AURORA’S POV.
“Thank you very much for coming, Mrs. Thomas, I hope you enjoy yourself.” I wave the woman goodbye and proceed to make my way to the dais where I stand straight and admire the multitude of people in the room who have been gathered here today to celebrate my eighteenth birthday.
The day I finally get my freedom to do everything I’ve ever wanted to do.
When my father said he was going to throw me a party, I didn’t think it was going to be this grand. It’s like he invited all the pack members.
“Aurora.” A familiar voice calls my name from a distance. Excitement blooms in my heart like rose petals when I see my father approaching with a cheerful smile on his face. He left a while ago to talk to a few friends of his.
“Dad.” I walk into his outstretched arms and he wraps me in a warm, fatherly hug. “You’re here.”
“Yes.” He breathes and takes a step back. “There’s something you need to know.” He announces calmly. A ridge forms between my brows as I give him a serious look.
“What do I have to know, dad?”
“It’s about your sister, Rhea.” It’s at the mention of Rhea’s name that I noticed I haven’t seen her around here. She has not been present for my birthday party.
“What about her, dad?”
“Today is her wedding day.” He announces and my lips part in silent surprise. My jaws drop to the floor, eyes widen in disbelief and I'm momentarily stunned.
“Rhea is getting married?” I ask, aghast, almost raising my voice. His words are ricocheting in my brain like bullets. I’ve never seen my sister with a boyfriend and now they are telling me she’s getting married.
“Yes, she is.”
“And why am I only hearing this now?”
“Because she didn’t want to draw any attention to herself. You have been excited for this day to come and she wanted you to enjoy the spotlight, alone. And also, she wanted to have a pretty simple wedding with very few guests, that’s why she put it on this day. To divert the attention of the masses.” He explains calmly and I really appreciate Rhea for doing that, but still, I feel like I’ve robbed her of her big day.
“Dad I…” I breathe, hard. “I don't even know what to say. Did the ceremony already take place?” I ask with a worried look masked on my face. I will be completely heartbroken if I miss my older sister’s wedding.
“No.” He shakes his head. Relief floods my veins. “The ceremony is still to take place and she asked me to get you. She needs you. And now…” he stops and looks at the busy crowd in the hall before looking back at me. “… now that the main activities are over. The guests are getting refreshments so you are no longer really needed here. If you could sacrifice some time to go be with your sister on her wedding day, that will make her very happy.” A wide smile spreads across my face.
“Of course, I can do that, dad. I wouldn’t want to miss my sister’s wedding for the world!” A small chuckle follows that statement.
“Your ride’s waiting for you outside. I will join you girls in less than no time.”
“Alright dad. See you later.” I give him another brief hug before walking out of the hall through the main door. My insides are melting with excitement as I walk towards the black hummer that’s parked a few meters away from the porch and my designated driver opens the passenger seat door for me to get in. Once settled, a text message chimes in my phone. My face lights up when I see that it’s a text from my boyfriend, Crew. I quickly unlock my phone and head to his dm to look at the message which reads;
“I have a gift for you.” A love emoji sits beside the last word. Blood rushes up to my cheeks, making them turn red. Just a while ago, I heard my sister is getting married and she wants me there with her and now, I just got a text from my boyfriend telling me he has a gift for me.
The day keeps getting better.
The ride to the wedding venue takes less than twenty minutes. As I alight from the car, I am stunned to see my sister waiting for me by the entrance to the hall with a beaming smile on her face. A smile that reminds me so much of our mother.
“Rhea!” I call as I approach her. “Rhea, dad told me about your wedding. Are you kidding me? Why didn’t you tell me about it?”
“I’m sure he told you why, Aurora.” She leads the way into the hall and takes a right turn that leads us into a hallway which has got rooms on either side.
“Even so, Rhea. You should have told me.”
“But now you know, so…” she winks, slightly pushing me into what seems like a dressing room. “Let’s get you changed.” Confusion masks my face. I spin around to look at her.
“Get me changed? Why?”
“Because you are the only bride’s maid I have and you can’t play that role dressed in that.”
