Chapter 2

Charlotte

It's been a few days since the strange dream about the glowing woman at first I kept thinking about her words over and over again.

"It's almost over Charlotte."

What did she mean by that?

But after days passed and nothing happened, I forced myself to forget about it because dreams were just dreams and nothing good ever happened in my life anyway.

I was currently busy cleaning the Alpha house from top to bottom after Alpha ordered me to make sure everything looked perfect for Alpha Damon's arrival.

If one thing was out of place, I knew exactly what would happen to me.

The rain outside hammered against the windows while thunder shook the house every few minutes. It had been storming for three straight days because of all the work they forced on me, I still hadn't fixed the holes in my cabin roof. Water was probably leaking all over my floor by now not that anybody cared.

"Charlotte!" Luna Helen snapped.

I immediately lowered my head. "Yes Luna?"

"Did you finish cleaning the dining room?"

"Yes Luna."

"And the guest rooms?"

"Yes Luna."

She narrowed her eyes at me before walking closer. "If Alpha Damon finds one thing dirty I will personally make your life hell."

My stomach tightened nervously. "Yes Luna."

She scoffed before walking away and I quickly continued polishing the long dining table trying to ignore the pain still lingering in my ribs from the beating a few nights ago.

At least Mrs. Paige brought me food last night if she hadn't, I probably would've passed out by now I hadn't eaten properly in days because of the storm. Hunting in weather like this was impossible for someone without a wolf.

Thunder suddenly boomed loudly above the house making me jump a quiet whimper escaped my lips before I could stop it I hated thunder because it always reminded me of the first day Alpha truly started abusing me.

I still remembered that day perfectly.

I was coming home from school soaked in mud after it rained all afternoon. I accidentally dirtied the hallway floor inside the pack house and Alpha completely lost control. He dragged me to my room and beat me until I couldn't stand anymore.

Every time thunder cracked outside he hit me harder and that was also the first time I saw enjoyment in his eyes while hurting me before that Luna Helen was usually the one punishing me but after that rainy day both of them started.

Another loud thunderclap shook the windows making me close my eyes tightly and suddenly another memory appeared.

My father. Whenever storms scared me he used to hold me close while telling me thunder couldn't hurt me.

"Its only noise little wolf," he would whisper while my mother laughed softly beside us.

My chest hurt painfully at the memory I missed them so much I wished they were here and I wished somebody loved me enough to protect me.

I quickly blinked away the tears threatening to fall before returning to work crying wouldn't change anything.

Hours later I finally finished cleaning everything the entire house smelled like cleaning supplies and fresh candles. The silver plates sparkled beneath the chandelier lights and I was exhausted and just as I thought I could finally leave, Luna Helen walked toward me.

"Go to town and buy fresh flowers."

I stared at her in disbelief. "Right now?"

Her eyes darkened instantly. "Are you questioning me Omega?"

Fear immediately rushed through me. "No Luna."

"Good and hurry up because Alpha Damon will arrive soon."

I lowered my head before quickly grabbing my old sandals. Why couldn't they just use flowers from the garden? I planted most of those roses myself but deep down I already knew the answer this was punishment.

Luna knew I hated storms she knew thunder terrified me and she enjoyed it. The rain immediately soaked through my clothes the second I stepped outside. Cold wind hit my face as thunder echoed across the dark sky. I wrapped my arms around myself while walking faster down the muddy road leading toward town.

The storm kept getting worse by the second.

Please let this end soon.

Suddenly a strange feeling rushed through my body I froze mid-step as heat spread beneath my skin so quickly that I gasped.

What the hell?

Another wave hit me making my heartbeat increase rapidly.

My body suddenly felt lighter even stronger.

I slowly looked around in confusion the darkness didn't seem as dark anymore I could see everything clearly every tree, every puddle and every movement inside the forest.

"What is happening to me?" I whispered shakily.

Another surge of energy rushed through me without thinking I kicked off my sandals and started running and Goddess...

I was fast. Faster than I had ever been before the wind whipped through my wet hair while my feet splashed through puddles but I barely felt tired. I reached town within minutes.

My eyes widened slightly that wasn't normal. I quickly entered the flower shop ignoring the strange looks people gave me because of my soaked appearance. I grabbed a bouquet of roses before paying with shaking hands.

I hated when people stared at me especially wolves most of them could immediately tell what I was. I hurried back outside wanting to get away from everybody but the second I stepped into the rain again my senses exploded.

I froze completely because I could smell everything coffee, rain, wet wood and humans it all hit me at once.

My hearing sharpened too I could hear whispers from people across the street I could hear someone's heartbeat I could even hear the wind moving through the trees.

