Page 9

Aurora

The sound of music echoes throughout the ballroom, which is filled with laughter and clinking glasses.

Damon's hand holds my waist as we move to the rhythm of the music. His grip is firm, guiding me on the dance floor, and his hot breath brushes against my ear. His cologne is manly and fills my nose as I rest on his arm.

Unlike other people who come in and out of my life, Damon's presence feels comforting, like I can trust him to stay.And yet, despite the comfort I feel, there is something missing. A part of me feels out of place, like I am pretending to be happy, forcing happiness on myself, and I don't like it.

When the conference came to a conclusion, I wasted no time in booking the next flight to Phoenix, and even after that, I made a conscious effort to reduce every interaction with him to quick texts and emails and blocking all of his attempts to see me.I've told myself it's because I can't stand him, and his presence makes me nauseous, but now I am in what is supposed to be my favorite annual event with the man I should be in love with, yet I cannot bring myself to be present and enjoy the night. Maybe it is the expensive lifestyle I see at this ball or the fact that the attention of the guest is on me in a way I am not sure I deserve, but I still can't shake off the feeling that something is wrong. I've felt like this since the first day I ran into Lucien at the restaurant, like I'm at the edge of a cliff and have no idea what could happen in the next minute.

Suddenly, the hairs on the back of my neck rise up. It's that feeling, the one I know too well. It is one of the signals I get before he graces me with his presence. Lucien is here.

"You're distracted," Damon mutters.

I shake my head, forcing a laugh. "I'm fine."

Damon studies me, but he doesn't press further to question me. Instead, he pulls me closer, fingers tightening around my waist, the heat of his body seeping through my dress. I should feel safe in his arms, but I don't.

I can feel his eyes all over my body, but I don't turn around, and my heartbeat hastens.

Keeping my gaze locked on Damon, I hope silently that my body stays relaxed. I have to pretend that I don't feel him watching me.

Just then, a hand grabs my wrist, clenching tightly. My whole body jerks, a gasp slipping from my lips.

Damon stops moving as his hold on my waist tightens.

"Let her go." His voice is low and dangerous.

Lucien doesn't say anything. His gaze scans my body, and suddenly, it feels like the ballroom blurs away. The music becomes low, and the voices from the crowd become silent. It is just him and me against the world.

"I need to talk to you," he replies, not sparing Damon as much as a glance.Damon's arm around me grows tight as he tugs me closer to him, trying to pull me out of Lucien's hold. "I said, let her go.""And I suggest you stay out of this. If the lady wants my hands off her, I'm certain she can speak for herself." Lucien's eyes do not leave mine, and I can spot a little audience gathering around us.

"Lady? Damon scoffs. "If this is how you treat women you consider ladies, I wouldn't want to see how you treat the ones you have no regard for." His eyes harden in a way I've never seen before. "Clearly, no one gave you a lesson about respect, but if you don't let go of her this instant, I'll be glad to teach you a thing or two."

The air in the ballroom shifts as the men engage in an intense stare-down, neither of them backing down. Lucien's blue orbs swirl with rage, while Damon's drip with pure animosity. The energy between them is as fragile as a bomb, and I have no doubt it'll take less than a breath from the other to cause full-blown mayhem.I don't know about Damon's fighting abilities. He's always sweet around me, but I've seen Lucien fight, and I know just how ruthless he can be. I'm not sure I want to be responsible for the damage they'll cause.

I open my mouth in an attempt to dissipate the tension, but Lucien beats me to it, his voice dripping with venom. "I don't take lightly to threats. This will be your last warning to stop sniffing around my woman."

"I am not your woman." I waste no time in clarifying, but Lucien merely continues like I didn't say a word."You'll walk out of here, go play hero somewhere else, and never show your ugly face around here." "Or else what?" Damon takes a step forward. "What could a weakling whose only way of getting attention from a woman is to force himself on her do to me?"

"Both of you, stop this madness," I whisper yell, unable to raise my head to meet the questioning looks from the audience. "What has gotten into you?"My question is directed at Damon. Lucien, I know, does not give two shits about an audience, but Damon, he is always calm and collected, and watching him let Lucien bring out this side of him is a bit disappointing.His gaze softens, and so does his hold around me. "I'm sorry about that. How about we call this a night and leave? I'll make it up to you, I promise."

"You're not leaving with him, Rora." Lucien's words drop with a tone of finality, and I have no doubt he'll see it to the end.Damon takes a deep breath. "Aurora, you don't have to go with him—"

"It's fine, Damon. I can handle myself."

"You don't have to let him have his way all the time. He relies on your peace-loving nature and hatred for negative attention to keep forcing his way into your life."

