intrepidity

Chapter 29

But Aiden?

Aiden didn't move. Didn't breathe.

Because that word— that one fucking word —had just shattered him.

Then, in the next second, Aurora was running.

Her legs barely held her up, but she pushed forward, sprinting toward him like a desperate child clinging to her last lifeline. Tears streamed down her face, her body wracked with uncontrollable sobs.

She barely made it halfway before her knees buckled beneath her.

But she never hit the ground.

Because Aiden was there. He was here. 

In the blink of an eye, he had closed the distance between them, catching her before she could collapse. His arms wrapped around her small, fragile body, pulling her against him so tightly it was as if he was trying to merge them into one.

Aurora sobbed into his chest, her fists clenching the fabric of his coat as if letting go would mean losing him all over again.

Aiden didn't speak. Didn't move.

His grip tightened around her, his fingers trembling as they curled into her back, pressing her impossibly closer.

"Aurora," he finally breathed, his voice raw, strained—like he had been holding it in for too long.

She only cried harder.

The air was thick with tension. The guards remained silent, exchanging uncertain glances, as if unsure whether to acknowledge what they had just witnessed.

But then—

"Aurora!"

A chorus of voices rang through the night as the rest of the Valenti brothers came sprinting into the clearing.

Elias was the first to reach them, his breath ragged, his eyes wide with desperation. His usual calm, composed demeanor was completely shattered as he practically tore Aurora from Aiden's grasp, pulling her into his own.

"My baby," Elias choked, pressing frantic kisses to her temple, her hair, her forehead. "My baby, my baby, my baby."

His voice cracked, his hands trembling as they smoothed over her tangled hair.

Then Alec was there, his breathing uneven as he scooped her into his arms. His face was buried into her shoulder, his grip unrelenting, as if he was terrified she would disappear if he loosened his hold even a fraction.

"We got you, baby," Alec whispered, his voice rough with emotion. "You're safe. You're okay."

Aurora let out a weak sob, pressing her face into his neck.

Marcus stormed toward her, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. His expression was pure, unfiltered rage—but the second he got close enough to see the state she was in, his anger melted into something else.

Something broken.

He swallowed thickly. "I am gonna fucking kill them—" His voice shook. "I swear to fucking God, Aurora—" He stopped himself, exhaling sharply before forcing himself to take a step back.

Roman was silent. He didn't say anything, just knelt beside Alec and brushed his fingers lightly over her tangled hair, as if trying to convince himself she was real. His touch was hesitant, almost afraid.

Atlas and Antonio hovered close, their usual teasing banter nowhere to be found. Antonio's hands were shaking as he wiped his sleeve across his face, his eyes red-rimmed. Atlas just stared at her, his expression crumbling before he grabbed onto her arm like he was scared she would slip away again.