~Aurora.
The sight of Arne running into Ethan’s arms and Ethan, hugging him back so passionately was a memory I would never erase from my brain. It was pure, the sight, and perfect. A mirror of one of the few things I wished for; a perfect father-son relationship. The way Arne lights up whenever Ethan was near and the way Ethan becomes instantly cheerful was heartwarming.
Giving in to his request -I was mad hungry, and I also would love some company- I walked next to him up to the dinning room. My ears caught the sounds of laughter but, I brushed it off, believing it could come from anywhere but the dining room but, once the twin doors fell open and my brain registered the setting before me, the little joy I had in me dispelled, and my heart went on lock on autopilot.
What was I thinking? How did I agree to this, even after seeing them together this morning? How could you forget Aurora, how could you?
“Surprise, surprise.” The queen’s voice rang out as her eyes went from Ethan to drag up my length, paying no heed to my son before turning her eyes back to Ethan. The three other occupants in the room quieted down and turned their attentions to us.
“What…what is going on?” Ethan asked, his eyes going to and fro the people in the room. Did he really have no idea they would be here?
“I invited Tiffany and her parents over for dinner. Tiffany told me how you turned down her parents’ request for dinner, and I decided to invite them over myself.”
Maybe, he didn't have a clue.
“And you thought today was the best time?”
“Why, yes, of course. What other better time than now, hmm? And I don't think there's any need to delay, seeing that you and Tiffany would be getting married soon.”
Of course, they were getting married soon. Tiffany was his.
“Come, come, come join us. And…you, too. Aurora.” Forcing a spittle down my throat, I went to occupy the seat before Tiffany's Mum, intentionally keeping Arne away from them. That has always been the game, and I wouldn't let myself go again.
Our food was served, and we began digging in after I made sure none of the dishes contained any of the things Arne was allergic to.
“You know,” I took a mouthful of my food before looking up at the man next to me, “the three of you looked like a typical picture perfect family when you guys walked into this room. I had thought for a second that the doctor was your wife and the child, your son.” He laughed.
“You both had this striking resemblance for a split second. Looking at you guys now, I don't think I can find any but, I bet you, soon there will be little Ethan and Tiffany running around in this house.”
My stomach tightened at his words and my appetite flew out the window, and it took everything in me not to drop my fork and sprint out of the room with Arne on my head. How on earth did he notice in a second what nobody in the palace had failed to do in two months.
I forced a smile on and urged Arne to finish his food, he was sick, he needed to eat to have his drugs and that also was enough reason to make me pick at my food. I was not going to let Ethan think even for a second that Arne could be his.
Once he was done with his food, I thanked Ethan and the queen and dashed out of the room with Arne. They didn't want us there anyway.
“Aurora,” Ethan's voice came from behind me, and I squeezed my eyes and said a silent prayer to the goddess before turning to him.
He should be ready to race me back to Crescent moon pack of he asks anything concerning Arne's paternity.
“I didn't know they were going to be there.”
I nodded, “it's fine. There is no need for you to explain anything.”
“But there is, I invit-”
“It's fine,” I stressed, “your highness, I completely understand, what happened has happened and there is no going back. You have people waiting for you and I really want to go to bed, so, it will be best if we just called it a night.”
He scoffed lightly, “okay. Sure, sure. I better get back in there.” He took a step back. “Goodnight son,” his eyes met mine, and he gave me a nod before turning on his heels.
I kept my eyes on him as he walked back to the room and saw him shake his head before stepping in. Exhaling deeply, I faced the direction of my room and headed for it.
~ETHAN.
“I didn't mean to make your guest uncomfortable.” Tiffany blurted out once I stepped into the dinning room. She was perched on one of the seats and stood up immediately I walked in.
“And you too. I felt pressurized by my parents and I decided to just through with it. I should have listened to you and waited. I'm sorry.”
I sighed. The room was void of the three other older occupants, and I wondered what they were scheming this time.
“Don't stress. It's fine, I understand that you were pressured. I won't hold it against you, but you have to promise me that you will talk things through with me and do what we agreed on and not throw me off guard like today.”
“Not fair, you said you wouldn't hold it against me.” I raised a brow and crossed my arms against my chest. “Fine, I promise. But I have a question for you.”
“Go ahead.”
“Is there anything. I'm sorry, but I have to ask, is there anything going on between you and that doctor? Because I think I noticed a strong vibe between you two.”
“No. There is nothing going on between us.” Though I wish there was because she's the woman, I can't get off my mind. And my mate too. I added in my head.
“So,” she drawled, “that means there's a that you're going to marry me, yeah?”
Tiffany was bold, confident, classy, soft-spoken and intelligent. She was everything I wanted, but not that which I needed. She was not the woman running through my mind. She was not the one that made my heart somersault that my wolf howls out for. Tiffany was the best but not my best, I want that mind-fucking doctor.
“Yes. Yes, of course.” I said with a smile.