Something was different. If you asked anybody in the Lunar Pack they would tell you something was different. It was like a cloud of uncertainty was cast over the entire pack's population. Ever since the parking lot incident, a sort of uncertainty has been spread. Nothing was said about why that incident happened. Nor have any of those four children involved been seen since.
For those who knew, they could only shake their heads in pity. The bright future of one of the most promising beta of the pack has been ruined just like that. One of the strongest alpha females in the pack, who was to be the mother of the pack, was replaced by a cheap imitation.
Just thinking about it would send any rational wolf into a rage. Just as the pack's unease was going to spill over, the alpha announced that his son, Alaric, had found his mate. Her name? It was Maya Francis. Not only was she Alaric's mate, she also had the future alpha in her belly.
The news seemed to wash away the uncertainty the pack was having, but not completely. Kent also gave a full explanation for the parking lot incident. And just like that, everything was perfectly settled. Some didn't believe it was just that, but they had no choice but to sweep it under the rug. For now that is.
And two weeks have passed since everything happened. It was Monday morning. Alaric and Maya could no longer avoid school. Both of them were ushered into school by their parents.
"Remember, nothing about the rejection must be known. I don't care if you feel bad for lying to your friends. Don't go putting the pack endanger." Kent instructed Alaric, who was sitting in the back seat as they pulled up to school.
"Don't worry, I'm a mated man, aren't I?" Alaric sarcastically answered his father. Kent looked at Alaric, their eyes clashed in the rear-view mirror.
"Don't forget to show your 'mate' lots of affection. Everything must be perfect." Kent opened his mouth and told Alaric lowly, ignoring Alaric's sarcasm. "Just get through today."
Alaric didn't speak again, neither did Kent. When the car came to a stop, Alaric grabbed his bag and got out, slamming the car door so hard it rocked the car. Kent gritted his teeth so loudly it made a creaking noise as he controlled his rage. Alaric acted as if he, Kent, was the cause of his predicament.
'Look for me after school.' Kent calmly ordered Alaric, making Alaric pause in his steps for a few seconds. Kent snorted before he put the car in reverse and left the parking lot. Alaric knew he would be in trouble but he couldn't stop himself. They forced him to mark Maya as his mate.
He had no choice in the matter, it was the most humiliating moment in his life. His wolf rejected it even more than he did. Not only that, but Alaric could feel his wolf's constant rage and unease. Sometimes it was alright, but other times he couldn't control his actions or words.
As he crossed the threshold, he turned, making eye contact with Maya, who had just come out of her father's car. Alaric's eyes flickered. Nobody noticed the swiftly interchanging eyes because, as it appeared, it disappeared. Alaric had to make his way back now. He had to show the pack he was a loving and doting mate to their new soon-to-be luna.
Alaric and Maya met half way. Alaric wrapped his arms around Maya's shoulder and smiled, waving at Maya's father who had driven her here. Before escorting Maya into the school building. Most of the young teens in their vicinity bowed as a sign of respect. The more wolves doing this, made Alaric's wolf snarl in rage.
Unwilling, he was so unwilling. But the pup in Maya's belly was his, so he could only force himself according to the plans. While Alaric was fighting back his raging emotions. Maya was basically no different. But it was much more manageable due to her wolf being slightly weaker.
As the duo walked down the hallway, several teenagers watched on with heavy frowns. Alaric and Maya's friend circles were included in this group of frowning people. It just made no sense to them. Why were Alaric and Maya back but there's no sight of Aurora and Jace?
It makes no sense? Just what is going on?
Aurora, who was on other people's mind, sat by her window looking out at the storm. The storm suddenly came to in the middle of the morning. She was focused on watching the rain outside her window. It was all she ever did these days, sitting by the window and looking outside. She hasn't done anything she had enjoyed for a long time, like reading, writing or watching TV.
She couldn't even shift anymore, so she could no longer go to training and spar. She hadn't left the house since the shift. Though she didn't have anyone watching her twenty-four seven anymore, they would periodically check on her. At least when it was daytime she had to leave her bedroom door wide open.
Aurora listened to the pitter patter of rain hitting the roof and the thunder raging outside. It put her weary mind at ease somehow. She sat there unmoving for five hours just listening and watching the rain out her window.
"Can I go back to school?" She asked. Aurora was getting to the end of her rope. She was tired of being stuck inside this house so she couldn't help but ask Aiden, who had just peaked in to check on Aurora, heard her question and frowned. He stepped into her room and went to sit on her bed before he answered.
"You know that is not the best idea, Rory." Aiden softly said to her before he explained why. "Your wolf is gone. To be honest with you, Rory. You smell human. There's still the scent of wolf on you, but as each day passes, it's getting weaker."
"Oh," Aurora's mouth went into the shape of an 'o' as she softly exclaimed. "I see, well okay."
"But don't worry, you'll be able to graduate. In fact, your certificate is printing and pretty soon you'll be a high school graduate." Aiden sounded excited to Aurora. "Who knows, maybe me, you, and Cherise can go to uncle Brian's pack."
Aurora turned her head and looked at Aiden. Her green eyes stared right at him and made him feel uncomfortable. He couldn't tell what she was thinking anymore. The Aurora in his memories and the Aurora sitting in front of him were so different. He used to be able to somewhat tell what she was thinking, as she was an expressive, cheerful girl.
"Is that so." She muttered before asking. "Is Jace going to his mother's old pack too?"
Her question almost made Aiden fall over. Why? Because Aurora had no interest besides looking out the very window she was sitting at. No matter how much they came in and tried to start conversations with her, she'd simply answer questions with yes or no.
"I don't know," Aiden answered honestly. "His wolf is still alive." Aiden didn't know why but he had a feeling if he said that to Aurora she would be interested.
"I see," Aurora nodded. "You guys are waiting for his last shift. It makes sense to have us leave the pack. Nobody can find out about our special condition."
"Rory, it's not like that!" Aiden sighed in frustration. "It's just much safer for you both that way."
"Your safe way is stupid. Don't you think people are going to notice a promising young beta wolf going on 'vacation'?" Aurora calmly pointed out, leaving Aiden flustered.
"It's not like that, we planned to do this like a few months from now." Aiden nervously laughed as he scratched the back of his head.
"You guys are impatient to get rid of the risk to the pack. But unless you have a fool-proof way of letting Jace's withdrawal fly under the radar, you will fail." Aurora shook her head in dismay before turning her head and began to stare out the window again.
Aiden saw she lost all interest in speaking once more and not only that, she was fully focused on the happenings outside.
"What's it like?" As Aiden realized what he just blurted out, his eyes bulged out of his head. He couldn't just let her sit and watch outside. He just had to open his big mouth.
"What's it like not having a wolf anymore?" Aurora asked him, without looking at him.
"Yeah, what's it like? I know it must be hard," Aiden hurriedly replied. His eyes focused on Aurora, making sure not to miss anything off with her demeanor.
"You don't know, there is not a person in this entire pack except Jace, who would remotely understand what I'm going through," Aurora told him flatly. She didn't raise her voice nor did she make any movements. It was as if she was talking about the weather.
"To put things simply, you want to hear a tame version of what it's like to no longer have your wolf. Okay, I'll tell you a sugar coated version. You want to know what it's like not being able to do the things that were second nature to you? It's hell. I'm so weak and vulnerable that I know the weakest omega can punch me to death. My body is fragile and my head is empty, I'm missing a big piece of my soul and everyday I'm struggling with myself. A constant struggle between me and this ever growing emptiness and sadness." Aurora told him before adding, "There's your tame version of my pain, now fuck off!"