Third–Person POV
Theron stood motionless in the middle of the outer room, patiently waiting for his mate to finish getting ready. They were about to engage in something they had done repeatedly since marking one another. This was part of the arrangement. For the alliance between their packs to be finalized, they had to produce an heir. He didn’t have the luxury of wasting time, so he focused on the task at hand. The only complication was that his wolf always stopped him from completing the full mating ritual. “Are you set? Or is your cock already giving up on you?” Selene asked, stepping out of the bathroom, her robe hugging every curve of her flawless figure. She radiated desire. Unlike Aurelia, whose presence stirred a need to protect and hold close.
“I’m ready,” he replied. He climbed on top of her, skipping any need for build–up. His wolf couldn’t tolerate her presence, let alone engage in intimacy.
Just as he was about to penetrate her, a sudden, sharp pain shot through his chest.
“Oh come on, don’t tell me you’re giving up already–you didn’t even get to the first part,” Selene said, annoyed.
“I’m sorry… I just feel lightheaded,” he muttered. It was the distress of his true mate that he was sensing. “Shall we…” he began, pulling away from her, “Shall we pause for a moment?” He grabbed the glass from the nightstand and gulped the water hastily, nearly choking on it.
Selene watched him quietly. Though she didn’t mind his reluctance tonight, the repeated rejection was starting to chip away at her confidence–it was the fifteenth time he had backed out before sex. “Do you not find me appealing?” she asked softly, the insecurity creeping in. “Am I not good enough for you to mate with?” she pressed, when he remained silent.
“Speak, Theron!” she screamed, unable to hold it in any longer.
Theron exhaled heavily. “I have to check on Aurelia,” he admitted suddenly, then walked out, leaving behind his frustrated mate.
That was the breaking point for Selene. She collapsed, weeping uncontrollably.
Theron headed directly to the kitchen, instinctively knowing that was where his mate was. He couldn’t explain why, but he felt an invisible thread guiding him to her. He never anticipated the sight that greeted him. The shock hit him first.
He stood still, eyes fixed on Aurelia, who was drenched in sweat and crying.
“What happened to her?” he roared, stunned by the sight before him. But more than that, he was unnerved by the surge of fear that gripped him as he looked at her.
“I’m not sure, Alpha. I found her like this,” the old woman behind Aurelia said. He sensed dishonesty in her words but decided not to confront her–at least not just yet.
“We need to get her to the field. There’s more space for her there,” he instructed. The women nodded, immediately trying to figure out the best way to carry her awkwardly twisted body.
He stepped forward to lift her, but she let out a hiss, sharp and serpentine. She hissed at me, he thought in disbelief. He scoffed, unable to comprehend what had just happened. “You’ve got some
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nerve, acting like this when I’m trying to help.”
He reached for her again, but she raked her fingers across his skin. Her tiny, emerging claws didn’t hurt him, but the gesture was clear–it was a warning.
This time, he pushed forward with resolve. He was going to carry her out, whether she wanted him to
or not.
Just as he moved again, the door slammed open and the kitchen lights burst in a flash, forcing everyone to shield their eyes.
The chaos died down quickly. The lights flickered briefly before returning to normal.
“My apologies for being late, Aureliza.”
