~Aurora~

　　Indeed, Odin was searching for me. There would be no one else around here who he would be searching for except for me. It was known.

　　"Hey," introducing myself, I approached the man as he quickly turned around.

　　"Hi! I was looking for you," Suddenly, his eyes narrowed down at me. I had no clue as to why he suddenly stopped talking and was staring down at me like that!

　　'He must have caught Emeric's scent on you, Aurora. Quickly! Distract him!' Maia said to me as I widened my eyes. Of course! He should have smelled Emeric on me! What should I do to distract him though?

　　Ah!

　　"I'm so happy I got what I wanted, Odin.

　　By the way…I'm leaving the palace tomorrow. Beta Torin had expressed his need for me to be there. There are few important trades going on in the pack and I—"

　　"Aurora, it's been a sweet time staying as a friend with you. But…somewhere in the middle, I've grown a little too attached to you." Cutting me off, Odin suddenly spoke as I tilted my head in confusion.

　　"What…what do you mean? I don't think I understand what you—"

　　"Aurora…" Suddenly, Odin pushed me into my own room as I stared at him, flabbergasted.

　　"I…I don't want the cameras to catch us interacting."

　　"Okay…

　　But, what is going on with you? I know you're a friendly guy and getting attached after what we have gone through is natural. And before you start pleading with me again, I think I get where you're coming from. But honestly, I thought you were undermining my strengths and capabilities. I felt hurt." Odin looked down at his feet.

　　"Your forgiveness means a lot to me. But…I'm not here for that purpose. And I got the news that you must be leaving tomorrow for your pack. As sappy as it sounds, I…I will miss you to death, Aurora. Your company was the only thing that kept me and Alarick sane throughout these weeks." I gave myself a pause to process his words. What is this warm feeling that has been growing inside me? I couldn't explain it. It felt like…I was in a threatening situation, but not quite. I was also feeling like I was being courted like Emeric did a while ago, but…not quite.

　　It is somewhere in between, and I couldn't figure it out.

　　"Aurora, by being attached, I mean I have figured out that I can't live without you."

　　"Odin! I'm not going to die in a day or two! Why are you saying all this stuff? It's kind of creeping me out…"

　　Way to go, you dumb ass. Even Maia was struggling to figure out why Odin was behaving this way!

　　"No, haha! I…I don't mean it like that.

　　Okay, to hell with it!

　　Aurora, I know you don't want to involve yourself in feelings right now after witnessing what kind of a man Leif has been. And I totally understand you!

　　But please…if you have a small space in your heart for me, I'd fit in without hesitation."

　　"Odin…you're talking in circles! Of course I'd have a place for you in my heart! You're my best friend! My first ever true friend that I've made in my entire life! You're so special to me, and I—"

　　"Oh lord, don't you still get it!?" I was taken aback by his gentle aggressive remark.

　　"I'm in love with you, Aurora!"

　　"...what?"

　　"Yes!" Holding my arms, he shook me gently as I was spaced out. Suddenly, his words made sense to me now.

　　He was confessing to me!?

　　'We are such dumb heads, aren't we?' Maia passed a remark in my head. I couldn't help but agree with her!

　　"Say something, please." The desperation in his voice made me feel bad for him. How can I ever tell him that I was actually head over heels…for another man? And not just any man, but Prince Emeric himself! Odin would be heartbroken at this moment if I reveal who my true lover was.

　　"Odin…I—"

　　"You don't have to reciprocate my feelings, Aurora. But please, look at all those memories we have had with each other. They are a beautiful treasure for me. The most beautiful days with your gorgeous self. I knew that if I lost you because of my cowardice for not confessing to you, I'd be regretting it for my entire life.

　　And no, I'm not trying to take advantage of you."

　　"You can't take advantage of me, Odin. I know you're not that kind of a person. But…I've got more than life things to handle, all by myself from tomorrow. I wouldn't be my regular 'me'. I'll be a different me—" as I was trying to explain to him in a modest manner, he cut me off quickly.

　　"Then I'd love that version of you, too! Please, Aurora. Just give me one chance. Just one."

　　Desperation…that was all I could see and hear in his face and voice. I know my rejection will hurt him, but him having to find out that i'm already taken would hurt him more!

　　"Odin…" keeping a respectable distance between us, I sighed before speaking, "I'm sorry. But I have my reasons. You're a wonderful person. And I'm almost too sure that your mate is waiting for you somewhere out there. She will take care of you better than I ever could. She was born for you!" As I spoke, I could see tears dancing in his eyes,

　　"But I feel like I was born for you, Aurora."

　　"That's temporary infatuation, Odin. Trust me.

　　You'll have a better life without me in it. I don't want to suggest that we stay friends after this."

　　"No," I watched Odin as he quickly wiped his tears. The smile was back onto his adorable face as he flashed his pearly teeth for a bigger smile,

　　"I want to stay friends with you, no matter what.

　　Also…if you ever find your mate, let me know. If you ever need me…let me know.

　　And if you ever want to take a run in the woods again…let me know, Aurora.

　　I'll always be here for you."