Chapter 5

AURORA

We spent the next few minutes there, just enjoying the view and when the sun eventually went down, we decided to go back into the pack. I was exhausted and needed to sleep. Ethan led me down a grand hallway lined with portraits. Each of them was perfectly crafted, and I could tell that they cost a lot of money. I like to paint so I would probably like to remake the portraits in my free time.

“I want you to meet my mother,” he said, glancing at me as we headed back to my quarters, which was close to his. “And don’t worry. She is well… she’s got her opinions, but she means well.”

I nodded, trying to calm the flutter in my stomach. Meeting his mother seemed like a monumental step, even if I kept reminding myself this was just a temporary arrangement. Still, I couldn’t ignore the slight anxiety gnawing at me. After what had happened with Kiara, I was afraid that I was going to find one more person here who hated me. I was not new to people disliking me, but for some reason I wanted it to be different here so badly.

As we entered, I was shocked when I saw the woman standing before us. She looked incredibly young. Her skin was smooth, her dark hair styled elegantly, and her posture regal. There was a sophistication to her that felt so intimidating.

“Mother,” Ethan muttered, his tone gentle, “this is Aurora.”

She looked me over, her gaze sweeping over every detail, and I felt the weight of her assessment. Her eyes lingered, holding a judgmental gleam that made me feel as though I was being analyzed under a microscope. It felt just the same as how Damian’s mother would look at me before she pointed out every bit of my insecurities.

“Hello, Mrs. Grey,” I said, offering a tentative smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Her lips pressed together in a thin line, “Is it?”

I blinked, taken aback by the bluntness in her voice, but I kept my smile in place. “Yes, of course.”

She tilted her head slightly, looking away from me as she glanced over at her sophisticated-looking cat. “I must admit, I’m curious, Aurora. Why would a woman such as yourself leave her husband? What could be so terrible that it would drive you away?”

Her words hit me hard, but I steadied myself, not wanting to sound weak. “He was abusive,” I replied quietly, the word feeling heavy as it left my lips.

Her eyes narrowed, “Abusive, you say?” She pursed her lips as if contemplating the validity of my words. “That’s quite a serious accusation. Are you sure it wasn’t simply a matter of differences? Being the wife of the alpha as an omega must be hard, you know. You couldn’t possibly reach his standards even if you tried to.”

My face flushed. Her words felt like a slap to my face. Just as I opened my mouth to respond, Ethan’s expression darkened, and he stepped forward. “Mother,” he said, his voice carrying a warning. “That’s enough.”

She met his eyes with an unfazed expression. “I’m only trying to understand, Ethan. She’s from an enemy pack, after all. And now she’s here, conveniently claiming she’s left her husband only to come with you three minutes later, wanting to marry you. How can we trust her?”

Ethan’s jaw tightened, “Aurora is going to be my wife, Mother. I expect you to treat her with respect.”

There was a flash of surprise in her eyes, but it quickly disappeared. She exhaled slowly, her gaze drifting to me with a hint of reluctance. “Very well. If this is what you want, Ethan.”

Ethan turned to me, his expression softening. “Let’s go,” he murmured, gently placing his hand on my shoulder as he guided me out of the room. His touch was warm. I did not know what my mothers had against me, but I was glad that at least he took charge and defended me.

Once we were out in the hallway, he paused, letting out a heavy sigh. “I’m really sorry about that. My mother is just too protective. It’s not an excuse, but she’s wary of new people.”

I shrugged, offering him a small smile. “It’s okay, Ethan. I’m used to people being cautious around me.”

He shook his head, “You shouldn’t have to be,” he said, his voice full of sincerity. “You’re safe here, Aurora. And you’re welcome.”

I nodded, feeling a flicker of gratitude. I have only felt welcomed by him so far, but it was never going to be enough. If I was going to stay here and be pregnant, I did not want the only support I have was from a man.

“Thank you. I’ll do my best to earn everyone’s trust,” I replied. Somehow, I wanted to show them that I belonged here, even if only for these nine months.

We continued walking down the hallway, and soon we entered another wing of the palace that had a sterile, clean scent. The white walls and soft lighting made it clear that we were approaching a medical area.

I raised an eyebrow, glancing at Ethan curiously. “So… why are we here?”

He rubbed the back of his neck, “I thought it would be a good idea to get a few health checks done. You know, just to make sure everything’s for both of us.” His voice softened, and he glanced at me, seeming almost shy. “We’ll be, uh, working toward having an heir, and I want to make sure you are healthy for it.”

“Oh,” I replied, feeling my cheeks warm. “That makes sense.”

We still have not decided if we are going to use artificial insemination or the natural way. It felt too uncomfortable to answer now, so I just steered away from the question.

He nodded, gesturing for me to follow him into a waiting room filled with plush chairs and soft lighting. We settled into seats across from each other, a comfortable silence settling between us. After a few minutes, I noticed him glancing at his wristwatch, his brow furrowing slightly as if something was on his mind.

I cleared my throat. “If you have something else to do, I’ll be fine on my own,” I said with a reassuring smile. “I appreciate you staying, but I can handle this.”

He hesitated, studying my face for a moment. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” I replied, nodding. “It’s just some tests. I’ll be okay.”

He seemed to relax, his shoulders easing. “Alright. I’ll check back in soon, though. Just to make sure everything’s okay.”

As he stood to leave, a thought occurred to me. “Actually, Ethan. One more thing.”

He paused, turning back to me. “Yes?”

I hesitated, feeling a bit awkward. “Do you happen to know any law firms that could help with drawing up a contract? For our arrangement.”

He nodded thoughtfully. “I’ll send you some options. I want you to feel secure with this.”

I offered him a grateful smile. “Thank you, Ethan. Really.”

He returned the smile, his eyes warm. “Anytime.” With that, he turned and left, leaving me to wait alone.

Once he was gone, I took a deep breath, letting the quietness of the room calm my nerves. When the nurse called me in, I followed her down a hallway to an examination room, where a kind-faced doctor was waiting. She was an older woman with soft eyes and a gentle demeanor, and I instantly felt at ease.

“Hello, Aurora. Ethan told me you will be coming in,” she greeted warmly, gesturing for me to take a seat. “My name is Dr. Reed. I’ll be conducting a few standard tests to make sure everything is as it should be.”

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief at her kind tone. “Thank you, Dr. Reed. I appreciate it.”

As she worked through the tests, she explained each step with care, her voice soothing and professional. I could feel the tension leaving my shoulders as we conversed.

When the tests were over, Dr. Reed handed me a folder with the initial results. “Everything looks great, Luna,” she said with a warm smile. “There are some that are not ready. I’ll make sure these get to Alpha Ethan and you when they are. If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach out to me anytime.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” I replied, clutching the folder as I stood to leave.

Her smile deepened, and she gave me a reassuring nod. “You are always welcome.”

Walking back to my quarters, I couldn’t help but think about everything that happened today. It was such an eventful first day. I was sure that everything was going to be fine soon. I was from the pack of their enemies. Of course, I did not expect them to just welcome me with open arms. They must think I have an ulterior motive.

When I returned to my room, I noticed a note on the dresser. The handwriting was elegant, and it read: ‘Aurora, I’ve sent the details of the law firm to your email. Take your time reviewing them, and let me know if you need anything else. —Ethan.’

A small smile played on my lips. He was thoughtful and thorough, and somehow that small gesture made me feel fuzzy in my stomach. I glanced around the room, taking in the cozy bed, the warm colors, and the soft moonlight filtering in through the window. It felt safe. Maybe, for the first time, I could let myself relax without the pain of having someone cheat on me.

I was thankful.