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’S POV.I'm still patiently waiting for the two men standing before me to answer the questions I had thrown at them. They keep looking at each other, not knowing what to say and I am truly amused.From what I've seen so far, I can confidently come to the conclusion that no one in this household loves or cares about Aurora and that makes me even more curious about her.What could she have done to make her father hate her so much? Is she truly a bad person? Or is it her father who’s the bad person? What secret is this family hiding from the public?"I don't have all day here." I tell them. Crew clears his throat and looks at me."Well, Alpha. You see, Aurora and I broke up a long time ago and then I started dating her sister."That even makes things worse. I raise my brows and look at him in total disbelief. I can't even look at Mr. Callan right now because I'm so angry that he let something like this happen. Why would he let some stupid guy disrespect his daughters?"So, you date
AURORA’S POV.All eyes are on me, including Lucien's. His father, the Alpha King has his eyes wide open in total disbelief. The elders are murmuring words like “impossible” under their breaths and Lucien looks amused by my audacity. The tension in the air can suffocate someone in the next room. My heart has flown to the moon without me.What I just said is going to cause a ruckus. Maybe put me in even more trouble, but I couldn't just stay still and do nothing to defend myself. I will not be hanged for a crime I did not commit.“How dare you!” The Alpha King finally breaks the unbearable silence in the room. Red, Hot rage flashes in his eyes as they turn red. “How dare you try to take advantage of my son! How dare you use his name to cover up for your heinous crime!” Thick searing heat distributes itself throughout my body as my gaze flicks between father and son. The Alpha King's murderous gaze lingers along the length of my body, long enough to strike a match to light the fluid flowi
AURORA'S POV.I finally breathe in oxygen when we step out of the office into the hallway. The air in there felt like sulfur steam. All that tension, judgmental looks from the elders, and the spiteful words they threw at me. I wonder how I didn't evaporate into nothingness while I was there.“Aurora.” Lucien's call jabs me out of my thoughts. I halt in my tracks when he turns my way. He looks pissed. His jaws are twitching and his entire body is as rigid as a rock. I have no idea how to behave with him right now.He doesn't believe I'm innocent and he doesn't believe I'm guilty either.How am I supposed to talk to or act towards him when he has mixed feelings towards me?“Yes.” That is all I manage. My heart stops when he starts closing the gap between us. I try to maintain the distance by taking a few steps back, but soon enough, my back hits against a wall, impaling any further moment.I am trapped between his enormous body and the wall. Transfixed by his piercing gaze. He cannot aff
AURORA'S POV.I toured the bedroom. I’ve taken inventory of the sophisticated and spacious closet and I am impressed. Everything looks neat and screams wealth. This bedroom is a dream come true kind of bedroom even though it feels very empty.Right now I'm sitting on the bed, not knowing what to do with myself. Alpha Lucious said servants would come in and I can't wait for that to happen. I can't wait to finally have someone to talk to.Thirty minutes fly by again and I'm about to get on the bed and sleep when I hear a knock on the door. Every cell in my body comes to life. The door handle creaks and as the door is pushed open, my excitement builds. A cheerful smile appears on my face as three elderly women, dressed in servants uniforms, walk into the bedroom with various items in their hands.One has a pile of clothes in her hand, the other toiletries and the last one has a tray with probably food in it. I hastily rise to my feet as they walk towards me.“Good day to you all. I'm so h
LUCIEN'S POV.I slam my fist into the Mannequin's face, revelling in the sharp burst of pain that jolts up my arm at the impact. My muscles burn and sweat drips down my forehead into my eyes, blurting my vision, but I don't stop. I've done this so many times I don't have to see to land my hits.The smell of sweat and violence stains the air. This is the one place I allow myself to unleash the anger I keep under careful wraps in all other areas of my life.By the time I finish pummeling the mannequin, my body is a mess of aches and sweat. I towel the perspiration off my face and take a swig of water. Today has been a shitty day and I needed this release to reset.“This whole charade is taking a toll on you.” My Beta, Arnaud points out and I heave out a heavy sigh because he's right.“You have no idea.”This whole saga is making me lose my damn mind.I have been longing for years to find my mate, just for me to find her and she's a murder suspect. I feel like my entire life is messed up.