I shut my eyes, drawing in a deep breath to steady me. Damon is right. Lucien has been intentionally putting me in difficult situations, but he doesn't know Lucien like I do. His words are not empty threats and promises. He will not back down till I leave this ballroom with him, and I know this organization well enough to understand that if I mess this up so badly, I'll not be invited to subsequent dinners. My client list will take a hit.

I lift a hand, stopping him. "It's fine." I grab the hem of my flowing dress.

Damon stiffens. "Aurora." He takes my hands in his again.

"I said it's fine," I repeat, my voice steady.

My words are sharp, commanding, and louder than I intend. Damon's hand loosens around mine, his fingers clenching into a fist, but he doesn't argue any further.He steps back with a tight-lipped smile visible on his face, bowing lightly. "Of course, Lucien is that guy," his voice laced with anger, ears flaring up.I wish I could explain further, but the situation doesn't offer room for that. Plus, I know Lucien. He won't stop until I give in, and I'm not in the mood to become the hot topic of the finance industry.Lucien doesn't wait for Damon to leave before his hand reaches for my waist, pulling me closer to him. This time, he isn't asking. His action is the ultimate tool he has.

My breath gets stuck in my throat, and I pull away before my body can take control of me. "What are you doing?" I make no attempt to hide the fury in my voice. He can't keep forcing his way into my life and putting me in difficult situations."You know exactly what I'm doing, Aurora," Lucien growls, his voice low and raspy. He pulls me, and I basically run beside him toward the corner of the ballroom. The crowd parts like the sea for us."Lucien," I snap, my pulse hastening. "Stop. I'm not doing this. Not tonight. Not with you."

"I'm not leaving you, Aurora," his grip tightening around my wrist, grasping my shoulder. "Not tonight. Not when we have unfinished business."

I almost believe him because where did that familiar tug in my chest come from? The one that makes my heart ache when I think about what we once had."I never wanted to hurt you, Aurora," he says, his voice softer now, almost pleading. "You have to believe me. It's not what I intended."

"Then, what did you intend, Lucien?" My voice breaks a little, but I clear my voice, blaming the alcohol thrumming through my veins. I might've gotten carried away by the conversations and had a glass or two above my usual thresh-hold. "What was all of it for? Your marriage? Your lies? Was it all just part of your plan? To disgrace me?"

Lucien's jaw tightens. "I can't believe you came with him?"

I let out a scoff. Of course, he ignores the subject matter and focuses on the one that doesn't serve him.

"That doesn't answer my question, Lucien. What was it all for?"

He pauses, his eyes briefly searching mine before he takes my hand in his and makes for the double doors leading to the balcony.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"You asked me a question, and I intend to answer, but I can't do it here, not with the eyes on us." I seize the moment to scan the room, and true to his words, a greater fraction of the crowd has slowly returned to their business, but I don't miss the nosy ones and their lingering eyes.He leads me up the stairs, and we finally arrive at the rooftop. Once we are away from prying eyes, I yank my hand out of his hold and twirl to face him, holding on to the wall close to me to steady me. Stupid red wine "What the hell is your problem? Why do you bother so much about my life and who I'm involved with? You left me for another woman!"

He takes a few steps forward, eyes burning fiercely. "You don't belong with Damon."

"I don't belong with you." I shoot back at him.

He flinches, his lips pressing into a thin line. "All these years, I looked for you, Aurora."

I cross my arms. "Didn't look hard enough. If you did, you would have found me because I am right here. I didn't disappear from the earth. How do you expect me to believe this bullshit you're spitting?"

His nostrils flare up. "I never stopped looking, Aurora. There was never a day I didn't search."

I feel the wall I have built around my heart begins to crack. I suddenly feel the urge to believe him. I want to let him pull me into his arms and erase everything that's happened. But I can't, and I won't.

I hate that I feel like this.

I lift my chin. "That's a bit difficult to believe, seeing as you watched me leave." I know I shouldn't be indulging in this conversation. I should end it here and go home while I still have the time.

My wolf stirs with disapproval. I don't blame her. She only seeks to make sense of why her mate would be so cruel, and her need for an explanation matches my need for clarity.

Lucien exhales, his voice lowering. "My marriage to Selene was never real. It was a political charade…a business deal. You were the only real thing I ever had."

My chest tightens. "I thought I already made it clear I don't need your apologies," I snap. "I don't need you either."

He didn't move.

I want to scream at him and tell him how much he hurt me and how badly he ruined my life. But instead, I turn and walk away from him, stepping out into the other side of the rooftop. I need space to be away from him. I can't think with him so close to me, especially not when my wolf is currently urging me to hear him out.

