The Lycan King’s Forbidden Mate

Aurora Hale woke to the sound of someone banging on the cupboard door. Cold dust drifted from the ceiling as she opened her eyes. Her body ached from sleeping curled on the wooden floor. “Get up, you lazy thing,” Marla snapped from outside. “Water will not heat itself.” Aurora pushed the door open and stepped into the hallway. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to oversleep.,” she whispered. Marla’s eyes narrowed. “You sound slow. Move.” “I will start the water now,” Aurora said, slipping past her before she could grab her. “You better. And scrub the kitchen floors before breakfast. They look disgusting.” “But I scrubbed them last night,” Aurora said softly. Marla smirked. “Then scrub them again. Maybe you will get it right this time.” Aurora swallowed her reply and headed to the kitchen. The pot was heavy when she lifted it, and her hands shook. Steam burned across her knuckles when the water finally boiled. She hissed quietly. “Are you crying already?” a warrior asked from the doorway. He laughed and elbowed the man beside him. “She burns herself with water. Pathetic.” Aurora lowered her head. “I’m just heating it.” “Should we help?” another mocked. “Maybe hold her little hands so she does not hurt herself.” Aurora stayed silent. Anything she said would feed their cruelty. Her body still ached from the beatings of the past day, she needed to avoid falling into anyone’s trap. Who was she kidding? She was always going to be a scapegoat for the rest of her life, no matter how invincible she tries to be. Breathing was more than enough offense. Elder Rowan walked in then, his voice firm but calm. “Leave her to her work, all of you. Don’t You have better things to do this morning?” One of the warriors shrugged. “Fine, old man.” They pushed past Rowan and left the kitchen. Rowan looked at Aurora. “Are your hands all right?” “They will be,” she said. “You do too much alone,” he murmured. “I am fine, thank you.” she repeated. “You are not,” he said, “but I know you cannot say otherwise.” She forced a small smile. “Thank you for asking.” He nodded and left. Aurora returned to scrubbing, each motion familiar. The stone floors were always cold in the morning. Her knees already throbbed. By noon, the pack house buzzed with excitement. Voices carried through the halls. Wolves moved with unusual energy. Ethan Blackthorn, the future Alpha, was coming home. Aurora worked in the kitchen, washing bowls as fast as others dirtied them. Loud laughter rolled through the windows. She could hear young wolves arguing outside. “He will be stronger than any Alpha before him.” "He'll choose his Beta today.” “I bet he'll pick a mate soon.” Aurora stared at the suds on her hands. Someone nearby whispered loudly. “Not that it matters to her. No Alpha wants a useless Omega.” Aurora kept her gaze low. “I know,” she said quietly. One of the kitchen girls snorted. “You sure do.” Another chimed in. “You will be lucky if someone lets you hide in a corner during the celebration.” Aurora picked up another bowl. “I am only here to work.” “Exactly,” the girl replied. “So keep your head down.” Aurora nodded. “I will.” The afternoon sun slid away, and decorations hung across the courtyard. Lanterns glowed in warm colors. Music started long before Ethan arrived. Wolves danced and shouted his name. Marla stepped into the kitchen. “Aurora. You are needed in the courtyard. Someone spilled juice. Clean it.” “Yes,” Aurora said. As she stepped into the cool evening, she felt it again. A small pull deep in her chest. It startled her so much she paused at the doorway. “What are you standing there for?” Marla demanded. “Move.” Aurora walked out, keeping her bucket close. Wolves brushed past her with cheerful voices. A girl waved at her friends. “I wonder if Ethan changed. They say Alpha training can reshape a wolf completely.” A boy grinned. “I heard he looks like a true warrior now.” Another woman whispered, “Imagine being his mate.” Aurora kept her eyes on the ground. The pull inside her chest grew stronger. She reached the spill and knelt to clean it. “What are you doing here?” someone asked sharply. Aurora looked up to see Kellan, one of the senior pack guards. “Cleaning up spilled juice,” she said. “We cannot have you crawling around during the celebration,” he said. “Go back inside.” Marla appeared again. “No. She stays until the floor is spotless.” Kellan stared. “Marla, she is an Omega, not a slave.” Marla glared. “She is whatever I say she is.” Aurora whispered, “I can finish. It's fine.” Kellan sighed. “Just hurry.” Aurora scrubbed the stones, listening to the growing cheers. Something inside her thudded hard, like a heartbeat that did not belong to her. She pressed a hand to her chest. “Are you sick?” Marla asked behind her. “No….not at all ,” Aurora said quickly. “I just need a moment.” “You do not get moments,” Marla answered. “You get to work. Stand up.” Aurora obeyed. The pull inside her grew sharper. Stronger. It made her dizzy. A horn sounded at the gate. “He’s here,” someone shouted. Aurora felt her breath catch. The pull spread through her ribs. She stepped back, accidentally bumping into a table. Marla hissed, “Watch what you are doing, useless girl.” Aurora steadied herself. She felt unsteady on her feet. The noise of the crowd faded into the background as something else rose inside her. It felt like light stretching beneath her skin. Wolves rushed forward to greet Ethan. Aurora stayed in the shadows near the kitchen doorway. She only meant to watch for a moment. Voices filled the courtyard. “He looks older.” “And stronger too.” “He looks like an Alpha already.” Aurora tried to look away, but her eyes found him through the crowd. Ethan stepped into the courtyard, tall and confident. The pull inside her became a sharp twist. Her lungs froze. Her fingers trembled. She whispered to herself. “No. Not this. Please not this.” Someone behind her heard. “What did you say?” “Nothing,” Aurora replied. Another wolf laughed. “She probably thinks she has a chance at a mate tonight.” The words stabbed her chest. “I know I do not,” she whispered. The pull inside her intensified. Her heartbeat echoed in her ears. Elder Rowan approached her quietly. “Are you feeling something strange?” She nodded once. “I…I don’t understand this.” Rowan’s eyes darkened. “Aurora, quick!! Go inside. Something is happening.” “I can't move,” she growled. The crowd parted outside, giving Ethan space to walk deeper into the courtyard. The moment his foot crossed the center stone, the pull inside Aurora burst open like a flame. She gasped. Her knees weakened. Her vision blurred. Rowan spoke urgently. “Aurora. What do you feel?” She pressed a hand to her pounding heart. “Him.” Rowan stiffened. “You need to go inside. Right now.” Aurora whispered, “I think he is…” She could not finish her sentence. Rowan whispered, “If fate chose this night, you need to hide.” Aurora looked out at the crowd, trembling. “I cannot hide from this.” Her body told her the truth before her mind could process it. A bond she had never felt before. A force stronger than anything she had known. Her heart whispered one horrifying word. Mate. The world tilted around her. And fate finally closed its fist.