Aurora's pov
One month had passed since that evening. It has been a month since a stranger stole my innocence. I had been caught up in the whirlwind of Bennet's betrayal and rejection a month ago. I really made an effort to move on but it wasn't simple though. Cassandra my stepmother had been making my life miserable. Cooking, cleaning and other household duties made me feel like a maid in my own house. My stepsister Alicia wasnt any better either. She was the prim little princess who was the queen of the house and never had to do a thing. She was everything I wasn't and I detested her for it. What I detested most about her though was how incredibly *perfect* she was around my father. As I scrubbed the floor I heard her voice on the phone, her high-pitched giggle like nails on a chalkboard. She was preparing for tonights ball which my father had assured her she could go to with Bennett as her date. I felt sick to my stomach at the thought of him. I should have spent time with him like we used to but he was with *her* instead after rejecting me. The betrayal still stings like an open wound which I couldn't forget I rubbed my forehead trying to concentrate on the work at hand but the pain returned. I swayed slightly, the room tilted and my head spun. My hand clutched the back of the sofa for support as I staggered. "You can't clean the floor perfectly. You're a pathetic ." I turned around I saw her standing with her arms folded across her chest in the living room doorway. She was already ready for the ball wearing a gorgeous red dress. She stared at me with a gleam in her eyes obviously taking pleasure in my pain. As I staggered once more my knees weak from the dizziness I felt. she arched an eyebrow. "How embarrassing, just cleaning the floor and you are about to faint." ! she mocked stepping over the mess I had cleaned ."Did you *really* think youd ever be anything other than a maid in this house? I didnt reply. I was unable to. The words felt like they were stuck in my throat and I was too exhausted to say anything.. I wasnt even sure that I had the strength to do it. She went on with a tone full of contempt ." Poor maid." I tried not to think about the hot tears that threatened to spill out of my eyes Then my step mother entered the room. "What's wrong with you? You're a waste of space who can't even do something as simple as properly cleaning the house." Her voice was icy piercing the atmosphere like a knife. T I tried to say something when he force of her slap caused my head to jerk sideways. I wasn't surprise. This was my life—constant degrading remarks and insults. "Stupid omega." She said I bit my lip in an attempt to contain my tears. I had had enough. It was too much. I felt like I was being choked by the weight of everything. My father who was unaware of the mistreatment still believed that Alicia was his ideal child. I was nothing more than an annoyance in their idyllic world. "I'm off, make sure you finish all your chores." Alicia said kicking me as she left with her mother. As they walked out the door I was left in the quiet her laughter echoing in my ears. As I to tidy up the mess they had created I stood there with shaking hands. My head swam as I felt lightheaded once more. My stomach turned over. I felt waves of nausea sweep over me all at once. I barely made it to the sink before my body rejected everything I had eaten as I stumbled to the bathroom. I coughed and held onto the sink as I tried to fight off the nausea. The nausea didnt go away instead it only got worse until I thought I might faint. As I tried to steady myself I fell into nothingness. ___ My eyes squinted in pain from the harsh light from the overhead lamp when I woke up. My head was pounding. I was lying on the living room couch after blinking and trying to regain my senses. Alicia and my stepmother were standing above me looking me as if I was a spectacle. "Looks like someone finally woke up." Alicia said laughing, folding her arms. I was till too confused to really understand what was happening . I groaned ad I forced myself to sit down feeling the weight of my lightheadedness drag me back down. "What's going on?" I asked, my voice was barely above a whisper. Cassandra crossed her arms and looked at me in disdain . "Looks like our little maid has finally gotten herself into trouble. ". Alicia said, her tone sickeningly sweet as I stared at her. "What happened?" I asked again feeling stupid "My dear you fainted." Cassandra said mockingly." Also, we have a problem now , don't we? I blinking. "A problem? Alicias smirk widened as she raised an eyebrow. "Oh please dont be stupid. You are aware of the situation. Aren't you pregnant." I froze feeling my heart sink to my stomach. “No—no I—” “What? Shut up Aurora. For weeks you have been ill. You finally got what you wanted, slut." Alicias words pierced me like a knife . "And who is the bastard that got you pregnant?" They stared at me with disgust in their eyes and I felt so small, so insignificant. I couldnt possibly be pregnant, how could that even be possible? .I asked myself as tears streamed down my cheeks. .All of a sudden , the nausea,. the dizziness and the lack of total control made sense. I shook my head in shock and muttered inaudibly." It's not true, I'm not pregnant." But before I could finish, Cassandra's hand came flying in the hair and slice through my cheeks as pain blinded me momentarily. "Slut!" She spat." Now start taking."Aurora's pov.I found it difficult to breath. . My chest felt as if it were being squeezed by an unseen hands. The word—*pregnant*—it made me feel even more horrified. My hands were shaking uncontrollably and my heart was beating wildly that I could literally hear it. "How could you? Cassandra looked down at me with disdain."I— I don't know what you are saying."But before I could finish , Cassandra slapped me hard across the cheeks that sent me reeling back and hitting my back against the wall and pain raced through me. But they didnt give a damn. Cassandras mocking and cruel laughter echoed and Alicias smirk left a lasting impression on my mind. "You think anyone will give a damn about you now? Alicia asked in a disgusting voice. "A pregnant omega, how thoughtful of you . You are so worthless." "Just like your mother. " Cassandra added." You have brought disgrace to this family."The weight of their words made the world to spin and swirl around me and I could take it no mo