Fear rushed through me something was wrong very wrong. I quickly started walking faster then suddenly I heard it.

"Charlotte."

I stopped dead in my tracks my breathing became uneven as I slowly turned around looking into the dark empty road behind me nobody was there.

"Who's there?" I yelled shakily.

"It's me."

The voice sounded soft it was a female but distant somehow. My heart slammed against my chest. "Show yourself!"

"I can't."

I frowned deeply. "What do you mean you can't?"

Silence filled the air for a second before the voice finally spoke again.

"Because I'm your wolf."

Everything inside me stopped my eyes widened in complete shock. "My... wolf?"

"Yes."

I almost dropped the flowers. "No, that's impossible."

"It's not."

My breathing quickened. After all these years? Now?

"Why now?" I asked in confusion.

"I cannot tell you everything yet," she replied softly. "But your parents and the Moon Goddess protected you with a spell I was never allowed to awaken until the right time."

My whole body froze. "My parents?"

"Yes."

Questions filled my mind so fast that it hurt. "What spell? Why would they hide you? What danger?"

"You will learn the truth soon enough," my wolf said gently.

I placed my hand over my mouth trying to stop myself from crying I had a wolf after twenty years I finally had a wolf a small laugh escaped my lips mixed with disbelief. "I thought I was cursed."

"You were never cursed Charlotte."

Tears burned my eyes immediately and for the first time in years I didn't feel completely alone. "What is your name?" I asked softly.

She hummed quietly. "You may call me Aurora."

Aurora.

A smile slowly spread across my lips I never thought I would hear another voice inside my head besides my own. "I finally belong," I whispered emotionally.

Aurora stayed silent but I felt warmth spread through me and I quickly picked up the flowers again before hurrying back toward the pack house with excitement bubbled inside me maybe things would change now maybe Alpha and Luna would finally accept me and maybe the pack would stop treating me like dirt.

I didn't even care that I was soaked or covered in mud anymore I had a wolf but suddenly a new scent hit me I stopped walking immediately.

It smelled like forest, rain and musk it was the most incredible smell I had ever experienced my heartbeat instantly increased. "Aurora... do you smell that?"

She hummed softly and then suddenly she purred.

Mate.

I froze. Mate? No... My breathing became uneven I slowly walked toward the Alpha house feeling my chest tighten with every step as the scent got stronger. My hands trembled around the flowers as I stopped in front of the door.

What if my mate hated me? What if he rejected me? Before I could overthink further the front door suddenly opened and then I saw him.

Everything around me disappeared the man standing there was huge, tall, powerful and dangerous his dark brown hair was neatly cut while piercing gray eyes locked onto mine instantly and Goddess he was beautiful.

His sharp jawline tightened slightly while he stared down at me intensely like he was trying to figure me out I couldn't breathe and I couldn't move.

Aurora purred loudly inside my head.

"Mate."

The word shattered through me completely my knees almost gave out after all these years and after dreaming about this moment my entire life I finally found him but then reality crashed down onto me.

He was an Alpha and fear immediately replaced every bit of happiness inside me.

No. No no no, not an Alpha anybody but an Alpha. My body slightly trembled remembering every horrible thing Alpha and Luna had done to me over the years.

Silver chains, wolfsbane, broken bones, dark rooms and cruel laughter fear swallowed me whole.

"Where are the flowers?" Luna Helen snapped suddenly.

I flinched immediately breaking eye contact with him. "I-I'm sorry Luna." I quickly handed her the flowers.

She looked at them with disgust before throwing them against my chest. "You can't even buy decent flowers!"

The roses fell to the floor and I quickly lowered my head feeling humiliation burn through me.

"My apologies Alpha Damon," Alpha suddenly spoke. "This Omega constantly embarrasses us."

Omega.

The word echoed painfully I looked back slowly toward my mate. Alpha Damon. The look in his eyes made my stomach drop completely his eyes was filled with disgust, coldness and disappointment.

Tears instantly filled my eyes of course why would a powerful Alpha want an Omega mate? Especially one like me.

"Get out of here before my Beta throws you out himself," Alpha growled.

Fear exploded inside me as I took a step back then another. I couldn't breathe and I couldn't think.

Aurora stayed completely silent now I turned around and ran I ran as fast as I could into the storm while tears mixed with the rain pouring down my face.

"Please tell me he isn't our mate," I begged Aurora desperately.

Silence.

My chest hurt painfully. "What if he rejects us?" I whispered brokenly.

Still silence.

I kept running through the dark forest without looking back once because deep down. I already knew my life had just changed forever.