“Aurora, he is here.” Monica announced, and from the tone of her voice, it was evident that she was feeling anxious. I didn’t respond, instead, I continued to gaze at the dressing mirror. I found myself lost in thought, pondering about Hawthorne’s well-being and contemplating what he would do. How might he respond upon discovering that his partner sought refuge with a rival pack, carrying his unborn child? My right hand subconsciously rubbed my stomach as I observed it in the mirror. It had only been two weeks since I had joined Monica at the Orphanage, assisting her with the children. “Aurora!” she called once more, this time her voice carried a higher pitch. Her tone reeked of increased anxiety, effectively jolting me out of my thoughts. “Just a moment!” I yelled in reply, simultaneously applying lip balm to my chapped lips. After smacking them together, I gave my hair a gentle brush. Staying in the Manor for a few days, I had come to understand how the system worked here. To su
—ALPHA HAWTHORNE’S POV—As I stood before the mirror, fastening my cufflinks, I stole a momentary glance at my reflection. The eyes staring back at me held an air of indifference. My jaw ticked as a knock sounded on the door.I refrained from responding, and once more, the knock echoed through the room. This time, I cocked my head to the side. “Come in.” I uttered, my gaze fixed upon the mirror before me.Margret walked into the room. Although I couldn’t see her as she stood behind me, her scent was something I would recognize. I turned to stare at her, trying my hardest to conceal my emotions as I didn’t want to appear weak before my servant.“”My lord,” she uttered with a tinge of panic, her head bowed as her gaze fixated on the floor before her.“Speak.”“Lord Ryan has arrived,” she declared, and I acknowledged her statement with a subtle nod, my expression revealing no surprise. His presence was expected, as he was due to provide updates on the search for my mate’s where
Noticing my bewildered expression, she smiled and then let out another sigh. “Well, my relationship with him isn’t as flawless as people might assume.”“He’s your mate?” I inquired while sipping my wine. She nodded hesitantly, then sighed and turned towards the bartender. “Seems like I’m destined for a gay guy,” she commented with a sad chuckle, gazing off into the distance.I glanced at the young man once more, our eyes meeting briefly before he excused himself. He approached us and inclined his head in my direction. His neatly trimmed black hair and cleanly shaven beard gave him the appearance of a true gentleman, radiating both elegance and humility, in my estimation.“Alpha Hawthorne, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said, extending his hand for a handshake. I accepted his gesture as Sharma smiled, although her smile seemed tinged with pain. “I’m Lucas, and this is my fiancée,” he introduced, and I nodded in understanding.“It’s a pleasure meeting you too, Lucas,” I replied, my ga
“Hawthorne?”Ryan’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. Glancing beside me, I could see the questioning look on his face. I turned to survey the scene: everyone was engrossed in conversations or dancing, while others were engaged in gambling.”“Yes?”“What are you going to do?' he asked. Staring ahead, I noticed the young lad sitting at the table with his friends. I closed my eyes, attempting to quell the impulse to approach and carry out what I had imagined.I spotted the lad's father engaged in a game of chess with some affluent individuals. After glancing at Ryan and then returning my gaze to the young boy, I approached him with purpose. Though I wouldn’t mind Killing anyone that would stand in my way, attacking the lad would only make the situation more difficult than it is.“Alpha,' the lad and his friends chimed in unison as they rose to their feet, yet my gaze remained locked onto the red-haired figure.“What’s your name?” I inquired softly, my hands discreetly concealed behin
—AURORA’S POV—Walking through the sea of intoxicated partygoers, I navigated the room with a tray of wine in hand, wearing an expression of discontent. I understood that this was a necessary means of surviving in this environment, yet the thought of being compelled to serve at Harrison's club didn't sit well with me.This was were most of the top dogs could be seen, drinking and flirting to their heart content. Someone approached me, a beta male. Selecting a glass from the tray, he held my gaze with intensity as I averted my eyes.I observed his lips moisten as he sampled the wine, all while keeping his focus on me. If I were less experienced or as innocent as I once was, I might have interpreted this as a simple appreciation for the wine's flavor. However, I knew better. As I began to move away, he seized my unoccupied hand, compelling me to come to a stop."What's your name?" he inquired, as I quickly scanned the surroundings, grateful that we were out of the
His gaze rested on me for a few seconds before he let out a low chuckle. He ran his fingers through his hair and then glanced back at Zaine, who was already walking away.“Do you think I’m stupid?” he asked, raising a brow as he shifted his focus back to me. He appeared displeased, as if my words had irritated him. “Show me your mark.”“What?” I questioned, completely unaware of what he meant. A mark? This was the first time I had come across such a term. Well, I had overheard a few conversations about it before, but I never took the time to inquire about its meaning.“Yes, your mark. The mark your mate leaves on you, as a sign of ownership,” he explained. Then, as if his patience had worn thin, he brushed my hair aside to inspect my neck. “Well, what do you know? Your mate didn’t leave a mark on you. Tell me, why is that?” he inquired, but I didn’t respond right away.“He didn’t love me,” I replied, but his expression remained unchanged as he gazed at me with indifference. He face pa
A sudden knock on the door jolted me awake. The room was filled with the fragrance of fresh flowers and the inviting aroma of steaming food. A woman entered, a tray of dishes in her hands, accompanied by a warm smile. She carefully placed the tray on the table beside my bed and spoke, "Courtesy of the beta," her smile never fading."Where... where am I?" I asked, propping myself up against the bed frame."You are at the beta's house. He asked me to ensure you're taken care of and to assist you in getting some clothes once you've rested," she responded before walking away and heading toward the window. Parting the curtains, she allowed the light to filter in, gradually illuminating the dim room. The sudden brightness caused me to shield my eyes momentarily, allowing them to adjust to the light."Where is Diego?" I asked, but she didn't answer. Instead, she moved to a wardrobe at the side of the room, rifling through the clothes until she selected a black gown with a slit at the hem and
Exiting the boutique, I walked over to where Ruth stood. The numerous shopping bags appeared to be a handful for her. "Ruth," I called out to capture her attention, just as the chauffeur moved closer to assist her with some of the bags."Hmm?" she replied, turning to face me after passing the bag to the chauffeur. Wiping a few beads of sweat from her forehead, she let out a sigh of relief. "Is something the matter?" she inquired, her smile gradually fading as she registered the slight frown reflected on my face ."What happened?" I queried, and she gazed at me in confusion. "What happened back there with the cashier?" I pressed further, genuinely curious about the situation. Even though I had known Diego for weeks and we were close friends, it didn't mean I truly comprehended everything about him. There were facets he kept concealed, and it was only fair considering I had my own share of secrets."You worry over nothing, Aurora," she responded, her smile gentle as she tugged me along