Chapter 2

The scent of sizzling bacon filled the kitchen, but it did nothing to comfort me. My hands moved on autopilot as I prepared breakfast—not for myself, but for my parents, as ordered.

My mind replaying the encounter I earlier had with Jacob. Something felt weird today. He would never come to my home so early. Why was he here today?

I had learned to stop expecting anything different.

While I plated their food, I made a simple omelet for myself. If you’re wondering why I had to cook again after my mother had already made breakfast, the answer is simple. She only cooked for herself and my father.

Never for me.

I forced a bite down, the taste bitter in my mouth. But that was life, wasn’t it? A series of bitter things you had no choice but to swallow.

I had been doing everything in my power to avoid my mother since morning, unwilling to endure another word from her. The mere thought of facing her sharp tongue and icy glares made my stomach form knots.

By the time I finished, exhaustion clung to me like a second skin. My mother sat on the sofa, flipping through a magazine, her expression serene—as if she hadn’t just treated me like a servant.

A magazine? Seriously?

I never understood the appeal, but then again, I didn’t understand a lot about my mother.

I swallowed my pride, my voice low. “Mother.”

She looked up, her face immediately pinched with irritation, as if I had interrupted something important.

“I finished everything you asked for,” I said carefully. “Can I go to my room now?”

She barely spared me a glance. “Yes, you can go.” Her tone was indifferent, dismissive, as though my existence barely registered.

I didn’t wait for her to change her mind.

I ran to my room and shut the door behind me, exhaling a shaky breath.

It wasn’t much—a small space with lavender-painted walls on two sides, white on the others—but it was mine. My bed was a single, but it was warm. Safe.

"Me and my sleep—nothing can keep us apart," I murmured, forcing a laugh to keep the sting from my throat.

Ding!

My phone screen flashed.

Jade: Aurora, you need to hear this. Come to my house. ASAP.

A cold prickle ran down my spine.

"Don’t just stand here thinking, you idiot! Go!" Isabelle, my wolf, snapped in my head.

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks for stating the obvious, Belle."

She didn’t reply. Typical.

I stepped into the living room, expecting to see my mother lounging there, but…

Silence.

A deep frown creased my forehead. She never left at this time.

Brushing the unease aside, I hurried to Jade’s house.

The streets buzzed with an unnatural energy. Wolves huddled in small groups, murmuring in hushed tones, their voices urgent and sharp. Some of them glanced at me as I passed, their eyes dark with something I couldn’t place.

Why do I feel like they’re talking about me?

I ignored the twisting sensation in my gut and knocked on Jade’s door.

She yanked it open before I could lower my fist. “Aurora!”

Her expression was unreadable—shock, concern, something else.

“What the hell is going on?” I demanded.

She pulled me inside, her grip tight. “It’s Jacob.”

I stiffened.

Jacob. The Alpha’s son.

The boy who had made my skin crawl since we were kids.

Jade exhaled sharply. “He’s turning twenty-four, and he wants to take the Alpha title now.”

My heart pounded against my ribs. “But…he can’t take the title without his mate. That’s tradition.”

She swallowed hard. “That’s just it. He’s done waiting. He’s choosing a mate from the pack today.”

What?

“He’s giving up on his fated mate?” I whispered, horrified.

Jade nodded grimly. “No one knows who he’s chosen yet.”

Before I could process her words, a sharp voice cut through my mind.

"Aurora. Packhouse. Now."

My mother’s voice.

Jade and I locked eyes.

“You got it too?” she asked, already knowing the answer.

I nodded, my throat tight.

The packhouse was packed. The air hummed with tension, wolves shifting uneasily. Jade and I stepped inside, bowing our heads.

“Alpha,” we greeted in unison.

He nodded. But my attention snagged on something far more disturbing.

My parents.

They were smiling at me.

My stomach twisted.

What the hell was going on?

“It’s good that you’re here, Aurora.”

Jacob’s voice slithered over my skin like oil.

I turned, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “Hey… Jacob.”

He smirked. Why was he looking at me like that?

His father, the Alpha, stepped forward. “I have gathered you all here for an important announcement.” His voice carried through the packhouse, commanding silence.

Something is wrong. Something is very, very wrong.

“As you all know, my son has chosen a suitable female to stand beside him as Luna.”

The room went dead silent.

Ice crawled through my veins.

“I am pleased to announce that he has chosen Ms. Aurora Adams.”

The world shattered.

Gasps echoed from the crowd. Jade stiffened beside me.

My ears were ringing. My vision blurred.

No.

No, this wasn’t happening.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

"As she is beautiful, intelligent, and a strong wolf," the Alpha continued, "my son is honored to have her as his mate. The wedding is set for two days from now. After the ceremony, Jacob will assume the title of Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack.”

Two days.

I couldn’t breathe.

"I won’t get married to anyone except my mate!" Isabelle’s voice snarled in my head.

I wanted to scream. To fight.

Instead, my body locked up, frozen in place.

A touch against my arm.

I flinched.

My mother—my mother—was hugging me.

For the first time in my entire life.

“I’m so proud of you, Aurora,” she murmured, smiling.

Proud?

Proud?!

I tore myself away from her, my breaths shallow, my heartbeat erratic.

Jacob smirked. “I hope you’re happy with my decision, Aurora.”

I wanted to rip him apart.

Instead, my voice came out weak. “I’ll be back.”

I turned and ran.

I didn’t stop. Not when the packhouse disappeared behind me. Not when my vision blurred from the unshed tears burning in my eyes.

I collapsed onto my bed, gasping for air.

Jade came running behind me trying to console me, my mind wasn't working I could not hear what she was saying I was numb. Jade hugged me tightly nothing was making it feel better.

I couldn’t do this.

I couldn’t marry Jacob.

But what choice did I have?

"We run away tonight, Aurora."

Isabelle’s voice was steel. Unbreakable.

"Even if we die trying, we are NOT staying here."

I wiped my tears, inhaling sharply.

She was right.

Tonight, I was leaving.

Forever.