Invisible string | Harlan Briggs

Chapter 013

A couple of doors down, Aurora's breath hitched as she found herself cornered, her back pressed firmly against the cold, unforgiving wall. Trent Miller loomed over her, his face twisted in a sickening smirk as he invaded her personal space further. His foul breath seemed to suffocate her, making her stomach churn.

Aurora's eyes narrowed with disgust, her voice steady despite the rising panic inside her. "Oh my god, your breath absolutely stinks. Why don't you take a step back so I can breathe air that's not polluted by your toxic gas?" she muttered, her words sharp as she tried to push him away.

Miller didn't budge. Instead, his grin only widened, like a predator savoring the fear of its prey. His hands, cold and clammy, moved toward hers, seizing her wrists with an iron grip. The force of his hold sent a jolt of pain through her arms as he turned her around, slamming her back against the wall once more. The clink of handcuffs echoed in her ears as he roughly secured them around her wrists, ensuring she couldn't escape.

"Kinky," Aurora sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she fought against the restraints, but her heart raced as her mind worked to find an out. Miller's hands slid down her body, creeping toward her waist, and then upward, his fingers painfully brushing over her skin.

He stopped when his hand cupped her breast, squeezing it without mercy. Aurora gasped, her breath catching in her throat. Silent tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to let him see her weakness. She turned her head, trying to block out the sensation of his touch as a single tear rolled down her cheek. The sickening sound of the door crashing open reached her ears like a godsend.

Aurora's gaze snapped up, her heart leaping at the sight of a familiar, furious face. Her uncle's icy blue eyes, glowing with rage, locked onto Trent with a fierceness she hadn't seen in years.

Before Trent could do anything more, Peter's muscles coiled, and in an instant, he lunged forward. His hands gripped Trent by the collar, ripping him away from Aurora with a force that sent him tumbling across the room. Trent hit the floor with a sickening thud, his eyes wide with shock, but Peter was already moving toward Aurora.

"You ever touch my niece again," Peter snarled, his voice low and deadly, "and I will kill you. Do you hear me?"

Aurora's breath was shallow as she trembled, her body still coiled in fear. Peter didn't wait for a response; he swiftly moved to her, his hands gentle but firm as he broke the handcuffs with ease, releasing her from her torment. Before she could fully comprehend what was happening, he pulled her into a tight, protective embrace, holding her close. The warmth of his body was a stark contrast to the cold, cruel hands that had held her prisoner just moments before.

"It's okay, cub," he whispered, his voice soft yet steady, the only source of comfort in the chaos. "I've got you. You're alright."

But Peter could feel the tension in her body, the weight of everything she had endured settling deep into her bones. Her emotions were unraveling, and he knew she was struggling to regain control. The energy in the room was thick, and Aurora's power, raw and untamed, was on the verge of exploding.

Peter gently cupped her face, his thumb wiping away the fresh tears that streaked down her cheeks. "Come on, cub," he coaxed softly, "Say it with me. Alpha. Beta. Omega. You've got this. We'll get through this together."

Aurora's breath hitched as she clung to him, her entire body trembling. After a few seconds, she whispered, "Alpha... Beta... Omega..."

Peter repeated the mantra quietly, guiding her through the breathing technique that had calmed her before. Slowly, like a storm passing, the storm inside her began to subside. The tremors in her body eased, and she melted into her uncle's embrace, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat grounding her in a moment of much-needed calm.