Claimed by My Bully Alpha (by Anna Kendra) novel Chapter 205

Chapter 205

Aurora’s RO.V

When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was warmth–Riley’s arms wrapped around me, his had nestled close. He was watching me, his blue eyes soft and full of something I couldn’t quite place.

“Morning,” I murmured, my voice scratchy with sleep. I blinked at him and then furrowed my brows. “How long have you been awake? And why didn’t you wake me up?”

He smiled faintly, shaking his head. “Not long,” he replied, his voice low and soothing. “I didn’t want to wake you. You looked peaceful… well, except for the part where it looked like you’d been crying

“What?” My hand flew to my face, brushing against my cheeks, and I felt it–the faint stickiness of dried tears. My stomach tightened. I hadn’t even realized I’d been crying. It must’ve been the stress, the weight of everything over the past few days finally catching up to me. I took a breath, forcing a

smile.

“I’m fine, really. Probably just some weird dream or something.” I sat up and ran a hand through my hair. “I should get ready for school.”

Riley didn’t move. Instead, he just looked at me, his gaze searching my face. It made me feel

exposed, like he could see something I didn’t want him to.

“What?” I asked, tilting my head to the side in confusion. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You sure you’re okay?” he asked, his tone gentle but probing. “You’ve been… distant. Not just today

-like, for days now. I know something’s up, sis. You can tell me. I’m a big h

my tone light,

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. “I’m fine big boy,” I said, trying brushing it off. “Just tired. School, life, everything. You’ll know when you’re really a big boy.”

“Big sis.” His voice was firmer now, and he sat up, his hand reaching for mine. “I want to help. I told you I’m a big boy, and I’ll prove it.”

I looked at him, and for a moment, I wanted to spill everything–the nightmares, the constant knot

of anxiety in my chest, the feeling that I was teetering on the edge of something I couldn’t control.

But I couldn’t. Not to a five year old. Not when I didn’t even understand it myself. So, I forced

another smile and squeezed his tiny hand.

“You’re sweet, Riley. But I promise, I’m good. Now, how about we both get ready for school and have breakfast together?”

I groaned as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, dragging myself out of bed. My head was a foggy mess, still half–lost in the events from last night. I was all but ready to head over to my room and start

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Chapter 205

getting ready for school, but Riley’s voice cut through the haze, rasiral but tinged with amusement as he smiled at me from the bed.

“You know there’s no school today, tight?”

I blinked at him, my brain struggling to catch up. “What? No school? Why?”

He raised an eyebrow, his lips parting in a gasp. “You seriously forgot? It’s Caroline’s birthday today. No one’s going to school. Everyone’s going to celebrate later.”

It hit me like a freight train. Caroline’s birthday. My best friend’s birthday, I slapped my forehead, a wave of guilt washing over me.

“Oh my God, I totally forgot! How could I forget?”

“Because you’re oooold!” He laughed.

I playfully threw a pillow at him, not that it helped. He dodged it easily, his grin only growing wider.

I rolled my eyes, shaking my head. “Yeah, yeah, don’t rub it in. Go on, go have breakfast or whatever.

I need to get ready. Fast.”

Riley shrugged, lazily getting out of the bed. “I’ll go for breakfast. Don’t be late, big sis!”

“I know,” I groaned, heading for the door so I could get to my room. “I’ll be there in a bit. Have your

meal, and remember, don’t skip your veggies or fruits.”

“Yes captain!” He gave a mock salute before turning on his heel and walking out, his laughter trailing behind him.

Shaking my head, I muttered to myself, “Some best friend I am.”

I rushed to my room, my feet moving quickly across the carpeted floor, and threw the door open. My bedside drawer was my first stop, and I yanked it open, rifling through the contents until my fingers landed on the small box I’d tucked away a few days ago.

“Gotcha,” I muttered under my breath, pulling it out and flipping it open for a quick inspection. The bracelet inside glimmered faintly, the delicate pearls catching the light just right. Perfect. Caroline was going to love this.

She had to…after all, it was the only thing I could afford with the money that I had saved up from my work at the diner.

Just as I was about to close the drawer, a knock came at the door. “Come in,” I called, half–distracted as I slipped the box into my pocket for safekeeping. The door creaked open, and a maid entered, balancing a tray with my breakfast on it.

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