Cracks In The Bond
Aurora's pov
My chest felt hollow, like the very core of me had been ripped out, leaving only emptiness behind.
The words kept echoing in my head.
"And soon we'll be one big happy family."
My throat tightened painfully, choking back sobs that threatened to spill out, uncontrolled and messy.
I rushed out of the kitchen, I could no longer stand there and look at Scarlett's smug smile.
The cool air hit my skin as I stepped into the garden, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside me.
I walked blindly until I reached a bench, my legs giving in as I sat down.
Tears started to roll down my face, silent and unstoppable.
Why didn't he tell me? Why did he have to hide it from me?
He has a child, a heir from the woman he once loved and was almost about to marry.
My breath trembled as I wiped at my cheeks, but the tears kept falling.
If he trusted me...
If he loved me...
He would've told me but he didn't.
"What else was he hiding..." I whispered to myself, my voice breaking.
My hands clenched in my lap.
Scarlett was back to claim her place beside Roman and now that they have a child together I don't think I stand a chance, mate or not.
The only reason he's with me is because of the bond nothing else, he didn't choose to be with me but he chose Scarlett, he loved her and maybe he still does.
"Aurora..."
I froze.
Darius stepped infront of me, his usual playful expression gone replaced with something softer and concern.
He didn't say anything else as he walked over and sat beside me.
For a moment, we just sat in silence.
Then he spoke.
"I heard the news."
My throat tightened.
"I don't know where I stand now?"
I whispered, my voice shaking.
He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees.
"You're his mate and I'm pretty sure you stand right beside him. Nothing is more powerful than the mate bond."
"I don't want him to be with me just because of the bond, I said, my voice cracking."I want him to choose me because he wants to be with me and not just because of the bond."
Darius exhaled, squeezing my hand gently. "You've done nothing to deserve any of this Aurora," he said. "But whatever happens don't let Scarlett intimidate and manipulate you. She's an evil bitch."
I chuckled softly despite the tears rolling down my face.
"I won't," I murmured. "But what hurt the most is Roman didn't bother to tell me the truth, he didn't tell me he had a son," I said.
Darius moved closer and wrapped his arm around me. "I'm sure he was waiting for the right moment to do it."
I scoffed. "When it's too late?"
When I got there she wasn't in the room so I left and went to the kitchen she's probably having breakfast.
When I reached the kitchen she was nowhere in sight.
"Have you seen the Luna?" I asked one of the maids.
"She's in the garden," the maid replied.
"Thank you," I murmured, making my way to the garden.
The moment I stepped into the garden
Rage boiled beneath my ribs, violent and choking.
Darius was sitting beside Aurora with his arm around her. They looked comfortable, very comfortable.
Something inside me snapped. My beast stirred violently, snarling at the scene infront of us.
"What's going on here?" I demanded.
As soon as Darius saw me he quickly removed his hand away from Aurora and maintained some distance between them.
Aurora didn't even look at me.
That alone irritated me more than it should have.
"Darius," I said sharply, my eyes never leaving Aurora. "Leave us."
Darius immediately moved to stand, but before he could Aurora grabbed his hand, stopping him.
My blood boiled. She dare touch another male and in my presence.
"Don't go," she said quietly.
My jaw clenched as I stared at her hand wrapped around his and then at her.
"Aurora," I said, my voice lower now. Dangerous. "Let go of him."
"No."
The word stunned me.
My brows furrowed.
She finally looked at me, hurt flashing across her face.
"You leave."
Confusion mixed with irritation.
What the hell was happening? Why was she behaving this way?
In the morning before I could leave she seemed fine.
"Aurora," I said carefully, trying to understand what was going on with her. "What happened?"
A bitter laugh escaped her.
"How long were you going to pretend?"
My brows knitted.
"I know the truth about you're child with Scarlett," she whispered.
My chest tightened.
"Who told you this?" I asked, looking at Darius. "Did you tell her?"
"No, he didn't Scarlett did."
I clenched my jaw.
Of course Scarlett had done this. I'm going to deal with that bitch later.
"Darius," I said again, more firmly this time. "Leave."
Darius didn't hesitate he left without turning back.
Silence settled heavily between us.
I moved toward the bench and sat beside her carefully.
"Aurora-"
I reached for her hand but she pulled away immediately.
The rejection hit harder than I expected.
"I'm sorry," I said quietly.
She laughed bitterly, wiping angrily at her tears.
"When we're you going to tell me Roman?" She asked. "After Scarlett and her child moved into the palace?"
"Aurora-"
"I trusted you."
Pain twisted in my chest at the crack in her voice.
"I was going to tell you last night," I said honestly. "But you were drunk and this morning Kael interrupted me when I was about to tell you."
"So what's going to happen now? Are you going to get back with Scarlett?"
"So that's what you think?" I asked. "You're afraid I'm going to leave you for her?"
"You both share a child so I'm guessing you'd want to be with her."
"Scarlett isn't the one I love, it's you Aurora, it's always going to be you no matter what."
She finally looked at me then, disbelief written all over her face.
"And you expect me to believe that?"
"Yes," I said firmly.
I shifted closer, closing the distance between us and taking her hand in mine and this time she didn't pull away.
"When Scarlett told me... I was just as shocked as you are."
Her eyes searched mine, trying to decide whether I was lying.
"She told me she had a miscarriage years ago," I continued quietly. "I believed her."
"And now? Do you still believe her?"
"No, I don't but if that child is mine it's going to be apart of our life's."
"Do you still love her?"
I exhaled slowly.
"Of course not and what I felt for Scarlett..." I paused. "Is nothing compared to what I feel for you."
She looked away again, tears slipping down her cheeks.
"The only reason you love me is because of the bond and if it weren't for that you wouldn't have taken a second look at me."
"That's not true," I whispered softly. "If we weren't mates I'd still would want to be with you because you're not like any other women I've been with. You're different, you're selfless, kind hearted, compassionate and fierce and that's what makes me love you even more."
"You're just saying that to make me feel better," she said, her voice shaky.
"No, I'm not. I meant what I said and I can prove it to you that you're the only woman I want."