“Oh… I see.”
“Yeah.”
“So, what will I be changing into?” She walks over to the closet and takes out a glistering, long white dress which is strapless.
“Into this.” She holds it out my direction and I walk closer, but not daring to touch it.
“Rhea, this looks like a wedding dress.”
“No, it doesn’t!” She flatly denies it. Her brows furrow as she takes a careful look at the dress for a brief second before looking back at me, shaking her head. “It’s just a simple white dress.”
“Exactly. It’s white.” I chuckle in frustration. My heart is doing back flips in my ribcage. “I can’t wear white to your wedding. And look, it seems to be even more sophisticated than your own wedding dress you have on.” I say, pointing at the simple dress she’s wearing. She groans and waves a dismissing hand at me.
“So what? You are my sister. You can wear anything for my wedding.”
“But I…”
“No buts!” She points her index finger at me. “Today is my big day. I decide what happens. Now, except you want me to be unhappy on my wedding day, you stay quiet and put on this beautiful dress our father bought for you. Or do you want me to be sad on my wedding day?” She pouts her lips and fakes a crying face. My guard crumbles. I lift both hands in the air and let them free-fall by my side, sighing heavily.
“Fine. If that’s what you want you.”
“It is what I want!”
In less than no time, I'm settled in the dress. It’s a fitting mermaid dress with intricate hand-sewn beading. I stare at my reflection in my mirror, smiling. I look stunning!
“This dress was made for you, Aurora. You look stunning.” I flash her an uncomfortable smile.
“Thank you.” I’m still not comfortable with the fact I’m wearing a white dress with her, but it’s what she wants. She guides me to sit on the nearby chair so she can do my make-up. “Rhea.” I call, looking at her.
“Yes.” She’s trying to sort out which make-up products to use on my face.
“Have you seen Crew today?” She freezes for a heart beat before picking up her phone from the vanity table. I watch her manipulate it for a while and bring the screen to my view. It’s a picture of a very good-looking young man dressed in a tuxedo. I look at her, confused.
“Who’s this?” I ask. Her smile widens.
“My groom.” My eyes dart back to the image in-front of me. My mouth hangs open as I take the phone from her and carefully examine his perfectly sculpted face.
“Holy spirits, Rhea. He's a good looking chunk of man!” She howls with laughter as she seizes her phone from my hand.
“I know right.” She winks at me. “He’s everything.”
“He’s not only good looking, but he seems to be a really nice person. He’s definitely going to treat you right. I’m so happy for you, Rhea. I look forward to this wedding and Crew’s surprise for me.” She smile on her face fades as she puts the phone back on the table.
“Let’s get on with your make-up. It’s almost time.”
The make-up takes another solid thirty minutes. Right now, I'm staring at my full image in the mirror, smiling from molar to molar as I admire my sister’s handwork.
Another message chimes in my phone and my heart skips a few beats when I see Crew’s name on the notification bar.
“I’ve got a message from Crew.” I tell Rhea. She quickly looks away. I check the message which says;
“I’m at the wedding venue. See you soon.” Another heart emoji adorns the text. Excitement makes my body vibrate like I’ve touched a life wire. I feel like I'm floating. I turn to Rhea who now has a bouquet of red roses in her hand.
“Crew said he just…”
“It’s time!” She cuts me off with an uncomfortable smile. I swallow my words and clear my throat.
“Right.”
“They are ready to receive us.” I want to ask who’s “they” but she’s already walking out of the room so I have no choice but to follow her. She stops at the entrance of the hall whose doors are now closed. My heart is hammering in my chest for reasons I do not know. “You seem nervous.”
“I am. I’ve never done this before.”
“Here, take this.” She shoves the bouquet of roses into my hands. My eyes widen in shock as I gape at her.
“Why… Why are you giving me this? This is your bouquet as the bride. You’re the only one who has to hold it.”
“Says whom?” She asks, carelessly, giving me a side eye. I search my mind for answers, but it’s blank. I go mute.
