CHAPTER 4

          —ALPHA HAWTHORNE’S POV—

Sitting on a swivel chair behind my desk, I began to reminisce about what Aurora had said to me, oblivious of my beta who was giving me reports on the welfare of my pack.

What Aurora had said had come as an unexpected surprise to me. I never expected that she would be pregnant. To say I wasn’t overjoyed would be an understatement.

“Hawthorne.”

My beta’s call had snapped me out of my thoughts. He had a deep frown on his, perhaps he realized that I was paying attention to what he was saying. I stared at him, not bothering to conceal my displeasure on his interference.

“Can I ask something out of context?” he requested and staring at him, I could observe that he seemed serious. I leaned back on my chair and gave a nod of approval.

“Do you love her?”

I did not know why but his question had cut me off guard and in a way, infuriated me. However, I kept staring at him while he stared back. “Who told you that?” I questioned and he as well, leaned back on his seat.

“What did you expect Hawthorne? After all, we are best friends.” He said to me and I squinted my eyes at him.

Well, it was a fact that we were best friends from a very young age. But at the end of the day, he was wrong. He was wrong to assume I did not love Aurora. As soon as I discovered she was my mate, right from the beginning, I had fallen for her.

I knew the way I treated her was bad and selfish, but I was only doing all that, for her own good. I never wanted her to fall in love with me, because at the end of the day, she was only going to hurt herself.

I wanted an heir from her, then I would let her go. I did not want her to live like a widow but I wouldn’t let her go just yet. Nevertheless, I knew that I had no iota of love for her, from the others point of view and Margret is one of those people.

I gave a slight smile at him, while staring at the vodka on the table. “A shot?” I offered and without staring at him, I poured out some of the both of us.

“Hawthorne…”

I banged my first on the table and sounds of breaking bottles filled the room. Shards of broken bottles littered on the floor with spilled vodka. I glared at him, as I slowly rose from my chair.

“I don’t!” I couldn’t help but yell at him. However, he just gave me a look of pity.

“You are only hurting yourself. You are aware that you are mated to her, aren’t you? What do you think will happen if she eventually turns twenty and discovers that you are her mate? Would you still hate her even then?” He asked and I was surprised, yet again.

“How do you know all these?”

“I have my ways.”

“Hmm.” I muttered as doubt lingered in my heart. I observed him carefully, looking for any signs of changes that would suggest I was sitting before an imposter.

“You know you will have to mark her and produce an heir with her. Gossips spreads within the pack that their leader had gone on a short vacation to satisfy himself, rather than take up the mantle.” He spoke and he was partly right.

True, I had been gone from my pack for months and was on vacation. But, I definitely did not leave just for the sake of pleasure. I wanted to find my mate and luckily, I found her.

“Is she from another pack?” He asked with curiosity etched on his face.

“No. Her parents both worked with my father until their demise.”

“So what are your plans?”

I hesitated, contemplating whether I should answer to such question. I sighed because at he end of the day, Rylan was a very stubborn man.

“Nothing, she’s just here to produce an heir for me and as soon as that happens, I have no use for her anymore.” I replied and even my words, seemed to crush me deeply. The fact that what I said were true, hurts even more.

I was going to leave her. Push her away from me, for her own sake. I do not expect her to understand but soon, she will come to realize that everything I had done and will do, would be for her own good.

***

While we both conversed on matters regarding the welfare of my pack, a knock sounded on the door and with my approval, Margret walked in. She glanced at Rylan and then at the littered floor.

I gently stood up from my sitting position. “What is wrong?” I asked as I could notice the look of worry on her face and I feared the worst.

She turned to look at me and hesitated for a while. “My lord, it’s Aurora.” She said and her tone sounded like she was afraid.

“What of her?” I inquired, as the first thing that crossed my mind at the moment was her safety and that of the unborn child.

“She escaped. She is not anywhere within the estate.” Margret broke the news and the next thing I knew, I was walking out of my study in a haste.

Soon, I walked into Aurora’s room and approached the bed. I couldn’t sense the bond any longer, do I knew what Margret said was the truth. My eyes caught a piece of paper, trapped between a vase and its table. Taking out the paper, I read the content on it.

It was Aurora and she was no longer interested in working for me. She didn’t fail to include that she was moving far away from me, with her unborn child and it seemed like she must have overheard my conversation with Rylan as she also made her disappointments known. She was disappointed of falling for me, a man who would only use and dump her.

I squeezed the paper, while staring at the open window. She must have ran through the window and without being detected by my guards.

“Margret.”

“My lord.”

“You are in charge for now. I will be back soon. “ I told her and without waiting for a response, I sprinted down the stairs.

“Did you find her?” Ryan asked but I shook my head and walked past him. I headed out and a few of my guards approached me.

“Did you see Aurora?” I asked as I hoped they did but alas, they did not. They shook their head in denial. “Then hurry! We must find her!!”

“You all heard him! Start the car!!” I heard Ryan giving out orders behind me but I wasn’t going to wait for cars.

Sprinting away from the house, I leapt into the air and shifted, taking my wolf form and soon, I sprinted out of the estate, in search of my mate.