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Aurora

I'm sitting at my desk, staring at the contact list on my phone. My fingers hover over Katherine's name, hesitation curling in my gut like a slow-burning fire. It has been a long time since I had reached out to her for anything beyond casual conversation. But this isn't just about me anymore. It is about Blackwood, about Ronan, and about everything that had led me to this moment.

I debate between calling her and sending a text. A text will be less urgent and offer her the time to think and get back to me with an answer, but at the same time, I am not sure I currently possess the virtue of patience to let things play out.

Every moment spent holding my phone and delaying the inevitable only adds to the window of time required for Silver Pack to wreak the next havoc.Taking a steadying breath, I tap the call button. It rings twice before Katherine answers, her familiar, confident voice washing over me like a reminder of the life I had built outside of the pack.

"Aurora," she greets warmly. "I was wondering when you'd call."

I exhale a soft laugh. "You always know when something's on my mind."

"It's a talent. Or maybe I just know you too well. What's going on?"

"I need a huge favor.""Go on."

"I need to meet Queen Alice."

There was a pause. "That's not a small request."Just like me, the queen and Katherine met over a work project long before she became queen and before Katherine met her fated mate. They formed a friendship over business. Discovering they both had shifter mates seemed like fate and only helped to deepen the bond of their friendship, so I know for a fact that if there's anyone who would help me get a special audience and the compliance of the queen on very short notice, it'll be Katherine.

"I know. But it's important."

Katherine sighs. "You always did have a way of getting yourself tangled in pack politics."

"This is bigger than politics."

Another pause, then a shift in her tone—more serious now. "I don't want you getting hurt again, Rora. I know how quick you are to sacrifice everything for the ones you love, but these people, they've not been very nice to you and have treated you like a second-class citizen in your own pack—"

"But they still took me in when I had no one." I cut her short, sticking strongly to my decision. "I won't forgive myself if I sit and watch while everything goes to ruin, knowing I can help."

I understand Katherine's angle. I pretty much told her everything about my life in Blackwood, and she's only doing her part as a friend to protect me from hurt. But I know what I'm doing. I owe them now more than before, especially after the care given to my son.

"And you're sure this isn't about Lucien?"Of course, she'll pick on that. I worry my lower lips between my teeth, pondering her question. Sure, there's a part of me that still cares greatly for Lucien and might go out of my way to help him, but this is more than us and the history we share. This is about a community and the lives that can be lost if nothing is done."It's not about him. Blackwood is still my pack, and I only seek to protect them."

Katherine releases a deep breath before replying. I'll arrange it. But Aurora—be careful."

I nod, even though she can't see me. "I will."

***

The meeting with Queen Alice is set for the next evening. I leave Ronan with his nanny and drive out to the designated location—an estate on the outskirts of the city, tucked away behind thick iron gates and a perimeter of security that made even the Blackwood Pack look lax in comparison.

When I step inside, Alice is waiting for me in a grand sitting room, her presence commanding yet surprisingly warm. She gestures for me to sit, studying me with sharp, knowing eyes.

"Aurora Belmont," she muses. "You've been causing quite a stir."

I smile tightly. "Not intentionally, your majesty."

"No, but that's often how the most important changes begin." She leans forward. "Tell me, why are you here?"

I don't hesitate. "Thank you for giving me an audience on such short notice. It means a lot to me and my pack."She gives me a gentle smile. "A friend of Katherine's is a friend of mine. Go on."

"Blackwood and Silver Pack have been at war for longer than I can remember. It's getting worse, and Silverpack is beginning to hurt other packs. People are dying, and there's no way to curtail the excesses of Silver Pack without a full-blown war or intervention from the royal family." "Is this what brings you to me?" she questions with a raised brow. I don't blame her. She's probably wondering why a half-blood nobody is so concerned with pack business."Yes, my queen. The situation is jeopardizing the lives of those I care deeply for."

"You know," she starts, leaning into her chair. "About five years ago, the alphas from both packs were here to seek a solution to the same issue."

The memory of Lucien telling me about the meeting slowly trickles into my present. It was around the time when he picked Selene over me, and I had buried the memory deep to keep the pain away. "I recall this happening, but I never got the context or detailed explanation about the rivalry or its history."

