Chapter Four

ELORA’S POV

I didn’t know where I get the courage to ask him that. Perhaps the complicated emotions circling the way we met had taken their toll on me. 

Or maybe, I was just looking for some answers regarding the way he was treating me. We were supposed to be mates, yet, I didn’t feel that whenever he was around. 

“Are you that dumb to not figure out why?” he asked arrogantly. “Imagine the shame I would be getting if the world would know about you. You are nothing but an embarrassment to me and my pack. I don’t know why the moon goddess chose a disgusting rogue like you to become my mate.”

For the first time since we met, I was out of words. The way he delivered those sentences was like sharp daggers piercing through the depths of my soul. My chest tightened to the sting of pain yet I tried my best to ignore it. I shouldn’t feel like this but somehow, my body reacted differently and I couldn’t control it. 

‘Tell him the truth, Elora! Tell him you are not a rogue but an Alpha’s daughter!’ Arwen shouted inside my head. But instead of listening to her, I did the exact opposite. 

“No, Arwen. Dominic Ackerman is a prick like my uncle. He will never know the truth about my real identity.

‘But we will lose him if you continue to hide who you really are!’

“Then so be it,” I reasoned, “I would never beg him to love me. He didn’t deserve to be called my mate, especially after saying those words.”

I never expected that Alpha Dominic would be this shallow. To disrespect the mate bond like that simply because he thought of me as nothing but a lowlife rogue was very disheartening. 

Disgust filled my chest as I looked at him. “Then why are you still keeping me here? You should have rejected me the first time we met. I will be glad to get out of your life and move on from all of this.”

But instead of siding with my reasons, he grabbed my arms violently. “How I wish it would be that easy! But instead, I am forced to keep you here as I didn’t want others to gossip about the Alpha King rejecting his mate. That would be humiliating, isn’t it?”

“You…” I whispered, with tears forming in my eyes. “You’re a monster!”

My heart was reminded of the pain of rejection all over again. I thought I already surpassed this phase when I successfully ran away from my uncle. But alas! My own mate made me remember this unpleasant feeling I desperately wanted to eliminate within me. 

I could not take this emotional torment anymore. So, I grabbed my hand from his grip and ran away from his presence. The hallway seemed endless but my eyes were too blinded with tears to care about it. I just continued to run until finally, I found a dark corner to let my emotions out. 

Arwen was howling in pain too and I wanted to blame her for this. And yet, I knew that she was equally heartbroken knowing that she put her faith in the mate bond only to be slapped by the harsh reality. 

Alpha Dominic will never accept us as his mate. Not in a million years! 

“See, Arwen? I told you that he was nothing but a prick but you didn’t listen!” I said through my gritted teeth as I cried. “He’s such an asshole. I can’t be mated with him. He’s no different from Uncle Lucian!”

I wiped my tears, but no matter what I do, they continue to flow nonstop. 

‘I’m sorry, Elora…’ Her heart sobbed in despair too. 

“We should get out of here,” I said firmly. I couldn’t stay here any longer. For some reason, the air inside the Royal Cavern Pack suffocated me. 

I was in the middle of despair when I heard a mild rustle. I immediately wiped my tears, trying to find the origin of that sound. The sound of someone’s footsteps was the next thing I heard, and seconds later, I saw Hunter looking down at me with a visible concern in his eyes. His eyes were full of questions. 

“What happened?” he asked worriedly.  “Why are you here in this dark corner?”

My jaw clenched tightly, recalling those heartless words Alpha Dominic told me.

I shook my head, biting my lower lip in a firm way. “I’d rather die than become your Alpha’s mate. That’s what’s happening.”

“Did you get into a fight with him?” He scooted down and sat on the floor beside me, wiping my tears in the process. 

“Obviously.” I cleared my throat and looked away when I noticed his smile. “I don’t need your pity.”

“I do not pity you,” Hunter said in a gentle voice. “Dominic is new to this thing and probably having a hard time too.”

“Hard time?” I asked in disbelief. “You think he is having a hard time? If I know, he enjoyed seeing me miserable like this!”

But Hunter shook his head. “He’s an Alpha King. His responsibilities were different from the jobs of a regular alpha. It’s more complicated.”

“But that doesn’t excuse him for treating me this way!”

“I know and I am sorry on his behalf,” he murmured. “Don’t worry. I will help you learn how to deal with the Alpha King. You just have to be patient because he may find it difficult to become a good mate.” 

“Like he would ever learn how!” I spat bitterly.

Beta Hunter sighed and clicked his tongue. “Dominic is a complicated man. Our pack members think he’s hard to deal with, but the truth is, he’s under a lot of pressure.”

“You speak like you truly know him,” I said, and I couldn’t get away from the idea that he was discreetly defending that heartless Alpha. 

“As a matter of fact, I do. That’s why I am the best person to help you.” He ended his statement with a wink which warmed my heart. 

I didn’t know why but Beta Hunter’s words pacified me. I fought the urge to make a move and hug him, but my emotions defeated me all over again. Hunter was shocked when I embraced him. I was, too, after realizing that we have been in that position for so long. 

I pulled away, blinking in surprise, and cleared my throat. 

“I’m s-sorry…” I stuttered and palmed my forehead. “I… I really needed a hug, and you reminded me of my older brother.” I lowered her head afterward. “I didn’t mean to startle you like that.”

“It’s just a hug, but that’s all I could give,” he remarked sincerely. 

I pouted my lips until finally, I posed a faint smile. We talked for a couple of hours before I realized that it was almost midnight. Hunter reminded me to stop provoking Ashley anymore if I wanted to go on with my day peacefully. Arwen seconded his advice, but whenever I thought about that woman, my blood still boiled instantly, making me want to raise hell against her. 

A few more pleasantries and we decided to go back to our own rooms. 

As I made my way into the maids’ quarters, my feet suddenly glued to the floor upon seeing Ashley running down the long hallway. She was running toward Alpha Dominic who appeared to be waiting lovingly for her. I wanted to turn back but it was already too late as I saw Ashley look in my direction. 

Oh, Shit!