Chapter 109: A Choice to Make.

Aurora’s POV
"Who is it?" I asked, gripping the doorknob.
"It's Leonardo. Can I come in?" he replied.
I sighed deeply, closing my eyes for a moment before finally opening the door.
Forcing a smile, I looked up at him.
"Good morning, Aurora."
"Good morning, Leonardo."
Leonardo stepped inside, his eyes scanning my face as if searching for something.
“I wanted to check on you,” he said softly. “After everything that happened yesterday… I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
I nodded, keeping my smile in place. “I’m fine, Leonardo. Just… tired.”
His brows furrowed slightly. “Are you sure?
You don’t seem like yourself.”
I turned away, walking toward the window. “It’s just a lot to process, that’s all.”
He sighed, stepping closer. “I meant what I said, Aurora. I left everything behind for you.
You’re the only thing that matters to me now.”
I swallowed hard, guilt pressing against my chest. His words should have made me happy… but they didn’t.
Instead, they felt heavy, like a weight I wasn’t sure I could carry.
“That means a lot, Leonardo,” I whispered, still not turning around.
There was a brief silence before he spoke again. “Then why do I feel like you’re slipping away from me?”
I stiffened, gripping the windowsill. Because maybe… I was. But I wasn’t about to tell him that.
I forced another smile before turning to face him. “You’re overthinking, Leonardo. I just need time to adjust to everything.”
His eyes studied me, searching for something maybe reassurance, maybe the truth I wasn’t ready to give.
“You’re sure?” he asked, his voice softer this time.
I nodded quickly. “Yes. I promise.”
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Alright. I just don’t want to lose you, Aurora.”
The weight in my chest grew heavier. He had already lost me. He just didn’t know it yet.
“So… I was thinking that maybe today, we could go out and spend some quality time together.
Maybe a movie. What do you think?” he asked, his eyes filled with hope.
I bit my lip, searching for a way out.
“Yikes…
I actually have to prepare this morning. I have lectures to attend.”
Leonardo didn’t look discouraged. Instead, he nodded. “That’s fine. I can wait till you’re done and then come pick you up.”
I hesitated. Every part of me wanted to say no, to push him away gently.
But instead, I found myself nodding. “Alright.”
His face lit up with a satisfied smile. “Great. I’ll see you later, then.”
With that, he turned and left, looking content. But as the door closed behind him, I exhaled slowly, feeling more conflicted than ever.
*****
I got dressed and prepared to leave for classes. As I walked toward the main entrance of the pack house mansion, my eyes landed on Alessandro.
He was standing there, deep in discussion with some guards.
My heart skipped a beat.
Without thinking before he could see me, I quickly turned and took another path, slipping away unnoticed.
I walked briskly down the alternate route, my heart still racing. I didn’t know why I was avoiding him, but I just couldn’t face him right now.
The dream, the way he always seemed to see right through me, the way I felt when he was around it was all too much.
I reached the edge of the pack house grounds and exhaled, trying to steady myself.
Focus, Aurora. You have lectures to attend. That’s all that matters right now.
Shaking off the staying emotions, I headed toward the university, determined to keep my thoughts in check.
When I walked into the lecture hall, everyone was talking. My classmates were having different conversations, and their voices filled the room with a steady noise.
I made my way to my seat and sat down, exhaling deeply like I had been holding my breath the entire time.
Before I could gather my thoughts, a hand landed gently on my shoulder.
"Hey, you," Annie’s familiar voice broke through my haze.
I jumped, my body tensing.
Annie pulled her hand back, startled. “Whoa, why are you so jumpy?”
I quickly shook my head, forcing a smile. “It’s nothing.”
But Annie wasn’t buying it. She furrowed her eyes and dropped her bag beside me before sitting down.
“Hmmm,” she hummed knowingly. “Something is definitely up with you. So spill before I make you spill.”
I let out a nervous chuckle, shaking my head. "Annie, seriously, it’s nothing."
She arched a brow, crossing her arms. "Aurora, you do realize I know you, right? That little fake smile of yours isn’t fooling me."
I sighed, looking down at my hands. "It’s just… a lot has been happening."
Annie leaned in, resting her chin on her hand. "Oh, I know that much.
But what exactly is making you so tense? Leonardo? Your mother? Or…" she paused, her eyes furrowing with interest, "someone else?"
I swallowed hard. "Annie, I—"
Before I could finish, the professor entered the lecture hall, and the class immediately quieted down.
