Chapter 87: Marriage news
The next morning, Aurora sat in the palace dining room. The room was big and bright. Sunlight came through large windows. The table was long. Food filled it – fresh bread, fruits, eggs, and meat. The queen and king sat at the head. Prince Kairo sat next to Aurora. He smiled at her. His eyes were happy.
The queen looked at Aurora with joy. “My dear,” she said. “Kairo told us the good news. You agreed to marry him. We are so excited.”
The king nodded. His face was kind. “Yes. You will make a good wife for our son. And a strong queen one day.”
Aurora smiled back. She felt warm. But deep inside, the ache from yesterday stayed. The guard’s scent. The pain in her heart. She pushed it away. “Thank you,” she said. “I am happy too. Kairo is good to me.”
Kairo took her hand under the table. “She is perfect,” he said to his parents.
The queen laughed. “We knew it would happen. From the day we found you, Aurora, we saw something special. Now you are part of our family.”
The king raised his glass. “To the wedding. May it bring peace and strength to our pack.”
They all raised their glasses. Clinked them. Aurora sipped her juice. It tasted sweet. But her mind wandered. The wedding. A new life. No memories. Just this.
The queen called a servant. “Bring the messengers.”
Three messengers came in. They bowed low.
The queen said, “Spread the news. Tell the village. Tell the pack. Prince Kairo is getting married. To Lady Aurora. The celebration will be soon.”
The messengers nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
They left quickly.
The king said, “The people will be happy. A royal wedding brings joy.”
Kairo looked at Aurora. “Are you ready for it?”
Aurora nodded. “I think so.”
They ate more. Talked about plans. The dress. The food. The guests.
Aurora listened. She smiled. But the ache came back a little. Like a whisper. Something was missing.
Outside the dining room, Hardin stood as a guard. He heard everything. The door was open a crack. His heart broke.
Rhianna agreed to marry the prince.
He felt like someone punched him. Hard.
Rhianna can’t do this. She does not remember. She does not know who she is. The prince is not her mate. Sebastian is. But Sebastian left her. And Hardin… Hardin loved her.
He has to do something. Now.
He turned to Garrick. Garrick stood next to him. Also a guard.
Hardin whispered, “Did you hear?”
Garrick nodded. “Yes. The wedding news.”
Hardin’s fists tightened. “She can’t marry him. She forgot everything. I have to find her. Talk to her. Make her remember.”
Garrick said, “How? We are guards. We can’t just walk in.”
Hardin thought fast. “I will wait for her to come out. Alone. Then I talk.”
Garrick looked worried. “The prince is with her. Guards are everywhere.”
Hardin said, “I don’t care. I came this far. I won’t stop now.”
The breakfast ended. The door opened. The queen and king left first. They talked about the news.
Then Kairo and Aurora came out. Kairo held her hand.
Hardin watched from the side. He stayed still. Like a good guard.
Aurora passed by. Her eyes looked far away. Like she thought about something.
Hardin’s heart beat fast. He wanted to call her name. Rhianna.
But he waited.
Kairo said to her, “I will meet with the council. You rest.”
Aurora nodded. “Okay.”
Kairo kissed her hand. Then he left.
Aurora walked alone. To her room.
Hardin saw his chance. He moved. Slow. Quiet.
Garrick whispered, “Be careful.”
Hardin followed her.
The hall was long. No one else around.
Aurora reached her door.
Hardin stepped closer. “Rhianna.”
She turned fast. “Who said that?”
Hardin took off his helmet. “It is me. Hardin.”
Aurora looked at him. Her face showed surprise. Then pain. She touched her chest.
“You… your scent. From yesterday.”
Hardin said, “Yes. I know you. Your name is Rhianna. Not Aurora. You are from my pack. You lost your memory in the river.”
Aurora backed away. “No. I don’t know you. You are a guard. Leave me alone.”
Hardin stepped closer. “Please. Listen. You were Sebastian’s mate. He left you. Brittany sent men to kill you. You ran. Fell in the river. I searched for you every day.”
Aurora shook her head. “Stop. That is not me. I am Aurora. I am marrying Kairo.”
Hardin felt pain. “No. You can’t. You don’t remember. Come with me. I will help you remember.”
Aurora’s eyes filled with tears. “Go away. Or I call the guards.”
Hardin reached for her arm. “Rhianna, please.”
She pulled back. “Help!”
A guard heard. He came running.
Hardin put his helmet on. Turned away. Acted like nothing.
The guard asked, “What happened?”
Aurora said, “Nothing. I thought I saw something.”
The guard left.
Aurora went into her room. Closed the door.
Hardin walked away. His heart hurt. She did not believe him.
He found Garrick. “I talked to her.”
Garrick asked, “What did she say?”
Hardin said, “She does not remember. She thinks I am lying. She is marrying him.”
Garrick said, “What now?”
Hardin said, “We stay. I will try again. She must remember.”
They went back to their posts. The day went on.
Hardin thought about her words. Marrying Kairo. It hurt.
But he saw the pain in her eyes when she smelled his scent. Something inside her knew.
He would not give up.
The news spread. The village talked about the wedding.
Hardin heard it all.
He had to stop it.
He had to talk to her again.
The sun set. The palace grew quiet.
Hardin waited.