Chapter 150: Until We Meet Again

Aurora’s POV

Alessandro sat up and ran his hands through his messy hair. The morning sunlight shone through the window, making his skin look golden.

I watched him, noticing how his muscles moved when he stretched and the little wrinkle on his forehead when he thought.

"I should go soon," he said, his voice low.

I nodded, even though I wanted him to stay longer. Instead, I took his hand.

"Are you ready?" I asked.

He looked at me with determined eyes.

"I have to win to protect our pack."

I squeezed his hand.

"You will."

He smiled a little and kissed me slowly.

"You give me strength, Aurora. You always have."

I felt happy and warm inside. We got out of bed, and I wrapped a sheet around me while he got dressed.

Watching him put on his shirt, I remembered all the things waiting for him outside.

As he put on his boots, he looked at me. "I think you should get dressed too so that I could drop you back at Annie. I can’t bear to leave you here alone.

You need to be with someone.”

I nodded, understanding why he was worried.
"You're right," I said quietly.

I wanted to stay in the cozy cabin and forget about the world outside, but I knew that wasn't possible.

So I got out of bed, grabbed my clothes, and got dressed quickly. Alessandro watched me with a serious expression.

When I was ready, he took my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

Then he led me to the door. The morning air was cool and fresh, smelling like wet earth from the rain the night before.

Alessandro opened the car door for me, and I got in. I wrapped my arms around myself and looked out at the peaceful lake.

It felt strange that everything was so calm when we both knew that trouble was waiting for him back at the packhouse.

Alessandro got in beside me and started the engine.

I turned to him and said, "Promise me one thing."

He looked at me, his hand gripping the steering wheel.

"Anything, my love."

"Stay safe," I said.

His jaw tightened slightly, but then he nodded. "I will."

Then he drove off, taking me back to reality and all the problems we had tried to escape.

*****
When we arrived at the front of Annie's apartment, Alessandro turned off the car engine.

We sat there in silence, holding hands and gazing into each other's eyes.

"This is hard," he whispered.

I took Alessandro's hand, tracing my fingers over his knuckles.

"I know," I whispered.

Alessandro sighed and leaned his head back. "I don't want to leave you."

My heart felt tight. "I don't want you to go either."

We sat there, feeling the weight of reality. Last night's warmth still stayed, but so did the worries about what was waiting for him.

"I wish things were different," Alessandro said quietly, his thumb brushing my hand.

I gave him a sad smile. "Me too."

For a moment, we didn't move. It was like we wanted to stop time and keep this peaceful moment.

Finally, Alessandro took a deep breath and turned to me.

"I'll come back as soon as I can."

I nodded, trying to be strong. "I'll be waiting."

He leaned in and kissed my forehead before pulling away.

"Take care of yourself."

"You too," I replied.

With one last look, I got out of the car and walked to the entrance.

I turned back to see Alessandro start the engine, his eyes still on me.

Then he drove away, leaving me standing there with a hurting heart.

****
I knocked softly on Annie's door, and she opened it right away. She looked at me with concern.
"Aurora, are you okay?"

I wanted to say yes, to smile and tell her I was fine. But I felt too sad, and tears started falling down my face.

"Why is it so hard to be with the man I love?" I asked, my voice shaking.

Annie quickly hugged me tightly. I held onto her, crying into her shoulder.

"I miss him already," I said.

"I don't want to be apart from him."

Annie held me closer, rubbing my back to comfort me.

"I know, Aurora. I know."
she whispered.
“I know it hurts.”
The dam had broken, and I couldn’t stop the sobs that wracked my body.
The warmth of Alessandro’s touch, the way he looked at me like I was his entire world it was all still fresh in my mind, yet he was already gone, pulled back into the storm of responsibilities that kept us apart.
Annie pulled back slightly, cupping my face.
“You love him.” It wasn’t a question, just a statement of truth.
I sniffled, nodding.
“With everything in me.”
She gave me a small, sad smile.
“Then hold onto that. No matter what’s happening, no matter what challenges come, that love isn’t going anywhere.
And neither is he.”
I wiped at my tears, trying to steady my breath.
“But what if—”
“No ‘what ifs.’” Annie cut me off gently.
“You and Alessandro have already been through so much. If he’s fighting for this, for you, then you have to believe in him.
Believe in both of you.”
I swallowed hard, nodding.
“Now come on,” she said, tugging me inside.
“You need to rest, and I need to make you something warm before you completely fall apart on me.”
I let out a small, watery laugh, following her in. Even though my heart ached, I clung to her words.
Because she was right.
Alessandro and I had fought too hard to let this slip away.
****
We entered her apartment, and Annie headed straight to the kitchen to make breakfast while I walked into my room.
The moment I reached my bed, I slumped onto it, staring up at the ceiling.
My body was here, but my mind was somewhere else back to last night.
I could still feel the warmth of Alessandro’s touch, the way his lips traced my skin, the way we moved together like nothing else in the world mattered.
We had made love as if it were our last night together, as if time itself would steal him away from me.
I closed my eyes, letting the memories wash over me.
The way he whispered my name, the fire in his gaze, the way he held me afterward like he never wanted to let go.
A soft sigh escaped my lips.
I wished we could stay in that moment forever.
A soft knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts. I blinked, realizing I had been lying there for a while, lost in memories.
“Aurora?” Annie’s voice was gentle.
“Breakfast is ready.”
I sat up, running a hand through my hair before getting off the bed.
My legs felt heavy as I walked to the kitchen, the weight of Alessandro’s absence settling deep in my chest.
Annie placed a plate of eggs and toast in front of me and sat across from me with her cup of coffee.
She watched me carefully as I picked at my food.
“I know you’re hurting,” she said softly, “but you need to eat.”
I sighed, taking a small bite. It tasted fine, but I barely noticed.
Annie leaned forward.
“He’s coming back to you, Aurora. You know that, right?”
I nodded slowly, swallowing my bite.
“I know… but knowing doesn’t make it easier.”
She reached across the table and squeezed my hand.
“Love never is.”
I gave her a weak smile, appreciating her words even though they didn’t ease the ache inside me.
Just as I was about to take another bite, a sudden knock on the door made both Annie and me freeze.
We exchanged glances before turning toward the door. The knock came again, firm and unrelenting.
Annie stood up cautiously and walked toward the door, peering through the peephole.
“Who is it?” she asked, her voice firm.
A deep voice responded from the other side. “We are from the Shadow Pack. We came to get Aurora.”
My brows furrowed instantly. Something about this felt… off.
“Who sent you?” Annie pressed, her hand tightening around the doorknob.
“Alessandro,” the voice answered.
“He believes she needs more protection and must return to the pack immediately.”
I stiffened. Alessandro never mentioned sending anyone to get me. Why wouldn’t he tell me himself?
A sense of unease crept into my chest.
“Hold on,” I said, grabbing my phone. I quickly dialed Alessandro’s number.
The call rang once. Then twice.
And then—
The line went dead.