Chapter 2: Proposal to the Future Alpha King
1916 Words
Chapter 2: Proposal to the Future Alpha King
(Aurora's POV)
The club's pounding music and flashing lights were starting to make my head spin. Despite Hazel's attempts to get me dancing, I couldn't shake the crushing weight of betrayal pressing down on my chest.
"I need to use the restroom," I mumbled to Hazel, pushing away from the crowded dance floor.
She grabbed my arm, concern evident in her emerald eyes. "Are you sure you can make it there alone? You've had quite a bit to drink..."
I waved her off, trying to appear more steady than I felt. "I'm fine. Just... wait here."
The world tilted dangerously as I made my way through the dimly lit corridor. My wolf, Cora, whined softly in my head, sharing my distress and disorientation.
My thoughts drifted back to Alex. How many times had I supported him? How many battles had I fought to help him secure his position as heir?
And this was how he repaid me – by abandoning our engagement for Isabel's latest manipulation.
"Alex..." I whispered, tears blurring my vision. "Why am I not enough?"
The alcohol was making everything fuzzy around the edges. Through my tears, I spotted a tall figure at the end of the corridor. The familiar broad shoulders and commanding presence made my heart leap.
"Alex?" I called out, stumbling forward. "You came back..."
I practically fell against him, breathing in his scent. But something was different – this wasn't Alex's usual storm and pine scent. This was deeper, more intense, like dark woods after midnight.
"I knew you'd come back," I slurred, clinging to his shirt. "You always protected me at the orphanage. Remember? You were the only one who cared..."
My drunk mind didn't register his stiffness or silence. All I knew was that I needed to say what had been burning in my heart.
"I love you so much," I confessed, tears falling freely now. "But why do you keep choosing her? Am I not worth fighting for? After everything we've been through..."
I lifted my face, intending to kiss him. But as I moved, I lost my balance again. Strong arms caught me before I could fall.
The sudden movement brought me closer to him, and in my drunken state, I did something incredibly foolish – I kissed him.
For a split second, I felt him tense. Then, ever so slightly, he responded. His lips were firm but gentle against mine, nothing like Alex's familiar kisses.
The scent of dark woods intensified, and something about it made Cora stir restlessly within me.
Wait... this wasn't Alex's scent at all.
I pulled back slightly, trying to focus my blurry vision. Instead of storm-gray eyes, I found myself staring into intense golden ones that seemed to glow in the dim light.
This definitely wasn't Alex.
The stranger's face was aristocratic and unfamiliar, his expression unreadable as he studied me. He was holding me carefully, like I might shatter if he gripped too hard.
"I believe you have the wrong person," he said quietly, his voice deep and smooth.
Mortification hit me like a bucket of ice water. I had just thrown myself at a complete stranger and kissed him!
I tried to step back, but my legs weren't cooperating. I stumbled again, and once more, his strong arms prevented my fall.
The combination of alcohol, embarrassment, and emotional exhaustion was too much. Before I could stop myself, I pressed my face against his chest and started crying.
I felt his body stiffen at my continued proximity, but he didn't push me away. Instead, after a moment's hesitation, one of his hands started gently patting my back.
"I'm so sorry," I sobbed into his obviously expensive shirt. "I thought you were... I didn't mean to..."
My words were cut off as another wave of dizziness hit me. The last thing I remembered was the feeling of being lifted, strong arms cradling me as if I weighed nothing.
The stranger had picked me up in a princess carry, and through my alcohol-hazed mind, I caught a glimpse of his face – beautiful but stern, those golden eyes still studying me with an intensity that made Cora whimper.
Then everything went black.
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A groggy haze wrapped itself around me like a suffocating blanket as consciousness slowly pulled me from the depths of sleep.
I groaned and blinked against the sharp morning light spilling in through the windows.
Where... was I?
My eyes fluttered open fully, taking in the unfamiliar space around me. A modern, well-furnished living room. Soft, warm tones on the walls and polished wood floors.
I was lying on a plush sofa, one I certainly didn't recognize. Someone had draped a blanket over me, and in front of me on the coffee table sat a steaming cup of tea, fragrant and inviting.
My heart stuttered.
"Alex?" I called instinctively, the name slipping from my lips before I could stop it.
The emptiness that greeted me in response hit like a punch to the stomach. And just like that, the events of last night slammed into me like a freight train.
Alex. Isabella.
The scene at the bridal shop. The brutal conversation over the phone. His forsaking me for her without a second thought.
The pain in my chest returned full force. Only now it carried an entirely new blend of emotions.
Shame burned hot on my cheeks as fresh, mortifying memories unraveled. The club. The stranger. That kiss.
Oh god.
Closing my eyes tightly, I curled further into the blanket, my breath hitching painfully. This hangover was nothing compared to the ache of betrayal that twisted deep in my chest.
