Chapter 6
That’s the last thought I have before everything fades into darkness.
A pounding ache at the back of my head pulls me from unconsciousness.
With a groan, I force my eyes open.
“Thank the goddess,” Joyce breathes, her face hovering over mine.
My hand instinctively reaches for my neck, where the pain radiates. Even the slightest touch burns.
I wince and jerk my hand away.
“Don’t touch it,” she warns, her expression filled with unease.
“What happened?” I murmur, taking in my surroundings. I’m not in the woods anymore. I’m lying in the infirmary, surrounded by sterile white walls that seem to mock me.
“Theron found you in the forest. It’s a miracle he got there when he did. You were unconscious, and based on what he told us…” she hesitates, “you were marked–against your will.”
A sharp bitterness twists in my gut.
“He marked me, Joy,” I whisper, my voice barely audible, soaked in shame.
I feel… violated. There’s no other word for it.
“Aurelia!” she snaps as though my words are a crime. “You can’t say things like that! I know you were in shock, but accusing the Alpha like that-” Her eyes blaze with anger.
I stare at her, disbelieving.
“You think I’m lying?” The words tremble as they leave my lips. I hate this–lying here, helpless, unable to even turn my head to look her in the eye.
“You believe I’d tarnish his name just for the sake of it?” A tear escapes, trailing down my cheek.
1 stings
ing my hand to wipe it away feels like torture.
ain in my neck is relentless, refusing to give me even a moment of clarity.
But what hurts the most isn’t the physical pain.
‘s the fact that my best friend doesn’t believe me.
I don’t believe you’re being dishonest, Ria. I just think you were too shaken to realize who it truly was. It’s mating season–there are many wolves around, all seeking their mates. It could’ve been anyone. And besides, Theron isn’t someone who would fabricate something like this.”
Her words almost make me laugh bitterly.
He isn’t someone who would fabricate something like this? As if…
“Please leave.”
The sound of my own voice is unfamiliar–fragile, broken. I can’t stand it. I despise this feeling.
“Aurelia…”
“Just go. I need to be alone.” Her presence isn’t comforting me–it’s only making the fear worse.
“I’m sorry…” There’s a long silence, the kind that says she wants to speak but can’t find the right words. “I’ll… give you some space.”
She exits quietly, pulling the door shut behind her.
I remain on the bed, lost in my own whirlwind of thoughts. Fear twists in my chest. He turned me away… and now he’s marked me.
What does that even mean now? Deep down, I know the mark binds me to him–unless I can discover a way to break it.
I let out a heavy sigh.
“This is nothing like how I imagined today would turn out,” I murmur to myself.
The door opens. I don’t need to look–I already know it’s him. My body reacts instantly, buzzing with awareness. His scent dominates everything, even from across the room.
“Hey,” he says, approaching slowly, each step tentative.
I stay silent. There’s nothing I want to say.
“How are you feeling?” he asks again, sitting beside me on the bed.
“Aurelia,” he whispers, reaching for my hand. I pull it away immediately, resisting the urge to lash out.
“Don’t,” I warn firmly as he moves to touch me again.
“I’ve been worried about you,” he says, voice filled with concern. “When I saw you lying there, I thought
“Theron,” I interrupt, not wanting to hear another word that might push me over the edge. “Please just go.”
He does espond, only watches me as if I’ve turned into something unrecognizable. “Aurelia…” he
weary and exasperated. “You know I can’t do that.”
Frustation builds inside me, and I bite my lip to keep from shouting. He reaches out and brushes his fingers over the mark, staring at it with a sort of reverence. I despise how it still sends a wave of pleasure through me–because it’s him.
You did it last night, didn’t you?” I ask, though I already know the truth. “Then why did you lie to Joyce?” I don’t even let him answer before continuing.
“I love you, Aurelia,”
“And yet you chose someone else,” I snap back, the memory of his father’s words echoing in my mind. That betrayal won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
“You’ll understand everything soon.”
“Theron,” I say, finally able to sit up, strength returning just from being near him. “You can take the mark off, you know that.” I catch how his eyes darken the moment the words leave my mouth. “This
Chapter 6
isn’t fair.”
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“That’s enough,” his tone drops, becoming heavier as he addresses me. “You plan to walk away from me? You think that’s all it takes?” He throws his head back, laughter erupting from his chest. “And how exactly do you expect me to simply let you go?” he adds, his voice barely above a whisper–so gentle it brings back memories of when it was just the two of us, back when everything felt right.
“Then why? Why would you do this… to us?” I ask, my voice trembling.
“I wasn’t going to tell you, but I’m not bonding with her. It’s just a temporary arrangement. Once it’s over, she returns to her pack.”
He avoids my gaze as he speaks. Somehow, part of me wants to doubt him, but a stronger part clings to his words as though they’re the only truth that matters.
“You mean it?” I search his face, my eyes silently pleading for honesty.
“Absolutely,” he answers, pulling me into a tight embrace, pressing himself close and nuzzling into the curve of my neck.
Joyce’s POV
It’s been two days since the mating ceremony, and Callum is nowhere to be found. I’m certain he’s the one meant for me.
I knew it that very morning. His scent pulls at me like flames lure a moth.
I tries to resist, knowing all too well–he should be the one to come to me. I refuse to chase after my mate.
With a sigh, I gather the plates of food I’d prepared for Ria.
Guilt weighs on me. I truly hope she can forgive me for not telling her about Theron choosing someone else.
As I prepare to leave, Callum enters the kitchen. His eyes avoid mine, deliberately.
u doing here?” I ask, trying to sound indifferent.
the pack’s kitchen,” he replies casually, grabbing something from the fridge before turning and walking out.
And just like that, he’s gone. I watch him leave, his sculpted figure disappearing as quickly as he orrived.
iry not to let it get to me, but it’s harder than I thought it would be.
I return to the infirmary, hoping to find Ria and praying she isn’t still furious.
“Any luck finding her?” Alpha Theron’s voice breaks the silence. It’s firm, yet carries a softness he reserves for those he’s close to. “Your mate?” I freeze, holding my breath so they won’t sense me nearby.
Thankfully, the food I carry might help mask my scent–unless they’re actively searching for it. “Not yet.”
It’s Callum. I recognize his voice instantly. I swallow hard, trying to suppress the whimper rising in my
throat.
“I hope you locate her soon.” I hear footsteps heading my way, and without thinking, I dart away, desperate not to be seen.
Tears threaten to fall, but I force them back, refusing to let them win.
“Does he not like me?” The thought lingers in my mind as I sit on the floor, waiting for them to finish. standing outside Ria’s room.
Aurelia’s POV
I try to resist the urge to either lash out at Theron or get swept away by his charm. I’m stuck between wanting to scream and wanting to surrender.
Relief washes over me as he finally rises and walks away, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I exhale slowly. I vaguely hear him say something to someone nearby, but I can’t bring myself to care about his words.
All I want is to get some rest. But even that seems like a fantasy now. The moment he steps out, the pain returns–tripling in intensity. Still, I’d rather suffer in silence than let him see how much I needed him.
I let out another sigh. If I make it through this, it’ll be nothing short of a damn miracle.
Somewhere during the overwhelming pain, I slip into sleep. A soft hum pulls me back from unconsciousness.
The sensation is strange–deep, internal–difficult to describe.
“Don’t move.”
It’s that same voice again. I’ve come to recognize its silk–like tone.
focus on his face, to make out his features, but everything stays blurred.
eaches toward me, but this time, his touch brings no comfort.
I scream before I can even comprehend what’s happening.