Tears sting in my eyes. I breathe it in, trying to stop the tears from flowing down. Goddess, I hate how weak this man makes me. I hate how all it takes is one look from him, a brush of the skin, and his breath on my cheeks to rattle the foundations of a wall I spent years building with my tears and pain. I don't need this.

Soon, I hear Lucien's footsteps behind me, but I don't turn around.

"Give me another chance, and I'll make it right. I will. I promise you, Aurora."

I shake my head, my voice barely a whisper. "There's nothing to fix, Lucien."

"I can't lose you again, Aurora." He steps closer, his voice thick with emotion as he wraps his arms around me from behind.

I yank myself free from his arms, wanting to scream at him to leave me alone, to never touch me again.He doesn't have the right to say things like that to me.

"You don't get to do this," I whisper.

Lucien wraps his arms on my shoulder and turns me around. He cups my jaw. "Do what?"

"Mess with me," I hiccup.

He smirks. "I don't have to mess with you, sweetheart." His fingers caress my cheek slowly. "You still feel it, don't you?"

A shiver runs through me, and I grab his wrist, pushing it away. "Don't."

His blue eyes darken. "How long do you think you can hold back or ignore it?"

"I held it back, Lucien," I say, gritting my teeth. "I survived for years."

He exhales, shaking his head. "I'm sorry."

I blink. Lucien never apologizes, but the number of times he has apologized confuses me. Is it real?

His hands curl into fists. "I'm sorry," his voice is raw. His hand reaches for me, but I step back, my heart pounding in my chest. "I should have fought for you."

I swallow hard.

"You should have, but you didn't fight for me, Lucien," I whisper, shaking my head and fighting back tears. "You left me when I needed you most."

Lucien reaches for his pocket, slips his hand inside, and pulls out an alcohol flask. He always had the habit of carrying a little flask in his suit pocket. We used to joke about how he relies on alcohol to get through painful social gatherings at the pack. He unscrews the lid, tilts it back, and the churning scent of whiskey fills the air.

He swallows hard with his eyes shut and then offers it to me. I shake my head. I already have enough booze running in my veins. An extra sip will be the nail to my coffin. When I don't take the flask, his lips curl into a taunting smile, and he takes another swing, his eyes holding mine. I'm forced to watch as the alcohol rolls down his throat. The grimace on his face, the bob of his Adam's apple, every movement is suddenly magnified and sensual.What are you doing, Aurora?

I clear my throat and try to distract myself with a conversation. "Have you been drinking?"

"Do cocktails count?""I'm serious, Lucien. If you've been drinking, I don't think we should be having this conversation. You need to go home."

"But I hate his hands on you." He takes a step closer, carelessly discarding his flask to the side. "I hate how his smell still lingers on you. Heck, Rora, I hate the thought of you with another man. I was going to watch and make my move when he left, but his hands wrapped around your waist in a way only mine should, and I saw you look at him in a way you haven't looked at me in a long time, and I couldn't take it anymore."

Despite being in the open space of the rooftop, I find myself completely devoid of air. Heat that has nothing to do with the wine in my system spreads through me. My throat feels too tight to inhale, and my body itches with awareness.

I urge myself to say something and tell him that so much time has passed and I've moved on, but I can't seem to get the words out. I stand still, swallowing like an anxious prey while he stalks toward me. His every move is clothed in intent.Lucien finally stops in front of me. He has me where he wants me, and I don't stop him. I should stop him. My mind is hazy as my sight blurs out.

His hands wrap around my waist, pulling me closer to him. "Aurora," he breathes on my face, opening my eyes.

I hate him so much, but my body remembers the feeling. His lips crash against mine, claiming me and exploring my mouth with his scorching tongue.I cock my head, responding to his intense kisses as his tongue slips in and out of my mouth. A sharp gasp leaves me, "Mmmph!" but I don't pull away.

The tears I try to hold back stream down my face, and Lucien pulls away, wiping my tears with his thumb.

"I'm here now." He places soft, wet kisses down to my neck and chest.

All the years of yearning, longing, and anger collide, and I clutch his shirt, pulling him closer and harder.

Lucien groans, his voice dominating and raw, his hands sliding down, grabbing my thighs as he lifts me up, and I wrap my legs around him.

Through the soft illumination of the silver of light slipping into the space, I catch a glimpse of his eyes, dark and dripping with so much lust I'm forced to avert my gaze. I'm certain if I look in the mirror, I'd be mirroring his look.

He twirls around, and my back hits the cold stone wall as his mouth devours everywhere: my lips, eyes, nose, forehead, jaw, throat, and chest.

