Claimed by My Bully Alpha Chapter 468

Aurora’s P.O.V

(Five years Later)

I ran across the street like my life depended on it, clutching two heavy grocery bags against my chest while horns blared around me. “Come on, come on,” I muttered under my breath as if the traffic would magically part.

By the time I finally pushed through the glass doors of Jeremy’s diner, breathless and sweating, I was already rehearsing the apology in my head, sorry for being late, sorry for the shortage, sorry for whatever disaster I’m about to walk into. But instead of chaos, I was met with the smell of fresh food already cooking, waiters moving around smoothly, music humming low in the background, and customers looking perfectly content. My jaw actually dropped a little as I stood there, bags digging into my arms.

“Uh…Cole?” I blurted out the moment I spotted him balancing a tray of drinks with one hand like it was second nature.

“What the hell is going on? I thought you guys were short on groceries. Jeremy literally called me, and said it was a crisis.”

Cole glanced over his shoulder at me, raising a brow before smirking. “Aurora, relax. No crisis. You look like you ran a marathon.”

“I practically did!” I snapped, stepping closer and shoving one of the bags toward him. “I nearly got killed crossing three blocks of traffic with these stupid groceries, and now you’re telling me everything’s fine?”

Cole shrugged, setting the tray down on a nearby table before taking the bag from me.

“Everything’s more than fine. If you don’t believe me, go check the back deck. That’s where all the action is right now.”

I frowned, squinting at him suspiciously. “The back deck? What action? Don’t tell me Jeremy decided to set up an outdoor buffet when we’re already drowning in work.”

Cole leaned in a little, lowering his voice like he was sharing some big secret. “Just go. You’ll see for yourself.”

My heart skipped. “Cole, if this is one of those stupid pranks again…”

He held up his free hand, grinning. “Scout’s honor. No prank this time. Just go.”

I glared at him a second longer, but something in his expression—some mix of amusement and knowing, made my pulse quicken with curiosity. Straightening my shirt, I muttered, “Fine. But if I find out you guys just made me sprint through traffic for nothing, I swear, Cole…”

“You’ll thank me later,” he interrupted, already turning back to another table like our conversation was over.

Rolling my eyes, I started weaving my way toward the kitchen, pushing through the swinging doors and heading straight for the back. The noise of the diner slowly faded behind me, replaced by the faint sound of water trickling, birds chirping, and, was that laughter? My steps slowed as I approached the glass doors that opened onto the deck. I hesitated, biting my lip, then I pushed the swinging door open and stepped out toward the pond, the soft evening air brushing against my skin.

The pond was the restaurant’s pride, its crown jewel, with fairy lights strung across the deck and the soft rippling sound of water that always soothed the customers. But tonight, instead of the usual crowd sipping wine or leaning over tables, laughing, I froze mid-step because what I saw nearly knocked the air right out of me.

“Wait… what?” I breathed, my eyes darting from one familiar face to another. Shane and his mate, Matthew, were standing near the railing, whispering to each other but quickly straightening up when they saw me.

“Aurora!” Mia waved excitedly, clutching her mate Jacob’s hand, her grin so wide it looked like her face would split in two. Beside them stood Riley, rocking on his heels with his usual smirk, and then, my jaw almost hit the floor…Mia’s sister Millie stood in a pretty dress beside him. “Millie? You too?” I stammered, blinking at her as she shyly tucked her hair behind her ear.

Before I could gather my thoughts, my eyes traveled further, and I nearly choked on my own gasp. Caroline and Damien, of all people, stood side by side with the biggest grins I had ever seen them wear.

“No way,” I muttered, shaking my head as if I was hallucinating. “Caroline? Damien? What, what are you guys even doing here?”

Caroline laughed softly, her hand brushing Damien’s arm. “Oh, don’t act like you’re not happy to see us, Aurora,” she teased, her eyes twinkling in the glow of the fairy lights.

And then there was Jade. Jade, who had been absent for the last few years, now stood there with an arm draped casually around a petite woman I didn’t recognize. He caught my gaze and grinned slyly. “Yeah, don’t look so shocked, Aurora. You’re not the only one with surprises up their sleeve.” The petite woman beside him gave me a warm smile, and I nodded dumbly, still trying to process everything. My heart was racing so fast it felt like it might burst out of my chest, and then, oh, spirits…my eyes locked on the last person I’d expected to see here. Avery.

“Avery?” I whispered, my throat tight. She gave me a half-smile, folding her arms across her chest as she laughed. “Don’t worry, I didn’t crash the party. I was invited.”

That was when the fairy lights suddenly flickered, then glowed brighter, surrounding the deck in a warm, golden halo. I turned my head sharply, my breath catching because I already knew, before he even appeared…what this was. Caleb stepped out from the shadows, holding the largest bouquet of flowers I had ever seen. Roses, lilies, wildflowers…I couldn’t even tell because my eyes were already filled with tears.

“Caleb,” I whispered, my voice breaking as he walked toward me, his eyes locked on mine like no one else in the world existed.

He stopped right in front of me, his smile so tender it made my knees weak. “Aurora,” he said softly, his voice carrying over the quiet hush that had fallen among everyone.

“You’ve been my everything from the moment we met. You’ve challenged me, driven me crazy, made me laugh when I wanted to scream, and stood by me even when I didn’t deserve it.” He took a deep breath, lowering the bouquet and holding my trembling hands. “And I know I’m not perfect, but I promise I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to be the man you deserve.”

I covered my mouth with my free hand as tears blurred my vision. “Oh my god, Caleb…”

He smiled wider, his dimples flashing as he slowly went down on one knee, pulling a small velvet box from his pocket. Gasps and squeals erupted from behind us, Mia literally whisper-yelling to Millie, “It’s happening, oh my god, it’s happening!” while Jacob hushed her, though he was grinning ear to ear himself.

Caleb’s voice trembled just slightly as he opened the box to reveal the most beautiful ring I had ever seen. “Aurora,” he said, his eyes never leaving mine, “will you marry me?”

I was already nodding before the words even left my lips, my tears spilling freely as I let out a shaky laugh.

“Yes…yes, Caleb, of course I will!”

The cheer that erupted from our friends and packmates nearly shook the deck, everyone clapping and shouting, and Shane actually let out a whistle that made Matthew elbow him with a grin. Caleb slipped the ring gently onto my finger, his hands steady despite the tears shining in his own eyes, and then he stood, cupping my face in both hands before pulling me into a kiss that was soft, deep, and full of every promise he had just made.

The world around us blurred into nothing, the cheers, the fairy lights, the pond, even the stars above. All I could feel was him, all I could hear was the pounding of his heart against mine, and all I could think was that somehow, in all the chaos of my life, I had found my forever.