A promise and a secret

Aurora's pov

Alpha Callum's gaze which was fixed on me,it seems to be everywhere, it was evident in every square inch of the room which exuded strength and authority.

The air felt heavy almost oppressive as if, it had been charged by his very presence and i couldn't bring myself to look at him or answer his question.

I gripped my hands in my lap to steady it fromshaking as I sat rigidly on the bed across from him.

I managed to look around the room and took in tge elaborate mahogany furnishings , shelves brimming with vintage books and pack artifacts and a sizable desk behind him.

I never knew all this was in the room until now.

His eyes peered at me like a predator waiting its victim, waiting for me to answer.

" Youre trembling" He said in a low scathing voice that showed no concern.

As if my uneasiness amused him a smirk formed on his lips.

My throat felt as dry as sandpaper as I took a deep swallow.

"I'm not shaking." My voice wavered but I was telling the truth

He lied, a deep haughty laugh that made my spine tingle.

"Aurora don't lie to me. You are scared because you just rejected the bond and you fear that I might get you punished,hmmm?"

My fingers gripped the material of my dress as I looked down at my lap.

He was in the right. Though fear coiled like a vice around my heart I was more afraid of the weight of everything that had led me to him. Now I was thinking it was better I had stayed with my step mother instead.

"You know why youre here dont you? I wasn't driving around that night looking for an Omega to save." He said,his tone very sharp

I gave a feeble shake of my head avoiding eye contact." No I dont. "

His voice was so thunderous that there was no room for disobedience as he ordered.

" Look at me. "

I reluctantly raised my gaze to his. His eyes were calculating and icy but I couldnt quite place what else was there.

With a softer but equally authoritative tone he continued .

My father made a promise. . When this pack was most in danger from rogues years ago and your father was by my father's side. He gave up everything and fought bravely. My father promised to protect you when he passed away, to make certain that you were taken care of and for you to become my mate."

My breath caught in my throat as the words closed in on me like a physical blow.

**My dad? A warrior? A guardian?**

The man I remembered had been gentle and kind, an omega who made me sleep while singing lullabies.

Was he really the man Callum had described?

."Youre lying ."I said in a whisper but I knew it was pointless because even as it seems Callum had no reason to lie.

He clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes.

" I telling the truth Aurora. My father's word was law and I keep my end of the bargain. No matter how you feel about it ,you were destined to be my mate, Luna, sweetheart so you better accept it. "

His words made me feel even more confused and panicked.

**Luna? Me?**

The thought itself was absurd. I was a nobody, an omega. One of the lowest lows. I wasn't capable of leading a pack much less standing next to someone like Callum.

" I cant ." I muttered my voice shaking. "I'm not who you thought I was

. I'm not powerful strong or—. "

"Enough!" he broke in his voice piercing and impatient." I believe you to be exactly who you are. All you've done is let the world tell you otherwise. I'm acting on my father's words to make you my mate."

As tears pricked my eyes, my lips trembled. My voice broke as I continued .

"You dont understand,Callum I'm not like you. " I paused ,the words catching in my throat." Im not. ..."

He scoffed and leaned closer his eyes filling mine with such intensity that it made my stomach turn.

"Not what? Worthy? "he asked. "Aurora let me clarify something for you. I dont judge worth by status or strength. The Moon Goddess herself picked you to be my mate. That is the only thing that counts. "

Tears were streaming down my cheeks as I gave a firm shake of my head. "Its not really that easy!"

The tension in his jaw showed his frustration " Would you just stop all this whining?" He said angrily but his voice was dangerously calm as he came closer.

"Then make me understand. "

I was having trouble breathing as the room felt like it was closing in on me, the walls pressing down. Like a storm cloud hovering over me, my secret was ready to burst at any second.

Callum looked as my hands automatically went to my stomach in a protective gesture.

His gaze dropped to where my hands were resting and his eyes narrowed.

His voice was low and menacing as he questioned ." Aurora what are you hiding?"

I refused to say anything and shook my head. **Tell him. Surely he must know.

But fear silenced me, grabbing at my throat.

"Speak!"He commanded,his voice now growling with Alpha-level authority.

"Im pregnant."I blurted out before I could say anything to stop myself.

Nothing. There was no sound in the room except the ticking of the wall clock.

With an unreadable expression Callum gazed at me.

"Whose is it?" he said in a dangerously low voice.

I paused my hands gripping my dresss more tightly. "It doesnt matter."I muttered barely audible " it's my burden,I have to carry it."

Then he laughed—a chilly sardonic laugh that made my skin crawl. "Your burden? "he asked again in a contemptuous tone. " You really think I'm a fool ,right ? Is this the best you can come up with. Lying about been pregnant?"

His voice was poisonous and I winced tears welling up in my eyes.

" Callum I didnt ask for this! " I sobbed my voice cracking. "I'm not lying and in interested in been your Luna or mate. I never requested any of this. "

His eyes were burning with rage and his jaw tensed. "Really ?"he remarked icily ." Aurora you are mine. Whether you like it or not . And if you think I believe this fairy tale then you should think of something better."

I stood up suddenly, wiping away my tears with shaking hands.

"You dont own me.." I said in a trembling but defiant voice . "Even though we are mates like you said, that doesnt give you any control over me."

With an overwhelming presence, Callum stepped closer. "Control? he asked in a low growl. "Aurora this isnt about control. This concerns mostly you, you can reject the bond if you want but just know that if you go back there, you won't live to see another day."

My heart was thumping in my chest as I gazed at him.

He spoke harshly but there was a glimmer of something different in his eyes—something gentler almost vulnerable.

"I dont need your pity or protection."I muttered ,barely raising my voice above a whisper

He laughed. He shook his head and his face hardened. "Pity? You think I pity you? he asked. I underestimated your level of stupidity. "

Despite how painful the words were I didnt back down. With a frustrated tone

"Then Callum what do you want from me?. Whats stopping you from just leaving me alone?"I said

"Because I cant ."he said plainly in a concluding tone." I own you Aurora. I own you whether you like it or not. And I keep what is mine."

I started to argue but I was silenced by his glate.

He was asserting his claim and dominance without Leaving any room for compromise.

He wasn't requesting my acceptance or approval either.

" What do you mean by I won't survive another day if I go back to the pack , what do you mean by that ?" I half yelled staring at him.

"It means that your step mother plan on killing you just as she killed your mother and married your father and then kill him to have control over everything he owns."

" I don't believe you." I gasped.

"Suit yourself princes." He drawled.

"You might not believe it now." he added his tone slightly lowering. "But you were supposed to be here with me. It was intended for you to be Luna. And I'll stop at nothing to ensure that, that happens."

Fresh tears streamed down my cheeks as I shook my head.

" Its not that easy" I muttered my voice cracking.

His tone was surprisingly soft as he stated ."It never is. Infact been an alpha is a burden too but that does not imply that it is impossible to make you my mate , I might use force ."

I gave myself some assurance that this was some suck joke and he would let me go.

But something in me kept telling me that there must be a reason why he was forcing this bond on me not just because he was following his father's orders.

But the fear persisted ,gnawing at the corners of my heart.

At last with a trembling voice I said ."I need time."

Callum gave a nod but his face was still unreadable. In a firm tone he said.

" Take as much time as you need. But Aurora know that you are mine and nothing will alter that. "

"If I agree to be your mate ." I said my voice shaking just when he turned to leave me alone withy thoughts as the tears on my face dried up .

Slowly he turned , his gaze fixed on me, his icy eyes holding me in place and I swallowed painfully trying to avoid his gaze wondering why some as handsome as he was would be so wicked.