he took my hand, giving it a light squeeze. “Aura…is this what you’ve been worried about all this time?”

“Of course!” I protested. “Caleb, college is an important deal! Everyone is moving away, some to different states and some to another city, but life doesn’t stay still for anyone, I understand that now.”

“Aura,  baby, I know college is a big deal, but I’m not supposed to become some billionaire CEO, nor do I want to become some huge scientist.” He chuckled lightly, shaking his head. “My future is the future of the pack, and what I want to study is ultimately going to be for the benefit of the pack itself. So football scholarships aren’t exactly what I’m looking for, and that’s exactly what you saw me rejecting. I want to study Marine Biology, to help the pack do better in business later on. I mean, the lobster farming in Maine is really taking off, so that’s what I want to focus on. Do you understand now?”

I stare at his face, trying to process the truth. It feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders and I can breathe once again.

“So…you didn’t reject any universities that were offering you valuable scholarships?” I asked again, just to be sure.

“Of course not.” He smiled, making my heart swell with happiness. “But…when I do get into college, I want you to be right there beside me. No matter what course you take, I want us in the same university together.”

I smiled gently, the cool evening wind ruffling through my skirt. “Actually, I want to study Business.” I told him. “Since I’m now part owner of Jeremy’s Diner, I want to help him expand the business and even open branches in different states.”

“Look at you,” Caleb said with a teasing tone. “Already talking like a true businesswoman.”

But I shook my head, looking down at our joint hands. “I wouldn’t be who I am today if you hadn't found me, Caleb. All that I am…it’s because of you.”

“No.” Caleb shook his head, his arm coming around to wrap me in his embrace. “Never think that way. You are who you are today, all because of you. You have this inner strength Aurora, this power that has always burned silently within you. All I did was help you uncover that power. You shine brightly on your own.”

“I may have had this power forever, but you’re the spark that ignited the flames.” I told him truthfully. “And I love you, from the bottom of my heart, from the very depths of my soul. Thank you, Caleb…for making me whole…for making me see my potential.”

“Likewise.” Caleb said, and then, he was leaning in to brush his lips against mine, a slow and tender kiss that soon turned into an unbearable flame.

My soft gasp was the only sound between us as Caleb deepened the kiss, my hands tangling in his hair, pulling us closer, closer, as if he might slip away if I didn’t hold on tight enough. The connection between us was electric, a live wire that sent shockwaves through my entire body. And I wondered if I would always feel this connection between us, even when we were eighty and in wheelchairs.

It was more than physical; it was a soul-deep recognition, a coming home, a belonging. And I never wanted this feeling to end.

“Promise me this is forever.” I pulled back to look into his eyes, the blue depths holding a kind of sincerity that almost unraveled me.

“Forever.” Caleb said, pulling me back in for a kiss. “I promise.”