When the Moon No Longer Answers the Wolf Chapter 5

After Seraphina left, Aurora sat alone in silence for a long time.

Her room was nearly empty now. If Kaelen had so much as peeked inside, he would have seen how bare it was and realized she was planning to leave.

Thank goodness he and Seraphina had gone traveling.

It gave her the chance to disappear without a sound.

But the thought of their travels brought back memories of when Kaelen used to take her on adventures.

A thought stirred within her. In four days, when she began the Moon Goddess Ritual, all her cherished memories would no longer evoke any emotion.

She wanted to see them one last time.

Aurora closed her bedroom door and left Blackwood Manor.

Three days left. Aurora went to Starlight Falls.

Four hundred years ago, Kaelen had summoned a meteor shower for her here, promising that all her wishes would come true.

But he had become her one wish that could never be fulfilled.

The scenery hadn't changed, but it was no longer as beautiful as it was in her memory.

Two days left. Aurora visited Blackrock Mountain and the Valley of a Thousand Flowers.

On Blackrock Mountain, Kaelen had taught her how to fight.

In the Valley of a Thousand Flowers, he had made every flower bloom just for her.

He had said, "I will make Aurora the happiest person in the world."

He had said, "Do whatever you want, Aurora. I will always be behind you, your strongest support."

Aurora raised her hand and cast a spell, making the flowers bloom once more.

But they were not the same flowers from long ago.

She stood silently among them and sighed deeply.

Even this last memory was gone.

She should have let go long ago.

She should have woken up sooner.

Her useless persistence had been a waste of effort.

Aurora wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, left the valley, and walked through the dark night.

When she returned to the manor, Kaelen and Seraphina were also back.

They had brought many things with them. As soon as they entered, Seraphina called out to Aurora.

"Aurora, I brought you many gifts from the human world."

Necklaces, earrings, even several sets of clothes.

Aurora stared at them, stunned, then shook her head. "Thank you, but I don't need them."

She was leaving. She wouldn't even take the things Kaelen had given her, let alone gifts from Seraphina.

But Seraphina acted as if she hadn't heard, holding up a red dress threaded with gold silk against Aurora. "Aurora is of the Silvermoon pack. This vibrant red will look stunning on her."

The red fabric was like a splash of blood in Aurora’s eyes, instantly reminding her of her parents and pack members lying bloody in the snow.

"I won't wear it." A wave of revulsion washed over her, and she instinctively pushed the dress away.

Seeing this, Kaelen’s expression instantly turned to ice. "No manners! How dare you refuse a gift from Seraphina?"

His cold words pierced her heart like a blade, making her breath catch.

"I'm sorry… I really don't need it."

With that, she turned and fled.

But before she could take two steps, Kaelen was behind her.

He frowned. "You still don't like Seraphina, do you? I hope you understand that we will be family soon."

His words didn't register at first.

Then, a flash of red caught her eye on Kaelen's hand. She looked down and saw a red cord tied around his right ring finger.

In many ancient packs, mates who were about to be bound would wear such bonding cords.

Aurora’s heart stopped. She had guessed Kaelen would marry Seraphina; she had never seen him treat a woman so well.

But she never thought it would be so soon.

"Congratulations… Kaelen."

Kaelen grunted and pushed the red dress into her hands. "Wear this on the day of my union ceremony with Seraphina."

He didn't give her a chance to refuse before turning and walking away.

A bitter taste filled Aurora’s mouth.

Kaelen used to respect her wishes so much. He would never have forced her to do something she didn't want to.

She barely recognized him anymore.

Kaelen rejoined Seraphina, their intimate conversation faintly reaching Aurora.

"Kaelen, why are you so harsh with Aurora? You raised her. Don't you like her?"

Kaelen’s voice carried clearly to Aurora’s ears.

"Yes."

That single word hit her like a physical blow.

Aurora clutched the red dress, pressing a hand to her heart, her eyes vacant as she whispered to herself, "Don't worry, Kaelen. The burden you dislike so much will be gone by tomorrow."