Chapter 18
“I cannot believe this shit.”
Arla sighed when she visited me, brushing her fingers through her hair. “You’ve said that three times now.”
“And I’ll say it again!” I threw up my hands. “My brother—the same idiot who once forgot my birthday but remembered to hook up with half the unmated she-wolves in the pack—is actually getting ready to be a father. Like, preparing. Like, taking responsibility.”
Arla smirked. “It is a little shocking.”
I scoffed, pacing the room. “It’s disgusting. I hate that my first time being an auntie is from her. Of all people.”
Arla hesitated. “Well… at least he’s stepping up?”
I snorted. “Oh, sure. Fantastic. Alex, the guy who can barely commit to a single outfit in a day, is suddenly going to be a dad. Maybe he’ll start reading bedtime stories in between ruining lives.”
Arla pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh.
I groaned, rubbing my temples. “I just—I don’t get it. How did my life turn into this mess?”
Arla set her glass down. “Do you really want the answer to that?”
I sighed heavily. “No. I want a drink.”
Arla poured me one without question, sliding the glass across the table. I took a sip, letting the burn settle deep in my chest.
And that’s when she said it.
“There’s something else you should know.”
I stilled.
“Arla.”
Her expression turned serious. “It’s about the curse. About why Killian won’t let you go.”
My grip tightened around the glass. “I’m listening.”
Arla hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “It’s not just about the Luna title, Aurora. There’s more to it. Something that started long before we were born.”
The unease in my stomach grew. “Spit it out.”
She exhaled slowly. “Our father made a blood pact with Killian’s family.”
Everything inside me went still.
“A what?” My voice came out hoarse, like I had been punched in the throat.
Arla swallowed. “Years ago, before he abandoned us, Father struck a deal with Alpha Killian’s father. The pact tied our family’s bloodline to theirs. If we refuse the engagement…” She hesitated, then finished, “the Silver Moon Pack will be cursed.”
I slammed the glass down so hard, it cracked. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
First my mother, who’s doing way better after I became Killian’s Luna.
Now the entire pack?
“What is it with all these curses?” I snapped. “Did the Moon Goddess decide I should be a damn wizard or something?”
Arla didn’t smile. “Aurora…”
I let out a sharp breath, pacing again. “So let me get this straight. If I leave Killian, the entire pack—our home, our people—will suffer?”
Arla nodded grimly.
“Well, that’s just fucking great.” I let out a bitter laugh. “Because obviously, I’d love to see Tyler’s pack burn. But that also means you, Mom, and Amaya would suffer too.”
The reality of it settled over me like a noose tightening around my throat.
I hated Tyler. I wanted him to suffer. But I couldn’t bring my family down with him.
I closed my eyes, pressing my fingers against my temples. “I need to think.”
I needed air.
The moon was high when I rode through the forest, the wind biting at my skin as my horse galloped beneath me. The cool night air was supposed to help me clear my head.
But nothing could quiet the storm inside me.
A blood pact. A curse. A forced engagement. It was all too much. I pulled on the reins, slowing my horse near the riverbank, letting the sound of the rushing water drown out my thoughts.
And that’s when I felt it. A shift in the air. A presence. I turned sharply—too late. A strong hand gripped the reins of my horse, stopping me from fleeing.
“Running won’t change anything, Aurora.”
It’s Tyler.
My pulse spiked. “Let me go.”
His golden eyes gleamed in the moonlight. “Not until you tell me the truth.”
I clenched my jaw. “What truth?”
Tyler’s grip tightened. “Why did you choose him? Knowing who he is—what he is—why would you pick Killian over me?”
I forced my face into a mask of indifference. “Why do you care?”
His nostrils flared. “Answer me.”
I hesitated, then made a decision. If he wanted the truth, fine. Let him hear it. “It’s a curse, Tyler.”
His brows furrowed. “What?”
I met his gaze, my voice unwavering. “If I refuse Killian, the Silver Moon Pack will fall under a blood curse. My mother, my sister, my best friend—they’ll all suffer. And I’m not willing to let that happen.”
Tyler stared at me, his body tense. I could see his mind racing, calculating.
And then, suddenly, he moved.
Before I could react, his hands were on me, pulling me down from the horse, pressing me against him.
“I don’t care about curses.” His voice was raw, desperate. “You belong to me.”
I shook my head and pressed my lips tight. “I accepted Killian, Tyler. I don’t need you to save me.”
