Chapter 02

Aurora felt a force pulling her toward the Alpha like a magnet. Her body ached to feel him. Their eyes locked, and time itself seemed to stop.

"He's our mate! The Alpha is our destined mate! Isn't this wonderful!" A voice insisted on repeating inside the young woman's head.

Eka was ecstatic, her heart pounding. She had finally found her long-awaited mate, and it was him — a strikingly handsome and powerful man. She admired him for his strength and determination: the Alpha of the Stellar Pack.

The moment was shattered when Alpha Deimon approached.

"Lucian! You need to choose your servants better! We asked your maid for drinks half an hour ago and she still hasn't fulfilled our request. You should do your job properly, maid!" Deimon spoke with arrogance and contempt.

In that moment, Aurora believed her mate would defend her and announce to everyone that he'd found his destined companion — the future Luna of the pack. But everything happened the opposite of what she'd imagined.

"Miss Colton, do your job properly and attend to our guests as you should! That is an order!" Lucian commanded.

She was stunned by the Alpha's words. Hadn't he felt the same thing? No — that was impossible! Aurora was confused and heartbroken.

Without questioning, the Alpha's mate left immediately, heading toward the table where Alpha Deimon's family sat. After serving them, she made her way to the kitchen, set the tray on the counter, and then ran toward the forest. She needed to breathe.

Aurora ran for several meters in her human form. She hadn't undergone her first transformation yet. The wolf inside her head wanted to take over, but her human side wasn't willing.

Suddenly, she heard branches snapping nearby. Someone was approaching.

That scent... Sandalwood, a citrus aroma with warm woody undertones. It was him — her mate was very close. Aurora's wolf began to stir, and then he stepped out from behind a tree.

"Miss Colton? What are you doing running away from your duties? You shouldn't be here — you should be at the celebration, serving my guests."

"Lucian?"

"I didn't give you permission to address me by name. Must I remind you that I am your Alpha?"

"But you... We are..."

"We are nothing! Don't think I'm going to claim you as my mate because of this ridiculous bond! I order you not to say a word about this to anyone! Or I'll be forced to reject you and banish you from this pack forever. Compose yourself and return to work immediately!" the Alpha said, then turned and walked away.

Tears began to stream down Aurora's face. The day that should have been the happiest of her life had become her worst nightmare. Her destined mate didn't want her and, on top of that, had threatened her. She couldn't tell anyone she was the Alpha's mate, or she'd be rejected and banished — condemned to live as a renegade. No other pack would take her in, due to the pact of unity between them. She would live a life of danger, alone, without even being able to see her parents.

"He must be confused. Our mate hasn't rejected us," Kyra, her wolf, tried to console her.

"No! He hated finding out we're his mate. He hates me!"

"Don't say that! Please, let me out. You need to shift!"

"I don't want to! Didn't you hear our Alpha? I need to get back to work."

Aurora returned to the hall to serve the guests. There he was — the one the Moon Goddess had chosen to be her mate — enjoying himself with another woman. Yasminy White, daughter of Alpha Deimon. Perhaps she really would make a better Luna, Aurora thought. The two were sitting close together. Lucian was smiling as if nothing had happened.

This couldn't be happening! Aurora Colton couldn't be his destined mate. Had the Moon Goddess decided to play a cruel joke? How could she choose such a weak she-wolf to be the Luna of the Stellar Pack? A servant! She hadn't even had her first transformation. He couldn't accept such madness! He was a great Alpha! He could choose who would be his Luna and mate, and Aurora Colton had no qualifications to be the companion of a powerful Alpha like him. So Lucian thought.

After saying what needed to be said, he'd left her in the forest and returned to greet the guests.

Yasminy had sought out the young Alpha. With a seductive manner, she looked absolutely stunning — but something nagged at Lucian. That insignificant servant wouldn't leave his mind.

His eyes swept the hall in search of Aurora. He found her watching him and Yasminy. Her expression was one of sadness and disappointment. The Alpha felt a sharp pang in his chest when he realized he was the cause of that young woman's suffering. What was happening to him?

The celebration was a resounding success, and as in previous years, the alliance between the packs was renewed. Lucian's parents were disappointed to learn that their son hadn't found his mate — well, that was what they and everyone in the pack believed. And if it were up to the Alpha, it would stay that way.

When the party ended and the guests departed, Aurora returned home. As she was climbing the stairs, Mary surprised her with a question:

"Aurora, did something happen? Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, just a little tired."

"I'm sorry. Your birthday shouldn't have gone like this."

"It's not your fault, and besides, it's not that important."

"Don't say that — you're very important to us."

Suddenly, the front door opened. Kayla, her best friend, walked in carrying a beautiful cake in her hands, singing happy birthday, accompanied by Beta Mason and her father. Aurora's eyes shone with emotion.

"Happy birthday!"

Rodolph had swapped shifts with a friend to be there for his daughter's birthday. Mason and Kayla were present. Mary, her dear mother, was beaming as she embraced her daughter.

In that moment, Aurora forgot everything that had happened at the celebration — at least for a few minutes. These were her people. They loved her. They made her happy. This was where she belonged. And in that instant, she realized she was willing to endure anything to stay by their side.

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