Page 23 of The Alpha's Lunar Crown

"I'm not leaving you, Aurora," his grip tightening around my wrist, grasping my shoulder. "Not tonight. Not when we have unfinished business."

I almost believe him because where did that familiar tug in my chest come from? The one that makes my heart ache when I think about what we once had."I never wanted to hurt you, Aurora," he says, his voice softer now, almost pleading. "You have to believe me. It's not what I intended."

"Then, what did you intend, Lucien?" My voice breaks a little, but I clear my voice, blaming the alcohol thrumming through my veins. I might've gotten carried away by the conversations and had a glass or two above my usual thresh-hold. "What was all of it for? Your marriage? Your lies? Was it all just part of your plan? To disgrace me?"

Lucien's jaw tightens. "I can't believe you came with him?"

I let out a scoff. Of course, he ignores the subject matter and focuses on the one that doesn't serve him.

"That doesn't answer my question, Lucien. What was it all for?"

He pauses, his eyes briefly searching mine before he takes my hand in his and makes for the double doors leading to the balcony.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"You asked me a question, and I intend to answer, but I can't do it here, not with the eyes on us." I seize the moment to scan the room, and true to his words, a greater fraction of the crowd has slowly returned to their business, but I don't miss the nosy ones and their lingering eyes.He leads me up the stairs, and we finally arrive at the rooftop. Once we are away from prying eyes, I yank my hand out of his hold and twirl to face him, holding on to the wall close to me to steady me. Stupid red wine "What the hell is your problem? Why do you bother so much about my life and who I'm involved with? You left me for another woman!"

He takes a few steps forward, eyes burning fiercely. "You don't belong with Damon."

"I don't belong with you." I shoot back at him.

He flinches, his lips pressing into a thin line. "All these years, I looked for you, Aurora."

I cross my arms. "Didn't look hard enough. If you did, you would have found me because I am right here. I didn't disappear from the earth. How do you expect me to believe this bullshit you're spitting?"

His nostrils flare up. "I never stopped looking, Aurora. There was never a day I didn't search."

I feel the wall I have built around my heart begins to crack. I suddenly feel the urge to believe him. I want to let him pull me into his arms and erase everything that's happened. But I can't, and I won't.

I hate that I feel like this.

I lift my chin. "That's a bit difficult to believe, seeing as you watched me leave." I know I shouldn't be indulging in this conversation. I should end it here and go home while I still have the time.

My wolf stirs with disapproval. I don't blame her. She only seeks to make sense of why her mate would be so cruel, and her need for an explanation matches my need for clarity.

Lucien exhales, his voice lowering. "My marriage to Selene was never real. It was a political charade…a business deal. You were the only real thing I ever had."

My chest tightens. "I thought I already made it clear I don't need your apologies," I snap. "I don't need you either."

He didn't move.

I want to scream at him and tell him how much he hurt me and how badly he ruined my life. But instead, I turn and walk away from him, stepping out into the other side of the rooftop. I need space to be away from him. I can't think with him so close to me, especially not when my wolf is currently urging me to hear him out.

Tears sting in my eyes. I breathe it in, trying to stop the tears from flowing down. Goddess, I hate how weak this man makes me. I hate how all it takes is one look from him, a brush of the skin, and his breath on my cheeks to rattle the foundations of a wall I spent years building with my tears and pain. I don't need this.

Soon, I hear Lucien's footsteps behind me, but I don't turn around.

"Give me another chance, and I'll make it right. I will. I promise you, Aurora."

I shake my head, my voice barely a whisper. "There's nothing to fix, Lucien."

"I can't lose you again, Aurora." He steps closer, his voice thick with emotion as he wraps his arms around me from behind.

I yank myself free from his arms, wanting to scream at him to leave me alone, to never touch me again.He doesn't have the right to say things like that to me.

"You don't get to do this," I whisper.

Lucien wraps his arms on my shoulder and turns me around. He cups my jaw. "Do what?"

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