: I never wanted a mate

Aurora slowly looked around the room Bishop showed her, her lips parted in surprise.

His home was enormous on the outside, but she never thought the interior would be equally large.

The room was larger than her aunt's tiny cottage. A huge bed occupied the middle of the room, thick duvets and pillows thrown carefully on it.

On one side of the room, the wall was covered fully with mirrors. On the other side, two windows overlooked the forest that surrounded Silver Dawn Pack.

It was simply exquisite.

She turned around shyly, only to see Bishop staring at her strangely.

"Thank you, for earlier." She murmured, referring to his interference when her aunt almost hit her.

"You don't have to thank me Rose." He brushed her gratitude aside. "It's my job to protect you."

Aurora gulped softly. He was acting so stiff and formal towards her. She had hoped he would be more open to her, but Bishop was acting like he was being forced to be with her.

"I hope you like your room." Bishop said after a while. "If you need anything, send for the maids. They will attend to you. Goodnight."

"Wait." Aurora stopped him when he turned to leave.

Bishop turned around, his gaze resting on her. "Yes?"

"I... I thought you would stay with me." Aurora stuttered. "We're mates, so I thought... I thought... "

She trailed off, unable to complete her words. How could she tell him she thought they would spend the night together in each others arms? Her face flamed as the thought flashed through her mind.

"Have you ever shifted Rose?" Bishop asked suddenly.

Aurora was taken aback by the sudden question. Moistening her lips, she answered.

"No I haven't. My aunt told me I'm probably a late shifter and..."

"So you have no wolf." Bishop stated, cutting her short.

Aurora fell silent, a confused frown creasing her brows. Before she could say another word, Bishop turned away again.

"Go to sleep." He said over his shoulder. "I have a very important guest around, so don't try coming out until morning. He doesn't like to be disturbed."

Aurora frowned, surprised at the rules. When she opened her mouth to speak, Bishop interrupted her again.

"Tomorrow I will introduce you to the pack. Also, there is something else you must know. But that will be tomorrow."

He walked towards the door and yanked it open.

Still confused, Aurora hurried after him and grabbed his arm.

"But Bishop, I don't understa... "

"Don't touch me." Bishop growled at her. His eyes had gone black and the tips of his canines were visible. "And it's Alpha Bishop to you."

Aurora snatched her hand away, taking a quick step back. His eyes terrified her, and the way he behaved now was totally different from the night she found him in the forest.

"I'm... I'm sorry Alpha."

Slowly, Bishop's eyes morphed back to brown and he stepped through the door.

"I never wanted a mate." He muttered, loud enough for Aurora to hear, then he slammed the door shut.

Aurora stood rooted to the spot, listening to his receding footsteps. His words echoed in her head.

I never wanted a mate.

Bishop didn't want her. Then why did he bring her here?

Tears spilled down her eyes and she suddenly longed for Penelope. She needed someone to talk to.

Sobbing softly, she crawled into the large bed and buried her face in the pillows.

She had waited eighteen years to find her mate so he could free her from her step-aunt's abuse.

But now it seemed finding her mate didn't change a thing. Bishop stated it clearly. He never wanted a mate. He didn't want her.

After crying for hours, exhaustion took hold of her and she finally fell asleep.

...

That same night, Bishop couldn't resist the pull of the mate bond. Though he didn't feel the slightest attraction for Aurora, but her beauty appealed to him.

She was like a goddess.

He stared at the sleeping woman in his arms. The woman he loved, the woman that would be his Luna. If she discovered that he went back to Aurora's room, she would be livid.

But he couldn't resist the bond that connected him to Aurora. It was the reason why he hated it. He felt the mate bond was like a cage, binding you to someone against your will.

When he couldn't bear it anymore, he quietly got off the bed and slipped out of the room. Before he could stop himself, he was back in Aurora's room.

Aurora stirred and she opened her sleepy eyes. When she saw Bishop laying beside her on the bed, her eyes widened and she sat up.

"Alpha..."

