Chapter 339: Aurora

I got up from the ground, my shoulders tense. I looked around the room; Dane had left. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

I just can’t believe my Dane had changed so much that he wanted to hit me. I know I was wrong for slapping him first. But that was impulsive. I knew it didn’t hurt him much; it would only sting a man like Dane. But if he had slapped me back with his large, strong hands, I probably would have lost consciousness or broken my neck.

I held my chest, taking a deep breath; sweat dripped down my forehead. I looked around the room again, double-checking he wasn't there. I wiped the sweat from my face; my heart still throbbed as I pulled my trembling body into the bathroom.

While in the bath, my mind raced. Dane wants a baby, and he seemed ready to go to any lengths to get it—even to a prisoner in the dungeon.

If I give him another child, will he go back to how he was before? Will I get my Dane back? I think so… I have to do this for him.

I grabbed my towel and left the bathroom. I reached the mirror and studied my reflection. Am I out of shape? I asked myself, dropping the towel and examining my body. But I look fit and sexy, just as he met me years ago. And I’m even prettier.

I ran my hand through my hair. “Do I need to change my hairstyle?” I sighed and sat on the bed. I am Aurora… I am not Ann. Ann was insecure. Aurora is a confident, successful woman. I shouldn’t feel inferior to anyone, especially not Kaida, that prisoner. But what did Dane see in her…?

I felt sluggish as I dressed, somehow compelled to look extra pretty today. I picked a nice dress, applied more makeup than usual, curled my hair, and styled it. I looked in the mirror and sighed. I look prettier, but I still don’t feel better. I managed a smile.

“Dane is my husband, my mate, my alpha, and the father of my children… I won’t let an outsider cause a rift between us and break my home. I will win back my man.”

I reached for the doorknob and went to the room Dane had likely visited. I opened it without knocking, finding it empty. “Dane?” I called, checking the bathroom and closet, but he wasn’t there.

I wondered where he’d gone. I left the room and saw a maid passing by. “Excuse me… have you seen Alpha Dane?”

The maid nodded and pointed down the hall. My heart pounded as I looked toward the dungeon, praying he hadn’t gone there.

“He went to the dungeon, Luna.”

My breath hitched; I grabbed the doorframe to steady myself from falling. “Luna, are you okay?”

I nodded, and the maid left. “Again?” I asked myself. “Why is her cell his next stop after mine?”

I took a deep breath and steadied myself, continuing to draw deep breaths to control the fire in my heart.

“Dane… please…” I prayed as I walked toward the dungeon. “Please don’t do this to us… don’t do this to your family, I, Tristan, Sera… we can’t take it.”

I held the walls, trying to steady myself. My world spun; nothing made sense. I reached the dungeon stairs and paused, immediately picturing Dane and Kaida together. I squeezed my eyes shut, shaking. I’ll make sure that hasn’t happened—if it hasn’t already.

I rushed down the stairs, my eyes burning, my vision blurred by forming tears. I blinked them back. I can’t appear weak now… this is the time to be strong for myself and my kids… I need to fight for what is ours, and I need to win. Dane is ours. And he will always be.

I crossed the main gate, noticing the guards cleaning with mops and cloths. I furrowed my brows and rushed forward. I reached Kaida’s cell, but it was empty. I closed my eyes and opened them again. This felt like a mind trick. I looked again; it was still empty.

“Luna, are you searching for something?” a guard asked, approaching me.

I pointed at the cell, but words failed me. The guard raised an eyebrow in confusion, looking where I pointed. “What happened, Luna?”

“Kaida……. where……. is she?” I managed to ask.

“The alpha asked that she be taken away from here.”

I froze. Taken away? “Where? To where?” I asked, staring at him with wide eyes.

“I don’t know… the other guards who knew were the ones who took her.”

My hands fell to my sides; I turned and walked away from the dungeon. Dane had set Kaida free? He wasn’t in his room, and she wasn’t in her cell. Had he taken her with him?

“Have I failed?… have I lost, Dane?”