Chapter 3 Last Wishes

Chapter Three: Last Wishes

Aurora:

These last few days have been the most difficult in her life in a long time. She felt so alone, even with a house full of people. Few of them would speak to her. Lucy and Greg were always with her when she left the room. Some of them commented on her appearance, calling her a monster openly. Lucy would shut them down, telling them to leave if they couldn't respect her in her own home. Some left, but most stayed behind. Finally, the day came to lay her mother to rest. They all attended her mother's funeral, with everyone staring at them. Lucy and Greg were at Aurora's side the whole time, protecting her from the stare of the pack members. Hannah, Lucy's cousin, started trouble during the funeral.

"That freak shouldn't be here," Hannah yelled, pushing her away toward them.

"Hannah, stop now!" Lucy screamed, protecting Aurora as she cried behind her.

"I will fucking kill you!" Hannah screamed, lunging at Aurora, only to be held back by her Alpha.

"Be quiet. I wouldn't let you and you wouldn't dare," Greg growled, placing himself in front of his mate and Aurora, his claws extending as he became ready to fight off Hannah. Aurora sobbed, clinging to Lucy's shoulder, staring at the woman, and she came even closer.

"That girl is a fucking freak. I wouldn't let her get away with stealing everything from us," Hannah yelled, as she pushed closer. Greg didn't give a single inch and stood his ground.

"Get out of my way, you sorry excuse for a werewolf," Hannah demanded. Greg remained unmoving, his eyes darkening as he prepared himself to protect his family. Aurora looked around and saw everyone looking in their direction, waiting for the fight to begin.

"Stop being disrespectful to Granny, you fucking bitch!" Lucy yelled, her body shaking with rage.

"You are a disrespectful, mangy dog. Lucy, you think just because you're the mate of a beta that you can come here and order me around?" Hannah yelled back, spit flying from her mouth. She looked almost rabid, feral even.

"Stop acting like a bitch, Hannah. She is right where she should be. Don't kick you out of your grandmother's funeral," The Alpha ordered, pulling her away from Lucy and Aurora. Hannah screamed, but couldn't break away from her Alpha's grip.

"Hannah, we all know what you've been through with your first mate, but Aurora had nothing to do with that. Just because she doesn't mean that you can treat her this way," Lucy snapped.

"Shut up. This isn't about that. That bloodsucker stole from me," Hannah yelled back while fighting against the Alpha's hold. The Alpha pulled her away, forcing her into her mate's arm on the opposite side of the pyre.

The clearing grew quiet again, as everyone turned their attention back to the reason they were there. The Alpha spoke some words, but Aurora wasn't listening. Her heart was racing, her ear ringing with Hannah's words. Lucy held her close as Greg stood by them, watching Hannah from a distance, waiting to come back over. Hannah's mate wasn't giving her the chance, holding her in place.

"Edith will never be forgotten. She was like a mother to everyone in the pack. Her door was always open to those in need. She was a mother, a grandmother, and a great-grandmother. We will miss her. The whole pack will miss you. Thank you, Edith, for your service to the pack," Alpha Kellen said, bowing his head for a moment of silence.

The Alpha was finishing speaking, and Aurora turned to watch him. They all watched as the Alpha lit the funeral pyre; the flames burning her mother's body to ash and sending her soul to the next world. After Aurora thought, nothing remained now but our memories. She held on to those as long as possible, never forgetting the woman that her mother was.

After the funeral, Aurora spent a long time lying in her room, thinking about Lucy and her words. They wanted to leave her home, and so soon after, her mother departed this world. This was the only home that she ever knew. She didn't remember her home with her parents. If she even had one. They sold Aurora before she could even remember what they looked like. Living in that nightmare couldn't even compare. It was a never-ending nightmare where children suffered abuse, beatings, and starvation.

This was all she knew, and it was her everything. She had spent all these years living within its walls with her mother.

This is where she had made only happy memories. No sadness had existed here until her mother passed on. Aurora didn't know if she could leave all of that behind.

Aurora worried she would lose the memories of her mother if even dared to leave their home. She was the best mother Aurora could ever hope for. Aurora wishes to keep her memory close. She couldn't leave this house. It was all she had remaining of her mother. This house and the happy memories they made together.