LUCIEN'S POV.An inexplicable overwhelming sensation washes through me the moment I step into my living room. I suddenly feel excited to be home. I don't know if it's because Aurora is here and I'll see her soon, or because I'm just happy to be back to my house.It has got to be the latter.“Welcome home, Alpha.” One of my servants, Elisa, greets as she comes to meet me in the living room. She's a middle aged woman and the head servant here in my house. She's been working for me for a long time now. I respect her very much.“Thank you, Elisa.” She gestures for one of the other servants to take my bag which she does quietly. “How's Aurora?” I ask Elisa with a neutral look on my face.Just saying Aurora's name has got my heart beating abnormally. I'm eager to go upstairs and see her.“She's fine.” Elisa replies and I can feel the coldness in her tone. She might be my servant and I don't interact with her often, but five years has been enough time for me to study her and know how to read
Chapter 16AURORA'S POV.My eyes dart to the clock hanging on the wall ahead of me and an exasperated sigh escapes my chest when I read the time.It's two am in the morning. I've not been able to get an ounce of sleep since Alpha Lucien left. I keep turning on the bed like a rotisserie chicken with a million thoughts swimming in my mind. Mostly painful thoughts of my father and Crew's accusation and my sister's death. I don't even know which to be sad about right now.Should I be sad about her sudden death? or that I'm being accused of killing her?Tss…This is frustrating the hell out of me.I bury my face in the pillow and scream, but my voice is swallowed by the pillow. I lay back on my back, stare at the ceiling above and start mumbling to myself.“Rhea… I know you didn't like me very much when you were alive, but you know I'm innocent. You know I’d never think of hurting you, not to talk of killing you. Please help me get out of this mess.”Then an idea strikes my mind. It's prob
Aurora’s POVThe rustic warmth of the cottage filled me as soon as I entered, but it didn't do much to calm the churning uneasiness in my gut. Even though there was a strong smell of wood smoke and herbs in the air, I still felt out of place. I glanced about the room, admiring the shabby furniture and the shelves brimming with odd jars and bottles.With her eyes crinkling at the corners, the old woman near the door was observing me with a gentle grin. I felt a knot tighten in my chest despite her friendly manner. I stepped back a little, now wondering what I had gotten myself into.With a voice like a comforting salve, she whispered softly. "You don't need to be afraid, dear." "You can trust me."I crossed my arms defensively and scoffed. "Trust? That's hilarious. I always get let down by the ones I trust."The woman's face changed a little, as though she realized how serious what I had spoken was. "My dear, life isn't always black or white. Finding the truth sometimes requires navi
Lucien’s POVAurora's eyes strayed to the papers scattered on the table as she completed her breakfast. The warmth of the morning sun fighting against the shadows of her past made it clear to me that she was still absorbing the changes taking place around her. Her protective manner, which she wore like armor, revealed her innocence. It evoked a deep-seated desire in me to shield her and lead her away from the shadows.As I looked at her and brushed a few hairs out of her face, I could feel the gentle hum of worry rising in my chest. "Is it truly required? However, I feel fine. She made an uncomfortable change. "Your body isn't strong enough to heal itself." It will take some time, but you will feel it. Or do you enjoy suffering? My voice was firm yet full of suspense as I inquired."No." She murmurs."Good."She nodded, but there was a trace of nervousness in her eyes. The metallic clinking of the keys on a hook by the door filled the silence as I reached for them.I tried to ligh
Aurora’s POVThe sun was peeking through my window and I could feel the warmth on my skin which made me twirl in my sleep. Even though I didn't want to admit it. It felt good to be... I would have said home but I knew it was only a matter of time before I'll leave. There was no reason to get too attached to the place But a part of me still hoped.I twirled my head in my pillow again and the softness wrapped around me unlike the cold dam prison cell. I stretched, feeling an ache in my limbs, but a good one, like my body was finally remembering comfort. It was a bit disorienting, to say the least, lying here, bathed in the gentle morning sunlight streaming through the window.There was no cold draft, no musty smell or scratchy mattress. Just clean sheets and the soft morning air. How quickly I'd forgotten what a bed truly felt like. A quiet sigh slipped from my lips as I relished in the warmth and the peace that, for one moment, felt real.But something or should I say someone caught
Lucien’s POVI stared at the document lying on my desk. It was an ugly thing, and it stood for responsibilities that would follow me to the ends of the earth. These were one of the responsibilities I had to carry along with me as the alpha of my pack. Some would say it was a wonderful thing. But I knew better. Caged with so many responsibilities that I wouldn't be able to think straight. Your ability to make personal decisions would disappear because no matter what you have to put the pack first before everything else. Even before your own feelings and emotions. Because of the recent drama my work load kept piling up, I clicked my tongue leaning forward. Each page I signed out of habit, almost unconsciously as if on autopilot, while my head was immersed in something entirely different, something more profound than weariness. After what felt like days, I let go of the pen and rubbed the space between my brows in an attempt to calm my thoughts – if only for a moment.And then I tur