“Hold the bouquet so everyone doesn’t notice your trembling hands. I’ll take it back when it’s time to throw the bouquet.” She gives me a gentle pat on my cheek and I almost lose my balance when the doubled door is pulled open by two men dressed in suits.
A slow, wedding sound ricochets throughout the hall to where we are standing.
“It’s time for us to go in. Walk by my side.” She instructs.
I obey. As usual.
I follow her steps all the way to the podium where there are three men waiting for us. My father, an elderly man dressed in a white garment whom I presume to be the wedding officiator and a young man I recognise to be the same man Rhea showed me in her phone back at the dressing room.
Her groom.
I flash him a small smile, but his expression remains stoic.
I expect Rhea to go stand by his side, but she stands in the other direction where my father is and shoves me to take her place by the man’s side. The man turns to face the wedding officiator and both my sister and father gesture to me to do the same.
Reality slaps my face like a hundred hands.
My knuckles turn white.
The wedding is on the same day as my birthday. The fact that I wasn’t informed. The wedding dress I have on. Rhea personally dressed me up and did my make-up. The bouquet of roses. This is not Rhea’s wedding.
It’s mine.
The entire universe stops in place and spins in another direction.
“No!” I release the bouquet from my hold. It drops to the floor and there are gasps from the few guests in the hall.
“This can’t be happening.” I look at my sister and father with utter betrayal in my eyes. My father has a blank expression while my sister is smiling weirdly at me. They both tricked me into coming to attend an arranged wedding.
“No!” The scream finally escapes my lips and the moment I turn around, I run!
I run along the aisle, not sparing a single second to look back. The walls of this building seem to be closing in on me with each step I take. My eyes are foggy with tears and my head is spinning like a roller coaster.
They tricked me.
They want to marry me off to a complete stranger. Someone who isn’t my mate.
Strong hands grab my left hand tight, stopping my fleeing motion and pulling me hard in the opposite direction of my tracks. My body crashes into a hard pile of masculine muscle. My face grows ashen when I look up and see that it’s Crew who just stopped me from running away.
“Crew. What are you doing?” I ask in horror, my eyes not leaving his face. He looks the least bothered about my current predicament.
“I’m stopping you from fleeing your wedding.”
My soul leaves my body.
AURORA’S POV."I’m trying to stop you from running away from your wedding." Crew's words ring in my mind for the tenth time as he drags me back to the podium to meet my father and sister. I'm not only confused, but I'm angry and frustrated at the same time. He's my boyfriend, how could he support the fact that I'm getting married to someone else?What in the name of the Moon goddess is going on here?"Crew!" I call in shock. "You are my boyfriend, aren't you supposed to be against this? Why are you stopping me from running away when you should be the one taking me away from here?" I ask with a shaky voice. There's tears streaming down my cheeks like a waterfall. The look on Crew's face has still not changed."The wedding is something that has already been decided and you can't change it. Even I do not have a say in this issue. My hands are tied." He explains it's no iota of emotion in his voice. I can't seem to make sense out of anything he just said.He doesn't look happy or sad or
AURORA'S POV.Even though it’s hard, I calm myself and let the men lead me away from my bedroom without resisting. I still don't know what is going on.This couldn't be because I refused to get married to that stranger. Are they taking me back to the hall to have been married at gunpoint? That's preposterous.Why is my father so desperate to have me married to someone I don't even know? What is wrong with him?If he hates me so much. If he wants to get rid of me so much, he can just say so and let me leave his house. He doesn't have to go these lengths. It honestly makes no sense to me.When we get to the flight of stairs, I'm shocked to see my father and Crew standing in the living room. My sister, Rhea, is nowhere to be found. Both of them are frowning and that makes me feel sick in the stomach.For eighteen years, they have been in control of everything I do. From what I do, to what I eat, what I say, who I talk to, where I go, which is nowhere. They have dictated everything I do
