ELORA’S POV
I didn’t know where I get the courage to ask him that. Perhaps the complicated emotions circling the way we met had taken their toll on me.
Or maybe, I was just looking for some answers regarding the way he was treating me. We were supposed to be mates, yet, I didn’t feel that whenever he was around.
“Are you that dumb to not figure out why?” he asked arrogantly. “Imagine the shame I would be getting if the world would know about you. You are nothing but an embarrassment to me and my pack. I don’t know why the moon goddess chose a disgusting rogue like you to become my mate.”
For the first time since we met, I was out of words. The way he delivered those sentences was like sharp daggers piercing through the depths of my soul. My chest tightened to the sting of pain yet I tried my best to ignore it. I shouldn’t feel like this but somehow, my body reacted differently and I couldn’t control it.
‘Tell him the truth, Elora! Tell him you are not a rogue but an Alpha’s daughter!’ Arwen shouted inside my head. But instead of listening to her, I did the exact opposite.
“No, Arwen. Dominic Ackerman is a prick like my uncle. He will never know the truth about my real identity.
‘But we will lose him if you continue to hide who you really are!’
“Then so be it,” I reasoned, “I would never beg him to love me. He didn’t deserve to be called my mate, especially after saying those words.”
I never expected that Alpha Dominic would be this shallow. To disrespect the mate bond like that simply because he thought of me as nothing but a lowlife rogue was very disheartening.
Disgust filled my chest as I looked at him. “Then why are you still keeping me here? You should have rejected me the first time we met. I will be glad to get out of your life and move on from all of this.”
But instead of siding with my reasons, he grabbed my arms violently. “How I wish it would be that easy! But instead, I am forced to keep you here as I didn’t want others to gossip about the Alpha King rejecting his mate. That would be humiliating, isn’t it?”
“You…” I whispered, with tears forming in my eyes. “You’re a monster!”
My heart was reminded of the pain of rejection all over again. I thought I already surpassed this phase when I successfully ran away from my uncle. But alas! My own mate made me remember this unpleasant feeling I desperately wanted to eliminate within me.
I could not take this emotional torment anymore. So, I grabbed my hand from his grip and ran away from his presence. The hallway seemed endless but my eyes were too blinded with tears to care about it. I just continued to run until finally, I found a dark corner to let my emotions out.
Arwen was howling in pain too and I wanted to blame her for this. And yet, I knew that she was equally heartbroken knowing that she put her faith in the mate bond only to be slapped by the harsh reality.
Alpha Dominic will never accept us as his mate. Not in a million years!
“See, Arwen? I told you that he was nothing but a prick but you didn’t listen!” I said through my gritted teeth as I cried. “He’s such an asshole. I can’t be mated with him. He’s no different from Uncle Lucian!”
I wiped my tears, but no matter what I do, they continue to flow nonstop.
‘I’m sorry, Elora…’ Her heart sobbed in despair too.
“We should get out of here,” I said firmly. I couldn’t stay here any longer. For some reason, the air inside the Royal Cavern Pack suffocated me.
I was in the middle of despair when I heard a mild rustle. I immediately wiped my tears, trying to find the origin of that sound. The sound of someone’s footsteps was the next thing I heard, and seconds later, I saw Hunter looking down at me with a visible concern in his eyes. His eyes were full of questions.
“What happened?” he asked worriedly. “Why are you here in this dark corner?”
My jaw clenched tightly, recalling those heartless words Alpha Dominic told me.
I shook my head, biting my lower lip in a firm way. “I’d rather die than become your Alpha’s mate. That’s what’s happening.”
“Did you get into a fight with him?” He scooted down and sat on the floor beside me, wiping my tears in the process.
“Obviously.” I cleared my throat and looked away when I noticed his smile. “I don’t need your pity.”
“I do not pity you,” Hunter said in a gentle voice. “Dominic is new to this thing and probably having a hard time too.”
“Hard time?” I asked in disbelief. “You think he is having a hard time? If I know, he enjoyed seeing me miserable like this!”
But Hunter shook his head. “He’s an Alpha King. His responsibilities were different from the jobs of a regular alpha. It’s more complicated.”
“But that doesn’t excuse him for treating me this way!”
“I know and I am sorry on his behalf,” he murmured. “Don’t worry. I will help you learn how to deal with the Alpha King. You just have to be patient because he may find it difficult to become a good mate.”
