~Emeric~

　　"I'm in charge, Aurora. No one has the capacity to question me in my own kingdom."

　　After hearing my words, Aurora looked down at her lap. She knew nothing was going to make me change my mind. Besides, why was she so adamant over not having the Trial suspended? I crouched to her height once again.

　　However, my heart broke when she scooted away ever so slightly from me. As if keeping a distance between us. She...doesn't feel safe around me.

　　"Aurora Fangborn, is there anything you want to tell me? Anyone you speculate is behind all of this? I'm not blind. I see a pattern of events which involves only you since the past three trials. It is a concerning issue for my Kingdom as well. We will be grateful if you point your finger at a person who you think is breaking rules of our Trial of Heirs." As I spoke, Aurora was desperately avoiding eye contact. My heart keeps breaking for no reason.

　　This shouldn't be like this.

　　I waited for a few seconds, wanting to hear her speak up. But she doesn't.

　　"I see. I'll take it that you're refusing to participate in our investigation. This was an interrogation, by the way." The method of threat should definitely work on her.

　　"It's not like that, Prince Emeric. I- I genuinely don't have anyone I can point m-my finger to." Her answer disappointed me.

　　You and I both know who it was, Aurora.

　　What's keeping you bound to not reveal who it is? It will be tenfold easier for the investigation team to realize who it might be. Just say the name, please.

　　She cowered herself close, as if knowing her answer had disappointed me. I sighed, my silence speaking for itself. Standing back up on my feet, I take a walk around and come back to her. Meanwhile, my distance from her gave her the courage to stand up as well. She stood against the trunk, leaning slightly against it for support. From my periphery, I could see her breathing gently, then rapidly, and eventually calming down. I sighed to myself, once again.

　　"Aurora," I tried approaching her once again. But this time, I brought my hand up to gently touch her head. My hand immediately halted, hovering over her head when she ducked underneath. She wasn't comfortable, just yet.

　　I might as well push her to trust me now.

　　Like a little, scared puppy, Aurora blinks and softly gazes at my palm that awaited contact. Her shrugged shoulders relaxed very slowly. She was rising up gently. Standing straight.

　　Her eyes closed by themselves when she came to touch my hand over her head. Taking the physical contact from there, I stopped myself from overdoing it. This must be enough.

　　But...

　　"Prince Emeric...I know I'll be asking a lot. But...could you please hug me?" My eyes widened.

　　The tone in which she asked reminded me of a child, an innocent kid wanting affection from someone they trust. It filled me with immense joy. Her request was so innocent and pure.

　　"It's not a lot." Assuring her, I gently spread my arms for her to cave in. My heart was thumping out of my ribs.

　　'I got you, soulmate.'

　　'Thanks, Marrok.'

　　You've guessed it right. Marrok manipulated the way my body functions and lowered the beating of my heart to normal. What would I ever do without my soulmate?

　　However, even he couldn't hold in the subtle gasp that escaped out of my mouth when she embraced me. Her little arms around my chest, almost close to my waist. She was so tiny, so sweet. I didn't mind clasping my arms around her soiled back. She needed my warmth. I'll give myself to her, pleasurably.

　　'Hmm...look who's acting all cheesy and corny whilst I was the one to convince you to talk to her in the first place!'

　　Marrok, as always, the excited cheeky little wolf of mine began arguing. I know I am not an expressive person. My past had beaten me down that way. It was beaten into me, rather - to not show too much affection, or the person will leave in an instant.

　　However, power play had also kept me at bay from searching, acknowledging for love. But when this cute little thing is in my arms, her small whimpers of trapped emotions coming out, I knew every theory I had against love was disappearing into thin air.

　　How love changes a person.

　　It's drastic.

　　At least for me.

　　"Feeling better now?" I tried my very best not to stutter. Aurora parted from my hug, and I felt as though she took a piece of my heart with herself. Out of my cage. I breathed out heavily as well, Marrok couldn't stop teasing the hell out of me.

　　"I do. Thank you, Prince Emeric."

　　'She remembers how you told her to call you 'Prince Emeric'...when you are alone.'

　　'Marrok. That's not what we should be focusing on right now. Where is the extraction team? Shouldn't they come here with me?'

　　'Oh please. You made me sprint at the speed of light. Be grateful that you'll spend some time alone with our mate here. It's been a while since I sniffed her scent. Let me...'

　　'...She's not alright, Marrok. Oh Goddess. You're a twisted little wolf.'

　　Marrok went quiet after I accused him playfully. In fact, I am slightly grateful that I get to spend these few minutes alone with her. The extraction team arrived just minutes later. With them, as expected, was Beta Roman.

　　"Look, I can explain—" defensively, I started walking to Roman who tried his best not to shove me by my chest with the files he had in his hands! He carried them all the way here!?

　　"You better not, Your Majesty. Well, a lot of us are really, REALLY pissed at you."

　　"And I'm pissed at the person who is actively doing all of this, right under our noses. I hope you've brought the investigation team as well. With gear." I looked dead deep into his eyes, Roman raised his eyebrow at me.

　　"Don't you dare question my presence of mind, Your Highness. And we've got an extra gear for you as well. This tab has all the footage from all cameras around. I come prepared, you see. Unlike yourself, who runs off on a whim."

　　"You don't have a mate, Roman. You wouldn't understand."

　　I swear I caught his eye twitching in anger at my words.

　　The investigation was rather easy, because the silly culprit had no sense of awareness. The woman who was behind all of this revealed her face by looking into the camera right before entering the no surveillance area.

　　I scoffed in bewilderment.

　　'Aurora knew it was her. Why didn't she reveal?' Marrok spoke in a soft, perplexed voice in my head.

　　'Some things are tied to some reasons which are better unexplained, Marrok. I don't blame her at all. Look at that smile she was wearing.

　　Alexia Thorn knew she wanted to bring her down. At all costs. But she won't be doing that ever again. As Prince of Whispering Pines Lycan Kingdom...I'd never let anything like this repeat...ever again.'