AURORA'S POV.I'm scared for my life.I look at my father, who's frowning and then at Crew.Traitor.If I ever get out of this alive, I swear I'll kill him!"Take her to the dungeon and lock her up." My verdict finally comes. I want to protest, but there's no energy left in me. My mate turns on his heels and storms out of the living room.This is probably the last time I will be here.I won't be surprised if this is the last day of my life.The punishment for murder is execution in this pack. All evidence points to me at this moment and my words alone will not set me free.This is the end for me."You are going to be punished for your crimes, murderer!" My father keeps raining insults on me as the guards drag me out of the house. I don’t say anything to him.Once in the premises, I see Alpha Lucien getting into his hummer and without warning, I break free from the hold of the guards holding me."Alpha Lucien!" I call at the top of my voice as I run over to him. I drop to my knees befor
LUCIEN'S POV.She's lying on the floor. Knocked out. Parts of her body are bleeding and the guards swarming around her do not seem to realize that they have to stop whatever it is they are doing. I'm sure this was my father's order. To have her tortured till death.Dad can make very cruel decisions when he is upset regardless of whether he is wrong or right and that's one of the things that make me fear him very much because even the fact that I'm his son and future heir does not spare me from his ruthlessness. The only person father could compromise or bend his morals for was my brother who's now dead.My temper gets the better of me as I watch the guards still pounding on my mate despite the fact that she has gone unconscious. My wolf stirs in anger within me and without thinking twice, I rush over to them with trembling hands and yank away the first guard my hands come in contact with off Aurora's body and shoot him to the other end of the room. The man shouts in agony as his bod
AURORA'S POV.The last person I expected to see when I opened my eyes was this man whose face seems to be hovering all over mine. The same man who had ordered for me to be tortured to bed.When notices that my eyes are open, he quickly backs away, clears his throat and maintains his composure, standing straight with his hands behind his back.The mate bond comes coursing through my body again and I look up at him. There's an awkward silence between us. I have a lot of questions in my mind to ask him and the first being if he's aware of the fact that we are mates. But I'm sure he knows. If I can feel the mate bond, it means he can feel it too.Could that be why his face was almost touching mine a while ago.Did he want to kiss me because he knew we were mates?No!Most definitely not!And even if he knew we were mates. Even if he wanted to kiss me, I still can't forget about the fact that he ordered his guards to have me tortured till death. I won't easily forgive him for that."You are
AURORA'S POV.Right now, I have no idea how to react to what I just heard. Alpha Lucien knows I'm his mate. Should I be happy? Should I be hopeful? Should I be ashamed? or should I be scared?I don't know what to feel right now. He just said he'd punish me accordingly if I say I'm guilty, but he'll stay by my side if I deny the allegations. That's a very logical thing to say in this situation and for a moment, I am really tempted to believe his words, but then I remember that a while ago, he had ordered for his guards to have me tortured to death. He didn't seem to care when he passed that order, but now he does. Why the sudden change of heart?"Why aren't you saying anything?" He breaks the silence. I look at him. He has a blank countenance. I can't read from his face whether he believes me or not and that's very frustrating."Because I don't believe you when you say you will trust my words." He raises a brow and trains his eyes on me."Why's that?" He sounds curious. Not only does
AURORA'S POV.The silence drags on for several minutes. My eyes are still glued on Alpha Lucien who's staring blankly at the wall. He hasn't uttered a single word and I'm worried because I think I know the answer is, he doesn't believe me.Even the maid and the Beta seem eager to get his response, but none of us get any.If Alpha Lucien doesn't believe me, then all my hope is lost. I can't prove my innocence on my own. Not when I'm locked up in here.My heart stops when he lets out a sigh. I look at him expectantly. Hoping he would say something to favor me, but he doesn't even look at me. He turns to the maud who still has her head bowed down. I swear to God if I'm given that chance to be in this room with this woman alone, I'll beat her up so good, she'll take back all the lies she just told against me.I hate her!"What's your name?" Alpha Lucien asks the maid.He ignored my question. Nice one Lucien. Nice one. "Emilia Mark." She calmly replies. I roll my eyes hard. To me, everythi
