Chapter 327 - 61: Tit for Tat

Aurora pulled open the heavy oak door before Magistrate Jonathan even had a chance to knock. She offered him the warmest, brightest smile she could muster, a smile polished to a high shine, and immediately reached out to clasp his hand.

Jonathan’s fingers stiffened in her grip, his eyes widening in subtle alarm as she practically hauled him across the threshold into the grand foyer.

"Come in, come in, Magistrate," Aurora said, her voice dripping with welcoming charm as she retained a firm, unyielding hold on his fingers. "My father will be down shortly. Please, let me have the maids fetch you something to drink while you wait. Wine? Tea?"

"I’m fine, Aurora," Jonathan said quickly, his muscles tensing as he discreetly tried to tug his hand free from her surprisingly iron grip. "Thank you. But where is Alpha Dane? I explicitly called for him to attend this morning’s briefing."

Aurora finally released her grip, smoothing down the front of her skirt as she turned to lead him into the expansive living room. High-backed velvet chairs were arranged neatly around a polished mahogany coffee table, bathed in the soft morning light filtering through the tall, arched windows. She crossed the room with fluid grace and settled into one of the armchairs, resting her hands casually on the armrests.

"He returned to his estate late last night," she replied, her tone airy and completely unbothered.

Jonathan adjusted his coat, his eyebrows rising.

"So he simply disregarded my summons?"

"Oh, don’t sound so surprised," a deep voice cut in, startling them both.

Neither of them had heard Vance descend the carpeted staircase or step into the room. He moved like a shadow, appearing suddenly behind Jonathan’s chair. Vance clapped a broad, heavy hand onto the Magistrate’s shoulder. The gesture was half-friendly and half-dominating. He then swept around to drop into the armchair directly opposite his daughter.

"The boy thinks he pisses gold," Vance scoffed, a dry, mocking edge to his voice.

Aurora leaned back, a dark, venomously sweet smile touching her lips.

"So he fucking rains it on us."

Jonathan’s brow furrowed, his jaw setting into a tight, rigid line as he absorbed their nonchalance.

"He is crossing a line. Disregarding a Magistrate’s council isn’t just arrogance; it’s insubordination. He will be sanctioned for this. In fact, given his persistent defiance, perhaps it’s time the council reevaluates his Alpha status altogether."

"There’s really no need for anything so dramatic," Vance said smoothly, resting his elbows on his knees and lacing his fingers together. "Stripping titles creates chaos, Jonathan. There are considerably better, far more subtle ways to deal with Dane."

Jonathan narrowed his eyes, looking between father and daughter.

"What do you mean?"

Aurora leaned forward, placing her forearms on the table, her eyes locked on the Magistrate.

"I want the grand manor on the BloodMoon Estate. And given that I was the one who persuaded my father to temper justice with mercy regarding the Red Keep road blockades, I was hoping you’d indulge in a little tit for tat."

A slow realization dawned on Jonathan’s face. He pointed an accusatory finger at Vance, though a smug, amused grin was already breaking across his features.

"I knew it. I knew you didn’t pull your enforcers off those trade routes out of the goodness of your heart. So this is the real cost of opening the roads."

Vance offered a low, quiet laugh, leaning back in his seat.

"Oh, come now, Jonathan. A vacant piece of property on the boundary line? It’s a remarkably small price to ask for total control of the northern pass."

"And it’s a brilliant move," Jonathan said, his grin widening into something sharp and spiteful. "Anything to piss on that motherfucker back. In fact, Aurora, consider the deed stamped. I’ll clear the paperwork by noon. You can move into the BloodMoon house within forty-eight hours."

Aurora’s smile sharpened, her eyes gleaming with cold satisfaction.

"Great. I can’t wait to be a thorn in his side."

"You’ll be right on his fence line," Jonathan chuckled, shaking his head with dark amusement. "He’s going to lose his mind."

Vance uncrossed his legs and gestured vaguely toward the heavy wooden doors leading to his private study.

"Now that the girl’s living arrangements are settled, Jonathan, step into my office. We still need to discuss the quarterly tax levies and the border patrol rotations before the afternoon assembly."