"Sshhh." Bishop shushed her, pulling her into his arms. "I can't resist the bond pulling me to you."

Aurora watched him, her heart beating fast. Could it be that Bishop reconsidered his actions and wanted her now?

All the thoughts in her head disappeared when he pressed his lips on hers.

Letting him have his way, she lay back, soft moans escaping her as Bishop undressed her.

When he parted her thighs and thrust through her hymen, she bit her lips, her fists clutching the duvet tightly. The pain was terrible, but she tried to endure it.

Bishop didn't slow down as he kept pounding into her. The rush of pleasure he felt when he felt how tight she was overwhelmed him. Lifting her thighs slightly, he slammed repeatedly into her, his groans of pleasure filling the room.

Suddenly he stiffened and collapsed on her as his release washed over him. Rolling away from her, he lay on his back, breathing heavily.

Aurora lay beside him, her thighs throbing, her vagina hurting badly. She knew the warm liquid that trickled down her inner thighs was blood, but she was glad Bishop came back to her. She was glad he wanted her now.

She turned to face him, a warm smile on her face. But Bishop suddenly got off the bed and buttoned his pants.

"I didn't know you were a virgin." He said in a cold detached voice. "I never should have touched you."

"But I wanted you to." Aurora pulled the sheets up to cover her breasts, lifting herself on one arm. "Stay with me tonight..."

"I told you I never wanted a mate." Bishop snapped all of a sudden. "The moon goddess never should have paired us. I refuse to be a slave to the mate bond."

It was only then that Aurora realized what really happened. Bishop didn't come back because he suddenly wanted her. He came back because he couldn't resist the mate bond. She had never felt so used in her entire life.

Bishop watched her silently, his gaze lowering to the stained bedsheets.

"The maids will take care of the sheets tomorrow." He said finally. "Go to bed now. I will see you in the morning."

Without a backward glance, he left the room and slammed the door.

On his way back to his room, he paused when he saw his important guest in the living room.

"I thought you said you didn't want her." The man spoke, his voice flowing out smoothly.

"I don't." Bishop replied swiftly. "I just couldn't resist the mate bond. Which is why I never wanted a mate."

"What do you plan to do now?"

"She will remain in my home." Bishop responded. "But she won't be my Luna. It is better for her to know nothing can ever happen between us because I love another. So tomorrow, I will introduce her to the pack. And to the woman I love."

: I won't mark you

Sunlight filtering into the room the next morning roused Aurora from her deep slumber.

Her entire body ached badly, and the throbbing between her thighs was unbearable. Groaning softly, she sat up on the bed and stared at the stained sheets on the floor.

After crying her heart out the previous night, she had washed herself in the bathroom and removed the soiled sheets. She was still dressed in her Jean and blouse of the previous day.

Memories of what occurred between her and Bishop the previous night came back to her and she remembered the words he told her.

Not wanting it to spoil her mood, she blocked out the thought. It was another day. Maybe she would be able to get closer to Bishop and make him realize that the mate bond was a beautiful thing. He didn't have to be a slave to it.

A knock on the door made her jerk and she sat up further on the bed, hoping it was Bishop.

"Come in." She called out softly.

The door opened and two maids walked in. One held a bucket and a rag, while the other held clean clothes and underwear.

"Miss Rose," One of the maids spoke, her voice crisp and sharp. "The Alpha wants you to change into these and meet him in the dining hall."

"Thank you." Aurora nodded politely, taking the clothes out of the maid's outstretched arms.

The other maid walked towards the sheets and lifted them. She gasped when her gaze fell on the bloodstain.

"Is... is that blood?" The first maid asked, her nose wrinkling with distaste.

Aurora blushed deeply, feeling embarrassed. She knew instantly that the maids knew what had transpired. The way they stared at her said it all. Their mocking gazes judged her.

Looking away from them, Aurora walked into the bathroom to wash herself. Soon she would be Luna of the pack, she thought. And those maids would definitely plead for her forgiveness.

