Aurora

"Theodore. Please, you're my last hope." I whispered as I pushed the door open, I walked inside, shocked to see the living room empty.

Theodore never left the room door unlocked so he was probably inside his room, busy with work. I exhaled deeply as I climbed the stairs, heading towards the room.

Theodore was my mate, we found out we were mates two years ago and we are yet to get married because he wants to take things slow. He was a man who had all the patience in the world and I felt very grateful to the goddess for giving me such a great mate.

"Oh. Oh yes." I heard a familiar voice and I frowned, I sniffed the air, noticing that there was a feminine scent, it was oddly familiar so I decided not to give it much thought.

"Oh fuck! Fuck me in a way you've never fucked that tiny mate of yours!" The moans echoed round the house and my heart began pounding as I neared the door.

The moans were more pronounced and my body shook violently, not from the cold but from the betrayal I was experiencing.

I couldn't believe it. Theodore was cheating. He had vowed never to cheat or look at any other lady as long as I was still with him.

With my heart in my throat, I pushed the door open and my eyes widened with astonishment when I found Christabel on top of him, bouncing naked while Theodore's eyes were plastered to her swaying breasts.

They turned around, anger visible and Christabel scoffed when she saw me, staring at me with disgust.

My legs couldn't hold me any longer and I dropped to the ground, my heart shattering into a thousand pieces as I watched them without a word.

Silently, I wanted this to be some nightmare or prank, I slapped my cheeks lightly, pleading for myself to wake up as tears slowly rolled down.

I couldn't believe this, getting thrown out by my father didn't sting this much, my best friend for years. Fuck! She was like my sister.

We grew together, slept together, ate and did everything together but here she was, fucking my mate.

"What!" Theodore thundered as he slowly rolled off her and I scoffed.

"Wh. What?" I said the word aloud, unable to believe everything going on today.

"I caught you cheating with my best friend and all you've got to say is what? What happened to the vows we made in this house? You promised never to be with any lady!" I thundered, unable to keep everything inside of me and Christabel scoffed.

"Oh please, it's not like you can satisfy him or anything." She retorted

"You're supposed to be my best friend. How could you do this to me?" I demanded, standing up weakly as I made my way towards them.

"Oh please! It's up to Theodore to make his choice, if you're not good enough for him, it's your fault not mine." She retorted, undaunted.

The pain in my heart was unbearable, I felt like crying, laughing, clawing at my heart and doing everything possible to get away from the pain.

I wanted to run away and never return yet I couldn't lift my legs.

"Face it! Do you think I was ever going to marry you? You're nothing but a bastard! You're weak! You do not have a wolf yet, why should I marry someone like you when I can have Christabel who is a strong warrior? You know nothing other than how you want to have kids and live life like it's some crazy fairytale!" Theodore thundered and he glared at me with disdain and his words sliced through my heart roughly.

"It. Those were our dreams."

"Well face it! This is reality! You're a bastard and my family would never allow me to marry a bastard. You're no good, you bring bad luck wherever you go, it's because of you your mom is in that damned hospital, you're like a curse! You're not worthy to stand beside me, the only way I can accept you is as my mistress and that isn't happening anytime soon."

I remained speechless as I watched him talk, his words were like sharp daggers, they drove into my heart, leaving a wound that only the goddess could heal.

"Face it, you're nothing!" Christabel sneered.

"Why? Why are you doing this?" I demanded, staring at Christabel weakly. "You know everything about me. We have been best of friends. We are inseparable so why?" I asked as droplets if tears kept rolling down my cheeks.

"Face it, you don't deserve a man as strong and handsome as Theodore. You deserve a guard!" She spat out bitterly and I knew immediately that her mate was a guard.

"Reject him, there's no point keeping this relationship anymore." Riley whispered softly.

"I, Aurora of the Ravenclaw pack, reject you, Theodore, as my mate." My words echoed in my ears as I stood my ground, a numbing pain taking over my heart as I heard Riley whimpering in pain.

"What!" They were both stunned and Theodore shook his head firmly.

"You cannot reject me! You're nothing without me! You need me!" He yelled and I scoffed.

"I'll be nothing if I continue to stay with you. You're nothing but a dog and if I continue to lie with you, I'll rise with fleas, just like your mistress there." I spat out and Christabel stared at me with shock.

"You bitch!" She scowled and I scoffed.

"You're the one sneaking around with him, face it, the only whore, slut or bitch here is none other than you two." I spat out and began walking outside while they followed me.

"If you don't come back here and apologize to us, you can forget about me and my help with your mother's bills." He warned and I stopped in the garden, scoffing.

"I'd rather crawl on spines." I replied and taking a step forward, I accidentally stepped on the sprinkler, they screamed in anger as water poured on them, drenching their words while I kept walking.

I was still drenched but I had stopped shivering, it took a minute which seemed like an eternity but I managed to gather shreds of what was left of my broken life and nodded softly, heading out as petals of tears dropped uncontrollably.

