Chapter 03

The next morning, after her usual routine, Aurora sat down at the table for breakfast with her family.

Rodolph and Mary couldn't have children. They had tried for a long time, but it was in vain. Mary loved Rodolph deeply, yet something was missing to make their happiness complete. Then, one dawn in the spring, they heard a baby crying. When they opened the door, they found her inside a basket.

They searched for the pup's parents for days, together with Alpha Califf — Lucian's father — but couldn't find a single clue. Rodolph saw that small creature as a gift from the Goddess Selene. They couldn't have biological children, but they'd received a blessing — a daughter of the heart. And so, they had loved Aurora since that day.

"Thank you for the surprise last night. I love you both!"

"Love you too, my girl!" Rodolph said, kissing the top of his daughter's head.

"Love you, sweetheart!" Mary said, pulling her into a warm hug.

"Neither you nor Alpha Lucian found your mates last night. That's strange, considering most of the wolves were at the celebration," Rodolph said thoughtfully.

"Our daughter will find her mate when the time is right."

"That means I get to keep this little wolf by my side a bit longer!"

Little did he know that everything was about to change.

Their family moment was interrupted by a knock at the door.

"I'll get it!" Rodolph said, heading to the door.

"Good morning, Mr. Colton! Is Miss Aurora home?"

"Good morning, Berta! Yes, Aurora's here. Please, come in!"

"Good morning, ma'am! Good morning, Miss Aurora!"

"Good morning, Berta!" Mary and Aurora said in unison.

"The Alpha has appointed Miss Aurora to work at the pack house as his personal maid."

"Excuse me?" Aurora asked, indignant.

"I'm sorry, miss. Those are orders from the Alpha."

"It's an honor for any omega to work in the pack house!" Mary said, unaware of what had happened the night before.

"As if I had a choice!" Aurora thought.

She went upstairs to her room, and as she was gathering clothes to change, her mother knocked on the door.

"May I come in?"

"Yes."

"Is something going on? I could tell you weren't exactly thrilled about working at the pack house."

"I just... wanted to have a normal life like any other she-wolf. Working at the pack house is going to take away a lot of things from me."

"I understand. Your father and I will talk to the Alpha and try to sort this out."

"No, Mom. I'll work at the pack house. The Alpha doesn't like interference. It's better for all of us to accept his orders."

"I just want to see you happy, sweetheart. And if..."

"It'll be a new experience for me. If it doesn't work out, we can try talking to the Alpha later."

"All right. You know I'm your mother — I always want what's best for you. If anything happens that hurts you, you can count on me."

Aurora noticed that Mary was starting to suspect something wasn't right. She would have to be a good actress.

Inside, she was deeply wounded. The words Lucian had thrown at her had made her heart bleed.

After getting dressed, she followed Berta to the pack house. Upon arriving at the grand mansion, they went up the stairs and down a hallway. Aurora realized they were in the bedroom wing when Berta spoke:

"Aurora, this will be your room. It's right next to the Alpha's — that was his order. As his personal maid, your duties will be tidying his room, doing his laundry, bringing coffee to his study, or serving meals when instructed."

"I don't understand, Berta. Why are you telling me about this room?"

"Alpha Lucian ordered you to live here in the mansion. You'll have Sundays off to visit your family."

"Where is he?"

"In his study, in a meeting with the Elders. This room beside yours is the Alpha's. He ordered you to begin work immediately."

"Okay, Berta. I will. Thank you."

Berta left, and the young woman was alone, her mind racing.

"What does our mate want with all of this? To keep us close?" Kyra, Aurora's wolf, spoke, trying to find an explanation.

"No. He wants to humiliate me even more!"

"He's going to accept us. The bond is strong, and..."

"I don't want to be with someone just because of a bond. I believed love could grow over time, but I was wrong. All he's managing to do is make me hate him."

"By the way, my name is Kyra. When are you going to let me out? The longer you put off the transformation, the more painful it'll be."

"I don't want to talk about that, Kyra. I'm a maid now. We don't have time for fun."

Meanwhile, in the Alpha's study, the Elders were pressuring Lucian again. In the meeting, they made it clear: the pack needed a Luna.

The following week, Alpha Deimon and his daughter Yasminy would spend a few days at the Stellar Pack. Elder Wolf had extended the invitation — they had already chosen his Luna for him.

"Maybe I should agree with them. Yasminy is an excellent choice. If I'm going to have a Luna, she needs to be strong," Lucian thought.

Lucian returned to the pack house. When he entered his room, he was met with a surprise — Aurora was tidying the mess he'd left that morning.

"Alpha, I..."

"I see you followed my orders."

"I didn't have a choice."

"Watch how you speak to me, maid!" Lucian said, stepping closer.

Aurora backed away until her back pressed against the wall. She shrank as she realized there was nowhere left to go.

They stood face to face — two destined mates, the ones Selene had chosen to be united.

The Alpha studied Aurora. She seemed so fragile, so weak...

"Your wolf is faint. I can barely sense her. That means you haven't had your first transformation."

"No, I..."

"Just as I thought. You're far too weak."

The girl's eyes filled with tears. She was fighting to hold them back.

"What do you want from me, Alpha? Why are you humiliating me like this? I'm your..."

"Don't finish that sentence! No one can know about this! Understood?"

"Then what are you waiting for?! If you don't want me as your mate and Luna of this pack, reject me!"

Lucian felt the impact of Aurora's words. An anguish rose in his chest. He knew he was being a bastard to her, but he wanted what was best for his pack — and this girl would not make a good Luna. Unable to control himself, overpowered by the force of the bond, he claimed Aurora's lips in a heated, urgent kiss.

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