Aurora’s Pov Stepping out of the bathroom, I sighed heavily, my heart pounding beneath as I tried to keep my calm. Shame burned in my chest, mixing with anger so thick it nearly choked me. I hated that Darius had witnessed that. I hated that I had to stand there, silent, while my so-called mate touched another woman in secret. But most of all, I hated that I had to pretend it didn’t bother me. Today was going to be a long and difficult night. I have to put on a smiling face and put up a deceitful face that masks my irritation and anger. Also, I have to avoid Darius, who is the Alpha of the pack we are currently, that I was entangled with in some shady rumors in the past. And now, it seemed, he's sort of obsessed about me, something I hope I'm delusional about. I took a deep breath, forcing a smile as I walked back into the grand hall. The dinner wasn’t over yet. The music and chattering filled the hall. I walked towards our table where Aria was seated and Kieran was engaged in a
Aurora’s Pov I wasn't one that loves being the center of attraction but getting mated to the Alpha's son, future Alpha as well had put me in limelight on so many times until Kieran stopped seeing me fit enough to be taken to events. After I gave birth to Caleb it got worst, considering the fact that we werewolves still snatches back after childbirth, Kieran still always found a way to body shame me. Ivy pulling me to the stage to dance with her was something that happened in my previous life. This particular dance was the start of it all. I wore the dress Aria had picked for me and somehow my nipple had slipped out while dancing with Alpha Darius. The shame I felt knew no bounds and being pulled to that same dance floor brought a replay in my head even though I'd modified the dress better this time around. On getting to the dance floor, Ivy took each of Darius and mine hand then began to swirl in dancing motion, grining and smiling. When the others joined in the dance, she stopped
Darius's POV Kieran was pissed. I could see it in the way his jaw clenched, the way his fingers twitched at his sides as he tried to keep his anger in check. He was putting on a show, acting as if he was unfazed, but I could tell dancing with Aurora, being all naughty in front of everyone, had gotten under his skin. Good. It was so satisfying seeing him like this. While I teased Aurora, I had watched him shift uncomfortably so many times in his seat. I knew it was a matter of time before he gave in and when he approached us on the dance floor, his expression was tight, forced into something that resembled calmness. “Would you mind if I borrowed Aria for a dance?” he asked.I glanced at Aurora. She was looking at Kieran, her expression was blank. I could sense some unwillingliness in her, hoping deep down she'd stand up to him, ask him to fuck off and provoke him. Perhaps, if Kieran lashed out, I'd have a reason to intervene, to protect her as a guest in my pack. As Lycan King, I
Aurora’s POV After the whole argument with Kieran, I knew going back in there was out of the option. I honestly was done for the day. I should have made up excuses to avoid attending the dinner party. I'd hoped with the knowledge of my past life, I could change some things but yet it all wasn't as easy as I thought it would be but I was still grateful I remodeled my dress and my nipple didn't slip off during the dance with Alpha Darius. I remembered seeing a bench nearby earlier, so I decided to take a walk there, to tire myself out before heading back to my room. I needed to get some energy out. If I had a wolf, I'd probably shift and go for a run or hunt but since I didn't, my only option was to walk. As I walked down the dark road, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. I've been walking for about five minutes, and at first, I thought it was just my imagination playing tricks on me but as the minutes tick by, the sensation grows stronger. I can feel eyes on me,
Darius's POVAfter she walked away, I turned towards the way to my office building that I make use of in the pack for official purposes. Same as her, I was done with the dinner party and had no intention of going back. I was avoiding chances of having to make pointless small talks. Socializing was something I had crossed out of my list. My father had made sure of that.Growing up, my father had been a hard man. He was extremely strict and controlling at home. His idea of teaching me responsibility was through fear and intimidation. He'd often scold me, telling me I was worthless and that I would never amount to anything for being soft. I was always walking on eggshells around him because I never know when he would lash out at me.As I grew older, I began to realize that his behavior was not normal. He was abusive, and not just to me but my mother as well. His actions left deep scars in me. My mother and I had to hide our emotions, pretend that everything was fine when it wasn't. He wa
Darius's POV Leaning back against my chair, I exhaled as I stared at the picture frame sitting on my desk. The photo it holds is one of my most treasured possessions. A picture of my mother, taken during one of the last trips I took her to before she died. My mind wandered back to that day, remembering the way we had secretly planned the trip behind my father's back. Looking at the photo, I could almost hear her laughter and the sparkles in her eyes that day. In the picture, she was caught off guard, her face radiated with joy as she gently rubbed her baby bump. She loved nature and I took her on a picnic. As I sat there, lost in the memories, I felt a pang of sadness. It had been years since she was gone, but the ache of her absence still lingered. She never wanted the pregnancy and she suffered greatly in my father's hand during that period. It was my fault I couldn't protect her. My heart throbbed from frustration of how another woman has waltzed into my life and in an abusiv
