All Chapters of MATED TO THE ROUGE ALPHA: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Chapter 21Arthur's eyes went straight to the purple bruise on Aurora's arm when she reached for a cup of water. The mark was dark and ugly against her pale skin. It looked like someone had grabbed her very hard."How did you get that bruise?" Arthur asked. His voice was sharp with worry and anger.Aurora felt her stomach drop. She had tried to hide the bruise with her sleeve but it had slipped down when she moved. Now Arthur was staring at it with those green eyes that seemed to see everything."I tripped while walking," Aurora said. The lie felt heavy on her tongue. "Hit my arm on a stone wall."Arthur moved closer and gently took her arm to look at the bruise. His touch was soft but Aurora could feel the anger in him. Like a fire burning under his skin."This does not look like a fall," Arthur said. His fingers traced around the bruise without touching it. "This looks like finger marks."Aurora pulled her arm away. "I am fine. It does not hurt much."Arthur did not believe her but

Chapter 23Arthur stood at his window watching the moon get bigger and brighter each night. Tomorrow it would be full. Tomorrow Aurora would have to prove she could shift or face the worst punishment his pack could give.Arthur's mind spun with dark thoughts. What if Aurora could not do it? What if her wolf was too weak or too scared? Arthur would have to watch the woman he loved become an omega. A slave with no freedom and no voice.The thought made Arthur sick to his stomach. But what choice would he have? If he broke the pack laws for Aurora, the other Alphas would see him as weak. His own pack might rebel against him.Arthur had to have a plan for every possibility. Even the ones that would break his heart.Arthur left his room and walked through the quiet halls. He needed advice from someone older and wiser. Someone who had seen many full moons and many transformations.Elder Marcus lived in the oldest part of the pack house. His room was filled with books and scrolls that told t

Chapter 25Aurora walked to Arthur's tent with shaking legs. Her heart felt heavy like a stone in her chest. She needed to see him. Needed to explain that she had tried her best even though her wolf would not come.But when Aurora reached the tent, a guard stepped in front of her with hard eyes."The Alpha is busy," the guard said. His voice was cold and unfriendly. "He cannot see you right now."Aurora felt tears start in her eyes. "Please. I just need to talk to him for a few minutes.""No," the guard said. He looked at Aurora like she was something dirty on his shoe. "The Alpha has no time for failures."Aurora stepped back like the guard had hit her. The words cut deep into her heart. Arthur did not want to see her because she could not shift.Aurora turned to walk away but the guard called after her. "And do not come back. You should never step foot near the Alpha's presence again."Aurora ran back to her room with tears streaming down her face. She threw herself on the bed and s

Chapter 27Aurora stood in the kitchen feeling lost and confused. It had been so long since she had cooked a real meal. When she was Luna, other people had prepared her food. Now she was the one who had to cook.Arthur had made it clear that he wanted her to prepare his meals. Not the other maids. Just her. Aurora did not know if this was kindness or punishment.Aurora stared at the vegetables and meat on the counter. Where should she start? How much salt should she use? Her hands shook as she picked up a knife."Need help?" came a gentle voice behind her.Aurora turned and saw Neah standing in the doorway. The young servant girl smiled with kind eyes."I should not need help," Aurora said. "But I do not remember how to cook very well."Neah came over and rolled up her sleeves. "Cooking is like anything else. You just need practice."Together, they chopped vegetables and seasoned the meat. Neah showed Aurora how to make the sauce thick and rich. How to know when the bread was ready to

Chapter 29Aurora's wolf stirred inside her the moment Arthur walked into the room. Even though Kai was weak and sleepy most of the time, she always knew when Arthur was near.It was like a warm feeling that started in Aurora's chest and spread through her whole body. Her wolf might not be able to shift but she could still feel the pull toward Arthur.Aurora opened her eyes and saw Arthur standing by her bed. He was looking at her with those green eyes that made her heart race."Arthur?" Aurora said. "What are you doing here?"Arthur looked surprised that she had woken up. Like he had not expected her to notice him."I heard movements," Arthur said quickly. "I was just passing by to check if everything was okay."But Aurora could see something else in his eyes. Something that had nothing to do with checking for danger.Arthur started to turn toward the door. "I should go. You need your sleep.""No," Aurora said before she could stop herself. "Please stay."Arthur looked surprised. "St