Younger Daughter Read Online Free

sure what he thought, but no matter what it was, it was likely wrong.
    "Nolan!"
    He ignored her and kept walking.
    Aurora laid on speed, ducking around other students. They started moving aside for her. Of course, they were also giving Nolan a wide berth as he stormed toward the Regina gardens.
    She didn't call out to him again, somehow certain that it would only make him move faster.
    As she expected, Nolan went directly to the area where his classmates were still working on repairing the damage Darian had done. He bustled about, checking their work, giving instructions.
    Aurora slowed down, walking the last ten meters or so instead of running them. Nolan didn't react to her approach. She wondered if he was actively ignoring her. Following him from person to person, she became more sure of it.
    "Can I have a moment of your time, Nolan?" Aurora asked.
    "A little busy." His voice was cool and dismissive.
    One of the other males peeked up at her; his gaze lingered. That was all it took to cause Nolan to wheel around and face her. He grasped her arm and led her away from the other students.
    "What is it, Aurora?"
    "This is not what you think." She motioned for calm.
    "You lied to me," he accused. His eyes flashed, a momentary shift that revealed how upset he was.
    How furious. "I didn't. I told you Koukla was a nickname. I told you everyone uses it for me, so I tend to use it." She winced. "Though I admit I'm getting sick of it. I'm not a baby anymore, and I'm tired of being called one."
    "I thought... You made me think you weren't..." Nolan motioned to Regina Hall, seemingly furious with her.
    "I didn't. Yes, I knew you assumed it, and I didn't correct you. Maybe that was wrong. I didn't think it mattered. Honestly."
    "You didn't think it mattered?" He went red in the face, then pushed a hand through his hair, gritting his teeth in what she could only assume was aggravation.
    Explaining it was more difficult than she'd hoped it would be. "You didn't know who I was. You treated me like any other wolf. Meeting me in that context... I liked it."
    "I would have treated you like any other wolf, even if I knew who you were," he countered.
    "Would you? If I was my sister, would you have treated me like you did?"
    "Do I look like I want to die?"
    Her head spun at the topic skipping that seemed to be going on. "What?"
    "I'm sure her mates would kill me on sight." There was a snide undertone to that remark.
    "Well, I'm not Talia, am I? I don't have preordained mates waiting to kill you." Against her better judgment, she let her frustration show.
    "That doesn't mean you're someone I can—" Nolan clamped his mouth shut, as if he'd admitted something vital.
    If he stopped himself from saying what I think he did, I want him to admit it. Aurora calmed herself, thinking through his comment. Continue as if he said it. Let him correct me if I'm wrong.
    "Who says? Who I choose is no one's concern. I'm the younger daughter, remember? I have an older brother and sister and a younger brother. The odds of me ever taking the throne are so remote as to be impossible." Even if I did—on some far-away day—my mate will be my mate.
    "So you're making a choice?" The question was more subdued than he'd been moments before.
    "Today? Not a permanent choice. Am I interested in you?"
    He looked at her, his expressions shifting.
    "Yes. I am," she admitted. Aurora swallowed the lump rising in her throat. She was putting herself on the line and hoping Nolan would be kind to her, despite his anger.
    He was still for a long moment. "I have plans, Aurora."
    "Then follow your plans. Did I ever ask you not to?" I've never demanded anything of him.
    "I've worked for everything I have. Worked hard. You know what my plans are."
    She nodded. "I do."
    "I don't want anyone saying I was handed those dreams. Can you—?"
    "I understand. Then go on with your plans. I'll even find someone else to teach me, if you want me to. Maybe someday, when you have your dreams, we can be