Chapter 4: A House Built on Lies
1169 Words
Aurora
When I woke up, it wasn’t to sunlight or warmth, but to darkness—and the sound of distant howling.
My eyes fluttered open slowly. For a moment, I wasn’t sure where I was. The scent was different—wood smoke, pine, something faintly metallic. Not home. Not familiar.
Then it hit me.
Marcus.
I sat up too fast, and the pain in my ribs reminded me I’d run harder last night than I ever had in my life. My legs ached. My palms were scraped. But I’d done it.
I’d crossed the river. I’d escaped.
And he’d caught me.
My heart started racing again—not from fear, but from the memory of falling into his arms, the way the mate bond had snapped tight between us like it had been waiting all my life. He’d held me, tucked me into his side like I was precious.
And I’d believed him.
I looked around.
The room was small, but clean. Wooden walls, old-fashioned furniture, no windows. A fireplace crackled softly in the corner. A thin blanket covered me, and I realized I was still wearing my clothes from the night before—now dusty and torn at the hem.
The door creaked open.
Marcus stepped in, wearing a dark grey shirt and black pants. He looked... good. Too good. Golden eyes catching the light, hair tousled like he hadn’t slept, but his energy was steady.
His smile was soft.
“You’re awake.”
I nodded, throat dry. “How long was I out?”
“A few hours. It’s morning now.” He walked toward me, crouched beside the edge of the bed. “How are you feeling?”
“Sore.” I tried to smile. “But free.”
He chuckled. “You did well. That river jump was brave. And reckless.”
“I trusted you’d catch me.”
That made his smile falter just a little.
But then he reached for my hand and squeezed it gently. “I always will.”
The mate bond flared between us again, warm and sweet. My wolf practically purred. I leaned into it, because it was the only thing grounding me after everything I’d left behind.
“I know this place isn’t much,” Marcus said, standing again. “But it’s safe. No one can cross the border without permission. My enforcers are loyal.”
“I’m not worried.” I forced myself to sit straighter. “I just need a few days to rest. Then we can start... planning.”
“Planning?” he echoed.
“Our future,” I said, a little breathless. “You said it yourself—we’re mates. Doesn’t that mean we lead together?”
He hesitated for a second, then nodded. “Of course.”
But I felt it—that shift in his tone. It wasn’t doubt. It was calculation. Subtle. But there.
I brushed it off.
I had just left my entire life behind for this. I wasn’t going to question him over one weird pause.
“I can meet the pack later,” I said, changing the subject. “I want to make a good impression.”
“You will,” he said smoothly. “They’ll love you. Especially when they realize what you can do.”
That gave me pause.
“What do you mean?”
Marcus’s eyes twinkled. “You’re an amplifier, Aurora. Your power is rare. With you by my side, our warriors can be stronger. Faster. And with your family’s bloodline, our pups—”
“Pups?” I choked on the word.
He laughed. “Eventually. I’m not rushing you. Just saying… you’re valuable. In more ways than one.”
Valuable.
The way he said it—it didn’t feel like praise.
It felt like inventory.
Still, I told myself I was imagining things. That I was nervous. I wasn’t used to being seen for who I truly was. Of course he admired my gift. Of course he was proud to have me. That was normal.
Right?
He left a few minutes later to give me space. Promised food, a change of clothes, a tour of the pack grounds. Said he wanted me to be comfortable. Said I was safe.
And I believed him.
At least, I tried to.
The pack was quiet.
Too quiet.
I followed Marcus across the main compound that afternoon, nodding politely at the few wolves we passed. Most averted their eyes quickly. A few smiled, but it was tight-lipped. Polite, not warm.
“This used to be a busy place,” I said.
“It still is,” Marcus replied. “But they’re wary of outsiders. Once they know you better, they’ll come around.”
“But I’m not just an outsider.” I forced a smile. “I’m your mate.”
His lips twitched, but he didn’t respond.
We stopped at the training ground. Two wolves were sparring while a third barked commands. They paused as we approached, and the tension that settled over the space was immediate.
“Alpha,” they murmured.
Alpha.
Not our Alpha.
Not even Luna.
Just... him.
Marcus placed a hand on my lower back. “This is Aurora Matel. My mate. Show her respect.”
The three nodded stiffly, eyes flicking toward me, but they didn’t speak. Not one offered a welcome.
Later, as I changed into the clothes Marcus had given me—plain grey tunic, black leggings—I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched.
The room had no windows, but still, I felt eyes. A chill ran down my spine.
I told myself it was nerves.
I told myself it was nothing.
But when I stepped into the hallway and nearly ran straight into a tall, older woman with a jagged scar across her cheek, I froze.
She didn’t move.
Just stared at me.
“Excuse me,” I said softly.
“You don’t belong here,” she said coldly.
I blinked. “Sorry?”
“You heard me.”
Her eyes were sharp, cold as steel. “You think mating with the Alpha makes you one of us?”
I tried to stand taller. “I’m not here to take anyone’s place. I just want to—”
“Be useful?” she snapped. “Amplifiers always say that. Until they’re drained and discarded.”
She stepped around me and disappeared into the corridor.
My heart pounded.
I wanted to tell Marcus.
But I didn’t.
Because deep down, something told me he already knew.
That night, I lay on the bed in silence, the blanket pulled tight, staring at the ceiling.
Marcus hadn’t come to bed yet.
He said he had “pack business.”
Said I needed rest.
I told myself it was fine.
That things would feel more normal soon.
But when I closed my eyes, I didn’t feel peace.
I felt trapped.
And for the first time since I leapt into his arms, I wondered if I’d made a terrible mistake.
- Writer
