The Hidden Gem

Chapter 7: Choosing Power over Destiny

After finishing dinner, Alpha Steve invited everyone to move to the visitors’ room. They stood up and started to walk out of the dining hall. Before they could leave, Aurora instinctively began clearing the table — a habit from years of being overlooked. She started stacking the tableware by type when suddenly, Madeline shoved her roughly and said loudly, "Stop pretending you know everything, Aurora! Everyone knows you hate responsibility — you’re just lazy!" Madeline made sure their guests heard every word.

Luna Martina turned around sharply. "Oh, my poor Madeline," she said sweetly. "Let the Omegas handle it. It's inappropriate for us to do chores while entertaining guests. And you, Aurora — stop pretending. Come, we have important matters to discuss."

Aurora bowed her head and silently followed them.

In the receiving room, Madeline returned with a silver tray, carrying glasses of red wine and small fruit tarts. She moved with careful grace, fully aware that Alpha Sebastian’s eyes were on her. She knew exactly why he had come — her father had explained everything to her and Luna Martina, leaving Aurora in the dark. Madeline had agreed without hesitation.

As she served, Sebastian studied her thoughtfully. He admitted that Alpha Steve's daughters were beautiful in their own ways. Madeline had a curvy figure, pouty lips, and dark hair curled halfway down her back. She was petite, about 5'4", polished and composed.

But then his gaze drifted to Aurora, sitting quietly across the room.

Aurora, taller by a couple of inches, had an effortless beauty that enchanted him the moment he first laid eyes on her. She was like the moon compared to Madeline’s sun — different, softer, yet powerful in her quiet presence.

Alpha Steve cleared his throat, pulling the room’s attention. "Now that you’re here, Alpha Sebastian, with your present and future Beta, let’s discuss the merging of our packs — as you proposed months ago. We all know merging means becoming one — and we must choose the new Alpha to lead. If this happens..."

Sebastian leaned forward, speaking firmly, "In that case, there’s no need for a long debate. I intend to marry one of your daughters to secure the merger. Marriage is the cleanest way to unite two bloodlines without one pack having to submit to the other."

Demetri, Sebastian’s Beta, shifted uncomfortably and spoke up, "Alpha Sebastian... I know you want the best for our pack, but don’t you think we should wait for your true mate — the one the Moon Goddess chose for you?"

Sebastian’s gaze hardened. "Enough with talk of mates. I've seen what fate did to my father — finding a mate didn’t save him; it destroyed him. I refuse to let the Moon Goddess dictate my future."

Aurora’s heart sank at his words. For her, finding her mate was sacred — a beautiful destiny woven by the Goddess herself. She longed for the day she would meet her true other half, especially with her eighteenth birthday approaching only three months away.

Alpha Steve spoke up again, "Since it involves my daughters, I believe it’s only right to hear their thoughts." Alpha Steve acting a good father to them.

Of course, Alpha Steve already had an agreement with Madeline — they expected her to be chosen. But appearances had to be kept.

Damon, the future Beta, turned to the two sisters, "It’s your turn to speak. What do you think?"

Madeline smiled demurely and answered, "Merging our packs will make us stronger. Two minds are better than one. Our people will benefit, and together we’ll become the strongest pack of all."

Sebastian nodded approvingly at her answer.

Then he turned his stern gaze to Aurora.

Aurora hesitated. In her heart, she believed in mates. She knew that true bonding couldn’t be forced. Yet she also knew duty to the pack came first. After a long silence, Luna Martina cut in sharply, "I think we already know whose opinion matters more — Madeline is the rightful heir."

Aurora felt the words like a slap — but strangely, she also felt relief. Maybe, if Madeline was the one marrying Sebastian, she would still be free to find her true mate.

Aurora lifted her chin and spoke with quiet strength, "For me... finding my true mate is sacred. I cannot turn away from the path the Moon Goddess has laid for me. I decline to be an option. Madeline is the rightful heir — marrying her would be best for the merging. Alpha Sebastian... you are lucky to have my sister."

The room fell into a stunned silence.

Sebastian stiffened. He felt insulted — as if Aurora had rejected him personally. His wolf, Alistair, snarled inside him, agitated and restless. Choosing Madeline had seemed logical, but Alistair clearly wanted Aurora. Still, Sebastian forced his pride to the front.

His voice thundered through the room, "Who do you think you are?! You think I would choose you? Think again! I would pick your sister a thousand times before I would ever lower myself to pick you. Having no wolf is a curse on our kind — I would rather choose a common w***e over someone like you to stand by my side!"

The cruelty of his words struck Aurora like a blade. Inside her, Mystic — her wolf — roared in fury, begging to break free. But Aurora suppressed her, knowing that losing control could bring punishment from her parents.

She rose quickly, bowed stiffly, and whispered, "Excuse me," before bolting from the room without looking back.

As she fled, a brief but powerful wave of energy pulsed through the room — wild, ancient, undeniable — but it disappeared as quickly as it came. The others dismissed it as imagination.

Sebastian fought to suppress Alistair, who raged against his decision, aching to follow Aurora.

After she left, the conversation resumed. The merger was agreed upon. Madeline and Sebastian would be bonded in a mating ceremony either at the last full moon of the year, or the first full moon of the next.

Beta Demetri pointed out that the time frame gave them both an opportunity — a chance to change their minds if fate intervened.

The right to choose a "Chosen Mate" — selecting a partner instead of waiting for a fated one — had been granted to protect the survival of their kind. Too many wolves had died alone, waiting for mates that never came.

When the meeting ended, Alpha Steve reminded Sebastian about the upcoming Royal Pack Gathering.

Sebastian, Demetri, and Damon returned to their car. As they walked outside, they glimpsed Aurora near the front door — but she ignored them, walking away with her head held high.

Sebastian forced himself to look past her and get into the car.

Inside the house, Aurora barely made it up the stairs before Alpha Steve’s furious growl echoed through the halls. "Aurora! To the library. Now!"

Fear flickered in Dorothy’s heart as she heard the command — she knew that for Aurora, this would not end well.