I woke to the sound of voices downstairs. The palace servants had informed me that Nonna and Richard were arriving, and my heart lifted at the thought of seeing my best friend. I had not left my room much since the incident, preferring the quiet safety of these walls.
When I finally made my way down the grand staircase, Nonna swept me into a hug that felt like home. Richard stood beside her, his usual confident demeanor softened by concern.
"You look better than I expected," Nonna whispered against my ear.
"The palace healers are thorough," I said, pulling back to look at her properly. That was when I noticed the mark on her neck, a deep purple bruise that could only mean one thing. My eyes widened, and I could not help the smile that tugged at my lips.
"Gene," I started, but she flushed immediately.
"Do not say a word," she hissed, though her eyes sparkled with happiness.
Alpha King Jack entered the room then, freshly showered after his morning training. Water still clung to his dark hair, and his presence filled the space like a storm barely contained. His eyes found mine immediately, holding my gaze for a breath too long before he greeted Richard with a firm handshake.
"Thank you for coming," Jack said. His voice carried that authority that made lesser wolves submit without question, but with us, he was gentler.
His brother John arrived shortly after, planting a light kiss on my temple in greeting. I noticed how Jack's jaw tightened at the gesture, though he said nothing.
"You are a beautiful woman, Aurora," John said smoothly. "My nephew inherited the best features from both parents."
"I think Cody will grow up more handsome than his father," Nonna added with a teasing glance at Jack.
"That is why Aurora should accept Jack properly," John continued, his tone persuasive. "They would make more incredible children. My brother loves her, but she refuses to acknowledge it."
"John," I warned, feeling heat rise to my cheeks.
"He is right, Aurora." Richard leaned forward, his expression serious. "As a man, I recognize what Jack feels for you. Just give him a chance."
"Will you all stop talking about this?" I tried to interrupt, but Nonna touched my hand.
"He loves you," she said softly. "Just give him a chance."
I smiled but said nothing. The servants brought refreshments, and Jack suggested we move to the training grounds where the lake waited. Cody had been begging for a swimming competition, and Jack had promised to arrange one.
As we walked, I caught Jack looking at the mark on Nonna's neck, a small smile playing at his lips. When his eyes met mine, something passed between us, an acknowledgment of things unspoken. I looked away first.
"Gene, that is quite the love mark," I said, desperate to shift the conversation away from myself.
"I have decided to stay quiet," John said with a grin. "I am not the only one who had a great time with a lover last night."
"That is my signature," Richard said proudly, and everyone laughed. "I am only worried about Jack and Aurora."
Jack's eyes fixed on me again, that intense stare that made my wolf stir restlessly. I knew he wanted me, wanted us to be together properly, but forgiveness did not come easily. Not after everything.
"Jack can go without it for years," John mocked. "If I had not seen Cody, I would have concluded my brother has a problem."
"Thank goodness he has Aurora now," Richard added. "They can start their activities from where they stopped after Cody."
My face burned. Nonna and I exchanged glances, and I reached for her hand. "Congratulations, bestie. Richard is the right person for you."
"Thank you, Aria," she said warmly. "I hope you and Jack patch things up soon."
I smiled but offered no promises.
The swimming competition began with John and Cody as contestants and Jack as referee. My son stood at the edge of the lake in his small swimming trunks, looking so much like his father it made my chest ache.
"If you dare win over Cody, I will cancel this contest," Jack warned John, sitting at the lake's edge. His muscled torso gleamed in the sunlight, and I forced myself to look away.
"We have not even started, and you are already telling me not to win?" John complained.
"Yes. Cody must win," Jack declared firmly.
Cody ran to me, and I kissed his forehead. "Good luck, baby."
He dove in when Jack blew the whistle, swimming with surprising speed. John started halfway through and quickly caught up, overtaking Cody twice before declaring himself the winner.
My heart raced watching Cody struggle to keep up. He reached the shore minutes after John, tears mixing with lake water on his face.
"Daddy, Uncle cheated. I am the winner," Cody sobbed.
"Liar. I did not cheat," John defended. "I only swam despite your father making me start later."
"Uncle is bigger than me. He cheated," Cody cried harder, and I wanted to comfort him, but Jack stood first.
"Cody is right. You cheated," Jack said calmly. "I will compete in Cody's place."
"What kind of referee are you?" John protested. "You are taking sides."
I laughed, unable to help myself. Jack was doing this for me, to make me smile, even though I knew he had pack business waiting.
"There are no rules against helping a contestant. Cody has to win," Jack declared before diving into the water. His body cut through the lake like a blade, powerful and graceful. When he surfaced at the far end, John was only halfway across.
Cody cheered wildly. "My daddy is the winner. Daddy is the winner."
"You cheated too," John complained. "You did not even come up for air."
Richard laughed loudly at John's expression. "Now you know how Cody felt."
They raced again, and Jack won clearly this time. I found myself applauding, genuinely happy. "You won for Cody," I said, unable to hide my joy.
"Yeah, my love, our son is the winner," Jack said casually, reaching for a towel.
The words hit me like lightning. My love. Everyone turned to stare, and Jack seemed to realize what he had said. His eyes found mine, but I quickly looked away, my heart hammering against my ribs.
Before anyone could comment, Eduardo approached and whispered something to Jack. The Alpha's expression darkened immediately.
"James Maslow is attacking the pack's holdings," Jack announced. "I have to leave now."
He came closer to me, taking my hand. "I want us to talk. But I have to handle this first."
He leaned down to kiss my temple, but I moved away instinctively. Hurt flashed across his face before he masked it with his Alpha composure.
As he left, I touched the spot where his lips almost landed, wondering why I kept pushing him away when part of me wanted to pull him closer.