...

An hour later, she stepped out of the bathroom, dressed in a pretty white dress. It was exactly her size and she was pleased that Bishop knew the exact size she was.

The room was empty, but she noticed that the sheets and duvet had been changed.

She walked towards the door and grasped the handle, taking a deep breath. It was time to meet Bishop and hear what he had to say.

They would have a quiet breakfast, and he would ask for her forgiveness.

Of course she would forgive him. He was her mate, and she was already falling in love with him.

Smiling shyly, she opened the door and stepped out. There was a short corridor that led to a grand flight of stairs, and she began to descend it slowly.

The moment she stepped into the dining hall, she wished she had never left her room.

Bishop wasn't alone. There were at least five other people seated around the table, having breakfast.

Bishop sat at the head of the table, an amused smile on his face. On his right side, a man with thick curly locks of dark hair sat silently, eating slowly. His hair was so thick and full that it grazed his perfectly arched brows. His head was turned away so Aurora couldn't see his face clearly.

But that wasn't what bothered her.

On Bishop's left side, a pretty red haired woman sat, speaking in a high pitched voice. Bishop seemed amused by what she said because he kept smiling at her.

The woman had freckles scattered over her nose. Her eyes were light green, and it reminded Aurora of a garden snake. The woman had her hands wrapped tightly around Bishop as she chatted, and occasionally, she would take a bite out of whatever food Bishop placed in her mouth.

They looked so intimate, like the perfect couple.

Aurora suddenly felt self conscious. She couldn't stand another woman touching her mate. As she made up her mind to return, Bishop raised his head and spotted her.

"Rose." He called out to her, his voice formal as usual. "Join us."

Unable to disobey her Alpha, Aurora walked towards the table with trembling feet.

"Good morning, Alpha." She bowed her head slightly.

The dining hall fell silent as the red head ceased her incessant chattering. Only the clink of cutleries scraping against plates could be heard. Aurora noticed that the three other men who sat at the table didn't pay her the slightest attention.

It was obvious that they were Bishop's beta, gamma, and delta. His trusted warriors.

"Sit down." Bishop's voice jarred her back to the present.

Obediently, she slid into the chair beside the other woman and slowly served some food into her dish.

Her eyes remained lowered. She felt so exposed that she would have preferred to eat in her room.

As she ate, Aurora could feel the other woman glaring at her occasionally. She didn't know why, nor did she understand why this woman was latching unto her mate.

After the maids cleared the table, Bishop cleared his throat and began.

"Rose, there are a few things I want you to know before I introduce you to the pack." He said. While he talked, his hands gently stroked the arms of the woman who was still latched unto him.

Aurora noticed it and quickly averted her eyes. Her heart was pounding fast within her again and she didn't know what to expect.

"Like I told you last night, I don't want a mate. And I mean it." Bishop continued. "I despise the mate bond and I will not be a slave to it. But I can't reject you, because I know it will hurt you greatly. It wasn't your fault you were mated to me."

Aurora tried to control her breathing as she listened.

"So you will only be my mate in name, but not my Luna." Bishop broke the news to her. "I won't mark you. You will live in my home."

"I don't understand..." Aurora whispered, trying hard to hold back her tears.

"Amelia is the woman I love." Bishop continued heartlessly, gesturing to the woman beside him. "She has my heart, and she is going to be my Luna. So I want you to respect her as you would respect me."

Despite her efforts, Aurora's tears spilled down. She wiped it quickly, not wanting the other shifters to think she was weak.

"Why are you doing this to me?" She whispered. How could she stay in the same home with her mate, knowing fully well that he loved another woman?

Before Bishop could reply, Amelia cut in. "Baby, you're the Alpha." She purred softly. "You shouldn't let lowly shifters challenge your decision, let alone one without a wolf. Whatever you say should be obeyed."

Bishop smiled at her, and when he turned his attention back to Aurora, the smile disappeared.

"This discussion is closed." He said sharply. "I will intriduce you to the pack as my mate, but not my Luna."