Riley was howling and crying in pain, my heart had lost its rhythm and as I walked out, it felt like I was floating on thin air.

My life was a mess, mom was hospitalized, there was no hope for her recovery and unless the goddess was ready to bring in a miracle, it seemed like my life was close to its end.

Aurora

Stepping into the hospital to see mom connected to three different machines made my heart bleed.

I wiped away all the tears as I sat beside mom and grabbed her hand, trying to fake a smile. I wanted to appear happy before her even though my heart was in turmoil.

"Mom. Dad has refused to give me the money but I assure you that I will find it. I applied for jobs yesterday and I've not gotten any jobs yet. I'm willing to go and work at the pack house. I heard the pay for the maids is very good and I'll do everything possible to get the job. I'd do anything for you mom." I whispered as tears streamed down my cheeks.

"I'll go home today, make you very hot tea because it rained heavily today and when you're awake I'll massage your legs. Mom. Please I want you to do something for me, while I run around to gather the money please hang in there. Don't give up because I'll find a way to save you." I whispered, sobbing quietly now as I kissed her hands.

"I've missed your cooking greatly. I promise not to ever take you for granted, I'll cherish every moment with you from now henceforth." I whispered and hearing the door squeak, I quickly wiped away my tears, my head glued to the ground as Doctor Wayne walked inside.

"Aurora."

"Doctor Wayne, good day. I just want to say thank you so much for this, it means the world to me." I whispered and he nodded.

"Have you started gathering the money? You know there's very little time left or have you changed your mind?" He asked and I shook my head vehemently.

"No! I would never choose such an option!" I insisted stubbornly and he exhaled deeply.

"Aurora, I've tried getting the beta to cover the cost of half of the medical fees, at least something to start with but he has refused and has cut off every possible way for you to get help from the pack. It's been a week, if this had been discovered early maybe she would be fine now but it's already getting too late and watching her suffer this way breaks my heart. I know it's difficult but think about it, if you don't get the money at the end of this week, I suggest euthanasia." He advised and I shook my head, biting back tears.

"No doctor, I will get the money and save mom. I promise. I don't mind taking a loan." I replied and he exhaled.

"Your father has blocked every chance possible. You need to figure out a way to get the money and seeing that your father is determined to have things go his way, I doubt if you will be able to find any job in the pack." He explained and I staggered back in astonishment.

As if throwing me out in the rain wasn't enough, he was determined to make our life a living hell. What have I done to deserve this? Why has the goddess forsaken us.

"Thank you doctor. You don't have to worry, I'll do anything to get the money, mom is going to get treated." It was hard to tell whether it was him or myself I was talking to.

He exhaled deeply, stared at her vitals for a moment and paused. He glanced at me closely and I was filled with confusion.

"Doctor Wayne, is there a problem?" I asked, my heart pounding heavily and he shook his head.

"Please, meet me in my office now." He muttered and I nodded, walking behind him.

Once inside the office, I sat on the chair calmly, my heart racing as I prayed fervently for it to be something different, goddess knew I was already going through a lot and more complications wasn't what I needed at this point.

"I hear two offers for you." Doctor Wayne handed me a cup of juice.

I don't like this at all. I gulped down the juice thirstily. "Offers?"

"You need the money and you can offer what I want, be rest assured I'm not asking you to sell your body." He added and I heaved a sigh of relief although I was still troubled.

"What are they?"

"The alpha is in need of a surrogate mother and Luna for five years. He's willing to pay a fortune, no strings attached, and after that five years, he will divorce you and take the child."

"That." I became speechless instantly and he stared at me patiently for an answer.

"You need the money urgently and he's willing to offer a million every month." Doctor Wayne added and my eyes widened with shock.

With that amount I could pay for mom's medical treatment and give her a better life.

"O.kay." I swallowed hard, trying to hide my apprehension. "And, the second offer?"

His gaze locked with mine. "I inject you with a different sperm, you become his Luna but before the end of your five year contract, you MUST kill the Alpha."

I flinched. My heart hammered with fear, and my wolf became restless inside me. She clawed at me to refuse the offer immediately! It was treason and the goddess knew my head would be hanging on the gates of the pack house if I got caught.

"I. I."

He smiled. It was a vile smile. "You know you will never amount to anything, not with your father determined to destroy you. The only person that can save you from him is the Alpha. So, you can either accept my bidding, save your mom and secure a future for yourself or refuse my offer and wait for your weak mother in hell. You have five minutes to decide." He replied coldly and I felt a sharp pain in my heart.

He flashed a tiny bottle before me, his head cocked as he waited for my answer while a little clock ticked away, reminding me that it was my life against that of the Alpha.

Aurora

I laid on the cold hospital bed, counting the seconds till the doctor would arrive. I couldn't control my tears as I thought about what I had agreed to do. It was a horrible thing but I was ready to do anything to save my mother's life.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I'm so sorry but I can't just let you die," I sobbed into my palms and my cheeks were still damp by the time the doctor came into the room. He didn't look twice at me, concentrating on the syringe he was filling with a strange fluid.

