Chapter 23: Chapter 23

There were muffled cries and whimpers as Sarah, Aurora's mother, tried to hold back the tears streaming down her cheek. She continued blaming herself over and over again. She couldn't accept what those mafias said about her daughter.

Is she really a thief? Sarah had asked her daughter on different occasions how she gets the money. She would either reply that she did menial jobs or she shouldn't ask her any questions.

Sarah wants nothing but happiness for her two children. That's why she respects Aurora's privacy. Now, her daughter is in danger.

Luckily for her, she had gone to the market. They met Jason and dropped a message for her daughter. They will be back in three days.

Sarah was crying when Jason told her those men were looking for Aurora because she stole their boss' wallet containing money and an important document.

"Those men said Aurora stole something very important. She's a thief. They are coming back for her. Ma'am Sarah, you have to leave here with your family. Those thugs are not your regular mafias. They are one of the cruelest and most dangerous mafias. I saw their emblem. Take your daughters and move away from here", Jason had cautioned her before going to his apartment.

Sarah was so distraught that she stood outside for almost ten minutes before going inside her apartment. She must leave this place before the end of the three days.

******

Aurora was surprised at her mother's mood when she got home with Maya. She looked like someone who had been crying for a long time. What happened? Why did her mother cry?

"Mother, what's wrong? You look moody", Aurora said drawing closer to her mother.

"Aurora Patterson, tell me the truth. If you still take me as your mother, please be truthful", Sarah said looking deeply into her daughter's eyes.

"Mother, is something wrong?", Aurora's heart skipped a beat as she looked at her mother's serious expression.

"What have you been doing all this while to get money?"Sarah asked, "Don't lie to me. ''

"Mother, I…", Aurora sighed before deciding to tell her mother the truth", I am sorry, mother. I had no choice".

"Did you really…steal?", Sarah said as she held her chest", I am a failure as a mother. I couldn't cater for you and your sister, that's why you resorted to stealing".

Sarah broke down into tears. She blamed herself for making her daughter steal to cater for them.

Aurora was heartbroken at the sight of her mother crying. She regretted ever causing her to cry. But how did her mother get to know about her acts?

"Mother, please don't cry anymore. Am really sorry. I promise never to do it again… I promise, mother. Please stop crying", Aurora pleaded.

After crying for some time, her mother finally calmed down. Aurora took the chance to question her mother.

"Mother, how did you find out?", Aurora asked carefully.

"Jason told me some men came to look for you. He told me those men said you stole from their boss. Jason said they are not your regular thugs. They looked dangerous and they said they are coming back in three days", Sarah said.

Aurora looked surprised and…afraid. They have finally gotten to her home.

"Mother, what do we do?", Aurora asked.

"Rora, we need to go to the Packhouse. We will be protected there", Sarah said looking at her daughter.

"Mother, I am not going. We can go to any other place in the world but definitely not the Packhouse", Aurora said stubbornly.

"You don't want to go, right?", Sarah asked.

"Mother…I "

"If you are not going, then I will take Maya with me. You can go around the world on your own", Sarah said standing up.

"Mother…how can you say that? You know I can't live without both of you", Aurora said, holding her mother back.

"Make your decision. I am giving you till tomorrow. If you are not coming, then am going back with Maya", Sarah said as she removed Aurora's hands from her.

Aurora watched as her mother left her. She slumped down on the only couch in the house.

Is she really going there? A place filled with wolves, animals. Does it mean she's going to finally accept she's not human? But she can't let her mother and sister go alone.

"I guess it's time to face the truth, Aliya", Aurora said to her wolf.

"Yes, Aurora. Hopefully, we will find happiness there. We might be lucky to see our mate", Aliya said, her voice laced with happiness.

"I don't want a mate. All I want is my family's happiness", Aurora said.

You need a mate Aurora, her wolf whined silently. Aurora shut her off and walked to her room dejectedly.

************

Aurora watched as her mother began folding the little clothes she had into a worn-out bag. She had folded Maya's clothes already. Aurora noticed a tear falling out of her mother's eyes.

"Mother….", Aurora embraced her mother from behind. Sarah remained silent.

"Mother, I am coming with you. I won't leave you guys alone. Please stop crying, mother", Aurora said.

"Really? Will, you really come with us?", Sarah said gleefully.

"Yes, mother. Now, wipe your tears and smile for me. Let me go and get ready. Let's leave in the morning", Aurora said.

"Oh my baby, thank you so much", Sarah was overwhelmed as she embraced her daughter happily.

Finally, her daughters would go back to where they belong.

*********

It's been almost one week since the last time Craig saw Aurora. The last time was at the creek. He finally learned to accept reality.

Craig realized that he had been unfair towards his friend. Aurora had always been honest with him from the start, he was the one at fault for not believing her.

He shouldn't have blamed her. Craig was feeling very guilty. He decided to go to Aurora and sort things out with her.

He missed his friend already. Craig quickly checked his wardrobe and picked out the shirt Aurora gave him on his birthday. He put it on and dashed out of his house. He has to make it up to his best friend.

As Craig got closer to Aurora's house, he saw Aurora dragging out a large suitcase. He stopped in his tracks as he stared at her.

"Rora…", he called out softly.

Aurora lifted her face only to see her friend looking like a statue. She noticed he looked a little pale.

"Craig", she said as she dropped the suitcase and ran towards him.

Craig held her in a tight embrace. Though he had so many questions but gosh! He really missed her. He held her for some time before finally letting go.

"Rora, are you going somewhere?", He asked.

"Craig, we are leaving. We are going back to where my father came from. We are going back to my Pack", Aurora said weakly.

"Is it because of me? Did you think I will sell your secret out? Rora, you know I would never do that. Don't you trust me again?", Craig asked as the pain of Aurora leaving hit him like a volcano.

"Craig, it's not because of you. I swear, it has nothing to do with you", Aurora said.

"Why are you leaving then? You swore never to go there, remember? You hated them. You never want to be seen with them. What changed?", Craig asked in frustration.

"Craig, just listen to me. It's not because of you. Come, let's sit down and talk", Aurora held his hand as they went into the house.

Craig was so impatient that he immediately held Aurora's hand when they got inside.

"Rora, I swear I never revealed your secret. It's safe with me. Even when I became frustrated, I never revealed that it was you. I never told him you were the person", Craig said tearfully", please don't go".

"Craig…who did you tell?", Aurora removed his hands from her as she stared at him.

"Rora, I am sorry. I wanted to seek advice so I asked my friend for answers but I swear I never revealed your identity", Craig said looking guilty.

"How could you, Craig? I trusted you. I thought you were different", Aurora said looking sad.

She took a deep breath to gather her emotions. She looked at Craig.

"It doesn't matter anymore. I won't stay here again. We are leaving this place. I don't blame you because even if you never said anything, I still won't stay", Aurora said softly.

"Remember the wallet I stole some weeks back? The owner is after me and my family. He is the boss of a dangerous Mafia. I have to leave with my mother and sister so we can be safe. So, it doesn't matter anymore", Aurora concluded as she began walking towards the door.

Aurora called out to her mother and sister to get ready. Nothing matters anymore. All she wants is to stay alive so she can cater to her family.

She would do anything to keep them safe.

"Rora…will I ever see you again?", Craig finally asked in a choked-up voice.

"Never Craig, I am never coming back", Aurora said as she beckoned to her mother and sister.

Craig watched as the family of three dragged their luggage along with them and disappeared.

Craig finally broke down in tears. He just lost a friend, his best friend, the best thing that had ever happened to him.

Sniffing and wiping his wet cheeks, he stood up and walked him.