intrepidity

Aurora had woken up feeling... off. She had curled up tighter beneath her blankets, ignoring the strange, dull ache in her stomach. But when she shifted, a horrifying realization hit her.

Her sheets were stained.

Her breath hitched.

Panic seized her chest as her mind spiraled, her vision swimming with fear. It looked like too much—like something was wrong—like—

Her throat tightened, her heart hammering.

Not again.

This couldn't be happening.

A strangled sob escaped her lips before she could stop it. She barely registered the sound of footsteps—heavy, hurried—before her bedroom door flung open.

Aiden was there first.

The second he saw her curled up, his sharp gaze flickered to the tears in her eyes. "Aurora."

Aurora shook her head quickly, fists clutching the blanket around her. "I—I don't—"

More footsteps.

Alec, Roman, Marcus, Elias.

Alec immediately crouched beside the bed, his doctor instincts kicking in. "Sweetheart, what's wrong?"

Aurora hesitated, gripping the blankets tighter. She wasn't sure she could say it. She wasn't sure she could explain why the sight of blood—her own blood—made her want to crawl out of her own skin.

Aiden's voice softened, but it still held that quiet authority that made her feel safe. "Darling, talk to us."

Her throat wobbled. "It's—it's blood."

Alec stiffened. Roman's jaw clenched.

Aiden's entire body went still.

Blood.

A dangerous silence settled over the room as every single one of her brothers processed the word.

Alec was the first to snap out of it. His gaze flickered to the bed, and understanding instantly dawned in his eyes. The tension in his shoulders loosened just slightly. "Oh, baby."

Aurora swallowed hard.

Aiden, however, was still locked in silent stillness, his expression unreadable.

Alec turned back to her, voice soft. "You got your period, sweetheart. It's okay. It's normal."

Aurora's breath hitched. "But—it's so much—"

Aiden inhaled sharply. That was it—the moment he realized exactly why she was panicking.

His hands curled into fists.

Of course she was scared.

Of course she was panicking.

She had been hurt before, violated. She wasn't just worried about her period. She was reliving something ugly, something she never should've gone through.

Aiden forced himself to take a slow, deep breath before crouching down beside Alec. His voice was firm, but unbearably gentle. "It's normal, Aurora. Alec would tell us if it wasn't."

Aurora sniffled, still unsure.

Alec nodded. "Completely normal. I'll help you clean up, okay?"

Aurora hesitated.

Aiden cupped her cheek, his thumb stroking away a stray tear. "You're safe, baby."

Her lip wobbled, but she gave a small nod.