A Werewolf's Human Mate

40

Aurora's Past

Then Aunt Emilia's gentle eyes rested on Aurora as she said, “Dear, life is very precious. That’s why it’s important to gather memories as soon as you can, okay?”

There was a weight to her words, an unspoken urgency hidden beneath their simplicity.

Edwin, leaning casually against the wooden table, nodded but added with a thoughtful frown, “Yes, but we need more time. Especially until we figure out what’s in this Ravenwood pack.”

The mention of the enemy pack seemed to darken the atmosphere, and even Uncle Boret responded with a low, “That’s true.”

Breaking the somber mood, Aurora tilted her head and asked, “By the way, do you all live here? I don’t think I’ve seen you much around this place.”

Uncle Boret answered, his voice calm but distant, “We come here often but don’t live here. Most of the time, we’re elsewhere.”

Sensing an opportunity to learn more, Aunt Emilia shifted her attention back to Aurora and inquired, “When did you come here, to this town?”

Aurora hesitated before answering, “About five years ago.”

She looked down, her fingers fiddling nervously.

“Why here, though?” Aunt Emilia pressed, leaning forward slightly.

“I mean, you could have chosen any place, but is there a specific reason you came to this town?”

Taking a deep breath, Aurora replied, her voice tinged with vulnerability, “I found out from the orphanage that they discovered me here. I thought maybe my parents were from this place."

" It felt like this was my birthplace.”

A moment of silence passed before Aunt Emilia quietly asked, “Do you know anything else? Your parents’ names? Or where they found you? Was it a house or somewhere outside?”

Aurora closed her eyes, gathering her thoughts, and said, “It’s hard to remember... but I was told that they found me outside a burned house."

".... Maybe someone saved me and left me there. That’s what the director said.”

The room grew colder with her words. Uncle Boret straightened up, his expression darkening.

“A burned house...” he muttered under his breath.

Aurora nodded. “Yes.”

A strange look passed between Aunt Emilia and Uncle Boret—an unspoken conversation that didn’t go unnoticed by Aurora or Edwin.

Finally, Uncle Boret spoke, his voice grave.

“ Aurora, about the fight from 20 years ago... some houses caught fire during that incident. Many people—normal humans—lost their lives.”

Aurora’s eyes widened in shock.

“Okay…” she whispered, almost to herself, trying to process his words.

Before she could ask further, Edwin interjected, his tone sharp with realization, “Wait. Are you saying... that Aurora’s parents might have been involved in that fight?”

Aunt Emilia’s gaze dropped, her tone somber.

“Yes. That fight caused so much destruction—properties lost, loved ones gone... It’s possible.”

Aurora froze, her mind reeling.

“Huh… What… is going on?” she stammered, her voice cracking under the weight of revelation.

Sensing her distress, Edwin quickly stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

“Aurora, we’ll talk about this later, okay?” he said firmly, trying to ground her in the present.

The air was heavy with unspoken words as Aurora stood frozen in place, her lips trembling as she tried to form her thoughts.

“But…” she began, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Please, Aurora,” Edwin cut her off gently, his tone firm yet understanding.

He glanced at Aunt Emilia and Uncle Boret before adding, “Uncle, Aunt, let’s just eat now.” His words left no room for argument.

The group fell silent, their dinner punctuated only by the quiet clinking of utensils against plates. The tension lingered like a shadow, each of them lost in their own thoughts.

Aurora barely touched her food, her mind swirling with confusion and unanswered questions.

After dinner, Edwin stood up and offered to drop Aurora home. The drive was quiet, with only the hum of the car’s engine filling the space between them.

When they finally arrived in front of her house, Aurora hesitated as she stepped out of the car.

Turning to Edwin, she spoke, her voice uncertain. “About… all that… my parents…”

Edwin sighed, stepping closer to her. Placing a steady hand on her shoulder, he looked her in the eyes and said softly, “Don’t think about it now. Just go inside and rest peacefully.”

“But…” Aurora started, her voice breaking slightly.

“Please, Aurora,” Edwin interrupted, his voice more insistent this time.

“Not right now. If we talk about this tonight, you’ll only stress yourself out more. Trust me. I promise I’ll tell you everything I find out, okay?”

Aurora searched his eyes for reassurance, then finally relented.

“Okay,” she whispered.

Before stepping inside, she leaned in and gave Edwin a quick kiss, her way of expressing gratitude and trust.

Without another word, she disappeared into the warmth of her home, leaving Edwin standing by the car.

As the door closed behind her, Edwin’s demeanor shifted.

His expression hardened, and his eyes reflected a determination as he slid back into the driver’s seat. Pulling out his phone, he dialed a number, his fingers gripping the steering wheel tightly.

When the call connected, his voice was low and firm. “Check something for
me—” he began, his tone serious.

Whatever he was about to uncover, it was clear he wouldn’t rest until he had answers. The car’s headlights illuminated the empty street as he drove off into the night, the weight of the mystery pressing down on him.