Chapter 2

Aurelia POV

I stood outside the Alpha King's chambers, and I just stood there. The guards didn't even look at me, they were going on with their business as no one cares about some random omega.

I raised my hand to knock, then dropped it. I raised it again and dropped it.

"Are you going to stand there all night?"

I spun around and beta Kael stood behind me, with his arms crossed.

"I was just…"

"The Alpha doesn't like waiting." He reached past me and knocked three times.

"Enter," a deep voice called and Kael pushed the door open. I took a breath and walked in as the door slammed shut behind me.

The room was massive with dark furs covered the bed, weapons lined the walls.and just everythimh screaming luxury.

By the window stood the Alpha King and even with his back to me, he was terrifying. He was tall and had broad shoulders.

"You're late," he said without turning around.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty…."

"Don't apologize." He turned, and his eyes hit me and I almost melted.

 "Just do what you're here to do."

This was the Brutal King, he was the man who'd killed his own uncle for challenging him. He was the Alpha everyone feared.

He moved closer and I stepped back automatically.

His jaw tightened. "You're afraid of me."

I nodded. "Yes."

He circled me slowly, and went on and on with his gaze still on me before he finally said 

"You know why you're here?"

"To carry your child, Your Majesty."

"To carry my wife's child," he corrected sharply. He started to remove his shirt, and panic shot through me. This was really happening. I was really going to…

A knock on the door stopped everything and his face darkened. 

"What?"

The door opened and Luna Selena came inside and my entire body went rigid.

"I'm so sorry to interrupt, my love," she said sweetly, moving to his side. 

"But I brought something for you."

She held up a goblet of dark red wine and my heart stopped for about a minute or two.

"To help with the process," Selena continued,

"It will enhance your stamina."

The potion! It was the same one she'd used to suppress the mate bond. The same one she'd given him every morning in my past life.

I watched him as he reached for the goblet.

No. No, I had to stop this. I had to…

But how? I had no proof and no power. If I just accused her, who would believe me? A nobody Omega against the beloved Luna?

"Actually," I blurted out before I could stop myself, 

"maybe Your Majesty should drink water instead. Wine can sometimes... affect performance."

Both of them turned to stare at me and Selena's smile tightened. 

"I'm sorry, what?"

"I just mean…" I scrambled for words. 

"In my village, they say wine before... before this kind of thing can make men too relaxed. Water is better for…"

"I think I know what's best for my husband," Selena cut in, and her voice was sharp now. She turned back to Dominic with a softer expression. 

"Don't listen to her, my love. This is a special blend. It is very rare and it will help." She said as he took the goblet from her hand.

I moved forward without thinking. 

"Your Majesty, please…"

My foot caught on the edge of the rug and I stumbled forward, with my arms flailing as I crashed straight into Selena.

The goblet flew from Dominic's hand and the wine splashed across the floor.

"You stupid girl!" Selena shrieked, shoving me back.

I hit the ground hard and my hip slamming into the stone floor. Pain shot through me but all I could think was: I did it. I stopped him from drinking it.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Dominic's voice was deadly quiet.

I looked up at him, at the rage in his eyes, and realized my mistake. I'd just assaulted his Luna, spilled his wine and made a scene.

"I'm sorry," I gasped. 

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to…"

"Get up," he commanded.

I scrambled to my feet with my legs shaking and Selena was just staring at me, the look in her eyes made my blood run cold. She knew. Somehow, she knew that wasn't an accident.

"It's alright, my love," she said to Dominic, but her eyes never left mine. 

"She's just nervous and clumsy. It happens." She added as she stepped closer to me. 

"But you should be more careful, dear. Accidents can be... dangerous." She said to my ears barely above a whisper and I immediately knew how much threat those words carried.

"I'll get more wine," Selena continued, turning back to Dominic.

 "Just give me a moment…"

"Don't bother," he said coldly.

 "I'm not in the mood anymore." He looked at me with disgust and said.

"You. Get on the bed."

My stomach dropped. "Your Majesty…"

"Now."

