CHAPTER 3

Aurora

“I reject you as my mate…” Those words were bone-shattering as the excruciating pain ran through my body. I grimaced on the palace floor, yet Damon laughed hysterically as he slumped back to his throne. I sensed he also had the same uncomfortable sensation after his utterance, but he found solace in watching me scream in agony. 

His guards rushed in with a startled look. On seeing my condition, some had sympathetic looks on their faces. While the remaining warriors like Serena grinned in delight. She was among the wolves in the pack who believed I was unworthy to be their luna. Due to my not having a wolf, and also my frail stature. I clenched my hands as I tried to endure the pain, but I eventually passed out.

Later in the night, I woke up with all my clothes soaking wet. I was dumped outside on the palace grounds, drenched in the pouring rain. The sky was pitch black with no stars shining. The rainfall continued pouring heavily. The cold shivering was the first tingling sensation I felt. I looked around, but there was nobody in sight. I managed to barely drag myself to a nearby tree, where I sat till it was over. I gritted my teeth as I couldn’t find any clothes to cover myself.

“How unfortunate it must be that no one remembered me even on my birthday,” I mumbled to myself. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I wrapped my hands around my knees to get some warmth.

I stayed in that position till it stopped raining. My legs felt numb as I was unable to move. Moments later, I could vaguely hear my name being called. 

“Aurora, Aurora-” I squinted my eyes to track the caller. Surprisingly, it was my childhood friend Vanessa. She had a plate of food in her hands and a shroud across her shoulders. She kept calling out to me in the darkness, and she still saw me under the tree.

“What are you doing here, Aurora? You will catch a cold.” She rushed to me and placed the plate of food on the floor. While she covered me with the shroud. I flinched at her touch, which made her befuddled.

“What happened, Aurora? You look like you’re in pain.” She asked in a concerned tone. Tears welled up in my eyes as I relived the entire ordeal with Damon. Her face turned crimson in rage after I finished narrating to her my situation.

“Damon is such a ruthless Alpha. Why will he do such a cruel thing to you on your birthday?” Vanessa hissed. However, I curved my lips slightly as a wave of happiness washed over me.

“You remembered!” My eyes flickered with joy as I glanced at her. Vanessa’s demeanor softened as she glanced at me.

“How will I forget, silly girl. Today is your 18th,” Vanessa playfully pinched my cheeks. I shot a glare at her as she gradually pulled me and took me to her cabin. She also worked in the Alpha’s palace in the kitchen as one of the junior chefs. She sometimes brought leftover meals that were left uneaten for us to share. Tonight, we had a slice of cake that was to be thrown into the trash.

We reached her cabin, where I changed into warmer clothing. We both shared the cake and casually teased each other. Moments later, I gazed at her intensely and moved closer to her.

“Thanks for remembering my birthday, you’re my only friend in this pack. By the way, how did you find me?” I asked with a puzzled look on my face. She shot a glare at me and gently tugged me.

“I heard in the kitchen that you fainted in the throne room. And you were dumped outside the palace walls. So, I had to rush to get you out of  the rain.” She replied in a calm tone. I smacked the table and it made a loud sound with startling Vanessa. 

She quirked her lips, trying to say something, but she later changed her mind. She regained her composure later and continued our discussion.

“I heard…there will be a marriage ceremony tomorrow for the Alpha with Ember. I’m so..sorry, Aurora.” Vanessa nervously said. My breath caught in my throat. ‘It’s said when it rains, it pours.’ I mumbled quietly to myself. It felt like this nightmare wasn’t going to end. I forced a smile on my face as we exchanged pleasantries for the night, as she offered a bed to sleep on.

I wimped quietly as I cried myself to sleep, with tears soaking my pillow. Eventually, I dozed up for the night.

The next day, Vanessa gently tapped me as she was to resume her kitchen duties for the wedding. She left me in the small cabin to hide from the warriors, but I won’t give them that pleasure. “I  won't give them that satisfaction.” I thought to myself. I dressed up and went to the sacred ground where the alphas of the pack wed their Luna. It had a serene ambiance with all white themed decoration.

I joined the crowd, all smiling and cheering as Damon walked out slowly with Ember dressed in a white gown. It accentuated her figure as they strode, hands held together. The crowd hailed them. However, I cursed at them quietly as I gazed at the couple deeply. 

This must have triggered Ember as she scanned around the crowd and met my gaze.

“Seize her!” Ember uttered as she pointed her fingers in my direction. Suddenly, I was grabbed aggressively by her newly appointed palace guards. They dragged me to both her and Damon's presence in front of the crowd.

“By the power bestowed upon me as the Luna by the Alpha, I hereby order your sale to the Silverfang pack as a common breeder,” Ember uttered. The whole crowd went silent in awe. My eyes widened in shock as I glanced at Damon. He remained unfazed as I was dragged away to the palace dungeon in its darkest parts.