Chapter 5 5-GET ON YOUR KNEES

[ AURORA'S POV ]

Three sharp raps at my door shattered the quiet of the morning.

I froze, my hairbrush suspended halfway through a stroke. My fingers tightened around the handle, then loosened. I already know what will come next.

I just got back from the dungeon after my father begged Mabel that I will stay out of their life and never show my face at the pack house again.

I had struggled with the guards. Begged to give me an audience to see Mabel but what I got was a resounding slap. And warning to never call their Alpha by name ever again.

Just a day. An event and everything changed. My whole life turned upside down.

My mother entered without asking and sat beside me on the bed. In her hand is a porcelain plate, spotless and white, holding neatly arranged slices of apple and strawberries spiraled with delicate precision.

My mother set the plate on the bed between us and took my hands in hers. Her palms pressed against mine , soft and warm .

"I'm here because of your sister," She said."You know her needs are...special now since she's carrying an Alpha heir. She's been weak ever since birth, Fragile."

My hope shattered. My fingers shook. I had thought she was here to tell me she had finally realized how hurt I must have been. and that she will ensure my place at the Alpha's side is still certain. But she was only here to tell me Seraphina's needs are special. What about me?

Her thumb brushed over my knuckles lingering.

"And you..." She continued." are the opposite of her, you've been so strong . I never had to worry about you. Even without a wolf, my child. Your good to go"

I stared at the plate. The fruit hadn't shifted at all.

"You're eighteen now," my mother went on ." And you're old enough to truly help her . To protect her . And ensure she never lacks anything."

My hands curled into fists. My stomach knotted. I wanted to scream , to shove her away, but I stayed still, teeth gritted, heart hammering in my ears.

"But...help me talk to Mabel, to Seraphina. I'm going to raise the pup for her. She can't just take my place, she can't do that to me with her sister ," I said carefully,"

"Her hold on mine tightened," no, Aurora. She's the Luna now and as her sister all you have to do is to help her. To ensure she's ok. And serve her. Is that clear?"

"No," I said , letting her hands slip from mine. I will move away from the pack and join another. I can't serve Seraphina. I will go away and work and get trained as a pack healer. I could earn money. Be independent. I at least deserve that after all that my sister did to me."

"Independent? You want to be a healer?" Her voice hardened."Do you think healers are chosen at random? You can't decide to become a pack healer, it's a special role meant for important wolves." The warmth drained from her face in an instant, like frost creeping across grass.

Her gaze turns cold, assessing.

" What you deserve , Aurora, is to stay in this house, " she said." by your sister's side. Tending to her needs. Making sure she's comfortable.

She paused, letting the word settle.

I said nothing.

My mother stood up abruptly, smoothing her dress with her palms." I'll take your silence as a yes and a promise between us," she added." Don't forget it."

The door closed behind her with a soft click that echoed longer than it should have.

I drew my knees to my chest and pressed my face into my pillow. The tears soaked the fabric, hot and relentless, but no sound escaped me.

I'd learned how to cry without being heard.

-------

By the time evening came, I forced myself out of my room.

On a normal Saturday like this, I would have been at the pack house by now, sleeves rolled up, helping the kitchen prepare the Alpha's meal. Laughter, heat, purpose. Tonight, none of that waited for me. All I felt was pain and betrayal.

I dragged myself into the dining hall and collapsed into a chair. My body felt hollow, like the strength had been scraped out of my bones. If I was going to fight-if I was going to take back what was stolen from me-I needed to eat.

I reached for an apple and a small knife.

"Aurora."

Michelle, our house keeper, appeared beside me, her hands twisting together. "I'm so sorry... about your wolf. About everything."

My fingers paused mid-cut.

"Please," I said, not looking up. The blade pressed deeper into the apple. "Don't."

She hesitated. Her hands clamped over a napkin.

"I'll survive it," I added quietly. The words tasted false. "Just... bring me something light to eat."

Michelle nodded and hurried away. She returned moments later with a steaming plate of pasta, setting it down gently, as if I might break.

I had barely eaten half when the doors opened.

Seraphina entered first.

Mabel walked beside her. Her hands on her waist while Seraphina blushed like a dog that she is.

My gaze snapped to him. And our eyes met. His jaw was tight, his mouth twisted-not with concern, but anger. Disgust. Bare and unhidden.

"Aurora." Seraphina's voice cut clean through the room. "Go to your room. We're here to have a meal with my family to celebrate my pregnancy,"she said rubbing her hand over her flat stomach, "I won't have my dinner ruined."

My grip tightened around the fork. The metal bit into my palm.

Before I could stand, footsteps echoed.

My parents emerged from the hallway.

"Oh, Alpha," my father said, his face lighting up as if this was truly a celebration. "You're here."

"Marcus," Mabel replied, his tone low. With a hint of disappointment.

My father's smile vanished. His eyes snapped to me. "What are you doing here?" he demanded. "You should be in your room. Leave. We have a family dinner to get to."

Family.

The word landed like a blade. Cutting through my already bleeding heart.

My mother stepped forward, lips curving into a thin smile. "No, let her be useful. She can help the maids in the kitchen. Make sure everything is perfect."

Her gaze locked onto mine. "You'll do that, won't you, Aurora?"she said with a smile not leaving her face.

It wasn't a question. It was a chain. A reminder of promise she asked me to make.

I looked around the table.

Seraphina was smiling softly now. Mabel's hand rested possessively on her waist, fingers digging in like he was claiming territory. The hands that he used to wrap around me protectively were now on another woman.

My chest burned.

"You'll regret this," I said, my voice barely above a breath. It trembled, but it didn't break. "Every single one of you."

My father exploded. "How dare you!" He stepped forward, fury rolling off him. "How dare you speak like that in front of your Alpha and your Luna! Get on your knees-now-and beg the Alpha and Luna for mercy!"

My knees locked.

Beg?

For the very people who betrayed me?

I said nothing. I didn't kneel. I didn't look back.

I turned and walked out of the room, one single thought burning through my mind.

Revenge.