CHAPTER 21: THE STUDY

Aurora’s POVI took a long bath, scrubbed the day off, and then went to the study to meet my mom.I knocked softly.“Come in.”I pushed the door open, and before I’d even closed it behind me, my mother was up out of her chair and across the room, pulling me into her arms. She held me tight. When she drew back, her eyes were brimming with tears she hadn’t let fall yet.“What’s wrong?” I asked.She just held me, shaking her head, smiling even with the tears brimming in her eyes.“Nothing’s wrong. I always knew you were meant for special things.” Her voice wobbled. “And now that it’s happening, I think I just … I just realised how grown up you are.”Something in my chest softened. I pulled her back in and held her properly.“Look at you.” She laughed wetly into my shoulder. “A healer. You’re both. A Silver Wolf and a healer.”And then she broke.It came all at once, the tears spilling over, her whole body folding in on itself, and I felt the laugh turn into something else against me.“Mo

CHAPTER 22: THE NEW LIFE BEGINS

Aurora’s POVI ran down the hall with tears still spilling over like I had no say in the matter; my mother’s voice kept chasing me, no matter how much I ran.I didn’t care about anything except getting out of that house before I broke completely.I turned the corner and slammed into something hard. It knocked the air out of me. I stumbled back, and a hand snapped around my arm to hold me up.I looked up. And as if my day could not get any worse, it had to be Logan.He stood in the corridor, still in the clothes from his father’s office, his grey eyes fixed on my face. He tilted his head, looking at me curiously.“Why are you crying?” His voice was low. I jerked out of his grip and pressed back against the wall. “Nothing.”He stepped closer. “Who hurt you?”“Nobody hurt me.” My voice wobbled, and I hated it. I hated that he was seeing this. That of all people, it had to be him. “Can you stop acting as if you care about me? I’m fine on my own.”He looked at me for a long moment. Then

CHAPTER 23: FORCED PROXIMITY

Aurora’s POVLogan set me down just inside the back door, his hands lingering a second too long on my waist before he let go.I didn’t look at him. I didn’t look at anyone. I walked straight past the kitchen where my mother’s voice was already rising … baby, wait … and up the stairs with my spine so straight it hurt.I closed my bedroom door behind me and turned the lock.Then I stood there in the dark and listened to my own heart hammering against my ribs like it wanted out.“Baby.” My mother’s soft voice came through the woods. “Aurora. Please. Can we talk?”I didn’t answer. I walked to the bathroom, turned the shower on as hot as it would go, and blasted music from my speaker until the walls shook. I stood under the water until my skin turned pink and my fingers wrinkled, and I cried again … because I was too tired to hold them in anymore.I didn’t come out until the water ran cold.I fell into bed still damp, undressed, and slept like I’d been drugged. I woke up, and the sun was

CHAPTER 24: THE ASSIGNMENT

Aurora’s POVI was standing at the kitchen island, tearing into a sandwich. I couldn't even taste it because of how angry I felt when Vincent stepped in from the hall.He moved quietly for an Alpha; most alphas like announcing their authority from far away. But I didn’t hear him until he was already leaning against the doorframe.“Aurora.” His voice was gentle. “I know you are angry. But we really need to talk.”My wolf stirred, lifting her head from where she’d been sulking in my chest. Control yourself, she whispered. You are acting out of place because of your emotions.I bit into the sandwich harder than necessary. Chewing hard before I Swallow. I didn’t look at him, but this was just because of my own stubbornness.Vincent sighed. He crossed the room and sat on the stool across from me, his big hands folding on the marble like he was bracing for something.“Listen to your mother,” he said. “She only wants what’s best for you.”I laughed. It came out ugly and short, crumbs falling

CHAPTER 25: THE NEW LIFE

Aurora’s POVLucas drove me to campus the next morning, his grin easy and bright in the sunlight. I tried to match it. I tried to feel the warmth he always offers and let it settle in my chest where Logan's coldness had been living rent-free.I failed. It seems Logan’s coldness was more than Lucas' warmth.The car pulled up to the main gates, and I saw Guards in Shadowpine colours, stationed along the perimeter, their eyes scanning the crowd. One of them spotted our car and straightened. Then he bowed.I blinked. "What's happening?" I asked."It’s the new security," Lucas said, his voice losing some of its lightness. "Dad orders them after the falls."The guard approached as I stepped out of the car. He was older, grey at the temples, his weathered face breaking into a smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes."Miss Aurora." He reached into his pocket and pulled out something small and woven. "My child said I should give you this bracelet. She made it herself. She'll be happy if y

All Chapters of MATED TO MY TWIN STEPBROTHERS: Chapter 21 - Chapter 25

CHAPTER 21: THE STUDY

CHAPTER 22: THE NEW LIFE BEGINS

CHAPTER 23: FORCED PROXIMITY

CHAPTER 24: THE ASSIGNMENT

CHAPTER 25: THE NEW LIFE