Aurora

Danielle

The last student walked out, leaving just Aurora behind.

I stood up, crossed the room, and shut the door. With a soft click, I locked it.

Turning back, I found her perched on one of the desks, her legs crossed, hands resting on her lap. She looked up at me, hesitant yet curious.

"Come here."

She hesitated for half a second before sliding off the desk. Slowly, she walked toward me, stopping just in front of my table. I leaned back in my chair, taking her in.

She looked stunning. Soft. Innocent. A perfect contrast to the fire I had glimpsed in her back on the plane.

Shock. Happiness. A hint of possessiveness. That was the only way to describe what I felt when I saw her sitting in my class.

For the past week, I had regretted not asking for her number. Not giving her a way to find me. I had spent too many nights thinking about her, replaying our conversation, wondering what could have been.

I never expected fate to be this kind.

Seeing her again today-here-felt like confirmation. Like maybe she was meant to be in my life. Maybe she was the missing piece we had been searching for.

The one who would finally complete us.

⸻

I have a boyfriend.

To the world, Alexander Valentino is a cold, ruthless businessman. Some would even say he's a monster. But to me? He is everything.

He might be feared, but to those he cares about, he is fiercely protective, gentle in ways no one else gets to see. He grew up with walls around him, but I have seen the man behind them. The one who loves with his whole being.

Alexander and I weren't always close. Our parents, powerful Mafia figures-had spent years trying to push us together, hoping to solidify an alliance through marriage. But neither of us wanted to be forced into something for the sake of power.

I had always wanted love. Real love. Not something built on obligation.

But then we got to know each other.

And I realized the stories about him weren't all true. Yes, he was ruthless. But he was also kind, protective, and deeply loyal.

Two years ago, we made a choice. Not for our families. Not for an alliance. But for us.

And he has been nothing but amazing since.

But... something has always been missing.

I learned early on that I craved both power and submission. I wanted to command just as much as I wanted to submit. Alex understood that because he felt the same way, that something is missing.

We had spent months talking about it before finally agreeing, we needed a third.

Someone soft. Submissive. Someone who would willingly give themselves to us, trust us, belong to us.

And now? I was looking right at her.

I hadn't told Alex yet, I hadn't thought I'd see her again. But now? Now I knew.

Aurora was meant to be ours.

⸻

I pushed those thoughts away for now, keeping my expression neutral as I met her gaze.

"How have you been, principessa?" My voice was smooth, teasing, testing. [Princess]

The reaction was immediate.

Pink flushed across her cheeks, her lips parting slightly before she caught herself. "Good, Professor. How about you?" she asked softly.

"Pretty good now that I've seen you." I smirked, watching as the blush deepened.

Damn. I could get used to this.

She was adorable. So cute and precious that it made something in me tighten-an urge to protect, to claim.

"And just call me Danielle when we're not in class," I told her.

"Yes, Prof-I mean... yes, Danielle."

I chuckled. Too easy.

My fingers tapped against the desk as I debated my next move. The urge to see her again, to push this further, was too strong to ignore.

"Do you have any more classes today, princess?" I asked, my voice laced with something deeper.

She shook her head. "No."

"Good. Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?"

Her lips parted slightly, as if she hadn't expected the invitation. But then, after a small pause-

"I would love to, Danielle," she said quietly.

Perfect.

"Great. It's a date then."

I pushed off the desk, moving closer, my eyes flicking down to her parted lips before I stepped back and turned toward the door.

I could have lingered. Could have teased her more. But leaving her flustered, letting her sit with that excitement, that anticipation-that was better.

"See you later, princess," I called over my shoulder as I stepped out of the room.

And as I walked to my next class, all I could think about was her.

How perfect she was.

How perfect she would be for us.

And how I couldn't wait to see her tonight.

⸻

QOTD: Pineapple on pizza or no?