Recognizing her cue, Aurora rose gracefully from her chair.

"I’ll leave you two gentlemen to your politics."

Jonathan nodded to her, already pulling a sheaf of documents from his inner jacket pocket as he stood.

"Forty-eight hours, Aurora. Have your bags packed."

Aurora offered a polite nod and glided out of the living room, leaving the low murmurs of pack governance behind her. She needed fresh air. The crisp morning breeze called to her, and the lingering thrill of having the BloodMoon property handed to her on a silver platter made her skin tingle with anticipation. Living next door to Dane meant constant proximity, constant friction, and endless opportunities to push his buttons.

She pushed open the heavy front doors and stepped onto the sprawling stone porch.

But the quiet triumph of the morning evaporated the instant her eyes landed on the figure standing near the bottom of the grand driveway.

Seth.

He was pacing back and forth near the manicured hedges, looking anxious and decidedly out of place. Beside him stood an elderly pack servant, standing stiffly while clutching a high-end designer shopping bag.

Aurora froze on the top step, her sweet mood instantly souring into deep irritation. She took a slow breath, composing her face into a mask of polite indifference as she descended the stairs.

"Seth," Aurora said, her voice ringing out across the quiet courtyard. "I don’t think we had a formal meeting scheduled today. Do we?"

Seth snapped his head toward her, jumping slightly at the sound of her voice. He flushed bright red, his hands instantly flying into his pockets before pulling them out again.

"Uh, no," Seth stammered, his usual swagger entirely absent as he took an awkward step toward her. "No formal meeting. I... I just came by to see if you were home. To see if maybe you’d changed your mind about talking to me."

Aurora stopped at the foot of the stairs, folding her arms across her chest. She gave him a level, unblinking look, completely ignoring the servant standing a few paces behind him.

Seth cleared his throat nervously and turned to the servant, frantically gesturing for the man to step forward. The servant promptly offered the sleek, branded shopping bag to Seth, who took it with slightly trembling hands and held it out toward Aurora like a peace offering.

"I brought you a gift," Seth said, trying for a hopeful smile that faltered under her cold gaze. "It’s those imported spices you mentioned loving a few months ago. The ones from the southern territories? And that French perfume you said was impossible to find locally. I had my family’s traders track them down for you."

Aurora looked down at the luxurious bag, then lifted her eyes back to Seth’s face. She didn’t make a single move to take it. Her hands remained firmly tucked under her arms.

"Seth, I’m sorry," Aurora said, her voice dropping into a flat, steady register that left zero room for misinterpretation. "I can’t accept that."

Seth’s smile fell completely, his arms hovering awkwardly in the air with the rejected gift.

"Aurora, please. It’s just a gesture."

"You can’t buy my affection, Seth," she interrupted, cutting him off cleanly. "No amount of expensive spices or rare perfumes is going to change how I feel, and frankly, it’s getting exhausting watching you try."

Seth swallowed hard, his jaw tightening as embarrassment and frustration washed over his face. He lowered the bag slowly to his side.

"I’m just trying to show you that I care about you. That I’d treat you right if you just gave me a chance."

"And I have told you, repeatedly, that I am not interested," Aurora said, stepping closer, her tone sharpening into something unyielding. "I am moving to the BloodMoon Estate in two days. The papers are being signed right now."

Seth blinked, taken aback.

"BloodMoon? Why on earth would you move all the way out there?"

Aurora tilted her head, a cold, dangerous little smile playing on her lips.

"Because that means I’ll be living right across the boundary line from Dane. I’ll be seeing a whole lot more of him now."

Seth flinched as if she had slapped him. The color drained from his face, replaced by a dark, bitter sting.

"Dane? You’re moving across the valley just to chase after a man who ignores you?"

"Where I go and who I see is my business," Aurora said smoothly, stepping back and dismissing him with a wave of her hand. "Please, Seth. Do yourself a favor. Take your gifts, go home, and find someone else who actually appreciates your kind gestures. Because I don’t."

Without waiting for his reply, Aurora turned on her heel and glided back up the stone steps, leaving Seth standing frozen on the driveway, clutching his unwanted gifts in absolute silence.