Suddenly the man with curly hair pushed back his seat and stood up.

"Is everything okay, Alpha?" Bishop asked, getting up quickly. His eyes were filled with respect and fear for his guest.

The man with curly hair appeared furious, like something had pissed him off. Without giving Bishop a reply, he stormed out of the dining hall.

"I wonder what ticked him off" Amelia whispered, her lime green eyes following the man until he was out of sight.

Aurora on the other hand didn't have time to wonder why Bishop addressed the other man as 'Alpha'. Her tears were threatening to flood out.

"Excuse me, Alpha." She said and fled back to her room.

...

After crying for hours, Aurora lay spent on the bed, her eyes red and puffy from weeping.

Where could she go? She had no family. She would rather die than go back to her step-aunt.

Her head turned weakly towards the side when someone opened the door and stepped in.

It was Amelia.

Aurora got up, wiping her eyes as the woman stood before her.

"Still crying?" Amelia asked scornfully. "You know, one would think Bishop would have chosen you because you're pretty enough to look at. Too bad looks aren't enough. You're a worthless wolfless bitch, and I wish Bishop would reject you and banish you from the pack."

Aurora felt her blood boil with rage, but she remained silent. She didn't want to give Amelia the satisfaction of riling her up.

But Amelia had other plans.

She suddenly moved towards Aurora and slapped her unexpectedly. Losing her temper, Aurora attacked her, scratching at her face until blood flowed.

Amelia's screams of pain echoed through the house.

And when Bishop burst into the room, he saw Aurora standing over Amelia, one hand wrapped around her throat.

: I reject you

Slap!

The harsh sound of a slap echoed round the room and Aurora's head snapped back with the force of it.

"HOW DARE YOU?" Bishop roared, his eyes black and furious. "HOW DARE YOU LAY YOUR FILTHY HANDS ON AMELIA?"

Another slap landed on her face and her lip split. She collapsed to the floor, blinded momentarily. Tears burned behind her closed eyelids and she wished the ground would open up and swallow her. She didn't deserve what she was getting.

From where she stood, Amelia grinned maliciously. Her plans had worked perfectly well. All that was left was for Bishop to reject Aurora.

But Bishop didn't do anything of the sort. Instead, he called for his guards, his voice loud and powerful.

Two of the warriors rushed into the room and bowed before him.

"Lock her up in the dungeon. And starve her!" Bishop ordered, his eyes glaring at Aurora. "If she is to remain in my home, she must learn from her mistakes."

The guards dragged an almost unconscious Aurora away towards the dungeons.

After they were gone, Bishop took Amelia into his arms and gently wiped the blood off her face. Her wounds were healed already, as werewolves had fast healing abilities.

"Are you alright, love?" He asked worriedly.

Amelia played her part well, nodding piteously. "I'm fine. You came just in time. I was so scared..."

"Why did you approach her?" Bishop asked, taking her out of the room.

"I just wanted to let her know we could be friends." Amelia lied. "I didn't want her to feel alone. Even if she won't be your Luna, she could use a friend. I had no idea she would attack me. I guess she hates me for being with you."

"Don't say such things Amelia." Bishop stopped in the hallway and placed his hands on her slender waist. "You're the only one I love, and nothing can change that. Not even the mate bond. If Rose can't accept that, I don't care."

He lowered his head and kissed her, his hands moving down to cup her buttocks and press her against him.

"But... Baby..." Amelia moaned, biting her lips as Bishop kissed down her throat. "I don't feel safe with her here with us. Why don't you just reject her? She's useless to you anyway. I could be your second chance mate."

Bishop didn't answer. Instead, he lifted her and carried her back into Aurora's room. There he undressed her and bent her over the bed, taking her from behind.

Mercilessly, he slammed into her, her cries of pleasure bouncing off the walls of the room until they both soared over the clouds of repeated orgasms.

...

Aurora remained in the dungeon till dusk, lying in the same position she had been ever since the warriors pushed her into the cell.

