Chapter 35
The chamber was silent except for the soft sounds of a baby’s breathing. I stepped inside, my eyes immediately landing on Alex—who sat by the crib, completely still.
But his eyes… His eyes were full of something I had never seen before. Awe. Fear. Love. The dim candlelight flickered, casting shadows across the room as I walked closer, my gaze falling on the baby.
Debbie’s baby.
Alex’s baby.
And despite everything, despite my hatred for Debbie, despite the chaos she had caused in my life—this child was innocent. I exhaled slowly, studying him.
He was tiny, fragile, wrapped in soft blankets, his little hands curling into fists. His dark eyes blinked up at me, curious but sleepy. A boy. I turned to Alex, who was still staring at the baby like he couldn’t believe he was real.
“What are you going to name him?” I asked softly.
Alex’s lips parted slightly, his gaze not leaving his son. Then, after a long pause, he whispered, “Jonathan.”
I blinked, surprised. “Jonathan?”
He nodded. “Yeah. It just… feels right.”
I let out a small breath, turning back to the baby.
Jonathan.
I crouched beside the crib, staring at him. He was… beautiful. Nothing like his mother. I reached out hesitantly, brushing my finger against his tiny hand.
He grabbed it immediately, his little fingers curling around mine. A strange feeling spread through me—a warmth, a pull. I couldn’t explain it. But for some reason… I felt connected to him. Like this moment, this child—he was important. I swallowed, shaking the feeling away.
“Hi, Jonathan.”
His little lips parted in a sleepy yawn. A soft chuckle escaped me. I may have hated his mother, but this child? He was innocent.
I let go, standing up and stepping back. “Take care of him, Alex.”
Alex finally looked at me then, something unreadable in his gaze. “I will.”
I nodded and turned toward the door. “I need to go. I’m heading back to Killian’s pack.”
Alex frowned, shifting the baby slightly in his arms. “Aurora—”
But I didn’t stop. I’d had enough of family secrets to last a lifetime. All I needed now was to get out of here. I stepped into the hallway, my footsteps soft and steady against the cold stone floor, my mind fixed on going home. My new home.
And then, just as I was about to leave, a figure appeared in front of me, blocking my path. My heart skipped a beat, and my body tensed at once.
Tyler.
His golden eyes burned into me, his jaw tight. I sighed, already exhausted. “Move, Tyler.”
He didn’t. “What are you doing in my territory?” I arched a brow. “Seeing my mother. Is that a crime?”
His lips curled slightly. “It is when you don’t ask for permission.”
A laugh bubbled out of me. A sharp, cold laugh.
“Oh really?” I tilted my head, crossing my arms. “I need permission now? You know I am the Luna of an Alpha who’s more powerful than you are, right?”
His expression darkened. “Aurora—”
“This conversation is over,” I cut him off, turning away.
But before I could step past him, his voice dropped lower. “I told you the truth, why are doing all this?”
I paused. His voice wasn’t angry anymore. It was… something else. Something almost desperate. I turned slightly, raising a brow. “Doing what?”
He exhaled, his hands clenching at his sides. “You don’t love Killian.” I felt my stomach twist. But I refused to let him see it.
I plastered a smirk onto my face. “And how are you so sure of that?”
Tyler let out a hollow laugh. “Because I know you. And you don’t know what love is.”
His words were meant to cut. But they didn’t. Because he was right. I didn’t know what love was. I had never been allowed to. Still, I refused to give him the satisfaction.
“Neither do you.”
Tyler took a step closer. “Aurora.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “You have one month.”
I frowned. “One month for what?”
His jaw tightened. “One month to end whatever you have going on with Killian. One month to come back to me.”
I inhaled sharply. He wasn’t joking.
“Otherwise?” I asked, voice steady.
His eyes darkened. “Otherwise, I will fight. I will kill. I will start another war with Killian until you’re mine again.”
I froze.
Tyler’s expression was unreadable, but his words dripped with certainty.
A war. Another war… for me?
I studied him, searching for a hint of hesitation. A sign that he was bluffing.
But there was none. He was serious. Deadly serious. He would destroy Killian’s pack. Start a bloodbath. All because he believed I was still his.
I let out a slow breath, stepping back. And then, I smirked. “I’d love to see you try.”
