Chapter 232

AURELIA’S POV The air in the room thickened the moment Alpha Draven spoke. “Everyone. Leave us.” The command rolled off his tongue like velvet laced with iron. His tone wasn’t raised, not sharp—but the weight behind it left no room for questioning. It was calm, deceptively calm, yet I could hear the steel hidden underneath. This was not a request. It was an order. A heavy silence followed. My family exchanged confused glances, as though they couldn’t comprehend why he wanted me alone. They had been expecting kindness after my ordeal, maybe even relief. Instead, Draven’s eyes burned with something far darker—anger. As if somehow, all of this—the kidnapping, the chaos, the embarrassment—was my fault. A lump rose in my throat. My pulse thundered in my ears. Why was he angry? Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Seraphina. She wasn’t confused like the rest. She wasn’t scared, or hesitant, or even concerned. No. She was watching us both, her gaze sharp and calculating. I could almost hear