The smell of death and decayed flesh filled the air. The walls of the dungeon were old and covered with dead leaves. Bones littered the floor, as if prisoners had been left to die in there and rot.

However, Aurora didn't care for any of that. As she lay there, she wept, questioning the moon goddess for pairing her with a monster like Bishop Dawson.

It would have been better if she had been mateless as well as wolfless. Why did the moon goddess have to ruin her life?

Hours went past until the creaking sound of gates swinging open caught her attention. She raised her head weakly, watching as two different guards unlocked the cell and dragged her outside.

When they shoved her to the ground in front of Bishop's home, she realized that the entire pack members had been summoned.

There was a large crowd gathered in front of his mansion, and when she was brought in, the whispers began.

Aurora heard words like, 'wolfless', 'omega', 'orphan', 'worthless', 'badluck' and so many others as the people regarded her with scorn. Estella and her three friends were among the crowd, glaring at her hatefully.

No one had ever really liked her. She had been shunned by jealous rivals because of her great beauty.

It was only Penelope that had remained her friend.

Just then, she heard Penelope call out to her. Her voice was filled with so much pain and sadness.

Aurora weakly raised her head and stared in the direction of her friend's voice. She saw Penelope standing beside her parents. The latter wanted to run towards her, but she was held back.

Gradually, the whispers decreased as Bishop stepped out, Amelia beside him as usual. Soon there was complete silence.

"Members of Silver Dawn Pack," He began. "You have all been summoned here for a reason. As you all know, the Alpha King arrived at our pack few days ago, and as soon as alliances are formed, he will return to the lycan kingdom."

There were a few murmurs and whispers and silence reigned again.

"But then, a night ago, I found my mate. Rose Thompson." Bishop continued coldly. "You all know how I feel about the mate bond. I despise it. Hence, Rose will not be my Luna. Earlier today, she commited a grave offense by attacking the woman I love, your future Luna."

He gestured to the guards to lift Aurora up. One pulled her hair and yanked her head backwards, so her face could be seen.

Aurora winced inwardly from the pain, but she kept a straight face. There were no tears this time.

"Rose, before the entire members of this pack, you will go on your knees and plead for forgiveness from your future Luna." Bishop stated icily. "Only then will I consider giving you a mild punishment."

Aurora smiled, a small smile devoid of any emotion. She would rather die.

Her eyes hardened and her temper flaired. She spat suddenly at Bishop. "You challenge the moon goddess so boldly, treating the mate she has chosen for you this way. I will rather die that apologize to that witch you call your Luna."

The crowd let out a loud gasp at Aurora's defiance.

Bishop's anger mounted and he smacked the side of her head with his fist.

Aurora felt her body slump and her head slammed on the ground. Her vision blurred and she was on the verge of passing out, but the warriors dragged her to her feet again.

The moment Bishop started speaking again, her eyes flew open with fright.

"I, Alpha Bishop Dawson, reject you worthless she-wolf, Rose Thompson as my fated mate and Luna. And from this moment, I banish you from the Silver Dawn Pack."

Aurora felt her heart cave in as colour drained from her face. The harsh words struck her like daggers, echoing painfully in her ears.

She couldn't believe it. This couldn't be happening.

She looked up at Bishop, her eyes pleading with him to take it back.

He didn't. All she could see in his dark gaze was disgust. Pure disgust, the kind she hadn't seen before.

Hardening her heart, she parted her lips and spoke.

"I, Aurora Rose Thompson, accept your rejection." She said, her voice bitter. "But I curse you, Bishop Dawson. I curse you on this day. This pain you have caused me will come back to you a thousand fold..."

"Silence her!" Alpha Bishop snapped at the warriors holding her.

"ENOUGH!" A powerful voice thundered suddenly, instilling fear in the crowd.

Aurora raised her head weakly and her gaze connected with intense golden eyes.

They were the same eyes she had seen the night she was almost attacked by that lycan.

It was Bishop's important guest, the Alpha King.