Aurora's pov The soft click of the door woke me up from my agitated sleep.I didn't even know that I had fallen asleep after he left A young maid came in with a courteous but hesitant expression .The aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted chicken filled the air as she carried a tray full of food making my stomach rumble in protest. She put the tray on the bedside table and said in a quiet voice ."Good afternoon miss Alpha Callum gave me the order to take care of you. What do you need? I was unsure whether to accept her generosity or to ask her questions about my current state so I blinked at her. The chaos of everything that had happened made my body hurt but I tried not to show it. But my stomachs persistent growl betrayed me and I answered ."I'm fine." The maid smiled slightly sympathetically. "There is no problem but you should eat please. " After a moment of hesitation I nodded. "Right now I just need water." I muttered in a small voice.She poured a glass and handed i
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,
Only the sound of my erratic breathing could be heard, filling the room in a thick silence. My knees were on the verge of giving out under the weight of his gaze as I stood in front of him "Protection and all the luxuries you could ever think of ."Alpha Callum said in an emotionless tone ." But one more thing." He said raising a finger up and I saw triumph in his eyes."This will be done under a contract. " He said abd took a seat watching me closely. Leaning back in his chair , he exuded a commanding presence that filled the entire room. His piercing perceptive gaze seemed to be trying to extract every thought from me as if thinking I was trying to outsmart him.The lump that was growing in my throat made it difficult for me to swallow. "A contract? I asked again trying to steady my trembling voice. "Yes." he said abruptly a small almost contemptuous smirk curling his lips. "A formal agreement will serve as our bond. There will be strict boundaries and rules. This mating is not m
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 transactio
It was not the weight of the room and everything or the imposing mahogany desk that made the office feel oppressive.It was Aurora was here. As she waited for me to speak her hands were clasped tightly together and her delicate features revealed her shock and surprise.She just didn't know how much I hated all this .We arrived at this point per my fathers orders and I now had to deal with this sham of a marriage I stood up straight and gave her a chilly look. "Aurora let me be very clear about one thing."I said my voice even. "This marriage is not built on love."There was a brief moment of bewilderment on her face as her brows furrowed." I don't love you.This arrangement and all that exists is just a duty to the pack and to my fathers desires. Thats that."I went on using a harsher tone. Her lips parted slightly as if she wanted to reply but wasn't sure how and the shock in her eyes turned into a searing sting. I continued." You're my mate but don't think for a second that th
A fog of frustration and self-blame hung over the remainder of the evening. I was haunted by Aurora's face because of her wide and vulnerable eyes which were making a strong effort to hide the hurt my words had caused even though I knew she wanted to tear up.I had wanted to be firm in order to set the boundaries of our agreement but I had instead hit harder than I had wanted to. Trying to get my thoughts straight I put on my jacket and walked out of my office. The party had long ended and everyone had gone home but this night , some of the guards were in training.It had rained a little and there was a slight earthy and piney smell to the crisp night air. As I left my room, my mind was a raging storm. My guilt persisted despite my best efforts to think of something else other than Aurora and what I had said to her.It wasn't my fault though. I hadn't chosen this life. The expectations and legacy of my father had shaped me into the Alpha I am today.I just couldn't afford to have
The dining rooms large windows let in the morning sun which gave the well-arranged table a golden hue. I could hardly detect the smell of freshly brewed coffee and freshly baked bread in the air but my attention was drawn to Callum who was sitting across from me and reading a newspaper as if the chaos of the outside world didnt match the raging storm inside of me. As if what had happened yesterday didn't just happened and it was all a movie to him.We didn't say much and I wasn't sure if that was the customary cozy silence or something more serious. I wasn't going to be the one to break it in any case, I was too angry Rather I picked at the edges of my toast while feigning interest in the designs on my plate. Every step was louder and more annoying than the last and the silence was broken by the click of heels on the wooden floor and I wondered who could have thought of destroying the early morning peace and quiet.I knew who it was without having to look up. "Callum darling!"