I arch my waist, heat traveling through me. The whiskey makes it worse, driving me insane. His hands grip my hips, strong and demanding, fingers pressing deep as if he's terrified that I'll slip away.

My body burns, my heartbeat bangs in my ear, and every touch and breath between us is pure fire.

"You're mine," he growls, his voice rough.

I want to protest and tell him that he lost the right to claim me a long time ago. But when his hands slide up my thighs, and he spreads my legs open against the cold wall, my body betrays me, and the wanton moan that slips from my mouth is almost embarrassing.

His mouth crashes back into my mouth, claiming me, his teeth grazing my lower lip like he's punishing and worshiping me at the same time.

"You have no idea, Aurora," he whispers between kisses, his voice shaking in escaping growls. "How much I missed this…I missed you so much."

A moan pools at the back of my throat, but I bite it back, my hands clawing at his shirt, desperately tugging at the buttons. The need to feel his skin on mine nearly driving me insane.

He pulls the fabric over his head, and the fresh air slams on my bare skin and my hardened nipple. As if it wasn't enough, he twirls my dress up, his fingers caressing over my bare thighs before he grabs my ass, lifting me.

I wrap my legs around his waist as his hard is pressed on my aching thighs. I can feel it despite his trousers and my panties.

At this point, I realize how much I need and want him.

His breath shakes as he groans, his forehead pressing against mine. "You're all I have ever wanted," he mumbles. His lips brush my ear, and I shudder.

I squeeze my eyes shut, allowing myself to drown in the moment even though I don't believe him even though he was already inside my soul.

His fingers slide into my wet, soaking, desperate pussy. "Fuck," he gasps, groaning. "You are already wet for me."

A soft whimpering cry escapes from my lips as his fingers tease, circling, pressing the top of my pussy.

I grab his wrist, gasping amidst tears. "Lucien—"

His eyes burn into mine, hungry and ready to devour me. "Tell me to stop," he whispers. "Tell me, and I swear I will, Aurora."

I remain quiet and arch my pussy into his pressing bulge, my body begging for more. And that's all he needs to know. This is obviously the worst idea, but I don't have the luxury of logic and rational thought. All I can focus on is how tightly my pussy was clenching with need for him.

Lucien rips my panties off, the material tearing under his grip, and he shoves his pants down, freeing his cock. The thick length slaps against my thighs, sending a ripple of delicious anticipation through me.

I gasp when I feel him on my pussy folds, rubbing from slit to clit, spreading my wetness all over my pussy, teasing and taunting till my vision blurs with need and my eyes roll to the back of my head.

"Look at me," he demands, his voice hoarse and his jaw clenched so tightly that I couldn't help but think that it might snap.

"I need you," he breathes into my ear. "I fucking need you, Rora." He sounds like a depraved madman, and I'm ashamed to admit the sound of it sends a fresh wave of shivers down my spine, causing my walls to clench rhythmically.Lucien wastes no time in lifting my ass and roughly thrusting into me, pulling a cry of pleasure from my throat. My fingers dig into his shoulders as my body takes all of him. A dull pain stretches my walls as I struggle to adjust to his size. It's been years since I felt this.

Lucien groans, his head falling to my shoulder as he runs his finger into my hair. "Fuck, you're so fucking tight."

He relaxes at first, not moving as he just buries his full length inside me, giving me time to adjust to him.

"Say my name," he growls.

I shudder, and short gasps escape from my lips. "Lucien."

"Again.""Luc—" The rest of his name blends into a breathy moan as he begins to move inside me. Slow and steady at first, dragging himself all the way out before pumping back in, deeper and harder.My body tightens and clenches, needing more with every deep thrust as he grips my thighs, spreading me wider than I can take, his pumping growing faster and rougher.He groans. "You're mine, Aurora. You belong to no one else but me and me alone."

I claw at his back, helping by lifting my hips to contain his thrusts. "You…will…let…me…go…again," I pant, each word interrupting by the slap of our skin on each other.

Lucien growls. "Over my dead body." He seals his promise with a hard thrust, driving me deeper against the wall.

His hand slides between us, his fingers finding my swollen clit and rubbing circles along with his hard thrusts.

My vision blurs as I clench my teeth, and my muscles tighten down there. I could feel it. I'm so close, and he knows it.

He presses his forehead against mine, claiming my lips again. "I love you so much," he whispers, his voice broken as he slams into me so hard and deep that I feel his length in my stomach.

My nails rake down his back as I shatter, and it explodes, my body convulsing around him.

Lucien curses as his grip on my hips tightens, burying himself deep. "Au…ro…raaaa!" he groans, my name escaping as he erupts inside me.

We remain in that position, panting and trembling, as we stay tangled up in each other's arms.