However, her mother's last wish soon became stuck in her head.

She wished Aurora would live a rich, peaceful life. Mother thought the best way for that to happen was for Lucy and Aurora to be together. Aurora felt the need to honor that wish. The need to accept Lucy and the life she will give. Lucy wanted her to join them downstairs. Aurora thought she really should join them. Her mother would want her to. Now that her mother was gone, she felt the need to push herself. She needs to form a bond with Lucy. Aurora needed to form a relationship with her, as she did with her mother. Lucy would never take her place, but Aurora knew she had room for Lucy in her heart. She just needed the strength to make it happen.

Aurora hadn't needed strength in such a long time. Since she left the facility, Aurora has had her mother. She was strong enough for both of them. She was the first person Aurora showed weakness. In the facility, showing weakness would mean her death. So she always hid her weakness as if it was something that needed to be protected. She didn't need to be strong around her mother. But that was over now. Aurora needed to be strong again. Lucy could protect her weakness, but she couldn't let her. Lucy wasn't her mother. Their relationship couldn't be the same. And Aurora knew she couldn't be weak forever. She needed to find a balance between strength and weakness, a different balance than she had before. Pulling herself from the bed would be the first step. And then speaking to Lucy, getting to know her would be the next.

Aurora stood shaking as she found her footing and went to the dresser. She had been wearing a nightgown when her mother passed. It didn't cover her scars in the way she would like. She knew Lucy had seen them, but Aurora didn't wish others to see them. They were truly terrifying. Everyone could easily assume how she got each of them. The pain that she must have suffered. They told the entire story of her time at the facility. They were a reminder of the past, but she didn't need scars for that. Aurora will never forget that time.

The memories would play in her mind on repeat. That was what the notebook was for. Her mother had listed all her triggers, with instructions on avoiding them. Also, the notebook came with instructions on caring for her, when she had a panic attack or night terrors, or if her wolf snapped. Instructions on Aurora's diet, as well as anything else that Lucy would need to know. Aurora knew she was challenging to take care of, that was for sure. She needed to avoid all triggers, drink blood daily, and avoid all stress. Her mother found this out herself through trial and error. Things weren't perfect in the beginning, but she never gave up. She kept trying to understand and take care of Aurora, no matter how challenging it was. They settled after a while, finding their happiness. She wondered if it would be the same with Lucy. She hopes she won't be a burden to her.

Aurora wore a long sleeve purple shirt with a black tank top underneath. For pants, she went with a long pair of black leggings. Most importantly, she wore her favorite leather collar to cover the deep bite mark on her neck. She hated that scar most of all. It was a reminder of the worst day of her life. She couldn't look at it. Aurora couldn't let anyone look at it. Then she fixed her long white hair bun at the top of her head before applying her usual eyeliner, red lipstick, and black eyeshadow. Aurora's eyes were piercing baby blue, and the black eyeliner only highlighted them. With pale skin, intelligent blue eyes, soft, round hips, and a full chest. Aurora knew she was quite beautiful. She sighed, thinking about what other people would think of her. Werewolves hated vampires, vampires loathed werewolves, and they both hated witches. Aurora was a hybrid. She just knew they would think she was a freak. The last thing Aurora did was apply a scent neutralizer. She would always hide her scent from her mother, knowing how truly awful it was for her. She would do the same for Lucy and Greg. Aurora would wear it more in the future. She didn't need to burden anyone with her awful scent.

She looked into the mirror one last time before stepping from her room and heading downstairs. It was late in the evening. Aurora noted the darkness outside as she looked through the window. She felt restless, though part of her was exhausted. Her eyes hurt, swollen from the many tears she had cried over the last few days. Everyone was sitting in the living room, talking with a man she knew to be her mother's lawyer. They didn't see her just yet. So she went to the fridge and took a blood bag from the bottom. Using a metal straw, she drank. Aurora hadn't had blood today, and she could feel her appetite growing. Her vampire side needed blood, while her werewolf side needed actual food. She didn't feel like eating a meal at the moment, but she required the blood. Without blood, her body couldn't function. She was hoping to drink two bags of blood before they noticed her in the kitchen. But halfway through the second, Lucy turned to see her drinking in the kitchen.

