Chapter 8

Aurora's POV:

My heart was still throbbing faster when I arrived home. The guards were still sleeping. I still cannot believe that Alpha Xander Roland dared to kiss me tonight. His lips still tasted like sweet grapes in my mouth, and I was annoyed at myself for allowing him to kiss me.

"Get it together, Aurora. I cannot be with him. He's Quincy's boyfriend!" I growled at myself, and I heard the sound of footsteps approaching my door.

"Aurora!" my father called, and I froze, expecting him to be asleep. I wanted to pretend that I was asleep because I didn't have an explanation for him.

Before I could rush to the bed and lie on it, my father threw open the door and appeared in the doorway.

"Aurora, where are you coming from?" Dad asked me, his voice stern, and I was surprised that he knew I had left the house.

"Dad… I…" I tried to come up with an excuse as I stood beside my bed, and he scowled. "Didn't I warn you not to leave the house, most especially at night, to try to shift into a wolf that you do not have? Do you want to get yourself killed?!"

My father was annoyed as he peered at me with disappointment. Now I understood his fear; he was afraid of losing me.

"Dad, I am sorry. I won't go out again," I apologized, my tone sad, as I lowered my head before him, and he sighed.

"Go to bed and do not let what happened today trouble you. I know that you're angry with us, but you caused this by not having a wolf. Just do not do anything to provoke your mother or sister again," my father said, his voice gentle, and I didn't argue that I wasn't the one who had taken Quincy's jade earrings.

"Okay, Dad," I replied calmly and went to lie on the bed. My father stood in my room, watching me climb onto the vast bed and drift off to sleep before he exited my room.

Sighing, I shut my blue eyes, hoping that I hadn't disobeyed my father by going out tonight. Maybe I wouldn't have found out the truth that I am Alpha Xander's mate. Maybe he wouldn't have kissed me.

"What do we do, Malani?" I asked my wolf, as she was also as nervous as I was.

"We cannot reject the bond, Aurora. You need to fulfill your purpose as his mate," she said.

"No way. I hate Xander. He is my sister's boyfriend. They have kissed, and he dared to use those same dirty lips to kiss my mouth. I cannot accept him," I said, anger coursing through my veins.

"I understand," Malani said weakly, as if she wanted Xander's wolf.

"We have to reject him, and I will not agree to be his mate. Never," I said before using the duvet to cover myself on the bed.

Feeling that my bowel was full, I got out of bed and went to the bathroom to relieve myself. When I got out of the bathroom, I moved back to the bed to sleep, my heart throbbing at the situation I had gotten myself into. If I hadn't found Malani, I wouldn't have gone out to shift.

"Do you regret meeting me?" Malani asked sadly, knowing that I was blaming her.

"No. It's not your fault. I am guessing it's the moon goddess's plan for us. So do not take the blame," I said, knowing that blaming Malani for meeting Alpha Xander in the woods was wrong. After all, my 18th birthday was only six days away.

Climbing into my bed, I said to Malani, "I do not blame you. Thank you for making me strong."

Malani purred in my chest and replied, "You're welcome." After that, I covered myself with the duvet and drifted off to sleep on the bed.

****

Xander's POV:

Arriving home at the magnificent mansion, I was still shocked that Aurora was my mate.

The emerald bracelet wasn't glowing anymore because I wasn't close to her.

When I entered the grand foyer, I was stunned to see my father seated on the black couch, his eyes watching me as I strode in.

"Xander, where are you coming from?" Dad asked, his voice cold as his eyes held mine.

"Dad, it's 2 a.m., and you're still awake?" I asked him, shocked, and he sighed.

"I am awake because we need to talk about your affairs with Beta Adrian's first daughter. You need to break up with her and find your real mate," Dad said, and I scowled.

"Dad, I will find my real mate, but I cannot break up with Quincy. I am in love with her," I said, my voice firm, and Johnny growled in my head.

"Fụck you, Xander!"

"Fụck you too, Johnny!" I shut my wolf out, looking at my father's face, who scowled.

"Xander, you're not doing what is right. If you love Quincy, I am advising you to let her go. She will only suffer like your mother did if you go against me," Dad said, wanting me to understand.

"Dad, Quincy will not suffer. She is in love with me. I cannot stand the thought of losing her. She might hurt herself or even kill herself. Just let me handle it. When I find my mate, I will make her the Luna, and that is what matters to you and to find a cure for Mom," I said, my voice firm, and Dad looked at me with a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Mmm. Do not say that I did not warn you. I will not approve of Quincy even as your chosen mate. You should find your Luna. Failure to do that, I will invite Wise One Jeffrey to determine what needs to be done. Good night," my father concluded as he made his way to the stairs and went back to his room on the top floor. I knew that having Quincy meant I needed to get another house. I cannot stand the thought of Quincy hurting herself because of me. She matters to me, and I am willing to keep her. But Aurora—her nàked image flashed in my mind: those sèxy hips that she had hidden by wearing loose-fitting dresses that were not her size.

Shaking my head, I didn't want to think of Aurora, as my cóck was getting hard just from the mere thought of her.

"No way," I shook my head, went back to my room, and decided it was high time I moved out of my father's house. At least, before he realized that Aurora is my mate. As I am sure that he will force me to accept that small woman, and I do not want her.

Entering my bedroom, I went to sleep as the night had fallen.