Chapter Four

Aurora’s POV

One thing I noticed as I made my way to the open field was the looks of disdain that members of my pack threw at me as I walked past.

This was quite fascinating because only a few days ago, I was quite the envy of a lot of girls. Many flocked around me to be my friend because deep down, they also knew that Michael and I were going to end up together.

The memory filled me this time with a bittersweet feeling, but then every ounce of sweetness immediately left my body when I heard the snide comment Ariana threw at me.

“A cheap whore is what she is!” She snapped, causing the girls gathered around her to laugh, but then I ignored them as I went to stand by a corner, praying that this gathering would quickly come to an end.

My heart began to race when I overheard some girls talking about Ariana’s first sex with Michael.

“It’s why he took her with him when he stormed out of the party last night!” One exclaimed, causing me to feel hot as the memories rushed back into my head. I froze in shock.

I couldn’t bring myself to turn around because I didn’t want any of them to catch me eavesdropping, and to worsen matters, my bitchy step-sister was with them!

At this point, I just wanted to go home, lock myself up, and come out only when this whole mess had quieted down… but I couldn’t!

To distract myself, I looked down at my shoes but just then, I felt someone drape an arm around my shoulders, causing me to flinch in shock.

“Hey sissy, it’s me. Chill!” Jasmine said with a laugh. I smiled back.

We were just about to start up a conversation when Michael strutted into the field with his nose in the air. As soon as he stepped in, our eyes met.

Well, it’s always been like that. Michael and I used to joke about having personal radar that alerted us of the other’s presence even in extremely crowded places. When we were still a thing it was cute but now that there was this huge unspoken rift between us, it felt more like a pain in the ass.

“Arrange yourselves into rows!” He barked, causing everyone to quickly obey him.

I hesitantly stood behind Jasmine even though she was taller than I was because I didn’t want to be seen but despite this, I could still feel his eyes on me as he addressed the crowd.

“My coronation is in a few days, and I know that y’all have been preparing a few things for the day but I am here to ask you to buckle up with whatever preparations you have going on! Due to some personal reasons, the day has been moved to an earlier date…” his voice trailed off as again I found myself thinking back to the moment at the club.

A small smile formed on my lips when I remembered the stranger whom I’d had my first one-night stand with.

I squeezed my eyes shut as I tried to wrack my brain, to remember how I had gotten into his bed, but just as I was doing that, I was instantly snapped out of my thoughts when I felt something squishy land on my face. I froze.

Every thought and feeling I had earlier instantly morphed into anger but then I looked away when I saw that it was Michael who had thrown it.

“I’m still talking!” He barked, causing everyone aside from Jasmine and me to start laughing. I instantly saw red but decided to bow my head in both shame and anger.

“As I was saying until we were rudely interrupted!” Michael exclaimed, causing everyone to erupt into laughter again.

“Please be in your best behaviors and attires..." he paused and smiled crookedly at me as he mentioned the word “attires”. I looked sideways, I understood the shade he was throwing.

“For the ladies, keep your heads bowed at all times, and to you gents! Show bravery! My father made sure to invite prominent Alphas around the world, including the king superior!” Michael beamed as he spoke.

As soon as I heard the name ‘king superior’, I snapped my head upward.

I couldn’t believe it, couldn’t believe that Michael and his father could go to the extent of inviting the highest ranked Alpha in the continent, if not the entire world, to his coronation! It was amazing!

Nothing else that Michael said mattered to me anymore as the only thing I could think of was the King Superior and the fact that he was about to bless our pack with his presence.

The meeting came to an end shortly afterward and just as everyone was leaving, Michael asked me to wait behind, causing a few people to stare at me with pity. Jasmine, on the other hand, squeezed my hands tightly before walking away.

“Be good,” she whispered.

At first, I was excited, thinking that he wanted to apologize but then when he told me that he only wanted to finish our rejection process because according to him, I was supposed to be present, I was hurt.

“Go on with it then,” I gritted, ignoring the way his friends who had waited behind jeered. Even Michael was shocked, I could see it.

Without even the tiniest hint of remorse, he rejected me in front of his friends, and this time, the pain I felt was a hundred times greater than the one of last night.

My body spasmed as a tremor ran through me. Tears sprung into my eyes but in anger, I blinked them back. I knew I couldn’t be this weak in front of them, I couldn’t afford to.

Gasping for breath, I raised my eyes to his, and with the last ounce of strength left in my body, I whispered; “…and I reject you too, Michael Flynn Jr.”

I saw Michael take a step back and even noticed how he staggered like someone who was about to fall. His face contorted into a grimace but as fast as it came, it quickly left.

“As punishment, you’re to clean this entire field!” He yelled at me, “You’re not to leave until I deem it fit, now start!” He barked.

At first, I was confused. I had no idea what I was being punished for, and so in frustration, I snapped; “What exactly am I being punished for?”

“Are you questioning me?!” He growled, taking intimidating steps toward me and in turn, I stood my ground. I knew I couldn’t take him on but then, I also couldn’t allow him to boss me around like a puppet.

Michael noticed the stern look on my face, he immediately stopped, stared at me for a few minutes in shock, and just when I least expected, he smacked me hard across the face.

“Now, clean!” He spat.

I didn’t know which hurt more, the pain in my heart, the one on my face, or even the lingering sensation I still felt from our mate bond snapping. I dragged my feet around as I began to clean up, picking up the litter and sweeping… and dusting.

With each passing minute, I hated Michael even more, and I couldn’t help but curse myself for doting on someone as ugly-hearted as he was.

In about five hours, I was done with cleaning the field and when I went in search of him to ask for my freedom, I was shocked to find him behind a shed while a blonde knelt between his legs, with his manhood in her mouth; I froze in place as hurt closed its way up my heart.

“Aurora, get the heck—” He started saying but before he could get the chance to finish, I raised my hand into the air and growled;

“NO!”

To my utmost surprise, Michael and the blondie toppled to the floor, they both held their heads as if in pain, and just when it occurred to me that I was the one inflicting pain on them, I dropped my hands and gasped.

Tears leaked out of my eyes as I watched my shaky hands in shock, feeling an electric-like sensation run up my fingertips.

Michael gasped and so did the blondie. I could see the surprise registered on their faces, even the fear, but just as Michael opened his mouth to speak, I turned and fled.

I had no explanation as to why I could do something like that, and right now, I couldn’t stay back and allow myself to be probed for answers…