"Aurora, sweetheart, come join us," Lucy said, waving to her. Aurora sighed before walking over to them and sitting down on the floor. She looked at the people surrounding her. Her stomach felt tight, almost aching. She was so afraid they would hurt her and that no one would protect her. Aurora pushed the thought from her mind. She looked again, this time without fear in her eyes. They were her mother's family. She noticed them having her features. While she knew the others were their mates by their scent.

Aurora could remember some of them from family pictures, even if she couldn't remember their names. Even these last couple of days, she couldn't remember them. Aurora was far too deep in her grief to give them much thought. Except for Hannah, who was Lucy's cousin, and her mother's granddaughter. She remembers her because Mother would always complain that she would never call or visit. This was true with most of her grandchildren; however, Hannah lived in the same pack and lived near our home. But they would never visit. Her mother never understood why, but it only made it easier to keep Aurora a secret. Hannah caused trouble today. She was the most open about her hate. She threatened to kill her today. Aurora would never forget that.

The other people she knew were Romeo, the Alpha of the local pack, his mate Luna Lilly, and their oldest son, Alpha Kellen. Aurora hadn't met them before, only seen them from afar while she was hiding. Her mother told her not to fear them because they were good people, like her granddaughter.

"Aurora, we need to talk," Lucy said, looking toward her, as did everyone else. Most glared, some looked sad, and others looked worried. She could feel something was wrong with how Lucy spoke, and concern overcame her mind, hearing her tone.

"Did I do something wrong?" Aurora asked, hiding the blood bag in her hands. She didn't know if the drinking was bothering them. But she knew werewolves hated the sight of vampires drinking blood normally.

"No, Aurora, we were going over Granny's last will, and we need to talk about it," Lucy said in a reassuring tone. The concern lighted, even though she didn't understand what this had to do with her. Granny's last will was their business. Aurora didn't want to fight with anyone about it. Her mother made all her own decisions, and Aurora knew nothing about it. It wasn't even Aurora's place. Aurora knew that her mother wished for Lucy to take care of her. And that was Aurora's only concern. The money or her belongings were hers to leave to whomever she wished.

"That really isn't my business. Mother did what she wanted," Aurora said quickly, wanting this conversation to be over. She had seen plenty of movies where family members fight about money after someone passes away. Aurora didn't want to be a part of anything like that. It wasn't her place to challenge her mother's choices.

"She isn't your Mother," Hannah screamed, slapping her fist into her chair. Everyone snapped to look towards the women. Her fat cheeks flushed, eyes completely dry. Aurora wondered if Hannah had even cried for her mother. It seemed her eyes were tearless.

"Hannah!" Lucy yelled, shaking her head at Hannah's comment.

"Well, she isn't just some freak she found and hid from everyone. I read the notebook, and we all did. You are a fucking weird monster, and you stole our inheritance," Hannah screamed, her face becoming redder and her claws extending. Aurora wasn't a monster, and she couldn't believe she would call her that. Hannah didn't even know her. And what the fuck was that supposed to mean? Aurora stole nothing. Her mother made her own decisions!

"Hannah, shut the fuck up!" Lucy yelled, rushing toward Aurora and pulling her into her arms. Aurora hadn't known, but soon she felt tears fall from her cheeks. Aurora had cried so much in the last few days, her eyes felt sore as tears fell again.

"Oh, rush to the fucking monster's side. You are an idiot. She is faking those tears. She used and manipulated our grandmother, and you're comforting her. You know she did this. Granny would never leave us with anything," Hannah said; her words were vicious and untrue. Aurora would never do such a thing. All she did was love her mother as she loved her. Aurora hadn't manipulated her to do anything, ever. She tried to leave many times, but her mother wouldn't let her go. Aurora's mother chose her.

"Hannah, stop it. You don't even know what you are talking about," Greg stated, coming to his feet and placing himself in front of the girls protectively. Aurora breathed a sigh of relief as Greg stood between her and that angry woman.

"I will not. That bitch shouldn't even be here," Hannah yelled, standing and approaching Greg, coming close to his face. Aurora's heart raced, seeing them about to fight over something Hannah was blaming her for, that she had no control over.