Alice regards me for a moment before nodding. "The rivalry between your pack and Silver Pack isn't just a simple territorial dispute. It dates back centuries—to the time when the kingdom was still establishing its rule. Blackwood was always one of the strongest packs, but Silver Pack was ruthless and always believed they deserved whatever Blackwood had. There was a time when they nearly overthrew the balance of power."

A frown creases my face. "And now?"

"Now, they still crave that power. Their current alpha has been waiting for the right opportunity to strike."

"Alpha Lucien's leadership was weakened when he lost his wolf," I say, realization dawning on me. "That made Blackwood vulnerable."

Alice inclines her head. "Exactly. The kingdom's legal system has never been properly structured to handle inter-pack conflicts like this. We've always relied on balance—on alphas respecting their borders. But Silver Pack doesn't play by those rules. It's clear we need reform, and I intend to make that happen."A surge of admiration rises in me. Queen Alice is one of the few leaders who has seen the flaws in the system and wants to change them. "How can I help?"

Alice studies me carefully. "By doing what you're already doing—standing at the heart of this conflict and asking the right questions."

I nod, absorbing everything. But a nagging feeling settles in my stomach. There is more to this war than just territory. And then, as if fate itself decided to drop the final piece of the puzzle into my lap, Alice speaks again.

"I also suspect there are spies at work within both packs."

The words send a chill down my spine. "Spies?"

Alice nods. "People with hidden ties, feeding information to Silver Pack. Some of them have personal vendettas. Others are in it for power."

My mind races. Spies. Hidden alliances."I took a special interest in the conflict between your pack and Silver Pack, and not too long ago, one of my sources confirmed the alpha of Silver Pack has an illegitimate son."

"An illegitimate son?" I echo her words, wondering how it all fits into the grand scheme of things."Yes. I hear he had him with a human before he got married, and now, he has promised him the alpha position if he can prove his worth by defeating Blackwood."I let the information sink in. Everything suddenly made sense. The resurrection of an age-long hostility with a reasonable trigger. All of this is for a bastard son to prove his worth to his father. What is it with alphas and needing their sons to prove their worth?

"This son, do you know how he is or what he looks like?"

Queen Alice hesitates, and that lets me know she knows something. "Please, the lives of many innocent people hang on this. This can prevent the bloodbath."

She takes another minute before answering. "Damon, he goes by the name Damon White. He is a slippery son of a gun, but my sources—"

The rest of the queen's words fade beneath the ringing in my ears. The air is suddenly too thick for me to draw in, and I feel like the room is closing in on me.

My eyes sting, and everything is spinning. The whole world tilts on its edge, and the balance sustaining everything I thought I ever knew shifts, sending everything out of place.

"Aurora, Aurora." The queen's voice sounds like a distant echo in a long-forgotten part of my brain before it grows louder.

"Aurora."

I blink, returning my focus to her and forcing myself to maintain a neutral expression. "I'm sorry about that. I was just going over the name to make sure I've not met anyone like him."

She let out a light chuckle. "I'm sure you haven't. He's not known to stay in one place for a long time."Everything made sense. How he's conveniently present in areas I told him nothing about and how he is always there before I even need him.

What I can't wrap my head around is why he stuck around. Why was he always trying to save me instead of killing me? Was he trying to use me to get to Lucien? Was he hoping to marry me and use Ronan as a future alpha to overthrow Lucien?

Question after question fills my head, and I massage my temple to ease the growing tension.

I toy with the idea of telling the queen, but I decide against it. Lucien has to be aware of every decision I make.

The queen's brows furrow in concern. "Is everything okay?"

Before I can respond, my phone buzzes. My nanny's name flashes across the screen.

Frowning, I answer. "Hello?"

Her panicked voice nearly stops my heart. "Aurora—Ronan's gone."

The room spins, almost knocking me out. "What?"

"I only left him for a moment—he was playing in the backyard, and then he was gone. I searched everywhere—"

Ice fills my veins. "Call the authorities. Now."

I end the call, my hands trembling. Alice is already on her feet, her expression deadly calm. "What happened?"

My voice comes out hoarse and trembling. "My son is missing."

Alice's eyes darken, her authority slipping into place instantly. "Then, we have no time to waste."

I didn't wait for her to give orders. I am already moving. My mind screams one name over and over again.

Damon.