Aurora’s PovAfter Alpha Darius left, I took a moment before heading back to the Villa that served as the packhouse. Tonight's dinner party had taken place in the Grand dining hall inside the villa which was the only route I knew back to my room. As I entered the hall, I could hear whisper of hushed conversations, but I ignored them as I made my way to the staircase that leads to my room on the second floor. Just as I reached the stairs, I heard Aria call my name “Aurora”.But I didn't acknowledge her. I saw my mother in law, Avery, coming to my direction, her eyes locked on me but I didn't slow down and quickened my pace when a woman intercepted her in a conversation. The moment I stepped into my room, I exhaled, letting the weight of the evening settle over me. My body ached from tension, and my mind was a mess of twisted thoughts. I had changed something. I hope.In my past life, this dinner had been a disaster. Kieran’s mother had humiliated me in front of everyone, showing e
Aurora’s Pov Immediately I saw through the small gap in the bathroom that it was Kieran, I felt pissed and irritated. As time passes, I find it hard to withstand him but I knew I needed to keep my cool, so I can achieve my goals.I should have known.Of course, he would come looking for me. Not because he cared. Not because he was worried but because I had stepped out of line tonight, and Kieran never liked it when I did something he couldn’t control. I wasn't loving the fact that the events this present time was changing or was I not getting the events right?But how can I forget tonight when it marked the beginning of how my life later turned out. It was a stepping stone to how miserable I later became. How I gave up life and stupid me worshipped the floor Kieran and his family walked on because of duty and love.Stepping out of the small bathroom, I tightened the robe around me, my wet hair clinging to my back as I faced him.He was standing at the edge of the bed, looking all
Darius's POV I sat behind my desk, my fingers drummed distractedly on the desk in of me. I was lost in thoughts of the events of the past few months from the moment Aurora and I had shared an intimate moment together. Four months.It had been four damn months since the weekend that she stormed out of my life like a hurricane, refusing to even look in my direction since then. I leaned back in my chair, the leather creaking under my weight, and closed my eyes. I let my mind replayed that disastrous weekend. I made the mistake of letting her find out she was my mate. What I heard feared did happened. She wasn't ready to know."Stupid Magnus,” I muttered. And then there was George’s call.It felt like yesterday when he had called me to inform me that Aurora had asked him to publish everything about Lily online through one of his trusted bloggers online. I could still remember gripping my phone so tightly I almost cracked it in two. I'd told her I would handle it but she doesn't trust
Aurora’s Pov The weeks bled together in the sterile, bright lights of the hospital. My focus was only on work, learning, building connections. George had told me he will inform me when the news was ready to go live. He said he was working on making sure everything wasnt traced back to him and he was still digging on the VIP list. He didn’t give a timeline nor tell me why he was digging more into the VIP but I trusted him, Terra had assure me to trust him and until then, I immersed myself in my surgeries, finding solace in working and learning. At least while working here amidst humans no one cared about mate bonds or reincarnated wolves or much about my life.Here, I was just Dr. Aurora, the top-ranked resident trauma surgeon and that was more than enough for me.Until Kieran showed up one afternoon. I had just scrubbed out of a long, grueling emergency appendectomy when I saw him standing in the corridor, arms crossed and that usual arrogant look in his eyes.“What the hell are yo
Aurora’s Pov Mason dropped me off inftont of the hospital, it didn’t take long, Rachel appeared with her car to pick me. I needed somewhere to gather my thoughts and a friend to talk to which was why I had texted her to come. While she drove me to her pack, she didn't question me, Rachel could tell I needed the space and time to regather my thought. The moment I stepped foot into her room, I jumped onto the bed and I felt a calmness settle in my chest. She immediately served me a cold soda drink that sent chilly thrills down my stomach and afterwards I took a nap.A few hours later, I was awake, we sat cross-legged on her bed, a warm mug of tea in each of our hands, and I finally began to narrate everything that happened yesterday to today.The dinner, the appeal to spend the weekend with him, Magnus sudden appearance on my bed then the kiss, the sex and the shocking mate claim. My wolf, Terra, speaking to me for the first time. The conversation about reincarnated mates. The rejecti