“Like he would ever learn how!” I spat bitterly.
Beta Hunter sighed and clicked his tongue. “Dominic is a complicated man. Our pack members think he’s hard to deal with, but the truth is, he’s under a lot of pressure.”
“You speak like you truly know him,” I said, and I couldn’t get away from the idea that he was discreetly defending that heartless Alpha.
“As a matter of fact, I do. That’s why I am the best person to help you.” He ended his statement with a wink which warmed my heart.
I didn’t know why but Beta Hunter’s words pacified me. I fought the urge to make a move and hug him, but my emotions defeated me all over again. Hunter was shocked when I embraced him. I was, too, after realizing that we have been in that position for so long.
I pulled away, blinking in surprise, and cleared my throat.
“I’m s-sorry…” I stuttered and palmed my forehead. “I… I really needed a hug, and you reminded me of my older brother.” I lowered her head afterward. “I didn’t mean to startle you like that.”
“It’s just a hug, but that’s all I could give,” he remarked sincerely.
I pouted my lips until finally, I posed a faint smile. We talked for a couple of hours before I realized that it was almost midnight. Hunter reminded me to stop provoking Ashley anymore if I wanted to go on with my day peacefully. Arwen seconded his advice, but whenever I thought about that woman, my blood still boiled instantly, making me want to raise hell against her.
A few more pleasantries and we decided to go back to our own rooms.
As I made my way into the maids’ quarters, my feet suddenly glued to the floor upon seeing Ashley running down the long hallway. She was running toward Alpha Dominic who appeared to be waiting lovingly for her. I wanted to turn back but it was already too late as I saw Ashley look in my direction.
Oh, Shit!
ELORA’S POVIf I had stayed with Beta Hunter a minute longer, I wouldn’t have had to face my mate with his slut in his arms once again. Obviously, my wolf was hurt. Unexpectedly, so was I…I wanted to curse the mate bond for feeling this way and yet I knew that this was a bond with divine origin. It was created by the moon goddess herself, making it both sacred and indisputable. So I guess I had no choice but to deal with this shit, not until I found a way to run away from this hell.Yeah, that’s the plan. And so, I continued walking. I paused and curtsied when I became nearer before dismissing myself with my head held high. I almost heaved a sigh of relief when Alpha Dominic didn’t say a thing but my nightmare was far from being over. “What is that smell?” Ashley asked, walking toward me and sniffing deeply. Seconds later, her face lit up. “I knew that smell, it was from Beta Hunter. Wait, don’t tell me you moved your interest in him now? Did you flirt with him?”I rolled my eyes
ELORA’S POV THE next morning, I was greeted by an empty room. Maira was no longer on her bed. She probably woke up early to do her chores. Meanwhile, I silently thanked the goddess for this opportunity. It would be hard for me to prepare for my journey if Maira was still around. Without wasting any more time, I started packing. I couldn’t contain the happiness I was feeling. For today, I would be leaving this place, making everything that happened in the past few days nothing but unwanted memories. ‘Are you sure you wanted to leave? Is there anything I can do or say that would change your mind?’ Arwen asked. Her face was a picture of sadness. I shook my head and continued packing my things. “Start forgetting him, Arwen. He’s not worth it.” When I was done packing, I tiptoed near the door. As I pressed my ears to the hard, wooden door, I heard some footsteps on the other side. The earthy, manly smell indicated that the guards assigned to watch over me were just standing by. My
Elora’s POVI had gone from hell and back since my parents died. And today, it made me remember all that.My breath hitched as I tried my best not to let my sobs hear. It had been a while since I last heard my uncle’s voice but the memories it imprinted on my mind were as clear as water. My nightmares were filled with his croaky, cold vocals. I thought I had forgotten it but obviously, I didn’t. Now, my system was filled with unwanted memories. All because of him. ‘Calm down. Your uncle hasn’t seen you in three years. He might have forgotten how you smell.’The words of my wolf gave me some assurance. She was right, three years was quite a long time for him to remember how I smell. I also shifted to my wolf form around this time so it affected my scent. Arwen got a solid point about her argument. ‘Breath, Elora. You can do this,’ Arwen added. After a few seconds, my heart rate became normal and I could feel that my body was no longer tense. Thank the goddess, I had a reasonable and
