Chapter 53: Shifting Allegiance.
Aurora’s POV
I looked up at Alessandro as he extended his hand toward me. It was a gesture I had never expected, not from him.
Alessandro had never never been kind to me before. His sharp words and cold attitude were what I had come to expect.
So this? This was new.
Despite my confusion, I didn’t hesitate. Without thinking, I reached out and placed my trembling hand in his. He gripped it firmly but not harshly, pulling me gently to my feet.
I was surprised when Alessandro took off his shirt and put it over my shoulders. It was warm and smelled like him, which was strangely comforting.
"I'll get the nurse to check you over," he said calmly. He put a hand on my shoulder and led me away from the scene.
As we walked, I looked back at Leonardo. He was still standing there, looking lost and confused.
I wanted to see some regret or sadness on his face, but he just looked blank. I felt hurt and betrayed, but I couldn't find the words to express it. So I just turned away and let Alessandro take me to the nurse.
The walk was quiet, with only the sound of leaves crunching under our feet. Alessandro didn't say anything, and I was too tired to ask him why he was helping me now.
When we got to the infirmary, he talked to the nurse and told her to check me over carefully.
“Make sure she’s checked thoroughly,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
I sat on the bed, holding Alessandro's shirt tightly around me. Before he left, he looked at me and said,
"You're safe here. I'll make sure of it." Then he was gone, and the nurse started checking me over.
As she examined me, I couldn't stop thinking about what had just happened.
People accusing me, the way they looked at me, and Leonardo's silence. And then there was Alessandro, who helped me even though he didn't have to.
I had a lot of questions, but no answers. Why did Alessandro help me? Why didn't Leonardo do anything?
I tried to make sense of it all, but it was hard. One thing was clear, though: life in the pack would never be the same again.
******
As the nurse checked my arms for bruises and asked me gentle questions, my mind was racing.
I couldn’t help but feel how everything had shifted. The pack had always been my home, but now it felt...different. Unsafe.
I thought about Leonardo again, his blank face burned into my memory. How could he not defend me?
Didn’t he care? Or did he really believe Marcus over me?
And Alessandro... I glanced at the door where he had left moments ago. Why had he stepped in?
He never liked me; he made that clear every chance he got. Yet tonight, he had been the one to help me when no one else would.
The nurse finished her check-up and gave me a soft smile. “You’re fine physically, but it’s important you get some rest. I’ll let the Alpha know you’ve been looked after.”
“Thank you,” I murmured, pulling Alessandro’s shirt tighter around me.
The nurse left the room, and I was alone with my thoughts. Every moment replayed in my mind the accusation, my mother’s cruel words, Leonardo’s silence, and Alessandro’s unexpected kindness.
I didn’t know what to feel anymore. The hurt, anger, and confusion swirled inside me like a storm.
The door creaked open, and I flinched slightly, my heart racing. Alessandro stepped in, his expression unreadable. He held a small blanket in his hands.
“I figured you might want this,” he said, placing it on the bed beside me.
“Thank you,” I said softly, unsure of what else to say.
He stood there for a moment, as if deciding whether to speak. Then he crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.
“You’ll need to tell the Alpha Council what happened.”
I froze. “The Council?”
“Yes,” he said firmly. “This isn’t something we can ignore. Marcus needs to face consequences, and the Council needs to know the truth.”
“But they won’t believe me,” I whispered, my voice cracking.
“No one does.”
Alessandro’s jaw tightened. “They’ll believe you because I’ll make sure they do. I saw the fear in your eyes. You’re not lying.”
His words caught me off guard. I stared at him, unsure if I should trust him.
“Why are you helping me?” I asked, my voice barely audible.
For a moment, Alessandro didn’t answer. Then he sighed and looked at me, his gaze intense.
“Because someone has to,” he said simply.
I didn’t know what to say to that, so I just nodded, holding back the tears threatening to fall.
“Get some rest,” he said, turning to leave. “Tomorrow, we’ll make them listen.”
As the door closed behind him, I sank back against the bed. His words gave me a small spark of hope.
Maybe, just maybe, someone was finally on my side.
****
I couldn’t sleep. My mind kept replaying everything that happened that night Marcus walking into my room, locking the door, and trying to assault me.
The memory of Leonardo’s face, full of betrayal as he chose to believe Marcus and my mother instead of me, felt like a knife twisting deeper with each thought.
I opened my eyes and sat up, Alessandro’s shirt still draped around me. The clock on the wall showed it was already 5 a.m., but the night felt like it hadn’t ended.
Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching the infirmary. My heart raced as I wondered who it could be.
Was it Alessandro checking in on me? Or...Leonardo? The thought sent a mix of dread and hope through me.
The door opened slowly, and I saw a familiar face peek inside.
“Rafael,” I whispered, relief washing over me.
He stepped inside with Gabriel close behind, shutting the door softly behind them. They both walked up to the bed where I sat.
“Hey,” Rafael said, his tone gentle. “Gabriel told me what happened. Are you alright?
I’m sorry I wasn’t there. I had...uh, things to take care of.”
I managed a weak smile, knowing what “things” he was referring to. “I know. I hope it went well.”
He gave me a small, reassuring grin. “Yeah, it did. But that’s not important right now.
Are you okay? What exactly happened? Gabriel told me Leonardo didn’t step in, and it was Alessandro who helped you.”
The mention of Leonardo made my chest ache again. I nodded slowly, still trying to process it myself.
“I don’t understand it, Rafael. Leonardo didn’t believe me. He believed Marcus and my mother.”
My voice cracked, and tears slipped down my cheeks. “He thought I led Marcus on. Can you believe that?”
Rafael’s expression darkened as he moved closer, pulling me into a warm, protective hug.
“I’m so sorry, Aurora,” he said softly. “You didn’t deserve this. None of it.”
Gabriel, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, spoke up. “Leonardo’s a fool.
Anyone with eyes could see Marcus was lying. And your mother? She’s worse.” His voice was calm but carried a sharp edge of frustration.
Rafael pulled back slightly, brushing a tear from my cheek. “It’s going to be alright, Aurora. We’ll figure this out.
You’re not alone in this, okay? Gabriel and I are here for you.”
I nodded, the weight of their support lifting some of the heaviness in my heart.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
Rafael’s hand rested on my shoulder, steady and comforting. “Rest now if you can.
You need your strength for what’s ahead.”
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
