Chapter 89: The familiar one
Garrick stood near the garden gate, watching the palace yard. The day was calm. Guards changed posts. Servants carried baskets. Garrick’s eyes moved slowly. He waited for Hardin to come back.
A young guard walked past. The young guard stopped.
The young guard said, “Hey. The princess was looking for a guard. Tall. Dark hair. She asked everyone. She looked upset.”
Garrick’s face stayed calm. But inside, he knew.
He nodded. “I will tell him.”
The young guard walked away.
Garrick found Hardin near the east wing. Hardin was still in uniform. His face looked hard.
Garrick said low, “A guard told me. The princess was looking for a guard. She asked about a tall man with dark hair. She was upset.”
Hardin’s eyes changed. “It was me.”
Garrick nodded. “She wants to find you. She wants answers.”
Hardin looked at the palace. “Good. I will give her answers.”
Garrick asked, “Now?”
Hardin said, “Now.”
They walked back to the hall. Hardin’s heart beat fast. Rhianna looked for him. She felt something. That was hope.
Meanwhile, Aurora sat in her room. The curtains were open. Sunlight came in. She looked at the floor. Her hands were in her lap.
The door opened. Kairo came in.
He smiled. “Aurora.”
She looked up. “Kairo.”
He closed the door. Walked to her. Sat on the bed.
“What happened?” he asked. “You looked strange earlier. In the hall.”
Aurora shook her head. “Nothing. I am fine.”
Kairo looked at her eyes. “You can tell me.”
Aurora said, “I just felt tired. That is all.”
Kairo nodded. “Okay. If you say so.”
He smiled again. “I was sorting border security. Some guards saw strange men near the wall. But it is handled now. No problem.”
Aurora nodded. “Good.”
Kairo took her hand. “I am happy. Happy that you agreed to marry me. You make me feel… complete.”
Aurora looked at him. His eyes were warm. Kind. She felt safe.
Kairo leaned in. Slow. His lips touched hers. Soft. Gentle.
Aurora closed her eyes. Kissed him back. It felt nice. Sweet.
But then a knock came.
The door opened.
Hardin stood there. In his guard uniform. His face was calm. But his eyes burned.
“The queen sent for the prince,” Hardin said.
Kairo stood up. “Now?”
Hardin nodded. “Yes, sir.”
Kairo looked at Aurora. “I will be right back.”
Aurora said, “Okay.”
Kairo left. The door closed.
Now only Hardin and Aurora were in the room.
Aurora’s eyes widened. She stood up.
“You,” she said. “The guard.”
Hardin stepped closer. Fast.
He took her hands. Held them tight.
“You can’t marry Kairo,” he said. “You have to remember.”
Aurora pulled back. But he held strong.
Hardin said, “You used to love him. Remember. It was him. Hardin. Sebastian’s brother. I looked for you every day. I never stopped.”
Aurora’s heart hurt. Sharp pain. She tried to pull away.
“Stop,” she said. “I don’t know you.”
Hardin kept talking. “Your name is Rhianna. You are from our pack. Sebastian left you. Brittany tried to kill you. You ran. Fell in the river. I came here to find you. To bring you home.”
Aurora shook her head. “No. Stop.”
Hardin said more. “You loved me. You—”
Aurora shouted, “Enough!”
She pushed him. Hard.
“Do you have an idea that I could have your head on a platter for touching me?” she said. “I am the prince’s future wife.”
Hardin let go. His hands fell.
“I’m sorry, Rhianna,” he said.
Aurora’s heart hurt again. The name Rhianna. It felt real. It felt painful.
“It’s Aurora to you,” she said. “And to everyone else. Get out.”
Hardin looked at her. His eyes were sad. Full of pain.
“I won’t give up on you,” he said. “Even if you don’t remember who I am. Seeing you with Kairo breaks my heart. You shouldn’t do that. You belong with us. With me.”
He turned. Walked to the door.
He stopped. Looked back one time.
“I will come back,” he said.
Then he left.
The door closed.
Aurora stood alone.
She felt dizzy. Her legs were weak.
She sat on the bed.
Her hands shook.
She touched her lips. The kiss with Kairo. It was nice.
But now… now her heart hurt more.
The name Rhianna.
The scent.
The eyes.
The words.
“You used to love him.”
She closed her eyes.
A flash came.
A man. Dark hair. Strong arms. Looking at her with love.
Then gone.
She opened her eyes. Tears fell.
She did not know what was real.
Aurora or Rhianna.
Kairo or Hardin.
The palace or the pack.
She lay down. Curled up.
The ache stayed.
She whispered, “Who am I?”
No answer came.
But deep inside, her wolf whined.
It knew.
It remembered.
And it wanted to run to the man who called her Rhianna.