Chapter 25
“You want to dare walk out on me?” Her words were sharp, cutting through the silence like a whip. I froze, my hand on the doorknob, my back still to her.
Slowly, I closed the door and turned to face her. The disappointment in her eyes stung more than I cared to admit. There was a flicker of shock there, too, as though she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
“Why are you acting strange?” she asked, incredulity lacing her tone. “I traveled several miles to visit you, to make you feel good, and you just shove me aside like this? And now, you want to walk away?”
Her words hit me harder than I expected. Guilt gnawed at the edges of my resolve, but I couldn’t shake the heaviness in my chest. I took a step closer to her, and she instinctively reached out, her fingertips brushing my arm. The moment her touch registered, I flinched. It wasn’t intentional, but it was enough to make her gasp softly, her hand recoiling as if burned.
“I’m sorry, Aurora,” I murmured, my voice thick with exhaustion. “I just had a rough day.”
“That’s why you’re resisting me?” she pressed, her brows furrowing in disbelief.
“I’m tired,” I replied, though it felt like a weak excuse even to me.
She studied me, her expression softening slightly, but only for a moment. With a small shake of her head, she stepped away and reached for her robe. I watched her as she slipped it on, tying the sash with precise movements. Her voice, when it came, was measured but firm.
“You said we were supposed to see my father this weekend to talk about our marriage,” she reminded me, her eyes locking onto mine.
“We shouldn’t rush it,” the words slipped out of my mouth before I could think them through.
Her head snapped up, and she spun to face me fully. “What? Why?”
I opened my mouth to answer, but she cut me off with a dry laugh, the sound devoid of humor.
*I know,” she said, stepping closer again. “You’re occupied. It’s the quarter of the year, and you’re always busy with the company. But that doesn’t mean we should take things slowly.”
Her hands reached out, brushing against my chest as she started to undo the buttons of my coat. I stood still, unsure whether to push her away or let her
continue.
“Aurora,” I began, my voice low, “I want to tell you something—”
“Shh,” she hushed me, pressing a finger to my lips. Her eyes gleamed with determination. “You seem pent up. Let me relieve you first, even if you don’t want me to. I want all of you.”
A sly smile curved her lips as her hand trailed downward, stopping at the waistband of my pants. Her fingers teased the zipper, and I felt her unbuckle my belt with practiced ease. My breath hitched as her touch lingered, deliberate and knowing.
She packed her hair into a loose bun, dropping to her knees before me. Her gaze never wavered, filled with intent and purpose. Just as her hands reached for my length, I stepped back abruptly, catching her wrist gently but firmly.
“I said I’m tired, Aurora,” I repeated, more firmly this time.
She scoffed, her irritation evident as she rose to her feet. “You’ve never refused me before,” she shot back, withdrawing her hand.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I’ve had a headache building all day,” I said, offering the first excuse that came to mind. “I just need a moment to clear my head.”
She stared at me, her frustration evident, but she didn’t push further. Instead, she exhaled sharply and shook her head.
1/2
..
I leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “I’ll be quick, I murmured before turning and heading into the bathroom.
As soon as the door shut behind me, I leaned heavily against it, my head falling back with a sigh. My heart was pounding, my mind spinning with the weight of everything I couldn’t bring myself to say.
What can I do? Tell her about my fated mate? I can’t. My chest tightened at the thought. Aurora was….
“She’s my true love,” I whispered, the words feeling hollow even as I said them.
My wolf’s voice growled in the back of my mind, laced with disdain. “Really? She was just temporary…”
“Arrgh,” I groaned, slamming my fist against the door.
From the other side, Aurora’s voice broke through. “Are you okay?” she called, her tone laced with concern.
I took a steadying breath. “Yes, baby,” I replied, forcing a smile she couldn’t see.
But as I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my carefully constructed world was beginning to crack.