The soft click of a door opening startled me. I froze as heavy footsteps approached the living room.
“Ah, you’re awake.”
That voice—the deep, commanding one from the corridor—sent an electric jolt through me.
Opening my eyes, I hesitated, peeking. There he was. The man from last night.He offered me no smile, no apology for carrying me off like a stray cat the night before.
Instead, he studied me with an expression I couldn’t quite read, holding that same calm authority that was unsettlingly steady.
“You…” My voice shook. Like an i***t, I trailed off before anything coherent formed. What could I even say?
He arched a brow. “I was wondering if you’d remember.”
I groaned inwardly, clutching at the blanket. Of course, he remembered.
"You..." I clutched the blanket tighter, mortification burning through my veins.
The man's golden eyes studied me with an intensity that made me want to sink into the sofa and disappear. A teasing smile played at the corners of his lips.
"I must say, that was quite an interesting way to introduce yourself last night," he said, his deep voice carrying a hint of amusement.
I groaned, covering my face with my hands. "I am so sorry about that. I was drunk and mistook you for someone else..."
"Yes, I gathered that much when you started talking about the orphanage," he replied, settling into an armchair across from me.
"Though I must admit, I'm curious about why such a beautiful female Alpha was drinking alone in a club."
My head snapped up at his words. How did he know I was an Alpha?
As if reading my thoughts, he gestured to my crescent moon birthmark, visible above the neckline of my wrinkled dress. "That mark is quite distinctive. If I'm not mistaken, you are the lost daughter of the Silver Moon Pack? The current Alpha heir?"
I shifted uncomfortably under his piercing gaze. There was something familiar about him, but my hungover brain couldn't quite place it.
He looked at me teasingly, "It seems you don't remember who I am at all, which is regrettable, I even attended your return ceremony."
"Marcus?" A plaintive howl echoed through my mind as Cora, my wolf, suddenly recognized him.
The realization hit me like a bucket of ice water. Marcus Black - the heir to the Shadow Pack, the largest and most powerful wolf pack in existence. He had attended my return ceremony to Silver Moon Pack years ago.
My face burned hotter. Not only had I drunkenly kissed a stranger, but I had kissed the future Alpha King!
"I see recognition has finally dawned," Marcus said, his golden eyes glinting with amusement. "Though I must say, your proposal last night was quite... unexpected."
"My what?" I choked out.
"Don't you remember?" He leaned forward, his expression playful. "You were quite insistent about wanting to marry me. Something about proving a point to someone named Alex? If I'm not mistaken, Alex is the Alpha heir of the Storm Pack? I heard he's your fiancé? Am I right?"
Oh god. Kill me now.
But a defiant spark ignited in my chest at the mention of Alex's name. The pain and humiliation of his betrayal rushed back, fueling a reckless courage.
"Well," I said, lifting my chin. "The offer still stands."
Marcus's eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," I met his gaze steadily. "I'm proposing to you. Properly this time, without the alcohol."
He studied me for a long moment, then let out a low chuckle. "You do realize that remarrying after a mate bond is illegal in wolf law?"
"Who said anything about remarrying?" I challenged. "The mate bond with Alex was never officially registered with the Pack Council."
His expression turned serious. "You're the heir to Silver Moon Pack, and I'm the heir to Shadow Pack. Do you even know who I am?"
Cora howled again in my mind, and suddenly everything clicked into place. Marcus Black - Alex's greatest rival and the person he hated most.
Not only was Marcus the legitimate heir to the most powerful pack, but he had everything Alex had always wanted - loving parents, unquestionable authority, and the respect of all wolf packs.
A plan began forming in my mind. What better way to solve my engagement crisis and get back at Alex than by accepting a proposal from his worst enemy?
"I know exactly who you are," I said, a determined glint in my eyes. "And I think we could help each other."
Marcus leaned back, intrigued. "How so?"
"You need a Luna for your pack, don't you? I'm a pure-blooded Alpha female with healing abilities. And I..." I took a deep breath. "I have an engagement ceremony to attend three days later, I can’t cancel it."
"Ah," he said, understanding dawning in his eyes. "So this is about revenge."
"Not just revenge," I argued, sitting up straighter. "It's a mutually beneficial arrangement. I get to maintain my dignity and avoid a scandal, and you get a qualified Luna candidate for your pack."
Marcus's lips curved into an amused smile. "You make an interesting case. But why should I choose you? Every Alpha's daughter would jump at the chance to be my Luna. You, on the other hand, are an orphan with a failed engagement and pack elders who are probably already plotting to remove you from your position."
His words stung, but I refused to let it show. My hand was already on the doorknob, ready to leave with whatever dignity I had left.
"Thank you for your hospitality and the tea," I said coolly. "I apologize again for last night's misunderstanding."
Just as I was about to turn the handle, his voice stopped me.
"Aurora, wait."
- Writer