LUCIEN'S POV."Because they demand that you be executed." Her eyes widen in shock.Even I would be shocked if I was told my father had ordered for me to be executed. Her father was the first to point an accusing finger at her and since then, he has been insisting she committed the crime. I can't help but wonder what would make a father hate his own daughter so much."They didn't!" She denies my words. "My… how could he do that? I didn't kill anyone." Her voice breaks in half as she makes that statement. "I… I just wanted to ask Crew why he's accusing me of a crime I didn't commit and my father why he doesn't believe me when I say I didn't kill anyone. Why are they doing this to me?" She asks with a shaky voice. I don't say anything to her, because I don't know what to say.When she notices I'm not going to say anything to her, she lays back on the bed and closes her eyes.I train my eyes on her. I don't know why, but something tells me she is innocent of this crime she is being accused
Lucien entered the room quietly, the soft sound of Aurora’s muffled sobs piercing his heart. She sat curled up in the corner of the bed, her hands clutching a pillow tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks. The sight of her like this made his chest tighten. He approached slowly, kneeling down beside her.“Aurora,” he said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Why are you still crying?”She looked up at him, her red-rimmed eyes filled with guilt. “I just... I feel awful,” she admitted, her voice trembling. “I banished my sister, Lucien. My own flesh and blood. I didn’t want to do it, but I had no choice. I feel like I failed her.”Lucien sat down beside her, pulling her gently into his arms. “You didn’t fail anyone,” he said firmly, his tone soothing but resolute. “What you did wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. Sometimes, the right choice feels like the hardest one to make.”Aurora leaned into his chest, letting his warmth and strength comfort her. “I just wish things wer
Aurora walked out of the dungeon, the cold, damp air clinging to her like a second skin. Her steps were heavy, her emotions even heavier. As she stepped into the hallway, she was startled to see Lucien waiting for her. The moment their eyes met, his expression softened.“You didn’t need to come here,” Aurora said, her voice trembling as she quickly wiped at her damp cheeks. “I could handle it on my own.”Lucien straightened, his amber eyes filled with a quiet intensity. “I know,” he replied, his voice low and steady. “You’re the strongest person I know, Aurora. But even the strongest people need support at times.”The words pierced through the emotional wall she had tried to build around herself. Without a second thought, she closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly. His arms enveloped her, firm and reassuring.“I don’t know what to do,” Aurora whispered, her voice muffled against his chest.Lucien rested his chin on her head, his voice a
Author’s POVThe cold air of the dungeon wrapped around Aurora as she descended the stone steps, her heels clicking against the hard surface. A guard followed close behind her, silent but watchful. When they reached her father’s cell, she turned to him and waved her hand dismissively.“You can leave now. I’ll handle this,” she said.The guard hesitated, his eyes scanning her for a moment. “Are you sure, Luna?”“I said I’ll handle it,” she replied firmly, not sparing him another glance.With a curt nod, the guard retreated up the stairs, his footsteps echoing faintly until the heavy door at the top creaked shut.She turned back to face the man sitting on the cold stone floor behind the iron bars. Mr. Luke, her foster father, looked up as she approached. His once-commanding demeanor was now replaced with weariness. He managed a faint smile.“You look well,” he said, his voice hoarse.Aurora remained silent, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She stood there, unmoving, her expressi
Aurora’s POVI pushed open the heavy door to Lucien’s office, stepping inside with a teasing smile. He was seated at his desk, scribbling something onto a parchment. The sight of him so focused, his brow furrowed slightly, sent a warm feeling through me. I cleared my throat dramatically.“I heard I’ve been summoned by the almighty Alpha,” I said with a playful tone.Lucien looked up, a grin spreading across his face. “Indeed, Luna. You’ve been called for a matter of utmost importance.” He chuckled. “Please do sit.”I rolled my eyes and leaned against the doorframe. “Oh? And what could be so important that you needed to summon me?”I was genuinely curious to know why he sent for me at the house, he could have waited till he returned home tonight, or was he missing me a lot?Silly me! I have been emotional a lot these days and I have no idea why.He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “The dungeon guard informed me that your father—Luke—has requested to see you. Apparently, he
