Chapter 2 .

~Aurora~

Dragging my aching feet slowly back to the pack, I feel people's eyes piercing through my flesh.

I know why they are staring at me that way. My hair is a tangled mess, like a bird's nest ravaged by a storm.

A stinging sensation from the wound Kiara left with her claws coursed through my flesh.

We were so in pain earlier, and that could only mean one thing: Our ex-mate was having an intimacy with his new-found mate.

My heart sank like a stone at the thought of Kelvin's rejection. We've been together for a few months now, and we're as happy as we could be.

Why would he bring over a new lady from another pack and mark her as his?

I wouldn't have believed it if someone had told me Kelvin was with another woman.

The memory of the scene throbs in my head like an open wound, piercing my heart with fresh pain.

'Does this mean we will never have a mate again?'

Kiara asked, Her voice was barely above a whisper and frail.

I sigh, thinking about what she said.

"Have you heard it?" A familiar voice came from one of the woven umbrella shades along the path that led to where I stay.

Thinking they were talking about me, I continued going my way, ignoring whatever they were saying about it.

The wolves in Blossom Pack are notorious gossips.

I know they've heard my rejection.

And I guess they are happy about it. They don't like me because they think I don't belong with them.

The only person who shows me care is the woman who brought me up.

Even though she isn't my real mother, I hold her in high esteem.

"Alpha Jordan's Pack House is hiring a new cook maid,"

I overheard the women say as they walked by, their woven baskets filled with fresh vegetables and fruits.

They lowered their voices, as if speaking the Alpha's name out loud might get them in trouble.

It dawned on me that the women back there might have been discussing the same thing.

But what's so special about it? As far as I know, this isn't the first time a maid has been hired in the pack house.

"You know, the other maids have been leaving one after the other,"

One woman said, glancing around nervously before continuing.

"Alpha Jordan always takes advantage of the maids in the pack house. You know he hasn't found his mate yet..."

Another woman chimed in, "The Moon Goddess is punishing him for his past deeds."

A third woman added, "I know, right? I just hope no one sends their daughter there. He'll do the same to her as he's done to the others."

I continued on my way, pretending I hadn't heard their gossip.

The Blossom Pack is known for its rumors, and I don't want to get caught up in their web of lies.

Alpha Jordan may be arrogant, but I've never met him, so I can't judge him based on hearsay.

Maybe he's not as bad as they say. Maybe the rumors are just that-rumors.

The discussion about Alpha Jordan momentarily distracted me from my own problems, but the excruciating pain in my chest quickly brought my attention back to reality.

'For how long would he keep making love to that woman?' Kiara sighed bitterly.

"He's punishing us, Kiara. Can't we just forget about him already?"

I let out a deep sigh, my head shaking from side to side in disbelief.

"Your mom wants you at the garden, Aurora!" One of our neighbors called out to me before I could step into our small house.

I turned around and went to the community garden, which was located at the pack's entrance.

That is where all the people in the pack go to harvest their food. No one owns anything, and no one can stop anyone from touching anything unless the Alpha gives the order. Only he has the authority.

As soon as I stepped onto the green grass, I saw Mom and other women gathered under a mango tree, providing shade for them.

Even the sun, which had been hidden earlier, came out. It seemed to match my mood, as if it too disapproved of my rejection.

"Over here, Aurora," Mom called out, waving her hand to me.

I inhaled deeply, put on a smile, and started walking on the smooth grass.

I can't allow Mom find out what happened. She'll want to go confront Kelvin, and a fight might break out.

"How was the picnic?" she asked, handing me a mango.

Its skin was so soft and yellowish, making it look more appetizing.

My stomach grumbled at the sight of the fruit. It had been more than four hours since I last ate.

I only smiled at her and took a bite of the mango before turning towards the cashew trees.

"I'll soon leave. Don't go too far," Mom called out.

Ignoring her, I sat down on the big stone under the tree and inhaled the fresh breeze of nature.

Suddenly, a scent hit my nostrils. The kind I've never smelled before.

It smells of pineapple mixed with guava. I jumped to my feet, trying to locate the source of the scent.

But it filled the whole garden, causing my heart to race.

Kiara jumped from the back of my mind, where she was resting, to the front.

' Aurora?!' she yelled my name, wagging her tail excitedly.

'MATE!' she exclaimed, laughing joyfully.

My heart stiffened. Mate? How? What's happening to me... to us?

'Aurora, Mate!' Kiara exclaimed again, trying to take control of me.

"Stop it, Kiara!" I yelled, looking so confused.

How can I smell another wolf's scent that isn't Kelvin's?

Maybe someone's eating pineapple and guava somewhere.

'MATE!' She kept shouting, jumping up and down happily.

"Our mate has already rejected us, Kiara. Just stop it,"

I sighed, sitting back on the stone. But Kiara didn't stop calling out

"MATE!" She buzzed my head, and when I didn't answer her again, she finally went quiet.