Chapter Four

Amelia landed slap after slap on Aurora's cheeks until blood spilled out of her lips. All of her attempts to fight back proved futile, especially when Luna Amara walked in to see the display.

Without even asking what happened, the Luna landed a sharp blow to Aurora's temples. "You need to learn your place, you fool! Just because we let you stay here, you think you have a right to even lay a finger on your new Luna? I will teach you a lesson! Guards!"

Immediately, two guards appeared.

"Take this trash to the dungeon," Luna Amara hissed.

The guards dragged Aurora out roughly as she yelled to no avail. Soon they reached the underground outlet of the pack kept for prisoners.

Aurora’s butt fell hard on the brick floor as she was thrown into the dungeon. She winced, writhing in pain and Luna Amara and Amelia glared at her in satisfaction. A tear slid down her cheek as she wondered why nothing was going her way recently? Was she cursed or something? She did not understand why she had to go through so much for things out of her control.

Amelia’s jaw clenched “She'll be there for a while," she sneered, her voice was full of satisfaction.

“She deserves every moment of hell," Luna Amara replied, obviously happy to see her in the dimly lit smelly room.

Aurora could only stare at them wondering where she ever went wrong with being a mate to Silas because she was never as close as Amelia was close to Amara right now.

“Bye, loser,” Amelia taunted as they left her alone with her thoughts.

Furious, Aurora kept hitting her head continuously on the wall gently. Her mind drifted back to the rogues who were going to be killed in a few days time if she didn't warn them about the ambush. She could not bear to just sit there and let them get hurt. But now, she was stuck in this dungeon with no way out.

Resigned to her fate, Aurora fell to the floor, helpless. Days and nights passed without food…no signs of life, not even of rats passing by her. All she saw was darkness, and even sleep was a luxury.

Finally, the silence was interrupted one day by the sound of shoes clinking in the usually silent hall. Aurora sat up, eager to find out who it was.

To her surprise, it was Duenna. The flickering torch light cast shadows across her stern features as she glared at Aurora.

“I think it's high time you actually put yourself to good use."

Aurora scrambled to her feet, the ache in her body was at its peak from the sudden movement after days of inactivity.

“I honestly feel being thrown in the dungeon was a very stupid attempt to escape work but you did it successfully but this will be the last of it because you are working your ass off today,” Duenna sneered.

With a wave of her hand, Duenna motioned for the guards to unlock the cell door. As they did, she stepped aside, allowing Aurora to exit the dungeon.

"Now," Duenna continued, "I don't know if this news has reached your… solitary confinement, but Alphas are rather sensitive to unpleasant odors. Do us all a favor and freshen up. You have five minutes. We have an event to prepare for."

******

Unease ran through Arthur as he entered the grand hall. It wasn't the lavish decorations or the bustling of the guest that sent a spark down his spine, it was a scent. A gentle floral fragrance that resonated deep within is wolf.

He scanned the room discreetly, his gaze lingering on every lady including the maid. None of them seemed to register as the source of the intoxicating aroma.

Suddenly, a flash of movement caught his eye. A young woman emerged from a side door. Her hair was vibrant under the warm torchlight, pulled back in a messy bun, and her simple dress couldn't hide her beautiful figure. But it was the scent that clung to her, the same one that had his wolf whining in anticipation ,that truly captured his attention.

Despite his instincts urging him to approach her immediately, Arthur hesitated. He knew the implications of pursuing a relationship with a maid, especially given their disparate social statuses. But the pull of the mate bond was undeniable, and Arthur couldn't ignore the overwhelming need to be near her.

As she moved about the hall, attending to her duties, Arthur observed her and finally she was coming his way.

The closer she came, the more intoxicating her scent became, he was mesmerized, as she carefully placed plates and goblets on the table, she leaned down to set a steaming dish in front of him, their hands brushed sending a chunk amount of electricity between them, and

Arthur, unable to resist any longer, reached out and intertwined his fingers with her free hand. A wave of warmth and peace washed over him, the exact feeling he has always craved. It was as if a missing piece of him had finally clicked into place. Looking into her eyes, he saw surprise and a blush creeping up her neck.

She gasped, as she was completely unprepared for the sudden contact. This made the tray wobble and a clatter echoed through the hall as a goblet and a roll tumbled to the floor.

Arthur realized his impulsiveness and quickly retracted his hand, dropping his gaze in momentary shame seeing the hand his fingers had been trembling

"Forgive my rudeness," he mumbled, his voice a low growl.

She scrambled to pick up the fallen items, her mind a whirlwind of confusion. As Arthur bent down to help her pick up the fallen items, his movements were gentle yet deliberate. Their hands brushed again, sending a thrill through her that she couldn't quite comprehend. Despite her initial shock, she found herself drawn to his presence,

"Are you alright?" Arthur's voice was soft, with genuine concern as he met her gaze.

Aurora nodded,"Yes, I'm fine," she murmured, unable to tear her gaze away from his.

Just then, Duenna appeared by their side, "Aurora! Didn't your mother teach you to handle a tray?" she hissed in a low voice. "What is the meaning of this?!" she demanded.

But before Aurora could answer, a deep, rumbling voice interrupted. Arthur stood to his full height, his broad shoulders filling out his tunic. "It was my fault, I startled her."

Duenna's eyebrows shot up in surprise. For a lowly maid to receive such a defense from the Alpha was unheard of. She opened her mouth to retort, but Arthur's next words silenced her.

"Perhaps," he continued, his gaze unwavering, "it would be best if someone else took over serving our table. She seems… indisposed at the moment."

A tense silence hung in the air. Duenna's lips pursed in frustration, but she knew better than to directly contradict an Alpha. With a curt nod, she scurried away to find another servant.

In the background, a hushed whisper drifted through the hall. "Looks like the Alpha might have found himself a new lost wolf to guide," someone snickered.

Aurora's heart skipped a beat at the realization. Arthur was the Alpha she needed to warn about the planned attacks on rogue wolves.