Chapter 05

Lucian could still taste Yasminy's kiss on his lips, but something inside him screamed that it was wrong. Her touch didn't compare to Aurora's. It was different... hollow. He tried to ignore the thought, but he couldn't help making the comparison. He was confused — torn between what he should do and what he truly wanted.

Before he could organize his thoughts, a growl echoed nearby. Lucian spun around instantly, instinctively shielding Yasminy behind him. His eyes met Aurora's, now blazing red with fury. She had seen everything — the mating proposal Lucian had made to another she-wolf and the kiss that sealed that forced commitment.

Lucian felt a chill. The bond. He could feel the tension vibrating between them. If he didn't do something, Aurora might attack. Yasminy, insufferable as she was, was a trained warrior. Aurora was not. She would never stand a chance in a fight.

Max's voice, his inner wolf, roared inside his mind.

"You've hurt her enough!"

Lucian tried to control the situation.

"Miss Colton!" he barked with authority. "I order you to respect your future Luna! Leave immediately, or you will be thrown into the dungeons for a week — without water, without food!"

But Aurora didn't back down. Her gaze was fixed on the two of them, burning with hatred and pain. Rage glowed in her eyes like smoldering embers, and her breathing was ragged.

Yasminy, for her part, made things even worse. Her voice dripping with contempt, she said:

"Was she some fling of yours? If so, get rid of her. As your mate, I won't tolerate you amusing yourself with servants."

Lucian clenched his fists. He wanted to silence Yasminy, but he couldn't expose the bond right there in front of everyone. So he used his Alpha command:

"Aurora! I order you to stop — now!"

She stared at him for a few seconds. And in that look, there was more than anger — there was heartbreak, betrayal, and a pain so deep it left him breathless. In silence, she turned and ran toward the forest, leaving only dust and anguish in her wake.

Aurora ran without thinking. Her wolf, Kyra, took control, tearing through the forest with speed and fury. The trees blurred past them, and the wind wasn't enough to cool the fire blazing in her chest.

When Kyra finally tired, they both headed back. Aurora put her clothes on and tried to resume her routine, fighting against the ache in her chest. She couldn't let this destroy her. She would be strong. For herself, for her family. For everything she'd overcome.

In the days that followed, she did everything she could to keep busy. She wanted to avoid thinking about Lucian — and especially about the day he would mark Yasminy. She knew that moment was coming, and when it arrived, it would hurt. But she wouldn't humiliate herself over someone who'd already made it clear he didn't want her.

It was her day off when Kayla invited her to go out. Aurora accepted. She needed to clear her head. They walked to the village ice cream shop, chatting about light things, trying to keep the mood easy. But Aurora wasn't well.

She started sweating, even though the weather was mild. Her body was running far too hot, and her thoughts... were somewhere else — intense and unwelcome.

Kayla noticed immediately.

"Rory, you're sweating. Are you okay?"

Aurora nodded, unconvincingly.

"I think something's off with my body. I feel hot... and..."

Kayla's eyes went wide.

"By the Goddess! It's your first heat!"

Aurora went pale.

"You mean... my first heat cycle?"

Kayla nodded.

"Yes. And the first heat is intense. You're going to attract every unmated wolf nearby. You need to get home — now! Unless... you want to give yourself to someone before finding your mate."

Aurora looked around. Several men were already watching her with hungry eyes, sniffing the air. They knew exactly what was happening.

"I have to go!" she exclaimed.

Kayla walked her back to the pack house. It was a good thing Aurora had visited her parents earlier that day, because she had almost no clothes left at home. Lucian had sent someone to collect all her things — without warning, without explanation.

When they arrived, Aurora said goodbye to her friend and rushed to her room. Along the way, she collided with a wall... or rather, with Lucian's muscular chest.

"Aurora..."

Her eyes went wide, and she tried to get past him.

"Alpha, I need to go!"

But he followed her, entering her room right behind her. Aurora sat on the bed, trying to catch her breath.

Lucian paused as he caught her scent. His eyes gleamed.

"Stay away from me!" she said firmly.

He moved closer.

"Are you sure that's what you want?"

She didn't answer. Still sitting, she felt her body tremble. Lucian sat beside her. The heat was unbearable. The desire, uncontrollable.

And then, without warning, he kissed her. It was an urgent, ravenous kiss. His touch set her skin on fire. Aurora surrendered, lost in the moment. She lay back, with Lucian over her, exploring every inch of her body, until his lips trailed down her neck. Before she knew it, he sank his fangs into her chest, marking her.

She screamed. A mixture of pain and pleasure. Then he pulled away, as if nothing had happened.

"That will keep the others away from you."

She sat up, stunned.

"What did you do? You had no right!"

"You're mine, Aurora. Only mine."

"I'm not! Your mate is going to be Yasminy!"

Lucian smiled bitterly.

"That's not how it seemed when you were about to give yourself to me."

And he walked out, leaving her furious and vulnerable.

In the days that followed, no wolf dared approach Aurora. The mark was there, visible to all. She tried to hide it, to avoid Lucian and, most of all, Yasminy. She managed to dodge them both for five days.

But on the morning of the sixth day, Yasminy appeared.

"Maid, what's your name again?"

"Aurora, ma'am."

"Very well. From now on, you'll be my personal maid. My father and my Lucian have decided that our mating ceremony will be in two weeks. I'm moving in here. Isn't that wonderful?"

"Yes, ma'am..."

"As my personal servant, you'll attend all my meals. Starting now."

Aurora followed her to the garden. A lavish table was set — in the exact spot where Yasminy and Lucian had shared their first kiss.

"This place is special. It's where we had our first kiss. Isn't that wonderful?"

Aurora fought the urge to punch her.

"Wonderful..." she replied through gritted teeth.

The days that followed were agonizing. Yasminy seemed determined to make her life a living hell. Aurora felt herself growing weaker, plagued by frequent nausea. Something was wrong.

At the end of yet another walk through the forest, she spotted Luke heading toward her. His expression was heavy with concern.

"Aurora, the Alpha wants to see you. Now. In his study."

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