Aurora pushed open the door to the packhouse and stepped inside. The scent of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, but it did little to calm her nerves. She didn’t make it more than a few steps before Lucien appeared from the hallway, his expression dark.“Where have you been?” Lucian demanded, his voice low but sharp. “I’ve been searching for you everywhere.” he sounded pissed and that made her wonder if something happened.Aurora stopped in her tracks, knowing she had to tread carefully. “I was following a lead on the recent threats we have received,” she admitted. “Something I thought might help us.”Lucien crossed the space between them quickly, his towering presence both comforting and intimidating. “A lead? And you didn’t think to tell me? Do you know how dangerous it is out there right now?”“I can handle myself, Lucien,” she said firmly, meeting his gaze. “I’m not some helpless damsel. I’m a Lycan.”He huffed, running a hand through his dark hair. “You’re also my mate,
The weight of leadership was beginning to settle heavily on both Lucien and Aurora. Their days were filled with council meetings, decisions about the kingdom's future, and ensuring the pack's stability. Yet, an undercurrent of tension had started to ripple through the land.Lucien stood on the balcony of the castle, his sharp gaze fixed on the distant horizon. The murmurs of unrest in a neighboring pack had reached him earlier that morning, carried by a trusted scout.“Rogue wolves,” he muttered under his breath. The thought of enemies circling when his kingdom was still finding its footing made his jaw tighten. His wolf, Kol, stirred within him, growling softly in agreement.“You look like you’re preparing for battle,” Aurora’s voice came from behind him, soft but laced with determination.He turned to face her. She looked regal yet approachable in her simple gown, her Lycan features making her seem otherworldly under the golden light. “I might be,” he admitted. “There’s unrest brewi
The air buzzed with anticipation as the pack gathered in the grand courtyard of the palace. Wolves from allied packs had also traveled far and wide to witness this historic moment—the crowning of Alpha Lucien and his Luna, Aurora.Lucien stood tall at the center of the platform, dressed in ceremonial black and gold robes that accentuated his commanding presence. His piercing eyes scanned the crowd, landing briefly on Aurora, who was approaching the platform with a grace that made his heart swell. She wore a flowing gown of deep emerald green, her head held high as the elders escorted her to his side.Elder Doran raised his staff, signaling for silence. The murmur of the crowd ceased instantly, and all eyes turned toward the Alpha and his mate."Today," Elder Doran began, his voice strong and reverberating through the air, "we witness the dawn of a new era. The leadership of this pack passes to a new Alpha King, a leader who has proven his strength, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to
The great hall of the council chamber buzzed with tension as the elders assembled. The air was heavy with the weight of their decision, one that would shape the future of the pack. The King’s failing health had left them no choice but to convene, and the murmur of voices echoed off the stone walls as they deliberated.Elder Doran, the oldest and most respected among them, struck his staff against the ground to call for order. “Brothers and sisters, we gather today at a critical juncture. The King’s health has declined beyond recovery, and our pack cannot endure this uncertainty any longer.”The room fell silent. Each elder exchanged solemn glances, understanding the gravity of the moment.“We must act,” Elder Nalia said firmly. “The Alpha King has served us well, but his time has passed. The pack requires stability, strength, and leadership.”Elder Doran nodded. “It is clear that Lucien, as the rightful heir, must ascend to the throne. His leadership has been tested, and he has proven
Author’s POVThe royal chambers were cloaked in an uneasy silence, broken only by the occasional rustle of fabric as maids moved quietly about their tasks. The once-mighty Alpha King lay on his grand, ornately carved bed, his once-proud features now gaunt and pale. The trial and the truth it had unearthed had taken a toll far beyond what anyone had anticipated. The air in the room was heavy with the mingling scents of herbal remedies and despair.The royal physicians gathered near the door, speaking in hushed tones. Their faces bore the same somber expression—a silent acknowledgment of the inevitable. One of them, an elderly man with graying hair and deep-set eyes, stepped forward to address the council members waiting outside the chamber.“The King’s condition is grave,” he began, his voice steady but laced with sadness. “His heart and spirit have been deeply wounded. The mental and emotional strain has weakened him beyond recovery. I’m afraid… there is little we can do.”The words