Chapter 360: Aurora

My heart skipped as I saw Alina slump, but thankfully, Kyle caught her before she hit the ground. Kyle gently tapped her cheeks, trying to rouse her. "Alina, please, open your eyes." He looked terrified. I glanced at Dane, who shook his head. "I'm sure she's pretending."

I sighed, worried, but met Kyle's gaze instead. He looked on the verge of tears. I was about to help him, but Dane held me back. "Aurora… you have a soft heart… I know she's pretending."

I sighed. Evelyn rose, grabbed a water can from her table, and before I could react, she was on stage, pouring water on Alina's face.

I gasped and stood. Alina gasped, too, then rushed to Kyle, hugging him. "Baby… save me, baby."

My jaw dropped. "She…" I pointed, "How is she calling the cleaner her baby? I thought he wasn't 'up to her level'?"

Dane scoffed. "Well, he's now an Alpha. What did you expect?"

"Despicable," I muttered, shaking my head.

Kyle helped Alina to her feet. "I don't have time for your games, Alina. I want nothing to do with you. I'll take you with me and keep you under house arrest until you deliver my child… then you can leave. The baby is yours; you can see him anytime."

Alina shook her head, reaching for Kyle's hand, but he brushed her off. "Baby… I made a mistake… I love you, I was only concerned about how you'd feed the baby and…"

"Guard!" Kyle called. Female guards entered, approaching him. "Yes, Alpha?"

"Bring her with me," he said, leaving the stage. He reached our table and bowed to Dane. "Greetings, Alpha Dane."

Dane rose and shook his hand. "Why the bow, Alpha Kyle?"

Kyle smirked. "You're an elder, and a long-standing Alpha. I'm not up to your standards, sir… I look up to you."

Kyle bowed again; Dane looked at me awkwardly. I nodded, and he patted Kyle's back.

Kyle looked at me. "Luna," he knelt, taking my hands, making my jaw drop. "Luna, you reunited a child and his father; your home will always be filled with the laughter of children."

He kissed my hands, touching them to his forehead and chest. I checked Dane for anger, but he was genuinely smiling.

"Kyle… I did what was right… Get up, now."

He rose, turning to Dane. "We'll take our leave…" Dane and I nodded.

"Have a safe journey back," I said.

Dane stood, addressing Alina. "Alina… you are banished from this pack… never to return. Since you've refused to change your ways… I will not allow you to disrupt the peace any longer."

Alina's jaw dropped. Female guards escorted her, tears streaming down her face as she passed me.

I gulped, watching her go. Dane squeezed my hand. "She deserved it."

They left, the ballroom doors closing. Joclyn returned to the stage.

"Sorry for the disturbance… can we have some refreshments while we listen to some music to revive the mood?"

Everyone cheered; waiters served refreshments as music played.

"Aurora…" I turned to Dane, raising an eyebrow. "I am sorry," he said.

I gulped, cupping his face and smiling. "Shh… You don't need to say anything… I understand, and I'm sorry for keeping things from you."

Dane kissed me. I kissed him back; he pulled away, swiping his thumb across my lips.

A waiter placed wine and glasses. I took a glass, and Dane poured for us. We clinked glasses.

I took a sip, then dropped the glass, feeling uneasy. I grabbed the table, gulping.

I felt like I was going to vomit.

"Dane," I called, "I… I don't feel well."

Dane rubbed my back as I leaned on the table. I felt dizzy.

"Dane… let me use the washroom." I stood and headed there.

I hurried, grabbing the sink for support. My stomach churned; I vomited into the sink.

I rinsed my mouth and turned. A hand offered a wipe; I took it and wiped my lips. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, wiping sweat from my forehead. Dane looked worriedly at me.

I wondered what was wrong. Dane touched my forehead. "You're burning up, Aurora."

Immediately, I felt cold. I reached for his hand, my grip shaky.

"I'm cold."

Dane removed his jacket and put it around me. "Can you go back to the ball, or would you prefer to go to the room?"

I wanted to rest. "Room," I replied.

Dane nodded and carried me through the back door, avoiding alerting others.

He reached our room and laid me on the bed. "Relax… I'll get you some warm soup."

He left, his phone falling from his pocket as he rushed out.

"Dane?" I called, but he was gone. I sat up, slowly rising to retrieve his phone from near the door.

As I bent, I slumped to the ground.