Chapter 5

Aurelia's POV

"Are you turning me down, Aurelia?" Prince Norton barked. He couldn't control his temper. He clenched down on his jaw till the vein at the side of his head popped out.

His Alpha pheromones slammed me like heavy wind in a rainstorm and my knees wobbled threatening to give out.

"Do I have to remind you who you're standing before?" He scoffed and marched towards me.

I staggered back, trying to get away from him but he caught my arm in his tight grip and pulled me against him. His other hand grabbed my chin forcing me to look into his blood lusteyes.

I whimpered in fright as I twisted and turned in his grip, trying to set myself free but it proved impossible.

"You dare to reject me?" He asked with mock astonishment and arched his brow. His breath fanned my face and tears welled up in my eyes.

"You're hurting me," I whispered the words hoping he would let me go but his expression was bland and unreadable.

"No," he said with a slow shake of his head. "You're hurting yourself. You're making me do this to you. Is this what you want?"

"I simply wish to treat you like a princess, Aurelia. Why would you turn me down?" He tilted his neck and my heart only pounded more in fear.

"We took you in, fed and clothed you. Don't you think marrying me is a blessing to you?"

His words pierced my heart and this time, a tear ran down my cheek. My lips trembled and my breathing was becoming laboured and harsh.

"I have chosen you as my bride-"

"No-"

"... I will present you to my father and you will accept our marriage-"

"No, please let me go. I won't be with anyone who isn't my mate. Please try to understand-"

"You will never find your mate!"

I gasped at his sudden yell and I shuddered in his hold.

"Oh! I'm so sorry," his face fell as a sad expression took over him immediately. He let go of me but I didn't expect it so I crumbled to the floor.

I was still trying to catch my breath and calm my racing heart while I watched him from the corner of my eye pace the room back and forth, running his fingers through his curly brown hair and pushing it away from his face.

Silence fell between us and when I was finally getting myself. Norton stood at a corner staring at me sending chills down my spine.

"I didn't mean to hurt you, Aurelia. I promise," the sadness in his voice stung at my ear.

I lifted my head to him and I almost drowned at the sadness in his eyes. How did he go from zero to hundred in less than two minutes?

"You being with me will do you good. We'll rebuild the pack together. You're the last surviving Beta. I'm sure your parents would bless our Union wherever they are,"

No, he knew nothing about my parents. I doubt he even knew their names or what they were like!

Mother and Father would never want me to sacrifice my happiness for anything regardless of what it was. They talked a big game about the moon goddess and her choice of mate being the best.

Mother and Father were each other's mate and they never let a day go by without telling me how beautiful the mate bond was.

"You don't know that," I whispered and dropped my gaze to the floor. "Wolves are supposed to wait for their mates. It's the right thing to do-"

"Again with this?" He scoffed. "Don't be so naive. Our union is for the betterment of our pack-"

I was already shaking my head. I knew he didn't believe that. Those were just mere words to get me to agree to it before his father.

Norton simply wanted me for himself. I suddenly felt an object waiting to be possessed and owned by him.

"I like you, Aurelia," he said and took a step towards me. My ears perked up and once again, I started to panic.

"I've liked you for as long as I can remember what beauty means. I want you--"

"You want me as a trophy-"

"It doesn't matter how I want you, as long as I want you," he finally stood before me and squatted to my level with a smirk on his lips.

"I will own you and break you into submission. Oh Aurelia, you will be mine."

*         *          *

I returned to my room still shaken from what happened at the royal courtyard with the Prince.

Unfortunately for me, Maggie was in my room probably waiting for me to get back so we could play chess together.

She picked up on my trembling body and rose to her feet immediately with worry on her face.

"What happened? What did the Prince say?"

I walked past her and sank down on my bed trying to catch my breath. The day was still young so it would be hard to avoid Maggie.

"You're scaring me, Aurelia. Did you get in trouble with the Prince?"

I gulped as words failed me. I didn't know what to say to her but I also couldn't shut her out. She would only continue to ask till I said something

Once again, I reached for the pendant of my necklace and fiddled with it, gathering strength and calming myself down.

Norton words flashed in my head once more and I shuddered from it.

What did he mean by breaking me into submission? I was scared for my life. The first time I ever felt this fear was when I returned from the field to find my pack on fire.

The fear of the unknown was enough to give me the chills.

"Aurelia!" Maggie grabbed me roughly by the shoulders and gave me a fierce shake. When she stopped, she leaned closer to my face, "Say something!"

"S-Sorry... I spaced out," I swallowed hard. "It's nothing, I'm fine-"

"Like hell I'd believe you! Did you get in trouble?"

I thought of what to say, "We talked about the three year death anniversary of my pack. I guess I got too... shaken up."

"Oh," her face fell. "I see. I'm so sorry but that's not in another three to four months," she pulled me into a brief hug. "For a second there, I thought you got on the bad side of Prince Norton."

I shook my head, "No, never."

"That's good then. I'm so sorry. I hope one day when you remember your parents, you won't cry this much," she offered me a sad smile.

Maggie was nice enough to understand that I wasn't in the mood for a conversation. She quietly left my room, promising to come check on me soon enough with dinner.

I didn't feel the slightest bit of hunger. The only thing that raced in my mind were the words that Norton said to me.

"I can't marry him," I mumbled to myself. Besides that he wasn't my mate, I didn't even feel any attraction towards him.

Was it my fault then? Did I get too comfortable in his castle and let myself be taken care of? But I tried to pay for it by working in the royal garden. I've never wanted to feel indebted to anyone my whole life.

I prepared for bed and was brushing my hair when there was a knock on the door.

Maggie stepped in with her head lowered holding a black and white outfit in her hands.

"Why are you holding your uniform?" I wondered. She was already wearing her maid outfit. Was she perhaps going to shower in my room?

"Aurelia, the Prince has ordered that you work in the castle as a full time maid. You'll be starting tomorrow. This is your outfit."