Dominic’s POVI slammed the papers on top of my desk, frustrated that until now, the paperwork didn’t seem to end. I had been scanning my eyes through this the moment I woke up and yet, nothing seemed to enter my head. Lazily, I leaned my back in my office chair and looked at the ceiling. I had been an Alpha King for years and the administrative tasks were part of my life. I ate mountains of paper for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if there was no training, pack convergence, or out-of-the-pack trips I had to attend. These never bored me, for I took my duties and responsibilities very seriously. Some even joked that I was married to my post, which I didn’t mind for it was the truth. So what’s wrong with me? Why am I feeling this way? I only started acting strange ever since Victoria Collins entered my pack. Ah, that woman. She hadn’t been here for a week but the damage she inflicted was far beyond any rogue had done to the Royal Cavern. She constantly quarreled with sweet Ashley, the
Elora’s POVMy feet went to a sudden halt hearing him utter my real name for the first time. I remained rooted in my spot, still trying to figure out what I should do next. ‘He already knows the truth, Elora. What are we going to do?’ Normally, Arwen was the one who would tell me what to do. But now, even she was caught off guard by the turn of events.A few hours ago, I was so sure that I would be leaving this pack for good. But now, my very existence was being threatened by the truth that I was desperately hiding for three years. There was no point in hiding the truth from Dominic. He was an intelligent wolf and probably read between my lines. I wanted to scold myself for being so emotional. Maybe, I wouldn’t be caught lying only if I hid my emotions expertly in front of the Alpha King. Yeah, I screwed up, and would probably be the end of me. But, no! I wouldn’t let myself be handed over to my evil uncle that easily. I would not give him the satisfaction. If I had to fight Domini
Silence engulfed us over the next set of minutes. I turned my head on him, and he did the same. Our eyes met in the process. Lub-dub!My heartbeat became louder. It was like my chest was going to explode. I knew to myself that I hated the Alpha King but at that moment, I saw something different in his eyes making me think twice about what I felt for him. Is that a hint of concern? Compassion? I have no idea. His eyes remained fixed on mine, making me uncomfortable. It was different from the way he looked at me in the past. His gaze was full of warmth. Finally, he moved. He lifted his hand and began caressing my upper arm. In a normal circumstance, I might have shoved his hand away. But this moment was different. No, it was he who suddenly became different.Is he beginning to sympathize with me? ‘Can’t you feel it, Elora? Dominic’s heart is aching for us’ Arwen stated.‘How did you know? Have you talked to his wolf?’ I asked her back in my thoughts.‘No, I haven’t,’ Arwen answered
Elora’s POVIt had been two days since that confrontation with the Alpha King Dominic about my troubled past. Contrary to that fateful day, the next set of sunrises and sunsets were typically boring. I heaved a deep sigh, looking at the ceiling, staring at it blankly. I haven’t seen anything aside from the four corners of this shabby quarter for two days straight. And as a rogue who lived in the woods for three years, this was lowkey torture. ‘I’m bored, Arwen,’ I told my wolf inside my head. ‘I want to get out of this barless jail.’‘You know you can’t do that until the pack convergence is over, right?’ Arwen answered. I could see her sitting in a corner and grooming herself. ‘Your uncle and his men are still inside the royal pack land.’‘Yeah, I know,’ I responded, covering my head with a pillow. ‘I just need…company. I want to talk with another individual, that’s all. Maira is serving in the convergence from dusk until dawn. She barely has time to chitchat with me before bed beca
Elora’s POVI fastened my steps and wasted no time changing into my omega uniform. I almost forgot to tie my long hair but good thing I remember. The omega leader hated to see the omegas with messy and untied hair. The last thing I wanted was to have unnecessary confrontations with her for something as trivial as untied hair.Careful not to make any sound, I pressed my ears to the wooden door and listened if the guards were still there. I cussed on the wind after hearing their irritating laughter. It was almost midnight but they seemed to not let me have even a tiny opportunity to leave this room. Perhaps this was one of the many distinct qualities of a royal guard. They treated the Alpha King’s order very seriously. So, it led me no choice but to use the rope I hid under my bed. It was the same rope I used when I attempted to escape and ran away last time. Good thing I decided to keep it for emergencies like this.After tying the other end to one of my bed’s legs and the other end