Lucien’s POVAs I left her room, each step down the corridor kept getting heavier than the last. Her words ringing in my ears, cutting through my chest sharper than any blade. “You don't believe in me.” I shook my head in despair. Something had changed and I could feel it. If it was in the past I wasn't going to be bothered but now I am really worried. I was worried about how she was. The things she'd say. It was all getting too much but I was her mate. It was what was expected of me. As her mate, it was my obligation to protect her. It was my duty to stand by her. But now I was not exactly sure if I was sorely acting because of duty. My head was beginning to hurt from the too many thoughts that were probing at the back of my head. I blinked rapidly. Then slowly anger burned beneath my skin, twisting with a frustration I could not even name. She told me she didn’t trust me, and no matter how much I wanted to shrug it off I couldn't. I wanted her to look at me. To trust me but
Aurora's pov“You wanted to hurt her?” His voice was laced with an edge of misbelief. His gaze was filled with an expression I couldn't quite understand. It was filled with an intensity that pinned me in place. “Aurora, do you even understand what you are saying?”*I clenched my fists as I took a shaky breath. “I know exactly what I am saying. I was so mad and I wanted her to feel it. I wanted her to understand…So had to.”“To understand what?” he cut me off and his eyes flashed with disappointment. I didn't mind, even my own father thought I was a disappointment. “That you wanted to kill someone?”A bitter laugh ripped from my lips, surprising even myself. He shook his head with tight jaws, as he unconsciously pressed the ointment harder than necessary on my wrist causing me to bite down on my lip. The pain began to flare up in my chest. “It hurts,” I muttered through gritted teeth.“I'm Sorry,” he murmured as his grip relaxed. I could feel the frustration radiating off him.
Aurora's POVI curled up on the bed, moving away from him. Trust had always landed me in huge trouble, and I wasn’t going to be fooled like that again.Neither of us said anything as Lucien tucked his hands into his pockets."I’ll get the ice and ointment for your injuries," he muttered in a low tone."I’ll heal. I’m a werewolf," I hissed, looking away from him and hugging myself tighter.I expected him to leave, but he didn’t. Instead, he let out a frustrated sigh."Your healing might not kick in because your body is weak. We need to treat the wounds so they don’t get infected."I wanted to protest, but I just closed my mouth and buried my face between my knees.His footsteps faded with light thuds until I couldn’t hear them anymore.I lifted my head from my knees and felt relieved. At least he is gone now.His last question rang in my head, causing my shoulders to slump.Then my face twisted into a sinister frown.How could he ask me to trust him after what he did? After he chained
Lucien's POVAurora was really driving me insane with her behavior. I had just saved her life, but she didn't seem to care.I knew it wasn’t entirely her fault because of the lie Arnaud told her.She believed I was the one who handed her over in the first place. A lie that would have been cleared up if she’d just listened to me—but she didn’t. Today was clearly not a good day. It had been one hell of a day.The moment I parked in the garage, she unlocked the door and quickly slid out.She was treating me like the plague, avoiding me at all costs, and it was infuriating.I wasn’t used to this new development.A sigh escaped my lips as my hands lingered on the wheel. My gaze shifted over to where she was, and my heart grew heavier when I saw her struggling to walk properly.It broke my heart as I wondered what kind of torment those elders had put her through.I heard her wince in pain, and I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt, pushing the door wide open.She was pushing me to my limits.“A
Aurora's POV:After the chaotic scene at the council, I was genuinely surprised that they let me live. Especially after Nathalie's father was so adamant about having my head today. But thanks to Lucien, I was spared because no one could challenge the authority of an Alpha.My back rested carefully against the seat as I stole a glance at the man by my side. His expression no longer held the warmth, care, or concern it had earlier.His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, and he kept his eyes locked on the road. The air was filled with an awkward silence as neither of us attempted to start a conversation to break it.What could I possibly say?"Thanks for saving me after practically delivering me to the elders to meet my end"? There was no way I could say that to him.Even though he saved me, I was still mad at him.I wanted to feel grateful, but a part of me didn’t want to acknowledge what he did, because Lucien was unpredictable. He could be so many things all at once.Sometimes,