I moved to the bed on shaking legs as Selena shot me one last look before walking to the door.

"I'll leave you two alone," she said sweetly. "Aurelia, we'll talk in the morning. I have some... questions for you."

The door closed behind her and I was alone with the Alpha King. He moved toward me, and every instinct screamed at me to run.

******

I woke up alone the next day as the sun was just starting to rise. The bed beside me was empty as I didn't see the Alpha King.

I sat up slowly, with my body aching. Last night had happened, and the surrogacy was done.

I flashed back to what had happened and I immediately knew I just had to get a proof regarding the wine from yesterday

My eyes landed on something across the room, it was the goblet. It was still there, lying on its side where it had fallen, with a few drops of wine still inside.

Oh goodness, that was it! That was my proof.

If I could get that goblet tested, if I could prove there was something in that wine, then maybe….

I slid out of bed and moved quickly across the room and my hands were even shaking as I picked up the goblet.

I just needed to hide this and ge it to someone who could analyze it.

I looked around frantically for something to wrap it in. I found a cloth on the side table and grabbed it and carefully wrapped the goblet, then tucked it into the folds of my dress.

I was just about to head for the door when it opened. Luna Selena walked in and I froze.

"Good morning, Aurelia," she said sweetly.

 "How was your night?"

"It was... fine, Luna."

"I'm glad." She said as she moved closer, her eyes scanning me up and down. 

"You look flushed. Are you feeling alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine." I replied, trying not to stammer.

"Good." She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. 

"You know, I wanted to apologize for last night. I shouldn't have snapped at you. It was just a harmless accident, wasn't it?"

"Yes, Luna. Just an accident." I replied with my gaze still fixed on her so I won't look scared.

"Hmm. Alright" She tilted her head, studying me.

 Just wanted you to know that just because you're carrying the Alpha's child doesn't make you unreplaceable" She said and my blood ran cold.

"So don't act too rude my dear, I can take you off with no traces. Your body won't even be found" she added 

"I don't know what you think you're doing, but let me make something very clear. If you try to be rude again, your mother's hospital machines will stop working. Do you understand me?"

Terror shot through me immediately 

"You wouldn't…"

"Try me." She smiled. "I own the hospital where she's staying. One word from me and her treatment stops. Her machines get unplugged and you'll watch her die, just like I'll watch you die when you're no longer useful."

She knew about my mother, of course she did as she'd planned this from the beginning.

"Now," Selena continued, her voice sweet again, 

"are we going to have any more accidents?"

"No, Luna."

"Good girl." She looked around the room. "By the way, have you seen a goblet? I could have sworn I left it here last night, but it seems to have disappeared."

My heart stopped as rge goblet was pressed against my side, hidden in my dress. If she found it…

"The maids must have taken it," I said quickly. 

"To wash it."

Selena's eyes narrowed. "Is that so?"

"Yes."

She stared at me for a long, heavy moment. Then she walked to the door and opened it.

"You," she called to someone in the hallway. 

"Come here."

A maid scurried in, looking terrified.

"Did you clean this room this morning?" Selena asked.

"N-no, Luna. Not yet."

"Did you take a goblet from this room?"

"No, Luna. I haven't been here at all." The maid replied.

Selena turned back to me slowly, a smile spreading across her face. 

"So you lied to me."

I opened my mouth but no words came out.

"What are you hiding, Aurelia?"

Before I could answer, a deep voice spoke from the doorway.

"What's going on here?"

We both turned as the Alpha King stood in the entrance, his eyes moving between us.

Selena's face shifted instantly to innocent concern. 

"My love, I think Aurelia took something that doesn't belong to her."

His eyes locked on me. "Is that true?"

The goblet felt like it was burning through my dress as Selena was watching me with that cold smile and the Alpha was staring at me. 

I had seconds to decide. Confess and face Selena's wrath or lie and hope he believed me…..Or run.

My hand moved to clutch the hidden goblet tighter.

"Well?" the Alpha demanded. "Answer me.”