AURORA

Chapter two

They all left the room, passing through the secret tunnel mainly used by the royals in times of crisis. Alpha Kael carefully twisted the doorknob, trying not to make a sound. The moment the door was opened, they all stood frozen in shock.

Before them were guards, heavily armed and standing watch in front of the tunnel door. Elena’s face turned pale as she clutched her baby tightly, unable to bear the thought of them hurting their child. Meanwhile, Alpha Kael grew conflicted, knowing the impending doom that awaited.

“Clap, clap, clap.”

The sound of applause drew their gazes toward the person. Elena’s heart skipped a beat, while Alpha Kael remained calm and composed.

“Arabella, what are you doing here?” Alpha Kael asked, his voice steady.

“And what is an Alpha doing in front of a secret tunnel when it is not a time of crisis?” she sneered, diverting her gaze toward the child in Elena’s arms. Elena subconsciously tightened her hold on the baby. “Or could there be a secret you don’t want us to know?” she asked knowingly, her lips curving up in a devilish grin.

“My family matters are none of your business, Bella. Do not cross the line. And what do you mean by a secret?” Alpha Kael retorted, his gaze darkening as his eyes bored into Arabella, as if trying to eliminate her with a look.

Arabella shifted uncomfortably under the stare but maintained her composure. She was Elena’s elder sister and was supposed to be Luna, but after hearing rumors that Alpha Kael was an old man, she had pushed Elena to marry him. However, when she saw him in reality, she was consumed by jealousy, anger, and envy. She wished she were the one in her sister’s shoes and had secretly gained the favor of the top elite, eventually marrying one of them. Now that the opportunity had come for her to inflict pain on her sister, she did not want to miss it, eager to vent all her anger tonight.

“Aren’t you curious how we all got to know you birthed a purple-eyed child?” She covered her lips as if remembering something. “Oops, my bad, the purple-eyed Princess.” Her eyes stared sharply at Alpha Kael.

Alpha Kael furrowed his brow. He remained composed but stood alert, her question piquing his interest, as he was also curious.

“Come out, you don’t need to hide, he wouldn’t hurt you,” Arabella softly said.

The matron who helped Elena with her delivery walked out, her gaze on the ground as she couldn't look at the furious Alpha. Elena staggered a bit as the color drained from her face. She couldn't believe her maid had colluded with her sister.

Arabella turned toward the matron. “Can you repeat what you told me?”

“Ahh!” The matron screamed in pain before falling to the ground with a thud, making them all widen their eyes in shock. They glanced up, and their eyes met Alpha Kael, whose claw was soaked in blood. He had just slashed the matron’s neck, preventing her from talking.

“What absurd thing is happening here? How dare you rise up against your Alpha? Do you realize the gravity of what you did?” Alpha Kael thundered, his eyes red as he growled in anger.

Everyone shook, as he was the most feared and ruthless Alpha, who balanced ruthlessness and kindness, leaving no room for tardiness, and no one was a match for him.

Arabella swallowed a lump in her throat, her heart hammering against her ribs, but she didn’t want the opportunity to slide past her. This was her chance to overthrow her sister and become the Luna of the Riverbend wolf pack.

“We are sorry, Your Highness, but we can’t leave without verifying if she is purple-eyed,” Arabella stood her ground.

*"I am going to clear the way for you, leave immediately,"* Alpha Kael said through telepathy to Elena, whose eyes were filled with unshed tears.

“Are you going to leave the way or go through me?” he thundered as his eyes glowed red.

Arabella signaled to the guards, who swung into action and attacked Alpha Kael, who was mentally prepared.

The fight intensified, but Alpha Kael was able to clear the path for Elena, who ran immediately. Arabella ordered the guards to trail after her.

The fight was so overwhelming that Alpha Kael was subdued and, in the process, was killed. Elena tripped and fell as she felt a pang in her chest, and tears slipped from her eyes. She dropped the baby on the damp ground as the rain drizzled, and changed to her wolf form, her silver fur shining under the moonlight. She used her mouth to pick up her baby and sprinted off, her paws speeding off.

While on the run, she started getting weak, drained of energy. She could hear the distant voices of the guards, and her heart hammered against her chest. She mustn’t be caught. Her husband sacrificed his life for her and her child; she must survive.

In a panic, she frantically searched for a nearby cave. Luckily for her, she saw one and hastily entered. She turned into her human form after gently dropping her baby. A sharp pain surged through her body, and she felt blood trickle down her legs. She endured it and quickly unwrapped her baby, leaving her with only a few clothes. She wrapped the clothes she removed as if a baby were still in them. She took one last glance at her baby, tears falling like petals from her eyes, and gently kissed her cheek after making sure she was well hidden, before turning into her wolf form and sprinting out.

“There she is,” one of the guards cried out after spotting her. Elena weakly slumped to the ground.

“Throw the baby off the cliff,” their leader said as he coldly stared at Elena.

Elena’s eyes flickered as she tried attacking the guard holding the decoy bundle, but she was held down. She hadn't even realized she was close to a cliff. The guard reached the cliff and threw the clothes over. Elena screamed at the top of her lungs before slipping into unconsciousness.

Her eyelids fluttered open, and she saw herself tied with a rope in the middle of the courtroom. Arabella was sitting majestically on the throne, her gaze sharp, her lips curved up in a mocking smile.

“The cursed child has been killed, and the pack is assured of a peaceful atmosphere. From now on, Elena will be demoted to a maid who will personally serve me. Anyone who objects to my law will be punished by death,” Arabella commanded, exuding an authoritative aura.

Elena clenched her fist and gritted her teeth, unable to do anything as she watched her elder sister take everything away from her.

***

Twenty-Three Years Later

**City of California**

“Mom, you need to hurry or we will miss the flight,” Aurora shouted as she zipped her bag.

“Do we really need to go to the Riverbend wolf pack?” Lena, Aurora’s mother, said, clearly not pleased with them going to the pack.

Aurora smiled, her dimple showing as her purple eyes shone brightly. She held her mother’s hand. “Come on, Mom. I told you my best friend, Tracy, is having her wedding, and I can’t miss it. Moreover, I’m an adventurist, and I have so many things to uncover, so it is to my advantage that I am going,” she assured her mother.

Lena sighed, feeling a bit uneasy, but slumped her shoulders in defeat. “Well, fine, but make sure to conceal your eyes. Remember, no one must know about your purple eyes,” she reminded her.

“Yes, Mum, you’ve got nothing to worry about,” she smiled.

Lena looked at her beautiful face and felt content. “Your sweet mouth will not be the end of me,” she softly squeezed her cheek as Aurora’s laughter filled the room.

At the airport, they allowed the customs officers to check their luggage before boarding the plane. *"Riverbend wolves pack, here I come,"* Aurora thought as she let out a bright smile.