Chapter 103
Chapter 103
Third Person’s POV
Aurora let her voice soften, though the glint in her eyes betrayed her intent.
“My fault,” she said with a feigned guilt. “I only wanted to hang your jacket, Caelum… but I ended up dropping these rings. They must mean something to you, don’t they p>
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The words sounded like an apology, but beneath them was curiosity–she wanted to know why the Alpha of Silverfang Pack guarded them so fiercely.
Caelum Grafton pressed his lips into a thin line, silent for a long moment.
Important? Once, he had believed the rings were anything but. Cheap, symbolic tokens he’d picked up in haste for a marriage that never truly mattered to him. During three years of mating under the Lunar Severance Phase, he had rarely looked at them–he had almost forgotten they existed.
But after the separation… he had found himself carrying them with him. His hand strayed to them unconsciously, fingers brushing their crude metal edges as if reassurance lay there. He couldn’t explain it himself.
“They’re nothing important,” he said at last, his tone uneasy.
Ryker barked a laugh. “If they’re nothing, then why snap like that? You nearly scared Aurora half to death.” His gaze dropped, catching the glint of metal in Caelum’s hand. His brow furrowed. “Wait a second… these look familiar. Ah–that’s it. Those are the rings you bought when you and Freya Thorne were bound, aren’t they p>
The air shifted instantly, thick with tension. Aurora’s face paled, while Caelum’s fist curled tight, enclosing the two rings like a wolf shielding its last scrap of prey.
“You can’t be serious,” Ryker exclaimed. “Those are your mating rings? Caelum, you’re already separated. Why the hell are you carrying that cursed relic around p>
Cursed.
Caelum’s wolf bristled, his voice snapping like the crack of a whip.
“Ryker–friend or not–you don’t speak of them like that p>
Ryker lifted his hands, unbothered. “What did I say wrong? Those rings are bad luck. You should’ve thrown them away long ago. What you should be thinking about now is what kind of rings you’ll give Aurora when the time comes p>
“I’m not bound to Aurora,” Caelum said flatly.
Ryker rolled his eyes. “Say that in front of outsiders, fine. But here? It’s just us three. You really want to embarrass her like that p>
Caelum’s expression flickered. He turned his head, eyes meeting Aurora’s.
Aurora forced a small smile, though her knuckles whitened around the edge of the table. “It’s fine. They’re
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13:17 Tue, Sep 2 GM
Chapter 103
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his and Freya’s rings. They were bound for three years. It’s not strange he keeps them near, even now. And as for me and Caelum… we’re just friends p>
“Friends?” Ryker scoffed. “If you hadn’t gone overseas, Freya would never have slithered in. You’re the one Caelum always carried in his heart–everyone knew it p>
Aurora’s lashes fluttered, her gaze shimmering as she turned to Caelum. “Is that true p>
Caelum opened his mouth… and no answer came.
Yes, once his heart had held only Aurora. When she returned from Bluemoon’s overseas training, he had done everything to show his gratitude for her saving his life. Yet lately… he found himself haunted by memories of those three years with Freya Thorne. The quiet devotion she gave without asking. The sharp sting of her words at the airport–the words that made him wonder if perhaps his life had been saved not by Aurora, but by Freya,
“Caelum,” Ryker prodded, impatient. “She’s waiting for your answer p>
“I…” His throat closed. He had no words.
Aurora’s eyes glimmered. Then she dropped her gaze, playing the part of one who understood too much. “There’s no need to rush. These things take time. But sometimes I wonder… if I had never left, would we have lost those three years p>
Caelum’s voice cracked low. “Aurora, I’ve only just come through a separation. I p>
“I know.” Her smile was tender, forgiving. “I understand. The Airborne Wing granted me a long leave. Remember the Ashbourne island project I mentioned? My mother’s kin are part of the development council there. I can take you, introduce you to them. With their backing, SilverTech Forgeworks could secure far more than scraps.
At the mention of business, the fog in Caelum’s chest cleared. His wolf straightened, senses sharpening. “Aurora… thank you p>
“There’s no need for thanks between us,” Aurora said warmly.
She wanted him to see: whatever Freya Thorne could give, she could match–and surpass. Freya was nothing compared to her.
Caelum’s shoulders eased. The Ashbourne island project was critical. He would secure it, whatever the cost.
And Freya… she was there, in Ashbourne as well. When he arrived, he would find her. He would demand to know why, in their final moments, she had spoken words that still clawed at his chest every night.
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