Chapter 2 Vera

My heart stutters as I stare at him, like he just said something impossible.

Most times when he calls me to his chamber, he only makes me sit quietly in a corner while he works. But the pack… they whisper, and assume the worst, that we fuck.

As if their cruel thoughts have finally come true.

“Did you not hear me?” Alpha Aiden’s voice cuts through me. It makes my stomach twist.

“I… I heard you,” I swallow hard.

He starts walking toward me, slow and steady, like a predator closing in. With each step, my heartbeat grows louder, pounding against my ribs.

Before I can react, he grabs my hair and yanks my head back. Pain shoots through my scalp, but I bite my lip, as I force back the tears.

I lift my eyes to his. Its Cold. Empty. Full of hate.

I’ve heard stories about how his brother's death broke him. And also I was found at the scene that night. Everything about me reminds him of that loss.

That’s why he was sent abroad. 

Alpha Aiden never lets me forget it. He believes I had a hand in his brother’s death—the girl found at the scene of the murder.

My fingers tremble as I reach for the knot of my robe. Slowly, I loosen it, letting the fabric slip from my shoulders and fall to the ground.

“Face the wall,” he commands.

A chill runs through me. I can feel years of hatred in his voice. I turn slowly, just like he said. My hands press against the wall, my heart pounding so loud it fills my ears. Tonight feels different. Like something is about to break.

I sense him behind me before he even touches me. His body heat wraps around mine, making my skin burn. Then his hands grab my hips.

I can feel that familiar spark. The bond between us. A reminder that we are mates… but he doesn't feel it..

I feel his cock against me, and my breath catches in my throat. Then he pushes in.

I gasp as pain shoots through me, sharp and sudden. His movements are rough, short at first, each thrust hurt more than the last. I cry out, my teeth clench so hard my jaw aches. My body presses against the wall, trying to escape the pain, but there’s nowhere to go.

His grip tightens on my hips as he thrusts harder, deeper. Then he pulls out only to thrust back into me again, this time harder.

I scream, as my body twists, but his hold doesn’t loosen. He keeps thrusting, pushing me forward with every forceful thrust. The pain builds until it feels like it’s tearing me apart.

My cries echo in the room, raw and broken, but he doesn’t stop. My whole body jerks with the impact of his final thrust. Then I feel he releases inside me. And just like that… he goes still.

The room is silent except for my shaky breaths.

He pulls out his cock. 

At that moment, my legs gave out. I stagger, then collapse to the floor, the pain between my legs is unbearable.

“Get out,” he growls. His voice sounds different now.

I crawl on my knees, grab my robe with trembling hands and pull it around my body. Every movement hurts.

“Get out,” he repeats. This time, his voice is low and strained.

I force myself up and move toward the door, holding myself together as best as I can while the pain follows me with every step.

My body shakes with deep, painful sobs. I can’t stop the tears as they fall down my face.

Now it’s real. He didn’t take me as his mate… he took me like I was nothing. Like I belonged to him.

My body hurts. My heart hurts even more. I don’t even know which pain is worse. Warm blood runs down my thigh, sticky and humiliating.

I barely step out of the door, closing it behind me, when—

Slap. The sound echoes through the hallway. My head snaps to the side before I even understand what happened. My cheek burns, It throbs from the slар.

I turn slowly… and see Zarah standing in front of me. If Alpha Aiden hates me, Zarah despises me. To her, I was nothing more than another whore warming her brother’s bed. 

“Whore,” she spits, her eyes full of disgust. “You’re nothing but a filthy thing crawling into my brother’s bed.”

Her words hit just as hard as the slap.

She walks past me like I’m nothing. Like I don’t even deserve to be seen.

My fingers curl at my sides, nails digging into my palms as I force myself to stay on my feet.

I won’t fall here. Not in front of her. I start to limp away, each step painful, my body weak and shaking.

Then I see Mia.

She rushes toward me, her face full of worry. She’s the only one who has ever been kind to me and treats me like I matter.

The moment she sees me, her eyes widen in shock, dropping to the blood running down my thigh.

“Come on,” she says quickly, gently taking my arm. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”

**

By the next day, the whispers start again. Another ‘mate choosing’ ceremony for the Alpha.

I hear it everywhere, while I scrub the floors, while I wash the dishes. No matter where I go. I keep my head down, pretending not to listen… but every word still sinks in.

“I think it’s for the best.” Mia’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts. “You’ll finally be free.”

The word doesn’t bring relief. It leaves a hollow ache in my chest. I shake my head slowly. I keep telling myself I don’t want this bond… so why does it feel like something is being torn out of me?

“Come on,” Mia whispers, pulling me along. “We have to hurry.”

Of course, I’ll be serving.

A tray rests in my hands as I walk into the grand hall. The room glows with chandeliers, filled with soft music and quiet laughter.

And then—I feel his gaze, before I even see him. It burns. No matter where I move, it follows me, everywhere. 

The ceremony begins. Then suddenly, the room goes quiet. My eyes lift toward the entrance.

A woman walks in. She’s beautiful. Graceful. Everything a Luna should be. Her steps are calm and confident, her posture perfect.

I watch her, unable to look away. And then something tightens painfully in my chest.

I turn slightly… and see Aiden stands completely still, his eyes locked on her like nothing else exists.

My fingers curl tightly at my sides as I freeze in place. Then I see his lips move.

“Mate.”