Chapter 126: A Heartbeat Away.

Aurora’s POV
I took a step back as Alessandro moved closer. My heart kept beating fast .
“What… are you trying to do?” I asked, my voice low.
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he watched me, his dark eyes filled with something I couldn’t quite read.
“Don’t move, Aurora,” he ordered, his gaze still locked onto mine.
My mind was racing. My body tensed, unsure whether to obey or run. 
The way he looked at me made my breath hitch it was intense, almost dangerous.
“What… what are you doing?” I asked, my voice barely steady.
But he didn’t blink. Didn’t step back.
“Stay perfectly still.”
I swallowed hard, my heart beating.
“Why?” I whispered but he didn’t answer.
Instead, he lifted a hand quickly and grabbed something which I didn’t see since I closed my eyes.
The sound of a shhhhh…. made me open my eyes and realized why he told me to stay perfect still.
“A snake!”
I froze, my breath catching in my throat.
Alessandro held the snake firmly in his grip, its long, slender body writhing as it hissed in protest. 
My pulse pounded in my ears as I took a shaky step back.
“I told you to stay still,” he murmured, his voice calm but firm.
I swallowed hard, still staring at the creature in his hands. 
“I—I didn’t even see it.”
“It was right near you,” he said, his grip tightening as the snake coiled around his wrist. 
“Could’ve bitten you.”
A shiver ran down my spine. I hated snakes.
Alessandro took a few steps away and, without hesitation, flung the snake into the bushes. 
It slithered away, disappearing into the darkness.
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “That was… terrifying.”
His lips quirked slightly, though his eyes still held a trace of concern. 
“You’re safe now.”
I nodded, pressing a hand to my racing heart. 
“Thank you.”
He didn’t reply right away. Instead, his gaze lingered on me, that same unreadable intensity from before still present.
“You were scared,” he noted.
I let out a nervous laugh. 
“Obviously. It was a snake.”
“No,” he said, stepping closer. 
“You weren’t just scared of the snake. You were scared of me.”
I sucked in a breath as he closed the distance between us.
“Why?” he asked, his voice low.
I looked up at him, at the way his dark eyes studied me like he was trying to unravel something hidden deep inside me.
“I don’t know,” I admitted.
His jaw clenched slightly. “Liar.”
I quickly shook my head. “I’m not scared of you.”
Alessandro raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching. “Really?”
“Yes, really.” I crossed my arms, trying to look firm.
He smirked. “Then why did you look like a deer caught in headlights just now?”
“I was surprised, that’s all,” I huffed. “You just moved so fast.”
“Ah.” 
He nodded, clearly unconvinced. 
“So, it wasn’t because you thought I was going to do something?”
I rolled my eyes. 
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“A little.” He grinned.
I let out an exasperated sigh and turned toward the car. 
“Let’s just go back before another snake shows up.”
Still grinning, he followed me. 
“Fine, fine. No more teasing well, for now.”
I shot him a look, but he just chuckled as we headed back to the car.
Once we got close to the car, Alessandro opened the car and reached for a small bag on the console and pulled out a cup, handing it to me.
I blinked in surprise. “You got me coffee?”
“Latte,” he corrected. “Figured you might want something warm while we enjoy the view.”
I stared at the cup for a moment before taking it, the warmth instantly soothing against my fingers. 
“Thanks.”
He simply nodded, then leaned back in his seat, gazing up at the night sky.
I followed his gaze, sipping my latte as the stars twinkled above us. 
The night was calm, the world quiet except for the distant sound of crickets and the soft hum of the car’s engine.
For the first time in a long while, I felt… at peace.
Alessandro exhaled, his voice softer now. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”
I glanced at him, watching the way the moonlight cast shadows over his sharp features.
“Yeah,” I murmured. “It really is.”
But then the thought of what I had seen inside the woods of those couple having sex came back to mind.
I quickly shook the thought away, gripping my cup of latte tighter as I turned my gaze back to the sky.
I could still hear the sounds their moans, the slapping of their bodies. 
My face grew hot, and I silently cursed myself for letting my mind wander there again.
“You okay?” Alessandro’s voice pulled me back.
I looked at him quickly. His dark eyes looked deeply at me, and I could see a little smile in them. It was like he knew I was feeling nervous.
“Y-Yeah,” I said quickly, taking a sip of my latte, hoping the warmth would calm me.
He smirked. 
“You sure? 
You look a little... distracted.”
I scoffed, rolling my eyes. 
“I was just thinking.”
“Oh?” He turned his head. 
“About what?”
“Nothing important.” I waved him off, but I could tell he wasn’t buying it.
His smirk grew. 
“You’re a terrible liar, you know.”
I furrowed my eyes at him. 
“And you’re annoying.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. 
“Alright, alright. I’ll let you keep your secrets.”
We were quiet again, but it felt okay. The cool night air smelled a little like pine trees and my latte. 
