Chapter 5

Liam's POV

Kissing Aurora stirred something deep within me, sending a jolt of electric energy through my veins. The moment our lips met, it felt like the world around us faded into a vibrant blur, leaving only the intoxicating warmth of her body against mine.

Rex howled inside me, a primal urge surging up, demanding to claim her, to mark her with every essence of his being right there. My heart raced, each beat echoing like a drum in my ears.

He was practically screaming to deepen the kiss, to hold her tighter, but I fought against it, clenching my jaw as I wrestled with the wild energy that Rex was unleashing just beneath my skin. The struggle was fierce, a storm raging between my desires and Rex's instincts.

Aurora pulled back slightly, standing up quickly, her breath mingling with mine, her eyes wide and shimmering like the night sky. In that fleeting moment, the air crackled with tension, and I could see the flicker of confusion and yearning in her gaze, a reflection of the chaos swirling within me.

I stared at her for what felt like an eternity, lost in the whirlwind of emotions that just unfolded. Slowly, reality crept back in, and I pushed myself up, scratching my head in confusion. I couldn't quite process what had just happened, yet I knew I had to play it cool, not let on that I was rattled.

Turning to Aurora, I tried to keep my voice steady, though it trembled with a mix of concern and curiosity. "What happened? Why were you running?" I asked, my eyes searching hers, desperate for answers. The tension hung thick in the air, a silent plea for her to share whatever had sent her into a panic.

Aurora took a deep breath, her body trembling as memories surged back like an unwelcome tide. "It has been overwhelming," she began, her voice quaking slightly, almost lost in the weight of her words. Her eyes darted away from mine, falling to the floor.

"Ever since I came to your pack, everything has spiraled," she continued, her frustration bubbling to the surface.

"First it was the Luna pressuring me to start having children right away, insisting that was the only reason Luca married me. If I can't do that, she said, then there is no reason to keep me here." Each word was a dagger, and I could see the pain etched across her features.

"I never wanted it to feel like this," she pressed on, her voice rising with a mix of anger and despair. "I never wanted to regret my decision."

Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, and I could see the struggle within her as if she were battling against the very expectations that had been thrust upon her. "But now... now I think I have no choice. Because, to top everything off, Luca himself tried to force himself on me." Tears brimmed in her eyes, shimmering like fragile glass, reflecting the turmoil of her heart.

I felt an ache in my chest, the weight of her pain crashing against me, leaving me desperate to comfort her.

I reached into my pocket, pulling out a handkerchief, my heart aching for her. I moved closer, wanting to help her wipe away the tears that threatened to spill over.

But she collected the handkerchief, her hands trembling slightly as she dabbed at her eyes. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not meant to be boring you with all this."

"Aurora," I said softly, my concern evident in my tone. "You could never bore me. You're carrying so much, and you deserve to let it out. I'm here for you." I watched her, my heart heavy with empathy, wishing I could take away the pain that seemed to weigh her down.

"You deserve to make that choice for yourself, Aurora," I said softly, my voice low and steady, hoping to offer some comfort. I leaned in slightly, trying to bridge the distance between us, my heart aching for her. "No one should dictate to you when to start having a child, especially not in such a way," I explained.

Her gaze flickered away, and I noticed the tension in her shoulders as she took a deep breath, the weight of her marriage pressing down on her. "And as for Luca, I will talk to him," I added, my tone firm, "Never to try that nonsense again." I felt a surge of protectiveness rises within me.

"No, please," she interjected, her voice trembling slightly, "I'm married to him, and it's my duty to him as his wife." The words hung in the air like a heavy fog, and I felt a pang in my chest at the way she said them, her expression a mixture of resignation and obligation.

I don't know why, but her declaration stirred something deep within me, a mix of frustration and longing. Of course, I understood her duty as a wife, but the way she framed it felt like a barrier between us. It just felt somehow wrong.

Anger bubbled beneath the surface, not directed at her but at myself. I felt a twinge of jealousy toward Luca, the thought that he had the legitimate right to touch Aurora was almost too much for me to bear. My fists clenched involuntarily at my sides as I wrestled with the emotions that threatened to spill over.

I didn't know what to say again. So, I pulled her into a tighter hug, feeling the warmth of her body against mine. "Know I'm always here if you need anyone to talk to," I said softly, my heart racing as I held her close.

After a moment, she pulled away slowly from the embrace, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Thank you so much, I appreciate it, but I need to get back to the room," she said.

As she turned to leave, an overwhelming urge gripped me, a primal instinct to pull her back, to stop her from returning to Luca. I wanted to shout out, to say anything that would make her reconsider, anything to prevent her from sleeping in the same room with him.