Family Secrets.

Chapter 10.

Aurora's head rested on the back of the couch in the human area inside the base, fingers absentmindedly twirling strands of Raf's hair as he napped soundly with his head in her lap. Jack and Miko were a ways away, playing chess at the table closest to Ratchet's work station so their noise didn't bother Aurora or Raf.

Aurora herself was lost somewhere in her mind, thoughts running rampid as nothing disturbed her.

'Black paws met snow, the frigid crunch satisfying the lithe animal as it powered through three feet of snow, destination unknown.

"Aurora, don't forget you're not just a wolf once your core temperature drops low enough you must return to base." Ratchet's voice broke her train of thought and Aurora skidded to a halt.

Her head tilted as if pondering her next move before hopping back into a run. Her new ability made her feel all sorts of new ambitions and crave new things. The wind threading through her black and light white fur felt exhilarating and she wasn't sure she'd listen to her close friend now that she was actually here.

The collar around her throat beeped, signaling a drastic and potentially fatal drop in her core temperature, sending a surprise shock through Aurora's body as she was forced back into her human form. A deep red hoodie and black jeans clad her body as she tapped the earpiece on her right ear. "Send a bridge, I'm ready to come home."

As soon as the groundbridge appeared, Aurora happily stepped through it, ready to be embraced by the warmth of her newfound family.'

An absentminded smile crawled onto Aurora's face as she finished having the vision, at least until a sharp pain shot through her entire nervous system, causing the 18 year old to shoot up and groan in pain as she clutched her chest.

"Holy-" Miko gasped, Jack instantly by Aurora's side and helping her stand.

The bones in Aurora's spine cracked and snapped aggressively as Jack stood her at full height.

"nO-!" Aurora yelped, slouching over once more to attempt to appease the pain.

"Mom!!" Jack called, alerting both of the medical professionals inside the base.

Raf looked on in groggy horror as Aurora whimpered in pain, her skin turning an irritated red as June and Ratchet rushed to assess her and get her on a medical bed.

-

Aurora opened her eyes, the pain and feeling of dread no longer invading her senses as the normally bright lights of the base seemed to be dimmed.

The sound of a heart monitor rang quietly in her ears, and she looked down groggily, noticing an IV in her right arm. She looked to the left, feeling a warm weight on her hip and arm, and noticed a sleeping Rafael clinging to her arm with his head resting on her hip.

Her eyes softened, and she gave a gentle squeeze to his hand.

Raf stirred, groggy brown gaze meeting her mismatched gaze before he tiredly moved her arm and crawled into the bed next to her, nestling his face into her neck and soon enough his soft snores could once again be heard.

-

"He adores you, ya know." Jack commented, coming into Aurora's field of vision.

Aurora distractedly stroked the baby hairs on Raf's head, mismatched eyes focused contently on the sleeping preteen in her arms. "I know." Aurora says simply, maternal gaze locked on Raf's freckled face.

"I adore him too. Sharing guardians has its perks, and the bond I have with Raf is just one of them." Aurora says, smiling softly as Raf stirred and rolled over, small hands grasping at Aurora's shirt as he drempt.