72

72

Aurora's POV

The words from the captured rogue were in reverse in my head. From time to time, a sentence from his many warnings will jab at the strings of my heart and a rush of a wild fear will suddenly surge through my being.

Still wrapped in my shawl, I stood aloof watching Jake and Jasmine play with their toys as they made feeble noises. It may sound like a noise in the ears of others but it was the most comforting sound to hear after all that has happened so far.

"Look at how they play around with zero concerns, running after each other like their lives weren't just threatened a few hours ago, nothing bothers them at all," I mumbled, admiring them from the corner where I sat, still wrapped up in my shawl.

I was glad that there was a place like this where I could run to with my kids when life threw itself at me. I was almost teary about the ordeals I had to go through to survive my kids. Alpha Simeon was a great help in those trying times and is still stretching out his hands of support to date.

It's so touching to experience and I am so grateful but I wouldn't want to inconvenience anyone, especially as my kids still haven't grown to the point where they can decipher what is right and what is not. Staying together with Alpha Simeon might result in something I haven't planned for.

"I could use a hotel. I would just pay upfront at least for three months till the air is clear enough to breathe freely," I thought out loud not knowing there was another ear on the walls.

"There is enough space for you and the kids to stay. I am more than willing to accommodate you for as long as you would want to stay," Alpha Simeon replied.

"You crept up on me just to eavesdrop on my thoughts?" I asked with arched brows that showed how seriously I frowned at eavesdropping on my conversation.

"You did know I had been here along? You must have been in deep thoughts to not have heard my footsteps," he retorted.

Realizing he just might be right, I loosened rue tight knots of anger on my face and asked him calmly, "How long have you been standing there watching and listening to me?"

"Aurora, I know this is a hard time for you and the kids. It is also a hard time for the pack as well. I wouldn't want you to plant yourself in harm's way by standing directly in the mouth of the Lion," he bemused with concern lacing the edges of his eyeballs.

"What exactly do you mean by that?" I asked, curiosity stealing the best part of my face. "I mean that I do not want you to jump from a frying pan into the fire," he said, bending close to me and staring me deep in the eyes.

"Your moving to the hotel with your kids can pose a greater danger to you and expose you more to their attacks. Look, we don't know why you are being targeted but it is best you stay within a more fortified territory for now," he explained.

I looked at him for a while and was speechless. I didn't know whether he was making this statement because he truly cared about my safety and those of my kids or he was simply fascinated with the idea of having me close to him.

"I can't bring any more inconvenience to you, can't you see? A lot is at stake here and encroaching into your space with my kids is not one of the things I would give a try" I emphasized, slightly demonstrating with my hand as I spoke.

"Aurora, the kids are happy here. Look at how they play without fear and even the maids are beginning to like them, do you want to take that away from them too? These kids do not have to go through the trauma of knowing they are being constantly watched and cannot be free to play. Do this for your kids, Aurora," he assured, holding onto my hands as he looked into my eyes.

This was one of the things I needed badly. That assurance that I was safe that nothing would tamper with my kids' safety and that all was going to be fine. I allowed him to hold my hands as I battled with throwing him a hug and crying myself sore on his shoulders. He would have loved that I did all that to him but I wasn’t ready to get myself entangled in emotional throes again.

"I know that you have a fear that you haven't expressed but I promise to be my best around you and the kids. I would mind if the nanny stays too," he added, rising to his feet and dragging me up from where I sat watching the kids play.

The nanny came by to scoop the kids to their room so they could retire to bed. She halted in her tracks as she watched us talk.

"I would try to consider staying for a while," I said, pulling his legs a bit.

"Consider? Oh, come on, Aurora, I could double the guards on the perimeter if that will allay your fears still," he tried to convince me. "You can stay for as long as you want. You are safe here," he reassured me with a box of his head. I nodded back in acceptance, a small smirk sitting at the corner of my lips.

"I will take care of the kids, you can retire to bed," Michelle announced with a smile on her face. I smiled back at her and walked up to my room. Immediately, I settled on the bed, drifted off into a deep slumber and had a dream where I found myself in a lab with different chemicals, suddenly, it seemed I was being chased and I took off running till my feet bled. I jerked awake from the dream to hear a bang on my door.