Aurora said nothing as Arden pulled her along into the trees. After a few more minutes he finally stopped in a smile clearing. The sun poked through the top of the trees and brightened the grass under their feet. “Aurora, what are you thinking?” Arden finally asked. Aurora seemed deep in thought and Arden hoped that he could help. “Tomorrow, I must defend myself. I am going to assume that she is going to pick the hardest warrior that you guys have,” Aurora said. Arden nodded his head slowly. “Yes, I believe so. However, none of the warriors are going to hurt their future Luna. They will not agree with this either. The idea that you need to pass tests is absurd.” “Nonetheless, I need to practice before tomorrow. It has been some time since I have taken a class, but after Eli was born, I made sure that I knew how to protect myself. I got pretty good at it I believe,” Aurora said. Arden was surprised to hear that she could fight. He was curious how honed her skill was. “Would you li
**DISCLAIMER: CHAPTER MENTIONS ABORTION. IF THIS IS A TRIGGER FOR ANYONE PLEASE SKIP.** Aurora and Arden walked back to the pack house, hand I hand. Lila watched other office window as the two made their way out of the clearing and headed to the back door. Lila scoffed in reaction. She turned around and sat heavily back at her desk. Tomorrow Aurora would need to prove that she could defend herself. It should be an easy enough task for her to fail at. She is going against a werewolf for crying out loud. Lila thought about their meeting earlier that morning. Lila for sure thought she could trip her up or at least et her to answer one of the questions as a selfish human, that Lila knew her to be. Humans and no place in the mythical world. They were fragile and too concerned over the most mundane of things. Lila let her head rest of the back of the chair as she stared up at the ceiling. She had originally thought to place the most skilled warrior against Aurora. However, she wondered if
The next morning, Aurora found herself standing on a grass covered field. Quite a few spectators were lined up around the sparring field. Word must have gone around that their future Luna was going to go against one of their own. Aurora hoped that one day they would think of her as such. Aurora looked over at Arden. He smiled and nodded at her. He hoped that it helped to reassure her. “This is ridiculous,” Thor said in the back of Arden’s mind. “I agree, but we need to show everyone that Aurora is the right choice to take over the pack,” Arden said. Thor only grumbled in response. Mason and Lila walked down to the sparring field hand in hand. The sight always caused a bit of bile to rise in the back of Arden’s throat. He father looked like a lovesick puppy and ready to throw away whatever on the woman next to him who looked at though she had a stick shoved some where most uncomfortable. Lila and Mason stopped in front of Arden and Aurora. “Good morning. I hope that you got your re
**DISCLAIMER: CHAPTER MENTIONS ABORTION. PLEASE SKIP IF THIS IS A TRIGGER FOR ANYONE** Aurora did not give time for Ava to regroup. Instead, she swept her legs and Ava landed on her back underneath the new Luna. Aurora noticed the moisture beginning to build in the back of Ava’s eyes. “I am so sorry, Luna. I did not want to fight you. It is the only way to get Luna Lila to agree to my procedure,” Ava said barely above a whisper so that Aurora was the only one who could hear her. So that was what Lila had over her head. “Make your defeat believable and I will do what I can to make sure that you get what was promised you,” Aurora said into Ava’s ear. Ava nodded once and then pushed Aurora off. Aurora rolled easily enough and righted herself back on her feet. Ava was quick as well. They circled each other a few more times. The result was the same. The sparring match ended with Ava on her back three more times before Arden finally spoke up. “Father, is this not proof enough that Aurora
“I am not telling you that you must keep this child, but I just ask that you think about it just a little more," Aurora smiled at Ava. She hoped that her words helped the girl see that her only path did not have to be ridding herself of the child. Ava nodded and thanked Aurora one more time before Arden and Aurora stood to leave. Before they were too far Ava turned around in the metal chair. "Thank you, Luna. Please be careful when it comes to Luna Lila," It was all that she said but Aurora caught her warning easy enough. Aurora nodded and then turned on her heel and headed back for Arden's car. Once inside she looked over at Arden, "What is the final test?" She asked. "To make sure that you are healthy enough and can bear me children," Arden said. His tone held a note that said he did not like the idea as much as she did not. "And we can do this just by going to the doctor?" Aurora asked. At Arden's nod, Aurora grabbed her seat belt and clicked it into place. "Great lets get t
Arden paced in the hallway as Aurora had her exam in the hospital room. Thor was chomping at the bit that Aurora was alone with another male wolf. Arden had to remind Thor that they trusted their mate. It was not as though she was in there by her own choice. Thor grumbled something before remaining quiet until the latch of the door finally opened. Doctor Collins walked out into the hallway and closed the door behind him. He must have sensed Arden's demeanor. She chuckled and put his hand up. "She will be out in a moment. Why dont we go back to my office to discuss?" Doctor Collins suggested. Arden only nodded and walked back to the end of the hall. By the time he reachedc the doorway he heard the door of the exam room. He turned around and saw as Aurora walked to him. She stopped in the doorway and kissed him. The action surprised Arden only for a moment before he pulled her close and kissed her once more. Her scent enveopled him and helped to calm both him and Thor. "Thank you," h
Aurora quickly walked to the door of Arden's room and knocked. Rich pulled the door open and smiled at Aurora. She returned the smile and stepped through. "Momma!" Eli exclaimed and jumped off the bed. Faith chuckled and greeted her daughter as Eli wrapped his arms around her waist. "He is going a bit stir crazy,' Faith informed her. Aurora nodded in understanding. "Well, there is a BBQ out back. I am sure that everyone wants to meet you," Eli pulled away excitedly. "Really?" He asked. Aurora nodded and turned towards the door. "Let's go Grandma!" Eli yelled over his shoulder as he headed down the hallway. As Aurora passed Rich, she said," Thank you for keeping an eye on them while we get these tests completed." "Of course, Luna. In my opinion they are completely unnecessary," Rich's irritation showed ever so slightly. Aurora smiled. She was grateful to have some people already warming to her and the idea of her becoming Luna of their pack. "Yes, well if it gives peace o
"I am unsure what the actual issue is here, my dear," Mason said. His voice and demeanor sounded helpless to Lila, which only infuriated her more. "How are we to know that the tests were not cheated?" She asked. "They went to the hospital and talked to Doctor Collins, who knows what was said, and had the exam without either you or me present," Lila threw up her arms. She paced their bedroom. It was where she had found Mason after her run in with Aurora on the stairs. "Doctor Collins would never put something down on paper if it was not true. He is the one man I can count on to follow everything by the book," Mason said. His voice changed. He was defending the Doctor. Lila had to tread lightly. "I understand that. But the tests are to be done with us present," Lila was not sure how she was going to get Mason to agree to another exam. She slowly came to a stop on the side of the room that Mason was in. She walked over to him and gently slid her arms around his neck. "I just want t