#####Chapter 2 : The truth

Aurora's pov

“What exactly was I supposed to hear?” I shot back, desperately trying to ignore the warmth of his arm against my waist.

It was almost ridiculous how I noticed something like this when I had learnt of something that could turn my word upside down.

With that thought in mind, I stepped out of his hold.

“That I knew my father was murdered because he knew something he shouldn't have?” I asked, sarcasm dripping from my words.

I expected him to deny it. But, all I got in return was silence.

It made my stomach twist, and at that point, I felt nothing but betrayed.

“You knew?”

Gavino didn't respond, he just kept staring at me with a black face.

“Did you fucking know, Alpha?” I demanded.

“Watch your tone, young lady.” He said, not even bothering to answer my question.

I looked away from him and chuckled bitterly.

“Wow. So, my father might have been murdered for some big secret, and everyone knew except me?”

The ache I felt in my chest turned once as Alpha Gavino looked away from me.

“Did he think I could handle it?” I asked softly. “Or was I just that irrelevant in his life?”

I could hear my voice crack at the last sentence. Because that was what hurt the most, it wasn't the possibility that my father had been murdered.

But the thought that he trusted his best friend over his own daughter.

My thoughts came to a stop when I felt Alpha Gavino grab onto my arm. What the heck was he doing?

Just as I opened my mouth to speak, I felt something rush through me. It felt like I had just been electrocuted.

I stumbled away from him instantly, grabbing the arm he had just held onto.

“You—”

Without saying a word, he merely pushed me to the side, pulled open the library door and then stepped into it.

I stared at the open door, hesitating for only two seconds before following him inside.

The scent of old paper and wood polished filled the room.

I spotted Alpha Gavino standing near the fireplace. His broad shoulders looked a little tense beneath his black shirt m.

Which was weird, but I didn't want to bother myself with it.

“Are you really not going to answer me?” I asked.

He threw his head back and took in a deep breath before saying, “You weren't here.”

“Excuse me?” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

“When Daniel died…you weren't here.” He said, turning around to face me.

The accusation in his voice made me stiff.

“You weren't always here. You enjoyed living the normal life and left this back behind. You left your father behind.” He continued coldly.

Each word that left his mouth landed like a physical blow on me.

Why? Because I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

“So, this is my fault?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“I never said that.”

“You didn't have to, it's clear what you mean.” I said, my voice rising with each word. “I just wanted to have a life, to get my degree, I wanted to have choices.”

I took a step toward him, running a hand through my hair.

“My father supported me. While you make it sound like I committed some horrible crime by wanting to experience life outside the pack.”

Gavino's expression didn't soften one bit as he spoke, “You abandoned your responsibilities, Aurora.”

I laughed in disbelief, slapping a hand over my eyes.

“My responsibilities? Did you expect me to stay here forever?” I responded. “Waiting around for some mate in shining armor. I needed to do something with my life!”

My chest rose and fell in anger as silence stretched between us.

Then, I heard Gavino mutter under his breath.

“I wouldn't be surprised if you don't even have a mate.”

I scoffed, his words echoed in my ears. My hand curled into a fists at my side as I took a step closer to where he stood.

“You asshole. You don't get to say something like that.”

He didn't react, and honestly, I didn't want him to. For an Alpha, sure he might look scary.

But he was also utterly petty.

“You don't get to stand here and judge every single thing I do like you know what's best for me. When you've spent years, pretending like I don't even exist.”

As those last few words left my mouth, I found myself standing face to face with Alpha Gavino. Our chest pressing against each other.

It was at that moment I realized I had never stood this close to him before. He smelt of pines and something I couldn't quite wrap my finger on.

He looked down at me, his face remained infuriatingly calm but his eyes darkened.

“You're so rude.” I hissed, but his lack of reaction only made me angrier.

I found my arm swinging toward his face without really thinking about it. Alpha Gavino’s hand grabbed my wrist a few inches away from his face.

His grip was as tight as steel and due to the amount of force he used, I found myself wincing.

“Let go of me.” I said, tugging at my arm.

“No.” He responded.

“Let. Go”

I yanked harder, but he didn't even move an inch. It was like pulling on a god-damned mountain.

“You can't do this to me. Who the fuck do you even think you are to treat me or do this to me—”

I didn't get to finish my words as I felt the atmosphere between us change. My heart raced against my chest and I couldn't even breathe well.

When I felt my wolf whimper in pain, I frowned.

“G-gavino…” I trailed off, looking up at him.

And it was at that moment I noticed the silver specs dancing around in his green eyes.

He used his Alpha Aura on me, considering how I was still standing, I guess he wasn't going all out.

This was the reason they called him the dominant alpha of the Mooncrest pack. There was a time I thought he wouldn't treat me like…his subordinates.

But considering this situation, it seemed as though he didn't exactly like me.

I mean, who would?

“Don't test me, Aurora.”