Chapter 325: Aurora

Did she understand what we were talking about? I needed to redirect her thoughts immediately.

“Joclyn, Trajan wasn’t talking about you, I promise,” I blurted, instantly regretting it. Trajan spun around, eyes wide with disbelief, shooting me a look that screamed, What are you doing?

He took a deep breath, composing himself. “Of course not,” he said, forcing a laugh that sounded anything but natural.

I glanced at Joclyn, who watched us with sharp, calculating eyes. Panicking, I laughed, though it came out more awkward than intended. “I mean, why would he talk about you like that? I’m sure Trajan doesn’t even like you… not one bit! He probably hates how you carry yourself.”

“No, I don’t!” Trajan interjected, still laughing nervously, his face rapidly reddening.

“Oh, so you do like her? Love her, maybe? Wow!” I teased, my voice escalating with faux enthusiasm.

Joclyn’s expression shifted; her brows furrowed as though she were staring at two lunatics.

“Just stop,” Trajan hissed, his teeth gritted. “Aurora… my luna… just stop.” He forced another awkward laugh, clearly trying to salvage the moment.

I clamped my mouth shut, realizing I’d only made the situation worse. Joclyn tilted her head, studying us as if we were part of some bizarre play.

“What brings you here, Joclyn?” I asked quickly, hoping to change the subject.

She stepped closer, her gaze locking with Trajan’s briefly before she sat in front of me. “I came to talk about this ‘forbidden’ thing… the one that’s supposedly off-limits.”

My heart skipped a beat. She heard everything. She knew she was the one Trajan was talking about.

Trajan coughed, nervously shifting his weight. I noticed how agitated he looked—scratching his arm, running his hand through his hair, avoiding her eyes.

I’d never seen Trajan like this before. Was this what love could do? Reduce a confident man to a bundle of nerves, like a teenager with his first crush?

“I… I think I’ll leave now,” Trajan muttered, heading for the door.

“Stay,” Joclyn said firmly, and Trajan froze, his hand hovering over the doorknob.

“Why?” I asked on his behalf, genuinely curious.

“Because this involves him and me,” she said, her voice steady. She paused, then added, “And this forbidden… flower.”

I blinked, startled. Flower?

Joclyn placed a small lilac flower with red specks on my desk. I frowned, examining it closely.

“This is said to be forbidden,” she explained. “If a werewolf touches it, they lose their supernatural abilities for a few days.”

I leaned closer, recognizing the rare flower I’d only heard about in legends. “This grows in the deep woods, doesn’t it?”

She nodded.

I sat back, relieved. So this was what she was talking about? Not… that.

“This is what you meant?” I asked cautiously.

“Yes. What did you think I meant?” Joclyn’s sharp eyes narrowed.

“Nothing, nothing,” I said quickly, waving her off. I glanced at Trajan, who exhaled in visible relief, his hand clutching his chest like he’d just escaped a death sentence.

“Trajan,” Joclyn called, turning toward him. “Come here. Sit.”

He hesitated, then dragged a chair over, but instead of sitting close, he positioned it awkwardly far from her and held a file on his lap.

I narrowed my eyes. Was he… trying to hide something? An erection, perhaps?

Joclyn, ever graceful, remained poised, her beauty effortless. As she spoke, her perfect smile and soft voice seemed to pull Trajan into a trance.

“Now, Trajan,” she began, placing a hand lightly on his thigh.

He jolted upright as if struck by lightning. “Are you okay?” Joclyn asked, concern flickering across her face.

He coughed, shifting uncomfortably. “I’m fine,” he stammered, though the beads of sweat on his forehead told a different story.

Joclyn patted his back gently, handing him a bottle of water from my desk. “Here, drink this.”

“Th-thank you,” he mumbled, gulping the water like it was a lifeline.

As Joclyn turned her attention back to me, Trajan’s gaze remained fixed on her. He stared, wide-eyed and slack-jawed, like a lovestruck fool. I resisted the urge to nudge him, fearing he’d start drooling if this continued.

“This flower,” Joclyn continued, “was thought to be forbidden, but in reality, it isn’t. It’s misunderstood. Its fragrance is unmatched, and I’ve even managed to create a perfume from it. It’s one of a kind.”

She handed me a small bottle. I uncapped it, taking a deep whiff. “Wow, this is amazing. Can I keep it?”

“Of course,” she said with a smile.

I turned to Trajan. “Why don’t you try it and tell me what you think?”

Before she could hand him the bottle, I snatched it back. “Actually, never mind,” I said quickly. I didn’t want her to catch him staring and think he was… weird.

Joclyn raised a brow but shrugged, continuing her explanation. “This flower is feared by many, but I’ve discovered a way to handle it without any side effects. It could be a valuable resource for the pack.”

I nodded, impressed. “That sounds promising.”

“Right, Trajan?” Joclyn said, turning to him.

Their faces were suddenly inches apart. Both froze, their eyes locking. The tension in the room…