Secret 212 - Claimed by My Bully Alpha

bAlpha /b

bChapter /b212

Caroline’s POV

1 stood quietly in the doorway, watching Aurora and Riley sleeping soundly. The steady sound bof /btheir breaths filled the room with a soothing rhythm that almost made me forget everything else bfor /ba moment. Riley’s little hand clutched Aurora’srger ones, and Aurora’s arm too was draped over Riley’s smaller form. Aurora, as usual, looked serene, as if she didn’t have a care in the world. My lips curved into a soft smile, and I wished that she didn’t have nightmares anymore and woke up with the same peaceful expression.

“Caleb,” I whispered through the mind link, not wanting to break the stillness around me. “They’re both fine. Let them rest here a little longer. I’lle get them before the party starts.”

His response was immediate, firm yet gentle. “Alright. But don’t overdo itb, /bCaroline. You know how important it is tonight.”

“I know,” I replied softly. “Thank you.” The connection faded, leaving me with the quiet hum of my

thoughts.

I straightened, pulling the door closed just enough to keep the light from seeping in but not so

much that they’d feelpletely shut off. Turning on my heel, I began making my way upstairs. My

mind wandered, rehearsing the many things I still had to take care of before the evening, but the

sudden impact of bumping into someone startled me.

“Oh!” I gasped, stumbling back a step. My eyes shot up to meet Damien’s, his piercing gaze fixed on me like he’d been waiting there for hours.

“Caroline,” he said, his voice low, smooth, and far tooposed for someone who had just been collided with. He didn’t move, didn’t even flinch. He stood tall, hands in his pockets, as if he owned

the hallway–or maybe the whole world.

“Damien,” I said, blinking in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

“Waiting for you,” he said simply, his lips quaking into that faint, almost–smirk he always wore.

I couldn’t help the grin spreading across my face as I took in his form. It felt like forever since I’dst seen him, and now he was hereb, /bstanding right in front of me, looking every bit like the person who could make my world feel right. I threw my arms around him, burying my face in his shoulder. “You’re here! It’s been too long./I couldn’t wait until my birthday to see you again.”

Damienughed softly, wrapping his arms tightly around me, his voice warm and familiar. “I know, Caroline. I couldn’t wait either. But today isn’t just about seeing each other again–it’s the day we finally get to tell everyone.”

b1/3 /b

bChapter /bb212 /b

I bleaned /bback just enough to look up at him, my excitement flickering into nervousness. I know admitted, my voice dropping. “But, Damien, I’m scared. What if my parents don’t take it bwell/b? bWhat /b

bif /bthey… I don’t know, try to force me into an engagement as soon as they hear the news?

Damien’s expression softened, and he cupped my face gently, his eyes steady and reassuring

b“/bCaroline, listen to me. I’m here. Whatever happens, we’ll deal with it together, alright? You don’t

have to be afraid.”

Before I could respond, I heard the sharp sound of my mother’s voice behind me. “What engagement are you talking about, Caroline?”

My heart sank, and I turned slowly, dread pooling in my stomach. There she wasb, /bstanding at the end of the hallway, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable but her tone carrying that edge that only she could manage.

Damien’s hand didn’t leave mine, and I nced at him before facing her. “Mother, I- I stammered, trying to find the right words. But they seemed to stick in my throat, refusing toe out.

“Caroline, what’s going on?” she asked, her voice soft but edged with concern.

I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat threatening to choke me. “Mom, I need to tell you something,” I started, my voice barely above a whisper.

She took a step closer, crouching slightly so we were eye level. “Sweetheart, whatever it isb, /byou can

tell me. You know that.”

I wished it were that easy. “It’s about Damien,” I said, my heart pounding as his name left my lips.

Her eyes widened slightly, her eyes moving between me and Damienb, /bbefore settling on me once again. “Damien?” she repeated, her tone cautious. “What about it?”

I nodded, squeezing my hands tighter. “He’s… he’s my mate,” I said, the words tumbling out in a rush. For a moment, the silence was deafening, the weight of my confession hanging heavily in the

air.

Her mouth fell open in surprise before her face softened into something I hadn’t expected–joy. “Damien is your mate?” she asked, her voice trembling with a mixture of disbelief and happiness. “Oh, Caroline, why didn’t you tell me? This is wonderful newsb!/bb” /b

I shook my head quickly, my chest tightening. “No, Mom, it’s not that simple,” I said, my voice cracking. “I didn’t tell you because I was scared. I was scared you’d do what you always do, that you’d push me to get engaged to him immediately. That you’d make me leave my pack, my life, everything I’ve worked so hard for, just like you wanted me to with Caleb.”

Her face fell, her joy reced with a look of hurt. “Carolineb, /bbis /bthat really what you think of bme/bb?/bb” /bshe