151: Lovely Aurora
Chapter 151: Lovely Aurora
(Matthew’s POV)
Everything around was chaotic as Leo Redgrave was rushed into the emergency room. The harsh fluorescent lights cast stark shadows across the sterile hallway.
Outside, the atmosphere was frozen solid. Olivia sat on a cold metal chair, her body trembling slightly in my embrace.
My white shirt was stained with Leo’s blood, a startling crimson against the fabric. The metallic scent clung to me like a reminder of the night’s horror.
Across from us sat Theodore, his dark eyes fixed on the hand I had placed lightly on Olivia’s waist. His stare burned with
possessive fury.
Killian and Gina had also arrived, their faces etched with concern. Cain had stayed home to look after Elara.
Seeing Olivia’s somber face, I leaned in and whispered, “He wasn’t hit by the car, but was scared and fell to the ground, hitting his head on the surface.”
I recalled how blood had gushed from Leo’s head as I carried him to the car. The boy had desperately held Olivia’s hand, pleading through his tears.
“Mom, don’t leave me and Dad. Mom, I know I was wrong.”
Olivia had choked out, “I can just stay here.” Her voice cracked with guilt and pain.
She turned to me, her eyes pleading. “It’s late, you should go
back.”
My gaze darkened slightly. She wanted me to leave? Now?
“I’ll stay with you,” I insisted, tightening my hold on her.
But she pleaded, “I’m worried Aurora will be scared if she arrives and doesn’t see you and me. You go back, okay?”
Her concern for our daughter tugged at something deep in my chest. Reluctantly, I removed my hand from her waist.
After a final glance at Theodore and Killian, I walked out of the waiting area.
Tristan was waiting anxiously by the entrance. “King, Aurora has arrived,” he reported.
“Your parents have been looking for you and Luna Olivia.” His voice carried a note of urgency.
I instructed him to leave two warriors at the infirmary. Olivia’s safety was paramount, even with Theodore there.
The Beta tried to reassure me as we drove. “Don’t worry, King. Luna Olivia is a reasonable she–wolf.”
“This was an accident, and it wasn’t our driver who hurt him. If anyone’s to blame, it’s the child’s father for not teaching
him not to run into the road.”
He added that a top healer was performing the treatment. A specialized healer was on standby to prevent scarring.
But my mind was elsewhere, consumed by Olivia’s pained expression. “The sanctuary files?” I asked, frowning at the uncharacteristic delay.
The Beta sighed heavily. “King, Luna Olivia said it’s no longer necessary. I feel…”
After a long pause, I prompted, “Just say it.”
The Beta revealed the painful truth. “After Luna Olivia disappeared, Theodore threw Leo into Lyra’s Hope Sanctuary.”
My hands clenched into fists. “He what?”
“He forbade anyone, even his grandmother Eleonora, from taking him. Leo was bullied relentlessly by the older pups
there.”
The Beta’s voice grew heavy. “That’s where his injuries came from.”
I asked through gritted teeth, “He didn’t fight back?”
“No, and he didn’t tell anyone. A caregiver eventually found out.”
The Beta voiced his deep concern. “Leo’s personality is just like Theodore’s. He’d do anything to keep Luna Olivia.”
“King, let’s return to the European Territory after the mating ceremony to keep Luna Olivia away from them.”
I remained silent, the image of Olivia’s pained whisper replaying in my mind. “Mom is here.”
The weight of her maternal guilt pressed against my chest like a physical force.
It was 8 PM when I returned to the Kane Estate. The familiar scent of home should have been comforting, but my
thoughts remained with Olivia.
Sweet, childish babbling greeted me as I entered. Aurora’s voice was like music after the night’s chaos.
Fortunately, I had already done a scent camouflage for Aurora beforehand. I let out a sigh of relief.
My parents, Barrett and Victoria, were utterly captivated by the little pup. Their faces glowed with grandparental joy.
“She’s so much like her mother,” Victoria cooed, holding Aurora lovingly against her chest.
Barrett was trying to give her a small piece of honeyed venison. I quickly intercepted it.
“You can’t eat this,” I said gently, setting the rich meat aside.
As my father started to protest, Aurora crawled off Victoria’s lap. She tugged on Barrett’s hand with tiny fingers.
“Grandpa,” she babbled seriously, pointing to her head, eyes, and mouth. She made soft whimpering sounds that seemed
to indicate the food was too rich for her.
Her adorable reasoning melted my heart completely. This little one was already showing her intelligence.
Aurora was then swept into my arms. She snuggled against me, her warmth seeping through my bloodstained shirt.
She nuzzled my cheek with her tiny nose and made soft cooing sounds. A rare smile touched my lips despite everything.
Resting her head on my shoulder, Aurora’s eyelashes fluttered sleepily. Her tiny hands reached toward the door as she made questioning sounds.
Victoria also asked, “Why didn’t Olivia come back with you? Does she know Aurora is here?”
I simply replied, “Something came up.” My expression darkened as I thought of Leo’s accident.
The weight of the evening’s events pressed down on me. Olivia’s torn loyalties, Theodore’s desperation, and now this innocent child caught in the middle.
After I took Aurora to the bedroom, I heard quiet voices from the main hall. My parents were discussing something in
hushed tones.
(God’s POV)
Barrett discreetly plucked a couple of hairs from his own head. Then he carefully took a few strands from Aurora’s soft baby hair.
He placed them in separate bags inside a paper envelope. His movements were precise and secretive.
Just then, his brother Simon Kane arrived. The older man’s face was drawn with concern.
“Can you get the results within two hours?” Barrett asked while handing him the envelope.
“Don’t worry, brother,” Simon assured him. He tucked the envelope into his jacket pocket.
Simon left the Kane estate and got into a waiting car. Cynthia was sitting in the passenger seat, her face pale with anxiety.
“You have to help me again,” she pleaded, grabbing his collar with desperate fingers.
“Go to your fiancée Declan Shaw,” he coldly refused. His voice carried no warmth.
But Cynthia knew his weakness. She had always known how to manipulate him.
“Simon, help me one last time, okay?” she whispered, pressing her lips to his.
“If they complete the mating bond, my heart will break.” Her voice cracked with manufactured pain.
She placed his hand on the old silver scar on her chest. The raised tissue was a reminder of past violence.
“You made my body unable to bear children forever. Can’t you grant me this small wish?”
Her words were poison wrapped in silk. “Tell them the child is not Matthew’s.”
She kissed him again, her lips moving with practiced urgency from his mouth, down to his Adam’s apple, his chest, and then enveloped his p***s.
Two hours later, Simon called Barrett through the clan communication network. His voice was steady, betraying nothing of his inner turmoil.
“Brother, she is not Matthew’s child.”