Aurora’s Pov When I heard the voice, I thought it was Darius calling me or he probably was outside at my doorstep but the voice sounded so unfamiliar, like it was mine and at the same time different. Then it came again, soft, and more distinct this time with a little force that seems powerful. It wasn’t echoing from the hallway or the room next door. It was then I realized it was from my mind.I froze mid-step, halfway into yanking my top over my head.“Aurora.”My hand trembled as I put on my shorts. I needed to get out of here but first what could it be? Was I going crazy and hearing voices just because I'd been hit with another betrayal?“What the hell…” I whispered, glancing around the room. “Aurora, listen.” I heard clearer.“Who said that?” I asked, shaking my head.“I did. Don’t be afraid.”My breath caught. My heart thundered in my chest. “Where are you?”“I’m here. Inside you. I always have been.”I shook my head, confused, my eyes darting around the room as if I’d somehow
Aurora’s Pov This was what I craved. What I needed. A reprieve from the anger and heartache, a chance to simply feel alive. My nipples were tight peaks beneath my top, sensitive and wanting for his touch. Darius’s lips were hot and firm against mine. He pulled me closer as his tongue teased mine. I moaned, my hands going through his hair as he deepened the kiss. It was like I’d been holding back for years, and it was finally time to let go. We were kissing each other like we were running out of time.I was panting from the intensity of everything. My skin was tingling, warm, flushed, and trembling. His breath ragged against my cheek, his scent suddenly wrapped around me. It was wild, beautiful and everything I hadn’t expected.His hands trembled when they touched me, like he couldn’t believe this was happening and honestly, neither could I.“Fuck, Aurora…” Darius breathed against my lips, breaking the kiss for only a second. “We need to stop.”“I could smell your arousal and I’m on
Aurora's POV Watching as he turned to leave the kitchen, he walked with nonchalant grace, his movements were swift, full of grace and virility. I had to fight the urge not to study his body when he pushed me against the kitchen counter earlier. When he left the room earlier, I noticed his shorts were tattered from shifting and I could tell it had skipped his mind. The good thing was that it wasn’t totally shredded or hanging by the threads. I would have gotten myself a good show of what was down there. I wouldn't say I wasn't curious to know.I couldn't study his body in the room since he was under the sheet but seeing him in the kitchen brought the mischievous side of me till he killed the vibe when he answered me with a serious tone that maybe he was in love with me. Sighing, I looked down at the plate of food untouched in front of me. I couldn’t eat. I stared at it, hoping my stomach will growl for it but my body had other plans. My heart was too busy racing, and my head were c
Darius's POV I sat up instantly, cursing under my breath. “Magnus,” I growled silently. “What the hell did you do?”"You're welcome," my wolf purred smugly.“You took over. You came in here last night.”"You wouldn't. I had to meet her." He snapped at me.“You were supposed to stay put. I thought we agreed,” I hissed mentally.He didn't answer.Typical Magnus move. Whenever he does something impulsive, he vanishes when it was time to deal with the consequences.I ran a hand down my face and then glanced back at Aurora. Her long lashes rested on her cheeks, her hair splayed out over the pillow like waves of caramel and ink. I loved how peaceful she looked. Hating and loving what Magnus did at the same time. I stared at her with longing and how right it felt to be here beside her.I reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair away from her face and the moment my fingers grazed her skin, I felt it again.An electricity tingling sensation.It started at my fingertips and coursed throu
Darius’s POVThe moment I stepped out of Aurora’s room and gently closed the door behind me, I exhaled a breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding. My chest was tight, my head buzzing with all the things I’d just heard and the things I hadn’t been brave enough to say to her. Every time I think I’ve figured her out, she throws me off balance again and again. I made my way to the room across the hall that has been prepared for me for the weekend. I shut the door behind me, leaning against it for a moment before getting off and stripping off my shirt.I headed straight for the shower, hoping the water would cool the thoughts rushing through my mind and as the warm water touched my skin, I rolled my neck, letting the water run over my back. Things weren't going as I planned it except the part where she had agreed to stay for the weekend. I didn't expect her to stay but she did. One thing I was sure of was that she didn't stay because of the way I persuaded her, I can tell from the lo
Aurora’s Pov I looked at him, my heart thumping hard in my chest, and knew there was no turning back now once I spilled it out. I could tell from the way Darius's brows shot up that I had his full attention now.“I found out some things,” I began carefully, my voice low, “about Lily.”His expression darkened slightly with a mixed expression of confusion and curiosity. “Lily?” he repeated. “Alpha Alaric’s daughter? Kieran’s sister?”I nodded. “Yes.”He straightened, his gaze locked onto mine. “What kind of things?” he asked in a serious tone.“There are documents and images,” I began. “I left the folder in my bag, and my bag’s in the car that brought us.” I sighed heavily.Darius waved a hand dismissively. “No, it’s not in the car anymore. Mason already brought everything in. They’re in one of the rooms.”He stood and looked down at me then stretched out his hand in assisting me. “Come on,” he grabbed my arm and led me towards the room. “I’ll show you where you’ll be sleeping anyw