~Aurora~

　　My whole body froze when the man was leaning towards me, oh so slowly and dangerously. The words weren't able to form in my mouth, but my mind was screaming at me to speak. I was screaming at myself to get out of the situation! I could easily slip away from his cage and flee in an instant. Forget about this night, forget about everything that happened. They are a distraction to my goal. I can't be loving a man who I feel so guilty for rejecting twice already! Even though they were just innocent dance requests, and I was a totally different person then.

　　I'm only eighteen years old! The world is still far too scary for someone like me! Generally, a girl of my age in this generation of wolves - or even humans! - would be dying to be acknowledged by someone like Prince Emeric! That being said, even I feel proud that someone has actual, real feelings for me.

　　But at the same time, it was Prince Emeric who was confessing to me. I don't like him. I don't like the fact that he was forcing himself on me! The burden of my fate and goals was already too high for me to follow with things happening around me. Haters are bringing me down, emotionally and physically too. Yes, Alexia is a suspect.

　　I don't have time for love. I have convinced myself from the past that I would never fall for a man. Yet, here I was. Stuck in a situation where a man of such high status was trying to court me.

　　In that moment, the heat was building up in my body. The friction between my thoughts was way too high for it to contain in my body. And suddenly, out of the blue, my hand raised on him as his head flung to the other side. The impact was harsh. I could say that much by the shock written on his face.

　　Tears danced in my eyes, everything was blurry in front of me. I refused to blink, because I was staring deeply at him. With a small sniffle, I spat the words at him and left everything for him to repent.

　　Suddenly, there was a knock on my door. In the middle of the night, who would dare knock on my door? All contestants were busy in their own world of banquet, good food and good music. Meanwhile I, I couldn't stop thinking about the incident that just happened with me.

　　Ticking out all possibilities, I dreaded that one of two men would be at my door. Or even worse, both of them at the same time. I wouldn't appreciate both of them at the same time, because I know Odin will probably speak against his majesty and get himself into trouble.

　　Blinking rapidly, I cleared my throat and approached the door with light footsteps.

　　"Who is it?" I tried my best to keep my voice as feeble and normal as possible. After having sobbed for that long, my voice is automatically prone to being rusty and groggy. Anyone could tell I've been crying, if not have a cold. Werewolves don't get sick easily given they have a wolf, but I don't have a wolf for myself.

　　"Aurora? Are you in there?"

　　"What a lame question, Odin." I said, trying to sound cheerful whilst my lip was wobbling profusely.

　　"Sorry. But hey, why would you leave the party like that and flee? They were blasting some real good music right there. I left it to come after you. You went to restroom and didn't...return..." I could sense he was trying to figure out what caused me to leave. Oh no! He might come to a conclusion that...

　　"Aurora..." I shut my eyes tightly. If I could, I would bang my head against the door to punish myself for being so stupid!

　　"What happened in the restroom?" His question made me let out a shaky breath, accidentally! I cleared my throat and said,

　　"Why would you assume something happened in the restroom?" I asked the man.

　　"I didn't say anything about assuming, Aurora. Will you open the door, please? You're scaring me..."

　　Oh my Goddess...

　　What have I done to be blessed with such an understanding friend for myself? No one had ever asked me how I was feeling, much less try to dig into the problem for me. Everything was dawning down on me as I heaved another shaky breath. This time, purposefully.

　　"Aurora, open the door. I'm being nice,"

　　"Odin, you're drunk for sure. What's with all these assumptions? I- I'm really tired and getting ready for bed. Can you please go back to the party? I'm sorry that I disturbed your party mood! Did you at least have those chicken tenders you were talking about? They're pretty darn good—"

　　"Don't divert the topic, Aurora. You've always been a bad liar. Open the door. Please." This is the first time a person was begging me to see mu face, analyse my emotions. And all of this is making me emotional.

　　As a last resort, I spoke, "I'm naked, Odin. And I don't have to be a liar, you should know that I don't like lying to people either. I'm really sorry for coming back to the room without informing you, but seriously, I'm fine."

　　I heard silence for the next couple of seconds...

　　"Are you sure?" My eyes widened as I felt his voice being so clear, as if the door didn't exist between us. With my wobbling lips, and my eyes filling to the brim again, I replied with a smile,

　　"Yes...of course."

　　"Alright. Have a great night."

　　"You too!"

　　The dumb, childish part of me wanted to twist the doorknob open and call him inside my room to tell him EVERYTHING that happened with me. There was a reason why I held my impulsive hand back which was heading towards the doorknob. But then, I don't want to bother a stranger with my problems. Odin would chew my ears out if I ever tell him I view him as nothing but a stranger. I'm not ready to hear his rants.

　　Oh, the situation you've landed yourself in, Aurora Fangborn...

　　What's more scary about talking to Odin was because of his impulsiveness. He would confront Prince Emeric about his actions and give him a lesson. It's as if Odin does not have any fear rooting from respect for someone much powerful than him. He would go to lengths to 'fix' someone's mistakes. I've seen it up close, too.

　　Turning around softly, I realized I've calmed down a lot compared to the sobs I was wailing into my pillow. I wonder if talking to someone would really help me get the weight off my chest. However, it shouldn't be anyone I know. Maybe a therapist...?

　　Why am I involving human resources into my werewolf life right now? I'm overthrowing too much.

　　I'd rather sleep the night away, if it helps me. It should, too. I have a lot of things to learn, to do and to bother about than just tonight.

　　As I closed my eyes...The image of my parents smiling at me flashed in front of me. I was taken aback by the visual my brain was inducing for me!

　　Is this a sign? That even I can move on wonderfully?

　　It might be.

　　Hence, I changed my clothes and decided to sleep the agony of my heart away.