CHAPTER 4

AURORA

“Aurora, I asked you a question. I expect you to answer me. Now!” he said, his voice laced with a dangerous calm that was more terrifying than his anger.

“I’m sorry, my king, b-but I can’t tell you what you want to know.” I stammered.

“Why?” he demanded, his tone sharp enough to cut.

My hands clutched my scarf tightly, my knuckles white. “B-because I did nothing to my hair.” I lied, forcing myself to meet his gaze for a fleeting second before quickly looking away.

“Do not lie to me, Aurora,” he warned.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, my king,” I said, my tone trembling but firm enough to imply innocence.

I decided then and there to pretend; to act as if I didn’t know him, as if he was just an alpha with too much power.

Acknowledging him would only invite memories and emotions I had spent years burying.

I gasped sharply as Damon yanked me up with a force that left me breathless.

His grip was unrelenting as he shoved my back against the cold wall, the impact knocking the wind out of me. His gaze was as piercing as a blade, paralyzing me.

“You think I don’t remember how your hair looks like?” Damon’s voice was low, dangerously calm.

“H-how could you remember, my king, when you have never met me?” I stuttered, my voice shaking as I clung to my fragile lie.

His growl rumbled through the air, a sound that made my blood run cold. His hand shot up, grabbing a handful of my hair, forcing my head to tilt back until my eyes had no choice but to meet his.

“You think I’m a fool?” Damon snarled, his grip tightening just enough to make me wince.

“You think I don’t remember you from eight years ago? You think you can lie to me?” his words struck me like a slap.

“I…” I started, but my voice faltered.

“I remember everything about you, Aurora,” he continued, his tone colder now.

“Your green eyes, your scent, your blonde hair; I remember it all. And you dare pretend you don’t remember me?” his voice softened, but his gaze didn’t waver.

“I know you recognized me the moment you stepped into my palace. Playing dumb won’t help you, sunshine.”

My breath hitched at the sound of the nickname, and for a fleeting moment, I felt the room had tilted.

Sunshine, he used to call me that, back then, eight years ago. He said I glowed even in the darkest of times.

He remembered everything about me; every detail. A part of me wanted to feel flattered, but all I felt was guilt and fear.

Was I wrong for trying to forget him? No. I convinced myself. Leaving him had been the right choice, the only choice.

My breath hitched when he grazed my cheek with the back of his hand. “Don’t touch me!” I snapped, the words leaving my lips before I could stop them.

The air in the room shifted as Damon’s eyes darkened. His gaze bore into me, and immediately I knew I had made a mistake.

“You dare order me?” he roared, his voice thunderous.

My knees almost buckled under the weight of his anger. I quickly lowered my head.

“Forgive me, my king,” I said, my voice trembling but steady enough to convey submission.

“Say my name,” Damon commanded. His words leaving no room for argument.

I couldn’t say it; not his name, not anymore. He wasn’t the man he used to be, and I wasn’t the same woman anymore.

“I can’t do that, my king. It would be disrespectful.” I replied quietly.

His jaw clenched, and his gaze turned into steel. “It is a direct command,” he said, each word heavy with authority.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not worthy of speaking your name, my king.” I said softly, my words measured.

“Eight years, it’s been eight years since you rejected me as your mate. Since you told me to never see you again,” his bitter laugh echoed in the small cell. “And I listened.”

“Not anymore, fate brought you back to where you belong; with me.” his voice softened.

Anger bubbled in my chest, overtaking the guilt and confusion swirling within me.

“You had your men kidnap me! You call that fate?” I spat, my words laced with venom.

Damon’s smile grew, a dark amusement flickering in his eyes. “Yes, they deserve a bonus for their initiative.” he admitted.

“I didn’t ask them to bring you, even if I knew I could look for you all these years if I wanted to, but they did. And now, sunshine, you can’t deny the power of fate.” he said, his voice calm yet laced with authority.

“Stop it, stop calling me sunshine. My name is Aurora. You don’t know anything about me anymore. It would be best if you leave me alone.” my chest heaved as I tried to keep the rising emotions in check.

“I will call you whatever I want, as for leaving you alone, sunshine, that will never happen. You’re my slave now.” his lips curling into a cold smile that made my stomach twist.

I flinched at his words, but he pressed on, his tone dripping with menace and resolve. 

“But let me tell you what is going to happen,” he continued, stepping closer, his towering form looming over me.

“You’re going to pay for every single minute I was forced to stay away from you.”

My breath hitched as his words pierced through me. Damon held all the power now, and I knew it. There was no escaping the storm he was about to unleash upon me.

“Don’t do this, Please.” I pleaded, my voice breaking.

His expression hardened, his jaw tightening as my words fell on deaf ears. “No, you will endure what I did. You will go through what I went through.” he growled.

“And when I think you’ve suffered enough… then, and only then, will I show you mercy.” his eyes bore into mine, as he leaned closer.

“But I had no choice, I had to leave you.” I pleaded, my words strained with the emotion I fought to hide.

My heart hammered as I braced myself. If he asked why I left, I knew I would lie. 

I wouldn’t tell him the truth. The secret of the past was locked deep within me, buried beneath layers of pain and regret.

Damon’s eyes darkened, his gaze turning cold as his lips curled into a hard line.

“It doesn’t matter, you made your choice, Aurora. A serious mistake. Now, you will pay the price.”

His words were final and devoid of mercy. “When you’ve paid the price, I will show you mercy. But until then, my sweet, you’re my slave.” he said, his voice filled with venom.

With one last, lingering glance at me, Damon turned and strode toward the door, his footsteps heavy and deliberate.

My body shook as the door slammed shut behind him with a deafening thud, leaving me in cold, oppressive silence.

Moments later, a woman walked into the cell and threw a garment at me. My heart sank as I traced the thin revealing fabric.

“The king ordered you wear this,” the woman stated flatly.

I looked at the garment in disbelief. “What is this? It’s too exposed.” I murmured.

The woman didn’t meet my eyes. “This is what slaves wear here.” her words were blunt, final.

Without another word, she turned and walked out. For a moment, the weight of the situation slowly crushing me.

Eight years ago, I had thought I had faced the worst when I had left Damon, but now I am about to face something more terrible from the man I loved.