When the Moon No Longer Answers the Wolf Chapter 8

What was happening?

Kaelen ignored his own damaged essence and desperately chased after Aurora's.

He had just left the manor when he ran into Seraphina returning from outside. "Kaelen, my father has already arrived at the Council to discuss our wedding."

Kaelen sidestepped Seraphina's arm, his face devoid of its usual tenderness, his icy eyes filled with scorn and impatience.

"Wedding? What wedding?"

"Our union is nothing but a convenience. You escape an arranged marriage with the Serpentvine pack, and I use you as a cover. That's all."

"Be careful not to get too greedy, or it will backfire on you."

They had made a pact. Once Seraphina was free from her arranged marriage, and once he had completely severed Aurora's feelings for him, their engagement would be nullified. They would go their separate ways, interfering no more.

Kaelen shoved Seraphina away, throwing her into the distance with a flick of his power.

"You've crossed a line, Seraphina."

This brief interruption had cost him precious time. Aurora's essence had completely dissipated. Kaelen extended his senses but couldn't trace her aura anymore. He had no choice but to return to the manor, a growing unease settling in his heart as he waited for her to come back and explain.

He went to Aurora's courtyard and his eyes fell on the Moonglow Tree. He called over a nearby servant.

"Why have all the Moonglow flowers withered? The tree looks lifeless."

"My Lord Alpha, the flowers withered several days ago. Since then, the leaves have been turning yellow. No matter how much we cast spells or water it with the Spring of Life, nothing helps."

Kaelen swallowed the strange feeling in his chest and placed a hand on the tree. What he sensed made his body jolt.

Someone had severed the Moonglow Tree's life force! And the lingering energy and technique proved it was Aurora's doing.

Why would she do this? Didn't she love the Moonglow flowers? Didn't she always treasure this tree he had planted for her?

The feeling of panic in Kaelen's heart grew stronger.

He walked straight to Aurora's room and pushed open the door—

Kaelen's eyes narrowed. Why was the room so empty?

All the little things Aurora loved were gone. The room he had meticulously designed for her looked as if no one had ever lived in it, its emptiness chilling.

The trinkets on the shelves were gone. Those were the things Aurora had collected one by one during their travels, most of which he had bought for her. They weren't priceless treasures, just cheap little things.

But Aurora had cherished them, casting spells on each one to ensure they would never decay or get dirty.

And the rare materials he had gathered for her, the moonstone by her bed to help her sleep, the glowing sea pearls embedded in the canopy for her to read by, the dragon bone flute on the table…

They were all gone.

Kaelen walked in. As he passed the table, he noticed a faint glow. His heart eased, and an unconscious smile touched his lips.

What little game was Aurora playing now?

But when he saw the words written on the table, his heart, which had just settled, leaped into his throat.

What did she mean by 'never cross paths again'? What did she mean by 'forget me, I will not return'?

The rollercoaster of emotions subsided, and Kaelen's worry was replaced by a rising tide of anger.

Did Aurora think these tricks would make him yield? Delusional!

He would wait right here. He would see just how long Aurora could stand to stay away.

After waiting in Aurora's room for five days, Kaelen looked out the window at the Moonglow Tree, now nothing but bare branches. He couldn't sit still any longer.

He admitted it. Aurora had won. He could never let go of his worry for her.

Kaelen stood up, preparing to search for her, when a servant rushed in.

"Alpha, the High Alpha summons you."