Chapter 340: Aurora

I reached the hallway, memories of Dane and myself swirling in my head, along with the scene from last night. Many thoughts raced through my mind as I walked, mindlessly, like a zombie.

I felt a touch on my shoulder and jumped. Turning, I saw Evelyn. "Hey… I've been calling you, where is your mind?"

I stared blankly at Evelyn; she furrowed her brows. "What is the matter, Aurora?"

I opened my hand, pulling her into a hug. Tears welled in my eyes as I held her tightly. Evelyn stood shocked for a moment before returning the hug, rubbing my back. "It will be fine, Aurora… all will be fine soon."

Will it? I asked myself. I wiped my tears and pulled back.

Evelyn stared at me. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, but she sighed, her gaze unwavering. She knew I was lying; I was far from fine.

"Your presence is needed at the council hall." I nodded, and we walked there. As we neared, I tried to compose myself, but seeing Dane sitting before his seat, all the bitterness flooded back.

I took my seat as Evelyn took hers. I saw Joclyn, Piper, Trajan, and even Warrick—he looked better, most of his bandages removed. Only Evander was absent; I assumed he was with the children.

I breathed out and sat down. The meeting began, and after we discussed pack matters, Dane stood. I wondered what he would say. Was he going to announce Kaida as his Luna?

I shuffled my feet as his gaze fell on mine. He nodded slightly before addressing the council.

"This is both sad and unfortunate," he began. "But when a man makes a mistake, he must take responsibility and make amends, not shy away from his duties."

The council members nodded in agreement.

Dane continued, "When a man impregnates a she-wolf who is not his mate, he is meant to marry her, according to pack law."

My heart seized. I am dead. Dane has killed me.

My eyes watered as I stood. I knew what he was going to say: Dane had impregnated Kaida and would marry her. There was no reason for me to stay.

I tried to leave, but Dane held my hand. "Dane, let me go… I don't need to be here," I whispered.

Dane tightened his grip as he addressed the council. "Warrick, could you stand?"

Warrick stood, looking confused. What does this have to do with Warrick?

I was about to tell Dane to leave others out of it when he said, "Alina, come in."

"Alina?" I exclaimed in shock.

Alina entered, heavily pregnant. Everyone but me was awestruck. I already knew she was pregnant, Miles had told me.

Alina greeted Dane and the council, then turned to me. "Alina… who did you say is the father of your child?"

Alina looked at me; I narrowed my eyes, sensing deception. She looked around the hall, smiling when her eyes met Warrick's.

Oh no… this can't be.

Alina looked back at Dane. "Warrick is the father of my child."

Piper gasped, jolting to her feet.

"Lie… that's a lie from the pit of hell," Warrick defended himself, but no one seemed to believe him.

I freed myself from Dane's grasp and approached Alina. "How can you say that… you've been away from the pack for so long."

Alina nodded. "I've been away from the pack, but not from Warrick. We met when he was on patrol in the woods. That's how this happened."

I turned to Piper, her brow furrowed as she looked at Warrick.

"I swear… I never touched her… Piper, she's framing me."

Alina stepped forward. "Don't lie to her… Piper caught us once in the woods, right?"

Warrick tried to speak, but the council members murmured, drowning him out. "Yes… it's true… we saw a photo of you kissing her yesterday."

Then it clicked: Alina had sent the picture to solidify her lie, pinning the pregnancy on Warrick.

I turned to Piper, who looked confused. Dane, equally confused, turned to me, and I looked away.

I faced Alina. "Where have you been all this time? Why come now, so heavily pregnant? Why not when you were earlier in your pregnancy?"

Alina sniffed, covering her face. "I hid because it's shameful… and because Warrick rejected us. He said he wanted to start a life with Piper, that this baby couldn't get in the way, and told me to terminate the pregnancy."

Gasps and murmurs filled the air again. I shook my head. What happens now?

"Believe me, none of this happened…"

"Enough!!" Piper thundered, pounding her fist on the table.