The Runaway Bride Who Bought The Alpha King

The Beginning

Aurora’s Pov

He had some nerves showing up here. Victor knew how to plant fear like a seed. All I needed to do was focus and not let him win.

These thoughts followed me like a second shadow as I made my way to the laboratory. Just as I stepped in, the smell of antiseptic filled the air. I turned to close the door behind me when my hand brushed against Alaric's. At that moment, it was as if time was on hold. All I could think about was that night…the night I thought I'd be special.

“Ms…Stone,” he called, his voice soft.

“Erm…you are too early,” I replied. My tone was sharp, trying to cut off every feeling of familiarity between us.

“I'm ready.”

“Good. Then I need your blood. Testing will begin soon.”

He turned to take a seat, but then my voice cut in. “One last thing. My lead scientist, Dr Elias Vorne, will work with me directly in this research.”

“ Who?”

Before I could say anything, my office door opened without a knock.

“Hey, Aurora,” Elias walked in with folders tucked under his arms.

“Statistics are ready. I wanted to update you before your next—”

He paused as he noticed Alaric.

“Oh—Sorry. I didn’t know you got….company.”

“Alaric, this is Dr Elias Vorne. The lead scientist on our project.

Elias offered his hand for a shake to Alaric, but then he left him hanging.

Typical.

He turned to me, putting his hand in his pocket. “Well, looks like your theory worked. Everything is reacting just as you planned. Very brilliant.” He let out a soft smile.

“Thank you,” I replied, my voice softer.

“I cleared out the evening schedule for you by the way,” he added.

“I didn’t approve of that, Elias.”

“You will, Aurora, you always do.” He said with a smug smile.

“Alright, fine. You know I can't say no to Italian food. I'll meet you when I'm ready.”

Alaric’s face hardened.

Elias nodded with a smile while he left. His gaze lingered a second too long.

“Who is he?” Alaric asked, his tone firm.

“I didn’t stutter when I said lead scientist. Better get used to him—he’s the one saving your life.”

“I don't like the way he is around you,” he said.

My jaw tightened as anger spread through me. “And who are you to choose who gets to be around me?”

“I'm sorry. I overstepped.”

I took the tourniquet and the needle and carefully drew his blood.

“You can go now. I'll reach out to you when we are ready to begin testing.”

He paused as he turned the doorknob. “I never stopped looking for you, Aurora.”

He left.

He never stopped looking for me, he said. He kept acting like he was never with another woman that night.

After a stressful day in the lab, I called my driver to take me to the restaurant Elias had booked for us. I was about to open the car door when I saw her…Seraphine. Walking with confidence.

“If it isn't the runaway bride. I hear you are the saviour now,” she giggles. “I just hope you won't run again… especially now that you have something to lose.” She walked away.

I felt a sharp pain in my chest. I must protect Kai.

“Drive,” I commanded, trying to calm my nerves.

The restaurant was first class. I spotted Elias sitting close to the pool. He had this big smile that always warmed my heart.

“You're looking beautiful tonight,” he said while he adjusted the chair for me to sit.

“Come on, I look very stressed.”

The waiter served us sparkling wine to get the evening started. It wasn't long before they brought the pasta. My favourite.

“Why won't you give us a chance, Aurora?” He asked. His gaze fixed on me.

“I'm not ready yet, Elias.”

“But why? You know I love you and Kai loves me too. When will you ever be ready?”

“You don't understand, Elias.”

“I do,” his voice dropped low.

“You are still in love with him. I saw the way you looked at him.”

“What? No!” I dropped the fork and focused on him.

“I didn’t fight with blood and grit to come back to the same person that broke me. Just give me some time, okay.” I gently held his hands with a smile on my face.

But deep down, I didn’t know if I was lying to myself.

“Let's talk business. No matter what, nobody should know about this prototype. I am already getting threats from my arch-enemy.”

He nodded with certainty.

“Eat up, we have a big day tomorrow. I need to rest.”

By the time I got home, Kai was asleep on the couch. He must have been waiting for me. I tucked him in gently. Everything I'm doing is for him, and I'd never let anyone near my baby.

It was morning and it was our biggest day. We are meeting investors, both humans and werewolves. Kai was on holiday so he had to go to work with me.

I walked into the boardroom. I owned it. Every movement I made was deliberate and calculated. My gaze shifted to him, Victor. My step-father. My chest tightened.

What is he doing here?

“Good day everyone,” I began speaking.

“We already know that the first phase is complete, now we are to begin phase two—live testing. Departments will be restructured, starting with research and development.”

“We are interested to know how you got the cure,” Victor interrupted. “We have the right to know what we are bargaining for.”

“And you have no right to speak,” I shot back.

“Honey, I have a share in this company. I sold you to the Alpha King.”

There was a pause. He always finds a way to make me feel worthless. But I wasn't that girl anymore.

“And I am the CEO, Victor. You'll speak when you are asked to speak.”

Silence swallowed the room. Victor leaned back slowly in his chair and straightened his cufflink. A quiet smile settled on his face. He looked at me, not with anger or embarrassment, but with the quiet patience of someone who had already decided how this ends.

I felt a jolt move through me, but I kept my face neutral.

“Any objection?”

It was all silence. No one dared to speak. I packed my folder and left.

Just as I was walking with fury, Kai spotted me and hugged me.

“Mummy!”

“Mummy?” Alaric asked. I didn’t see him coming.