The Wolf God's Unwanted Luna

Chapter 82: Old Bonds

Aurora sat strapped to a chair, blindfolded with thick black cloth that stole away her sight. We’d learned the hard way that she was sharper when she could see her surroundings, her magic more focused, her mind faster. She worked better with visuals, not because she was a spiritual witch, but because her magic required precision and calculation. That little vulnerability was courtesy of her bitter mate, who shared it during one of his angrier moments.

Even after all this time, forty years since I last saw her running from Albericus, Aurora hadn’t lost her beauty. Her long raven-black hair framed fierce features, and though I couldn’t see her eyes under the blindfold, I knew they were as dark and intense as ever. Tall and willowy, she stood as an odd contrast to her mate, but somehow the two of them had always just fit.

For a while, at least.

Until it all fell apart.

Now, all that remained between them was the tension of things never resolved, lust and bitterness and unresolved rage all braided together into something neither of them had ever found a way to cut clean. It clung to the air like smoke. I ignored it and kept my face neutral.

"Aurora," I greeted, voice low.

Her head jerked toward me, a sly smile curling her lips. "Zaliver. Always a pleasure. Or in this case, I suppose I should say it’s nice to hear you." Her tone dripped sarcasm. "Let me guess, this charming little blindfold was your idea? Or was it Albericus, remembering how much I hate the dark? My dear mate, are you sulking in the corner?"

She leaned back with an exaggerated sigh, one leg draped over the other like she had all the time in the world. Despite the years apart, the bond between them clearly hadn’t weakened. She could still sense his exact position in the room without her eyes, and she hated that she could.

Albericus didn’t respond with words. Just a low grunt. Arms crossed, shoulders tense, green eyes locked onto her. He didn’t move, just stared. I knew that look. If I hadn’t needed her for information, I would’ve left him to handle this his own way.

"I expected more of a warm welcome, mutt," she taunted, voice sharp. "What, not happy to see me?"

His only answer was a narrowing of his eyes.

"Aurora, I need—" I started.

She cut me off. Of course she did. Decades had passed and she was still the same infuriating woman.

"Let me guess, you want me to explain the cryptic little message I sent. Same old Zaliver. Straight to the point." She tilted her head as if studying me, even without the ability to see. "But before we go there, tell me, what do you hold close to your heart these days?"

My jaw clenched. A flicker of violent temptation moved through me. If it weren’t for Albericus, I would’ve already forced the answers out of her. Slowly. Methodically.

Instead, I glanced at him and gave a sharp nod.

He stepped forward, canines extending as he moved. I couldn’t touch her, but he could. Just not the way I wanted.