THE ROYAL OUTCAST ALPHA’S MATE

The crystal shattered the moment Aurora Evans touched it. The sound echoed through the throne room, and for one long second, nobody moved. Aurora stared at the broken pieces scattered across the marble floor, her hand still suspended in the air. Then the whispers began. “She has no power.” “That’s impossible.” “She’s eighteen. How can she have nothing?” Aurora barely heard them. Her eyes were fixed on the throne. “Father?” King Marcus Evans stood slowly. His face was unreadable, but the tightness in his jaw told her enough. Aurora swallowed. “I can try again.” The Channeling Master hesitated. “Princess, the crystal has already responded.” “Then let me use another one,” her voice trembled. “Please.” The old man glanced toward the king, but Marcus shook his head. “No.” Aurora’s stomach dropped. “But Father…” “You have embarrassed yourself enough.” The words landed harder than the whispers. Aurora felt the heat rise into her cheeks as she looked around the throne room. The entire court was watching her—nobles, officials, and guards who had come expecting to witness the king’s daughter reveal the power she had carried since birth. Instead, she had given them nothing. No fire, no water, no healing. Nothing. She looked toward Malory. Her stepsister stood beside her mother, dressed in a beautiful silver gown. Their eyes met, and Aurora waited, but Malory looked away. Something inside Aurora sank as she turned back toward her father. “I don’t understand.” Marcus descended the steps of the throne. “You were supposed to Channel today. Every Evans has. Every member of the royal bloodline possesses a power.” Aurora’s lips parted. “I am an Evans.” Marcus stopped in front of her. For a moment, something flickered across his face, then it disappeared. “Are you?” Aurora stared at him, the room seeming to tilt beneath her feet. “What?” Marcus looked away, addressing the guards. “Take her to my chambers.” Aurora’s heart began pounding. “Father, what are you saying?” He didn’t answer, but Michelle did. “Your Majesty is upset. Perhaps everyone should give him some time.” Aurora turned sharply toward her stepmother. “You’re enjoying this.” Michelle’s eyes widened. “I beg your pardon?” “You are,” Aurora’s voice shook. “You’ve always wanted this.” “Enough.” Marcus’s voice silenced the room. He looked at Aurora, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Come with me.” Aurora followed, but for the first time in eighteen years, she was afraid of what her father might say when nobody else was listening. The moment the doors closed behind them in his private chambers, Marcus turned on her. “Do you understand what you have done?” Aurora flinched. “I didn’t choose it.” “You stood before my entire kingdom and failed to Channel.” “I tried.” “You had one responsibility.” “I am sorry!” Her voice broke as Marcus paced across the room, his fists clenched. Aurora watched him helplessly. “Father, maybe my power hasn’t awakened yet. Maybe mine is different.” “Different?” He turned sharply. “What kind of royal has no power?” Aurora stared at him, her breathing shallow. “Your daughter.” The words came out quietly, making Marcus’s expression harden. The heavy doors clicked open, and Michelle entered the room. Aurora’s heart sank; she knew immediately that this wasn’t a coincidence. Michelle walked toward them slowly, glancing between them before looking at the king. “Marcus.” “What?” “There is something I think you need to consider.” Aurora shook her head. “No.” Michelle frowned. “I haven’t said anything.” “You don’t have to.” Marcus looked between them. “Say it.” Michelle hesitated for a brief second. “Every Evans has a power. I know, and Aurora doesn’t.” Aurora stepped forward, defensive. “So?” Michelle’s expression softened into a look of pity. “I’m only saying that perhaps there is another explanation. Your wife has been gone for eighteen years, Marcus. There is no one left who can tell us everything that happened before Aurora was born.” Aurora’s blood ran cold. “Stop talking about my mother.” Michelle ignored her, focusing entirely on the king. “I am not accusing anyone. I’m asking you to consider the possibility that we have been wrong all these years. Perhaps Aurora’s lack of power isn’t a failure. Perhaps it is proof.” Aurora’s eyes filled with tears. “Father, please.” Marcus didn’t look at her. Michelle stepped closer to him, her voice dropping to a smooth murmur. “You’ve spent eighteen years loving her as your daughter. I’m not asking you to stop.” Aurora’s heart broke at the words. “Then what are you asking?” Michelle turned toward her, her gaze steady and cold. “For the truth. Whether you’re really an Evans.” The silence that followed was suffocating. Aurora stared at her father. “Father?” Marcus said nothing, his gaze fixed on the floor. Aurora walked toward him, reaching out. “You know I’m your daughter.” His eyes finally met hers, and for the first time, Aurora saw doubt. Real, heavy doubt. “No,” she whispered, her tears finally spilling over. “You believe her? I am your daughter. That ceremony doesn’t change who I am! I grew up here. You held me when I was sick. You taught me how to ride. You were there when I lost my first tooth. You told me I looked like Mama. You said I was your little girl. How can one ceremony make you forget eighteen years?” Marcus looked at her, his anger returning. “Because that ceremony was supposed to prove something. It proved you have no royal power.” “Then give me time!” Aurora fell to her knees, her gown pooling around her. “Please. I can leave the palace for a while. I can go somewhere until my power awakens. Just don’t send me away.” “You’ve already embarrassed me enough.” Marcus turned toward the guards waiting at the entrance. “Take her.” Aurora scrambled to her feet, panicking. “No! Father!” The guards seized her arms, lifting her up. “Father! Please! I am your daughter!” Marcus didn’t move. He didn’t look back. “Take her out of the palace.” Aurora looked at Michelle, who watched silently, completely unmoved. Behind her stood Malory, and Aurora’s eyes found hers. “Malory, please.” Her stepsister’s lips trembled, but Malory lowered her gaze and stepped back into the shadows. She said nothing as the guards dragged Aurora toward the doors. “Father!” Aurora screamed, but the heavy oak doors slammed shut behind her. Her cries echoed through the empty corridor, but nobody came after her. Nobody stopped them. Nobody said they were sorry. By sunset, Aurora was no longer a princess. She was simply the girl the king had thrown away. When the carriage finally stopped at the edge of the northern forest, Aurora looked through the window at the endless wall of trees. “Where are we?” she asked as the guard opened the door. “Get out.” He didn’t answer her further, pulling her onto the damp grass. The door slammed, and the carriage left immediately, disappearing back down the road. Aurora stood alone in the twilight. Her crown was still in her hair, and her royal gown was still wrapped around her body, but there was no kingdom waiting behind her anymore. Only darkness. Then, something moved between the trees. Aurora slowly turned her head as two golden eyes stared back at her from the shadows. A deep, heavy growl rolled through the forest, vibrating through the earth.