GretaThe following day came more quickly than I expected. I had prepared myself for the evening by thinking about what would happen for hours. It was expected to be the year's most anticipated event—a lavish banquet. The leaders of nearby packs, Callum's inner circle and the pack members themselves would all be present. I could hear the murmurs already. His new mate Aurora, the woman who had abruptly taken over everything would be present.But I had a plan. She would discover Callum's true identity tonight. I raked my fingers through my hair as I stood in front of the mirror. I needed to look flawless so that nothing could go wrong. Staring at me the dress I had selected, it was sleek black and elegant. I was skilled at drawing attention and starting conversation. I wished I could spend so much time by Callum's side tonight.But Aurora was just something that stood in my way. Imagining how I would make her cry tonight made me smiled at my reflection. She was unaware of wha
As I left the clinic the air seemed heavier. Even though the sun was shining on my face I didn't feel any better. Every word I had said to Dr. Miller was being replayed in my mind. Every step I took was accompanied by the realization that the baby wasn't Callum's. A familiar figure was leaning against the car parked outside the hospital entrance and I froze Gretta. She was here of course. She always seemed to show up when I least expected her to as if she were waiting for me to vanish in the dark. She was smiling but it wasn't a warm one. No, she had that smile that made you feel insignificant as if she knew something you didn't want her to know. With a mockingly sweet tone Greta asked ."Did you enjoy your little check-up?"I was unsure of how to react. My heart was pounding as I simply stood there. Everything around me seemed to have stopped moving and the only sound left was her voice. “You know I heard some interesting things” Greta added moving closer her eyes shining. "
When I got there, it was too quiet in the clinic. I tried to relax as I sat in the waiting room.He had been nice though to arrange for I and my baby's treatment. A woman in a white-coat came out from the office as I heard the door open. She was older and her warm smile and gentle eyes made me feel a little more at ease. "Luna Aurora ." My throat went dry as I nodded."Welcome, come in."She gestured for me to enter and I did so and went with her to her office. It had a cozy chair, soft lighting and was compact. She motioned for me to take a seat. "Make yourself comfortable please, luna."she said politely." I'm Dr. Miller I'm here to make sure your pregnancy is going well." She said and smiled warmly at me.Even though I sat down to listen to her my thoughts kept returning to Callum. Thinking about the baby or what would happen next was the last thing I wanted to do because I felt lost and unsure about everything. Dr. Miller took a seat across from me and began going throu
I had hurriedly dressed, my head still clouded by the events of the previous few days. Callum claimed to have scheduled a visit with a doctor on my behalf. Although I had no idea what to expect I knew I had to do it. I had to take responsibility for the growing baby in my womb. This was the first time I had ever looked at my reflection in the mirror. I sighed and smoothed down my blouse as my dark hair tangled around my shoulders. Even though I no longer gave a damn about how I looked, I still wanted to feel put together. Everything that was weighing on me was getting to be too much, so I had to cling to what little strength I still had. I forced Greta from my mind for the moment but she was still there. I couldn't allow myself to become sidetracked. Not today. I needed to concentrate because I had to go to the clinic. After a few more seconds of contemplation, I left my room and headed to the hall. Without listening to me , Callum was idly browsing through his phone while
Aurora's pov The faint moonlight that came through the curtains didnt help ease the pain in my chest. I was lying in bed looking up at the ceiling with my eyes burning and swollen from crying .Callum’s words from earlier replayed in my mind like a haunting melody I couldn’t escape. *Try not to make Greta cry, you know how sensitive she is.*I scoffed but the sound barely came out of my mouth.Sensitive? It was like being betrayed. The always flawless Greta who somehow succeeded in gaining Callum's love and respect—even at my expense. My body shook with frustration as I gripped the pillow tightly. No matter how hard I tried it seemed like I was always falling short in his eyes Was I the issue? He was more concerned about Greta than he was about me and that was evident from every argument and sidelong glance.And it broke me. I buried my face in the pillow as the hot, unrelenting tears came again and poured down my cheeks. I wanted to stop crying. I didn't want to feel this po