Annie shot me a look that screamed, this conversation isn’t over.
I exhaled, relieved for the temporary distraction, but deep down, I knew Annie wouldn’t let this go.
******
After class, Annie wasted no time grabbing my wrist and dragging me toward a nearby café.
“Annie, where are we going?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.
“Lunch. And,” she glanced at me with a knowing smirk, “you are going to talk.”
I sighed but didn’t protest. At this point, I knew there was no escaping her.
Once we reached the café, we stood in front of the counter, scanning the menu.
Just as I was about to decide on my order, Annie turned to me, crossing her arms.
“Alright, spill.”
I hesitated for a moment but then exhaled, deciding to just say it.
“Okay, so… I had a dream last night.”
Annie raised a brow, intrigued. “And?”
I glanced around to make sure no one was listening before lowering my voice.
“It was… an intimate dream. I was with someone under the moonlight, but I couldn’t see his face.
The thing is… I felt like it wasn’t Leonardo.”
Annie’s eyes widened. “Then who—”
“I think it was Alessandro.”
“OMG!!” she shrieked, her voice echoing through the café.
Panicked, I reached out and clamped a hand over her mouth.
“Annie!
Shhh!” I hissed, my eyes looking around to see if anyone was staring.
She mumbled something against my hand, her excitement practically vibrating off her. I sighed, slowly pulling my hand away.
She grinned. “Aurora, you horny dog.”
I gasped, smacking her arm. “Annie! It’s not like that!”
She wiggled her eyebrows.
“Oh, really?
Then explain why you were basically having a moonlit romance with a mystery man in your dreams?”
I groaned, covering my face with my hands. “I don’t know, okay? It just happened.”
Annie leaned closer, whispering dramatically, “But you think it was Alessandro.”
I bit my lip, avoiding her gaze. “It felt like him, but I can’t be sure. It was just a dream.”
Annie scoffed. “Yeah, okay. A dream that made you literally run away from him this morning.”
I blinked at her. “Wait… how did you—”
She smirked, holding up a finger. “I know you, Aurora. And I know that look you had in class.
You were avoiding someone. And since we both know Leonardo wouldn’t be on your mind like this—”
She gestured at me dramatically, “—it has to be Alessandro.”
I slumped back in my chair, groaning.
“Ugh, why is this happening to me?”
Annie shrugged. “Because the universe is trying to tell you something, babe.”

She took a sip of her drink before adding, “And I think you already know what it is.”
“But Leonardo has finally told his father about me and him wanting to be with me… Why am I feeling this way, Annie?”
She shook her head.
“I don’t know, but I think Leonardo had his chances, and he blew it when he chose duty over you, saying he was doing it for you and all.
But we both know that’s a lie.
"He was scared of being a disappointment to his father, so he decided to please him rather than be with the woman he claims to love.”
I nodded as I listened to Annie. She was right. But how do I gently explain that I don’t feel the same way for him anymore?
That maybe it’s best we remain exes?
“So I think he’s trying to put you in a difficult spot by making you feel obligated to be with him just because he chose you and gave up everything.
But stand your ground, Aurora. Ask yourself if you still want to be with him.”
I was quiet as I thought about what she was saying.
"When your mother accused you of being a slut and trying to seduce a Beta which nearly got you raped who stood up for you?”
“Alessandro.”
She nodded. “When the Beta lied, saying he never tried to force himself on you, who stood up for you?”
“Alessandro again.”
“Who saved you when you were almost killed by a monster in the pack house garden?”
“Alessandro,” I whispered.
Annie leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. “So, tell me again… why are you confused?”
I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair. “Because it’s not that simple, Annie.
I wanted Leonardo for so long. I fought for us. I held on even when he kept pushing me away.
And now, he’s finally here, choosing me… but I don’t feel the way I thought I would.”
Annie gave me a knowing look. “Because your heart has already moved on, Aurora. You’re just afraid to admit it.”
I swallowed hard. “Maybe… but how do I even tell him? He’s expecting us to move forward, to finally be happy together.”
Annie reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “You don’t owe him happiness, Aurora.
You deserve to be with someone who never made you doubt your worth in the first place.”
I looked away, her words hitting deeper than I wanted to admit.
“You know what you need to do,” she added softly.
I sighed, leaning back in my chair, feeling the weight of reality pressing down on me. I did know.
But was I ready to finally say it out loud?