Is this what it is

The sun rose reluctantly ,bits tame rays filtering through the thick curtains of the guest room that had been set up for me.

When I awoke, I heard maids moving quietly into the room , carrying cloths, jewelry and fragrances in their arms.

They moved with practiced efficiency whispering to each other as if a louder sound would break the brittle peace I had forged during the restless night.

At first I was confused, wondering what was happening until I realized I was getting mated to one of the arrogant Alpha that ever lived.

My hands wr firmly clasped in my lap a I sat on the edge of the bed.

The aroma of rose and lavender filled the air and the responsibility of the day weighed me down like a chain of iron.

I just wished this was all a dream.

" My Lady ."one of the maids said in a soft but firm tone." We have to get you ready. To make sure you are dressed appropriately for the event , the Alpha has sent instructions."

The word stung , it served as a reminder of how transactional the entire arrangement was.

I wanted to weep.

I gave them a silent nod letting them lead me to the vanity where a lavish gown was waiting.

With the fabric glistening like starlight, it was a silver and sapphire masterpiece. The sleeves fell down my arms in gentle dreamy waves and the corset was so tight that it felt like I might break under the pressure.

."You look lovely my Lady ."Another maid whispered and pinned a delicate tiara to my hair which they had braided and twisted into a beautiful pattern.

I repeated the word beautiful even though it sounded strange to me.

Unrecognizable, my reflection stared back at me but the surface was a girl who was scared and broken but the woman in the mirror was elegant, composed and completely different.

---

The great hall an impressive place with lavish décor served as the venue for the bonding ceremony.

The light from the crystal-dripping chandeliers created broken rainbows on the marble floors.

The entire pack and distinguished guests filled the room and their whispered conversations , clicking of glasses and laughter that rose and fell made me feel so scared

I took slow deliberate steps as I entered the hall ,one of the enders of the pack leading mr.

Everybody was watching me and their intense gaze and smiles made me blush .

I tried to maintain a steady breathing as my heart pounded in my chest.

Alpha Callum stood at the far end of the hall commanding attention with his presence.

He wore a ceremonial clothing , a dark cloak draped over his broad shoulders and embroidered with the packs symbols.

His eyes were cold and expressionless as they met mine and his face was unreadable, be wasn't even smiling.

I walked toward him, each stride a march toward an unknown future.

He held out his hand to me when I finally got to him ,guiding me to stand in front of the officiant with a firm unwavering touch.

The bonding rituals ancient words reverberated throughout the hall as the ceremony got started.

I could hardly hear them because my mind was racing with uncertainties and anxieties.

As he recited his vows , Callums voice was steady and his tone was emotionless but filled with a quiet authority that broke my heart.

I hesitated for a second when it was my turn to speak, my throat constricted from the pressure of expectation.

The words that would bind me to him were then recited by me after I found my voice—soft but determined.

“You are bound together as mates as Luna and Alpha with this bond” the officiant declared. "May your marriage honor the Moon Goddess and give the pack strength. "

With a stoic expression Callum turned to face me. In a low authoritative voice he declared ."You are now my mate and my Luna. "

I heard a hollow ringing sound as the room erupted in applause.

I feigned a smile because it was tiring to keep my cool.

---.

There was a flurry of formalities and introductions at the reception that followed.

As officials, supporters and pack members came to congratulate us, Callum and I stood ,his hands wrapped around mind and he was smiling at me, a smile that didn't reach his eyes like I was the best thing that ever happened to him.

He maintained the same unreadable expression on his face.

He spoke softly to another guest and as we walked away looking straight ahead

"You handled yourself well."

" Thank you ."I said my voice just as quiet.

As the hours went by the crowd, became denser and the sounds of conversation and laughter blended into a frenzied blur.

Later on, I realized that Callum was no longer with me, he had walked away to greet a guest or two.

I looked around trying to find him in the crowd but he was not there.

I started to feel anxious and a knot of uneasiness started to form in my stomach.

I excused myself from the group I was talking to and started squeezing my way through the crowd, looking at everyone.

The Alpha was the one hosting this meeting where could he have gone?

He wouldnt have left silently , we were supposed to be together.

My heels clicked softly on the marble floors as I walked through the corridors.

The distant hum of the celebration faded into silence as I continued to move farther away.

Then I saw him—or rather stumbled upon him—when I turned a corner of a hallway upstairs.

The scene in front of me stopped me cold.

Callum stood, his back to me his hands around the waist of a woman who was equally as gorgeous as anything I had ever seen or imagined.

Her gown clung to her figure in a way that seemed purposefully provocative and her golden hair fell down her back.

Before she leaned in to meet his hot passionate kiss,she raised her head to meet his gaze and curled her lips into a sensual smile.

Then it happened, he kissed her with all the ferocity and she kissed him.back.

There was a loud sharp crash as the glass of wine I was holding fell out of my hands and hit the floor.

Callums eyes narrowed as he turned abruptly as he heard startling sound.

"Aurora ?" He said, his voice was calm but tinged with something I couldnt quite identify—annoyance? regret?

I had trouble breathing. I felt as if the walls were closing in on me and the air was oppressively heavy.

My chest was tight and I thought that I would pas out.

I stuttered." I… Im sorry." and stepped back. " I'm sorry for interrupting you—""

The woman smirked as her amused and contemptuous eyes darted over me.

"Is she the one? she asked in a condescending tone.

Callum's jaw tensed he remained silent.

Tears threatened to spill but I resisted the urge to do so. No not here. In front of him ,no. Without saying another word, I turned and ran away, down the corridor ,my heart tight and eyes blurry

---

I ran into my room with the speed even a wind would envy, the door slamming behind me

I finally let the tears that I had been suppressing to spill out as I fell onto the bed.

After everything, agreeing to this. Thinking that my life would change abd he had left me to go with another woman like the words of the vows meant nothing

I couldnt get the picture of him kissing her out of my head , it was a cruel reminder of how unimportant I was to him.

He had stated earlier*This is not about love**

And I now realized how true those words were.

What was I even thinking .

I was startled by a knock on the door , I sat up and quickly wiped away my tears.

"Who is it?" I called in a raspy voice .

" This me ." Callum said maintaining his that stupid voice I hated listening to.

My instincts told me to tell him to get out but rather I got up and opened the door , looking him in the eye with all the strength I could muster.

"What do you want? " I asked in a chilly voice.

Closing the door behind him he entered the room.

"We need to talk. " He said simply.

"Theres nothing to talk about. . You expressed your emotions quite clearly." I yelled crossing my arms over my chest

"Its not as you thinking. " His face grew serious.

I raised my voice and demanded." Then what is it?.Because it appeared that you were eager to hurl yourself at a different woman even before the ceremony is over."

Pinching the bridge of his nose he sighed as if the conversation were a bother.

" Aurora this is exactly why I establish boundaries. You're making too many assumptions about this. "

" Boundaries?" I said again my voice trembling with rage. You are my mate or have you forgotten?

His eyes were hard as he looked at me. "I still remember. But as previously stated this mating is not the result of love. You were aware of that."

I didnt want him to see how hurtful his words were ,they were a slap in the face.

"Maybe you ought to have made that more obvious when you kissed her ."I said my voice brimming with bitterness.

"Greta is not just any woman, she's my childhood sweetheart."

" What ?" I gasped.