Callum's POV Even though the house had returned to its typical nighttime quiet, I could still feel the tension in the air. Greta had rushed into my office earlier sharing her version of the argument she had with Aurora, her face flushed with outrage. They had already had disagreements before and if things continue this way it won't be the last.I walked to Aurora's room with a sigh. Greta was occasionally a bit too much but Aurora was a completely different kind of storm. I rapped twice on her door pushing it open without waiting for a response. The moonlight was dimly shining on her as she stood by the window. She had her arms folded and it was clear that she was angry too.Her expression was a mixture of annoyance and fatigue as she turned to look at me. Her voice was sharper than needed as " What do you want Callum?" She said.My arms were crossed as I leaned idly against the doorframe." I came to discuss what had happened earlier." She rolled her eyes and looked out the w
.I turned away from the window, discarding the thoughts and peeked through the door, thinking of going die stairs and thought over it.I didn't want to see Callum.I had just shut my door when I heard footsteps coming from behind me. It had to be Greta of course. I knew it had to be her.The sound of her heels on the marble where unmistakable.With the same sweet tone that made my skin crawl she called out to me."Aurora."She didn't even have the decency to knock, acting like she owed the whole pack and was already luna.I walked across the room while feigning to arrange the books on the dresser not bothering to look at her stupid face .Oh, moon goddess She was so annoying.Clicking her heels on the floor more loudly than before, she entered without being invited and walked up to me." I hope I'm not interrupting." She said sweetly but we both knew was and she didn't give a damn about it.I turned away from Greta and said, my voice kind of low and I tried not to sound so angry.
The dining rooms large windows let in the morning sun which gave the well-arranged table a golden hue. I could hardly detect the smell of freshly brewed coffee and freshly baked bread in the air but my attention was drawn to Callum who was sitting across from me and reading a newspaper as if the chaos of the outside world didnt match the raging storm inside of me. As if what had happened yesterday didn't just happened and it was all a movie to him.We didn't say much and I wasn't sure if that was the customary cozy silence or something more serious. I wasn't going to be the one to break it in any case, I was too angry Rather I picked at the edges of my toast while feigning interest in the designs on my plate. Every step was louder and more annoying than the last and the silence was broken by the click of heels on the wooden floor and I wondered who could have thought of destroying the early morning peace and quiet.I knew who it was without having to look up. "Callum darling!"
A fog of frustration and self-blame hung over the remainder of the evening. I was haunted by Aurora's face because of her wide and vulnerable eyes which were making a strong effort to hide the hurt my words had caused even though I knew she wanted to tear up.I had wanted to be firm in order to set the boundaries of our agreement but I had instead hit harder than I had wanted to. Trying to get my thoughts straight I put on my jacket and walked out of my office. The party had long ended and everyone had gone home but this night , some of the guards were in training.It had rained a little and there was a slight earthy and piney smell to the crisp night air. As I left my room, my mind was a raging storm. My guilt persisted despite my best efforts to think of something else other than Aurora and what I had said to her.It wasn't my fault though. I hadn't chosen this life. The expectations and legacy of my father had shaped me into the Alpha I am today.I just couldn't afford to have