I looked at the stars to calm myself, but I could still feel Alessandro looking at me.
“You’re not cold, are you?” he asked after a moment.
I shook my head. 
“No, the latte helps.”
He nodded, taking a sip from his own cup. 
“Good.”
I exhaled, feeling my body relax. Maybe I was overthinking everything. Maybe tonight was just… nice.
But then—
“You know, if you ever want to talk about whatever’s on your mind, you can.”
I turned to him, surprised by the kindness in his voice. He wasn't joking around anymore. 
His eyes were serious, and that made my heart feel strange. I paused, holding my cup tightly.
“It’s nothing.”
He didn’t press, just watched me for a beat longer before turning back to the sky. 
“Alright.”
That single word sat between us, heavy and unspoken. I wasn’t sure if I wanted him to push more or if I was grateful that he didn’t.
A few minutes passed before Alessandro broke the silence again.
“We should probably head back soon.”
I sighed. “Yeah, I guess.”
Neither of us moved right away. It felt like we didn’t want to end the moment.
We looked into each other’s eyes for what felt like forever. Everything else faded away, and it was just the two of us.
“Aurora… I know things in the pack are complicated right now, and you’re scared to trust your heart with anyone. But… I want you to know that you can trust me.”
I sighed. “Alessandro—”
“I know what you’re going to say,” he cut in. “That we can’t be together because you dated my brother. 
But I don’t believe that. Aurora, I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. 
My whole life, I only cared about making my dad proud and becoming the next Alpha.
But then you came into my life, and suddenly, my cold heart wasn’t so empty anymore. 
You filled it with love, and now… all I want is to be with you.”
I swallowed hard, my heart beating in my chest. His words, his eyes, everything about this moment felt….overwhelming.
“Alessandro….” I whispered, not knowing what to say.
He took a step closer, his fingers gently brushing against mine.
“Give me your heart, Aurora and I won’t break it. Give me your heart and I will cherish it.”
I felt my breath catch in my throat. His words were soft yet firm, filled with a promise that scared me just as much as it tempted me.
I wanted to believe him.
I wanted to let myself fall.
But could I?
“Alessandro…” I started, my voice low. 
“I—”
He lifted a hand, gently tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. His touch was warm, steady.
“I know you’re scared,” he murmured. 
“I know you’ve been hurt. But I’m not asking you to trust me all at once. 
Just… let me in. Even if it’s little by little.”
I looked up at him, into those deep, dark eyes filled with something I couldn’t quite explain.
Something real. Something raw.
My chest tightened.
“I don’t want to get hurt again,” I admitted, my voice trembling slightly.
His expression softened. “Then I’ll make sure you don’t.”
For a long moment, we just stood there. The night was quiet around us, the soft rustling of leaves the only sound as we stared into each others eyes.
My heart was beating so fast not with fear but with desire for this man I never thought I would fall in love with.
Up close, he looked so handsome, so incredibly hot that it made my heart race.
The feelings inside me started blowing again, strong and uncontrollable.
We kept staring at each other, like two hungry teenagers lost in the moment.
Then, Alessandro leaned in and kissed me.
And I….I didn’t stop him. 
All I could think about was how hot I felt. He ran his hand over my dress, rubbing my hidden nipples.
I moaned in pleasure.
I haven’t been touched in a while and it felt so good and it also felt so right with him.
I pressed my body against his chest, finally breaking the kiss.
“Do you…want to do this?” he asked, his voice low, searching for my answer.
Did I want this?
Hell yes.
I nodded, giving him permission to continue, to explore my body as I explored his sexy body I had been craving to explore all this time.
Just as he was about to kiss me again, his phone suddenly rang, breaking the moment.
Damn it!

Alessandro let out a frustrated sigh, his forehead resting against mine for a brief second before he pulled back.

“Ignore it.” I whispered, gripping his shirt, not ready to let go of the heat between us.

He smirked, his hand sliding down my waist. “Tempting, but it could be urgent.”

With a groan, he pulled out his phoe and looked at the screen. 

“It’s Rafael.” he muttered.

I sighed and rolled my eyes. “Always ruining moments like this.”

Alessandro chuckled, shaking his head as he answered the call.
“What is it, Rafael?” he said, his tone filled with annoyance.
I crossed my arms, watching his face as he listened. 
At first, he looked bored, but then his expression shifted his jaw tightened, his eyes darkened, and his whole posture changed.
I frowned. “What’s wrong?”
He didn’t answer right away, just ran a hand through his hair.
“We need to go,” he finally said, ending the call and shoving his phone back into his pocket.
“Go? 
Go where?” 
I asked, my stomach twisting with worry.
“To the packhouse,” he said, his tone serious now. 
“Something’s happened to Alpha John.”
(Give me a brief summary of what you think about this chapter.)