Aurora’s POV

The panic was uncontrollable, my heart hammering so hard it felt like it would punch a hole through my chest. What the fuck was I doing? Why was I here of all places? These questions swirled, but I couldn’t find answers. Coming to Jaxon and his son’s home hadn’t been part of my plan. I’d just wanted to escape the suffocating atmosphere and go home to shower and sleep.

Now, I stood before his house, unsure what to do. Should I leave? Or see him? Maybe he wasn’t even home. It was a weekday; he probably had his own things to deal with.

Years ago, when I discovered Jaxon was my mate, I’d momentarily wavered under the influence of the bond, like a magnet pulling me toward him. But I’d resisted and firmly rejected him, hating how he pursued me without considering my wants. I’d get angry whenever he fought with Sebastian over me.

Looking back, I saw how similar he was to Thea. Their determination, stubbornness, and refusal to give up on those they loved were so alike. Sometimes I wondered why they hadn’t ended up together. If they had, it would have been perfect. It might have saved all four of us heartbreak and pain.

With a sigh, I pushed these thoughts aside. What was done was done. There was no going back. I had to look forward.

I stared at the house for a moment, then killed the engine, got out, and stood by my car. Maybe this was a bad idea. Before I could chicken out, I took a deep breath and forced myself to walk to the door. I lifted my hand to knock but hesitated. Shit. I probably looked like a crazy person, but fuck it.

I heard my wolf, who hadn’t spoken to me in a long time, make a small rumbling sound, urging me on. Perhaps the fascinating thing about wolves is that they always know what you, as a human, need, even when you don’t know or understand it yourself.

My thoughts were interrupted by the door suddenly swinging open, revealing Jaxon’s angry face.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Aurora?” he almost growled, the coldness in his voice sending a chill down my spine.

“I… I…” I tried to form words, but nothing came out except a jumble of incoherent sounds. How was I supposed to answer his question when I didn’t even know myself why I was here?

“Spit it out!”

I wrapped my arms around myself. This was the first time I truly looked at him, really saw him. I saw the pain I’d caused him over the years, reflected in his eyes and attitude. I’d been so selfish, thinking only of myself, never caring about the hurt I inflicted.

“How did you know I was here?” I asked, blinking back tears.

“Neighbor called saying there was a suspicious woman outside my house,” he answered curtly. “Now tell me why you’re here.”

It was then that I realized again how stupid I’d been. I’d always thought of myself as the good one and Thea as the evil one, yet I’d been so cruel to Jaxon. The Moon Goddess might have paired us, but he’d loved me long before the mate bond manifested. And all I’d done was hurt him repeatedly, not to mention Wyatt. He was just a child who wanted his mother’s love, my flesh and blood, and I’d done everything to avoid that reality.