When he caught me watching him curiously, he came to my bedside, the syringe in hand.

"Don't look so scared. This is to make you fall asleep while I conduct the artificial insemination."

"Artificial insemination?" I didn't know those words and suddenly became unsure of what I had agreed to do. "Is that what you explained to me earlier?"

"Yes, yes," he replied impatiently, checking my arm for a vein. "Now go to sleep and let me get this done." I winced softly when he injected me and within minutes, I was knocked out cold.

I didn't know how long I was unconscious but I woke up with nothing more than a faint headache. When I raised a hand to my head to massage it, my nose picked up a strange bit pleasant scent. The scent was like fresh forest wood and my eyes blinked open in curiosity.

Sitting beside my bed and staring at me with cold eyes as dark as the abyss was a man I had never seen before. He was handsome and his raven dark hair was glossy but his square chin was so hard that it looked like it could cut glass.

Who was he and why was he looking at me like he could see through my clothes?

I pulled up the hospital sheet up to my chest self-consciously and his eyes traced the movement, a chill running down my spine. It wasn't until I heard someone clear his throat that I realized that Doctor Wayne was in the room too.

"You are finally awake," he said, coming to stand beside the man who was still seated. "Alpha Xavier, please meet your surrogate, Aurora Gonzalo."

Alpha Xavier? Was he the one seated there? Oh, Goddess!

I suddenly felt the need to throw up, sitting up too fast and my eyes spinned. No wonder he was looking at me, maybe trying to know if I was strong enough to carry his baby.

"Why is she shaking like that? Is she ill?" Alpha Xavier spoke for the first time but he was asking the doctor about me as if I wasn't there. His voice was so deep that I had to concentrate on the words before I could hear what he was saying.

He sounded genuinely concerned about me and my guilt doubled. How did the doctor expect me to kill someone who was three times bigger than I was?

"No, she isn't. You are probably just making her uncomfortable. Don't be mad at your soon-to-be husband, Aurora. I know he frowns a lot and it can be scary sometimes," Doctor Wayne joked, winking at me with a smile attached.

I nodded stiffly, not understanding the joke but not knowing what else to do. Regardless, Alpha Xavier sat very still, his lips pressed together in a hard line.

Goddess, does he ever smile? How was I supposed to live with him for five years if he was that cold and detached? I forgot my dizziness, fear replacing the rest of my emotions as I watched him cautiously.

"How do you feel?"

I heard the question come from the Alpha's lips but it took me a few seconds to understand that he was asking me.

"I'm good," I replied hastily and wanted to slap myself at how lame I sounded. "I mean. . .I'm alright. . .not dizzy at all. . .and I am. . .um. . ." Gosh, what was I saying? He would probably think I was crazy or something now.

I turned to the doctor, my face red in shame and he shook his head at me. I looked down at my hands and bit down on my tongue, wanting to vanish into thin air.

"Good. I will send my gamma to come get you later." He spoke like a robot, without showing any emotions but that made it easier for me to hear him clearly.

"He will bring you to the packhouse to rest after you are discharged. His name is Louis and make sure you do whatever he tells you. When you are strong enough, I will fix a date to present you to the pack as my mate. Understood?"

His mate. . .I was really doing this! I was really going to his surrogate Luna! Well, as long as he kept to his side of the deal and provided the money for my mother's surgery without me having to sleep with him, I was good with the plan.

"Y-yes, I unders-stand," I stammered, nodding as well in case he didn't hear me. He stood up almost immediately, moving with that smooth grace that professional ballet dancers had. He had a bulky body but by the tightness of his leather jacket, it was more of muscles than fat.

"Good. I will be leaving then. Let's finish our discussion some other time, Wayne."

"As you wish, Alpha." Doctor Wayne stepped out to see him off and I got a few minutes of privacy. I checked my body for any signs that it had been tampered with but apart from a dull ache from where the doctor had injected me, I felt nothing.

Was it supposed to be that easy?

The door opened again and I pushed my knees up to my chest to defend myself. It was Doctor Wayne and he was no longer smiling. The anger I saw in his eyes made my fear return and I pressed myself against the wall to hide.

"When you get to the packhouse, you better keep your mouth shut and do whatever you are told for the sake of your mother's life. If you blow my cover, I will end your already miserable life for good," he pointed at me with his index finger, his voice cold and frightening.

I nodded my head multiple times nervously, swallowing any incoming tears. "W-what about my mom? Did the... artificial insemination work?" I pronounced the big words slowly because I was not yet familiar with them.

"It was successful," the doctor admitted and I almost collapsed with relief. Thank you, Goddess!

"So, when will her surgery be sche-"

"I'm here," a young man barged into the room without knocking, his broad shoulders filling the door entrance. Was that supposed to be-

"Alpha Xavier sent me to pick up his mate," he announced, walking confidently into the room. When his eyes met with mine, he smiled, the first genuine smile I had seen all day. "Hello, I'm Louis. Are you ready to go?"