Songs, writings, and poems of my bravery were recited to me, while some opted for a mock drama reenacting the decision I made to save the pack.
It was an emotional sight when my dad was wheeled in by my mum to give their speeches. But her words were interrupted by tears, making it hard to understand what she was saying.
A forced smile was plastered on my face as I tried to appear brave before everyone, while inside, I was crying and panicking.
“Mum,” I called, running to meet my parents and hugging them tightly. Fear gripped me when I was told the Alpha King’s subjects had arrived and were waiting for me downstairs.
In confirmation, I glanced through the window and saw two black electric SUVs parked near the fountain. I was sure a little moment with my parents wouldn’t cause trouble.
“I’m scared,” I admitted, letting my tears flow freely. “I was wrong. Maybe running away was the best decision. Gosh, I feel so dumb and selfish.” I broke down completely, sobbing uncontrollably.
My dad’s strong hand held my chin up as he fixed his grey eyes on me.
“You did what no one has ever done. You broke history in this pack. You are the bravest girl I have ever known, and I am proud of you,” he said, forcing a smile.
Confusion filled me as I looked at him strangely. “You’re not mad at me?”
“I’m proud of you.”
“I love you,” my father said before hugging me tightly. I relaxed under his touch, allowing myself to feel him for the last time.
“Don’t forget us, okay?” my mother said before joining the hug.
“I will never forget you. I love you dearly,” I sniffed, swallowing the bile in my throat when I heard footsteps approaching.
“I told the Moon Goddess to guide you, and I know she will.”
“I’m happy to have you as my daughter. Whether here or not, you will always be our beloved daughter-“
“You mean ex-daughter.”
A strange voice cut us off. Our eyes turned to meet an enormous man walking toward us.
In the blink of an eye, he snatched me away from my parents, dragging me toward the door.
A scream tore from my lips as I realized what was happening, and I started kicking my legs in all directions, trying to break free from the hefty man.
“Aurora!”
My parents’ frantic screams filled the air as they struggled against the bodyguards restraining them.
“Mum! Dad!”
Desperation clawed at my throat as I thrashed against the man holding me, my fists pounding uselessly against his chest.
Annoyed, he grabbed my wrists, twisting them painfully before hurling me into the car like I was nothing more than a sack of grain.
I crashed against the leather seats, my body aching from the impact.
Scrambling upright, I pounded my fists against the tinted window, my screams tearing through the night.
I called out to my parents, begging them to save me.
But they couldn’t.
They never even got the chance to say goodbye.
How cruel.
A shudder ran through me as the truth settled deep in my bones.
I was no longer the beloved daughter of the Alpha and Luna.
I was now nothing more than the property of the Ruthless Alpha King.
“Any news from Ric?” I asked impatiently, trying to mask my rising anxiety.
But Jasper was always a son of a bitch. He saw through my hidden feelings most of the time. It irritated me to know that I was almost an open book to someone. Still, I was grateful it was Jasper, my right-hand man, whom I trusted with my life.
His eyes narrowed as they fixed on mine, watching me suspiciously. “They’re on their way.”
Those words were enough to send a wave of relief through my troubled mind, but they didn’t erase the anxiety clinging to my chest. Anger rose in me as a twinge of irritation flushed through my veins.
Why was this journey taking forever? The Diamond Heart pack was just a few hours away from my castle, and it had been four hours since Ric reported! Why was he acting like a snail today?!
This was unlike Ric.
The instructions were simple: get the girl out of the goddamned pack immediately after arriving. I hoped he wasn’t waiting for the conclusion of some family reunion. I didn’t care if it was the last time she would see her parents or if she started regretting her decisions. All I wanted was the girl here-alive.
Four fucking hours had gone by, and there was no sign of Ric or the girl.
I couldn’t stop the heavy beating of my heart against my chest as a bad feeling washed over me. That girl better not escape under his watch!
“It’s been four fucking hours! What is he driving? A Peel P50?” I flared, transferring my aggression onto Jasper.
“I think you should calm down, my King.”
“Don’t fucking tell me what to do!” I turned to him, shooting him an angry look. “The electric SUV he took should have gotten him here by now!”
A dazed look crossed Jasper’s face, making me regret raising my voice at him.
It would only spike his suspicion, and he wouldn’t let me rest until he got answers to his annoying questions. Allowing Jasper to get a glimpse of the reason for my anxiousness was the last thing on my mind.
“The reason for your restlessness is because of that girl, right?” he asked, while I flashed him a look of disapproval.
How dare he call her that girl? Aurora wasn’t just any kind of girl.
A sarcastic chuckle formed on Jasper’s face as he slowly nodded his head. “That’s right,” he affirmed. His eyes didn’t leave mine for a second. “I think you should tell me the truth.”
“Not until you tell me what’s going on between you and that girl,” he said stubbornly, folding his arms and fixing his eyes on me.
Stop calling her that girl! I screamed in my mind. Telling him that would only confirm his suspicion. I wasn’t in the mood to be taunted by him.
“Nothing,” I gritted through my teeth before looking away.
“Do I look like a fucking fool to you?”
“What the fuck do you want, Jasper? I already told you there’s nothing between me and Aurora. I was just worried that Ric isn’t here yet, which is quite unusual,” I explained, hoping it would be enough to convince him, but he responded with a scoff.
“Since when do you care about Ric so much that you’ve paced around your room like a hundred times, soaked your shirt with sweat, and downed whiskey?” His scoff grew louder, sending irritation through my gut.
Fuck!
How could I let myself get so overwhelmed by my feelings? Now he’ll never let me rest until he gets what he wants.
“Since when did you start spying on me?” I replied, feigning anger as I hardened my expression.
“Come on, don’t you dare change the subject.”
“Don’t you dare force words on me! I’m still your King,” I warned, using my Alpha tone.
“You know that doesn’t work when we’re together,” he sneered before bursting into laughter.
The closeness I shared with Jasper was second to none. Of all people, I only tolerated his excessive behaviors… but to a certain extent. He was more than my best friend, my brother… he was my confidant. I comfortably shared my moments with him, both the happy ones and the bitter ones. He was the only one I could cry to without being judged or mocked.
Despite knowing my strengths and weaknesses, he respected me greatly and kept his boundaries. His questions and taunts only happened in private. He was one of the people who gave me a reason to live after I lost the source of my happiness. I didn’t know what I would do without him.
I bit the inner wall of my mouth to keep from laughing along with his contagious laughter.
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