Chapter 120: A Cruel Request.

Aurora’s POV
“You… have feelings for me?” I asked, completely stunned by Alessandro’s words.
He nodded, his hands shaking. “I know that I shouldn’t, especially since you and Leonardo just broke up and all… and I’m not pressuring you into anything you’re not ready for.
I just wanted to tell you how I feel.”
Silence stretched between us. My heart beating in my chest, my mind racing to process his confession.
Alessandro had never been kind to me but for a while now he had been nothing but kind and supportive when I needed.
Always looking out for me, but…..was I ready to be with someone else even though I also feel the same way?
“I don’t know what to say,” I admitted, my voice low.
“You don’t have to say anything,” he assured me quickly.
“I just… I couldn’t keep it in anymore. I needed you to know.”
I looked into his eyes, searching for any sign that this was some kind of mistake, but all I saw was sincerity.
He meant every word.
A lump formed in my throat.
“Alessandro, I’m still trying to figure everything out. I don’t even know where I stand with myself, let alone my feelings for anyone else.”
“I understand,” he said softly.
“I don’t expect anything from you, Aurora. I just wanted to be honest.”
I swallowed hard, nodding. “Thank you for telling me.”
He offered a small, sad smile.
“No matter what happens, I’m here for you. Always.”
As I watched him walk away, my emotions tangled into a confusing knot.
Alessandro had feelings for me. And I had no idea what to do about it.
I should be thrilled, but why do I feel like I’m betraying someone? If Leonardo finds out that I have feelings for his brother, what would he do?
Everything is so messed up. I closed the door and leaned behind it, my heart racing.
My mind was filled with conflicting emotions. Guilt, confusion and a strange warmth that Alessandro’s confession had stirred in me.
I shouldn’t feel this way. Not after everything that had happened with Leonardo.
But deep down, I couldn’t deny that something about Alessandro’s words had touched me.
I let out a shaky breath, sliding down the door until I was sitting on the floor.
My hands trembled in my lap as I tried to make sense of everything.
What was I going to do?
Just then I heard a knock on my door.
“Who is it?” I asked, as I was still sitting on the floor.
“Miss Aurora, Alpha John request your presence in his office.”
I got up quickly from the floor, adjusting my clothe, and opened my door
The pack guard standing outside gave me a small nod before stepping aside.
My heart beating in my chest as I stepped out into the hall. The air felt heavy, thick with tension I couldn’t quite place.
Why would Alpha John want to see me?
I walked through the corridors, my mind racing with possibilities. Was this about Leonardo?
Had he told his father something?
Or was this about my mother and him divorce?
My hands clenched into fist at my side as I tried to steady my breathing.
When I reached the Alpha’s office, the guard knocked twice before pushing the door open.
I stepped inside hesitantly, my eyes meeting Alpha John’s stern expression as he sat behind his desk.
“Aurora,” he said, his voice calm but firm.
“Sit.”
I did as he asked, my nerves on edge. He studied me for a long moment, then sighed.
“I won’t waste your time,” he said.
“I just want you to answer this questions sincerely.”
I swallowed hard, nodding.
“Okay, Alpha.”
“Good.” His sharp gaze didn’t waver.
“When did you and my son, Leonardo start um….dating? And I want the honest truth from you, Aurora?”
I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But something about the Alpha's piercing eyes made me feel like I had no choice but to tell the truth.

"Alpha, we….started dating not quite long after I joined the pack," I stammered.
Alpha John's face didn't change, but I could sense a surprise behind his eyes.

He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together.

"Did you sleep with my son?” he asked, his eyes never leaving mine.

I hesitated again, looking down at my feet.

“I…don’t think it’s right to talk about that with you, Alpha John.” I said quietly, trying to sound respectful. “I hope you understand?”

Alpha John’s eyes furrowed slightly. He leaned forward, his eyes still fixed on mine.

“I’m your Alpha, Aurora.” he said firmly.

“I need to know what’s going on in my pack. So answer the question.

I felt a surge of fear. I swallowed hard, trying to stay calm.

“Yes…..I did.”

Alpha John's expression didn't change, but I could sense a hint of disappointment behind his eyes.

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving mine.

"I see," he said, his voice firm but controlled.

"And did you do it because you loved him, or because you wanted to secure your place in the pack?"

I felt a sting from his words, but I tried to stay calm.

"I...I did it because I had feelings for him, Alpha," I said quietly.

Alpha John raised an eyebrow.

"Feelings?

Or was it just lust?" he asked, his voice dripping with skepticism.

I felt my face heat up with embarrassment, but I tried to stand my ground.

"It was more than just lust, Alpha," I said, trying to sound confident.

Alpha John leaned forward again, his eyes blazing with intensity.

“And did you know that he was engaged to be married to Lena before you went ahead to date and sleep with him?”

I didn’t like where this was going but the way Alpha John was looking at me, I dared not say that I wasn’t ready to answer his questions.

“I….knew.”

Alpha John’s face twisted in disgust. “So you knew he was engaged to Lena and still you went ahead and slept with him so that he would mark you as his mate?”

He scoffed. “You really are something, Aurora.”

Alpha John's words cut deep, and I felt a sting of shame and guilt. I tried to defend myself, but he didn't let me.

"Don't even try to justify yourself, Aurora," he growled.

"You knew he was engaged, and you still pursued him. That's not just wrong, it's despicable."

I felt tears pricking at the corners of my eyes, but I refused to cry. I knew that would only make Alpha John angrier.

"I...I didn't mean to hurt anyone," I stammered.

Alpha John laughed again, a cold, mocking sound. "You didn't mean to hurt anyone?

You're a selfish, manipulative little girl, Aurora. You only care about yourself and what you want."

He leaned forward, his eyes blazing with anger.

"And now, you're going to have to face the consequences of your actions. I will banish you and your mother from this pack. You will never see or come near my son ever again.”

I felt like I had been punched in the gut.

Banished?

"No, Alpha John, please," I begged, tears streaming down my face.

"I'll do anything. Just don't banish me."

Alpha John's face didn't change. He was unmoved by my tears and my pleas.

"You should have thought of that before you slept with my son," he said coldly.

"You should have thought of that before you ruined his engagement and embarrassed our pack."

I felt a wave of despair wash over me. I knew I had made mistakes, but I never thought it would come to this.

"What about my mother?" I asked, trying to think of anything that could change Alpha John's mind.

"Your mother will be banished along with you," Alpha John said.

"She's been a thorn in my side for far too long. This is the perfect opportunity to get rid of her."

I felt a surge of anger at Alpha John's words, but I knew I had to keep my cool.

I had to think of something, anything, that could change his mind.

"Please, Alpha John," I said, trying to sound calm.

"Just give me a chance to make things right. I'll do anything."

Alpha John raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"Anything?" he repeated.

I nodded, desperate.

"Yes, anything."

Alpha John leaned back in his chair, a cold smile spreading across his face.

"I'll give you a chance to make things right," he said. “But it’s not going to be easy.” Alpha John continued, his smile growing wider.

“You’ll have to prove to me and to everyone in the pack that you and really want to stay in the pack.

I nodded eagerly, willing to do anything to make things right.

"What do I have to do?" I asked, my voice shaking with anticipation.

Alpha John leaned forward, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"You’ll have to break up publicly with Leonardo to prove to me that you want to stay in this pack.”

I felt like I had been punched in the gut. Break up with Leonardo publicly? It was a humiliating and cruel request, but I knew I had no choice.

"When do I have to do it?"