"Knock it off, all of you," Alpha Romeo screamed, pushing Hannah back from Greg and making her take her seat. Aurora could hear them growling at each other till Hannah let out a whimper and bore her neck to Alpha Romeo, submitting to him.

"We know Aurora has no control over your Granny's choices. She was a stubborn woman, and no one could ever change her mind. She chose to leave everything to Aurora, and you need to respect that," Alpha Romeo said, letting out a deep sigh.

"Are you okay?" Lucy whispered into Aurora's ear. She nodded her head, not wanting her to worry. Aurora was going to be okay. She just couldn't believe her mother would do that, and she left everything to her. Aurora didn't ask for that, and she would never ask that. She had another family, and they deserved something, too. Aurora wasn't even her biological child, and she had only known her mother for a few years. Lucy, Hannah, and her children had known Mother their whole lives.

***

They spent the next few hours going over granny's last Will. She left everything she owned just to Aurora: all of her assets, and even all of her belongings. Other than the money she left for Lucy, even that was to cover the expenses of raising Aurora. Even beyond the grave, Mother wanted to give Aurora the best future possible. Nobody could believe it. She told no one that she was doing this. If Aurora had known, she would have told her not to do it. Her mother made this decision herself in the Alpha's words, and no one could have changed her mind. She was stubborn, after all. Shortly after this, Hannah left with her mate, realizing that she wasn't getting anything. She cursed her grandmother, saying she was an old fool for doing this. But there was nothing anyone could do. Aurora just hoped that Lucy didn't feel the same. Aurora would give anything she asked, and she didn't need all her mother had left her. The money alone was more than she would ever need. Aurora had wished for a simple life and didn't need so much to make herself happy.

While eating dinner, Aurora tried her luck and spoke with Lucy about everything. She hoped Lucy would understand she didn't need everything, and she was willing to share it with her and her family.

"Lucy," Aurora called while they were sitting at the table. Only she and Greg remained in the house at this point. Everyone had returned home. Aurora felt better knowing it was just them. She felt she could speak more openly without the others around.

"I wanted to talk to you about everything. I didn't know that Mother was planning on doing that. It wasn't fair to you. I want to make it right. Anything you want, just ask. I don't need everything," Aurora said boldly, while her legs shook under the table. Her heart was aching with fear of the unknown.

"Aurora, I want nothing. I had a lot more time with Granny than you did. That was enough. She left everything for you so that you could have a good life. I would never take that from you," Lucy said, her voice calm and sweet. Her voice calmed Aurora's aching chest a little. It became easier for her to breathe.

"I know. I just don't want there to be any bitterness. Everyone should be happy. I know I was a shock... and," Aurora was trying to say before Lucy placed her hand on hers.

"You are her last gift, Aurora. She loved you so much and gave you to me. That is all we need. I couldn't ask for more because now I have another daughter to love," Lucy said with a smile, tightening her hold on Aurora's hand. Tears fell from Aurora's face, hearing Lucy call her that. Aurora wasn't expecting her to accept her in that way. She had only known her for a day, and she wanted Aurora to be her daughter. She wasn't sure how to react, knowing that Lucy felt this way. Her chest ached even more.

"I don't know what to say," Aurora said, looking away from Lucy and sharing a look with Greg. She had hardly heard from him. Aurora wanted to know where they stood. She wouldn't be just living with Lucy. She would live with Greg and their daughter.

"I'm with Lucy on this. I always wanted more pups, and I have a feeling about you. You are a sweet girl, Aurora, and my wolf is calling to me to protect and care for you like you are my own," Greg said, seeing her look at him. Aurora's heart jumped for joy at his words. She had never had a father that she could remember. Aurora didn't even trust men, not really, but there was something about Greg that was different.

Her wolf said, "They will protect and care for us."

"I don't have the words," Aurora said, glancing away from them, her legs still shaking under the table. She didn't understand why they would want her. They were better off leaving her behind. If only she could be sure they would not eventually feel that she was a burden to them, despite all the good intentions they professed, she must not be a burden to them or anyone, she thought.

"We understand, Aurora. It's okay," Lucy said, clenching Aurora's hand while Greg took hold of the other one. Aurora looked towards them and saw their smiles. They all knew this would be a challenge, but they were willing. Aurora would go with them, she thought. She should do her best to make this work.