Hated By My Mate Series novel Chapter 31

---- Aurora's POV ----

The next morning, Wolfgang and the elders conducted a meeting with all pack members in the grand hall.

"We are glad to announce to the pack members that our alpha, Wolfgang Fortier Gagliardi, has finally chosen a mate." One of the elders spoke through the microphone addressing the community who were eagerly listening.

"We gladly present your future Luna to the blood moon pack, Tallulah Wilhelm."

Everyone cheered and applauded as Tallulah made way to the stage and stood to the left side of Wolfgang, taking hold of his hand giving him googly eyes.

I watched it all from far back. I didn't want to be there, but it was mandatory.

I could feel my heart break by the second as I watched how it all unfolded.

This was my faith. To watch from afar as my mate made his life with someone else.

This couldn't keep going on. I had to leave this place. I wouldn't be used this way. Last night was proof of his real intentions towards me. I'd be forever the late-night booty call as I watched my mate make a family with someone else.

Once he's gone to the summit, I'll take my chance and run away.

I looked at Wolfgang and our eyes met for a brief second before I turned my gaze elsewhere.

Someone patted my shoulder and I turned to see it was Max who had approached and stood beside me, Gamma Bowman and Aspen were with him. They all held a gloomy expression. He threw a hand over my shoulder.

"Are you alright Rory?" Max asked. I gave him a small smile and nodded.

"The marital ceremony will be held after the return of our alpha from the leaders' summit in three weeks." The elder announced once more. "Let's give the new couple a big round of applause!"

Everyone cheered and shouted once more.

"Is it necessary for her to be here?" Aspen asked gamma Bowman.

He looked up to the stage and then at me, before giving me a brief smile and shook his head. In the past few months I've lived here with them, they've been nice to me. I still didn't know why though. I was just a maid. "You may leave to your room Aurora."

I bowed my head and thanked him before running off. I couldn't bare being there any longer.

---- Wolfgang's POV ----

I stood before the pack as the leaders announced my engagement to Tallulah.

She clinged onto me annoyingly and I couldn't help but feel guilty cause I could see Aurora's hurtful eyes. They seemed swollen.

Did she spend all night crying after I left her room? Why the fuck did I do that?

Why didn't I control my urges and not harm her the way I did.

For fucksake, I marked her for crying out loud!

My beta and gamma approached her, and I couldn't help the low growl that escaped me when I saw Max place a hand over her shoulder.

She looked at him as he said something and then smile while she nodded.

I felt my jaw tick while a clench it hard. "Is something wrong, babe?" Tallulah asked.

"No." I said through gritted teeth.

"Let's give the new couple a big round of applause!" Elder Aldo said as a new wave of cheers and applause erupted, taking my attention briefly away from her.

As we came down the stage I turned back into her direction and I saw her bow her head to Remus and ran off. I wanted to run after her, but people started approaching to congratulate Tallulah and I for the engagement.

"You're a fucking moron kid, you know that?" Cronnos kept grumbling in my head.

"Wolfgang, ma' boy!! It was about time! I was wondering when you'd finally ask my daughters hand in matrimony" Said alpha Colt Wilhelm of the blue moon pack, Tallulah's father, clapping my back. "When are you leaving for the summit?" He asked.

"Oh, hey man. What are you doing here?" Max asked me casually.

"What do you mean what I'm doing here? It is my house after all, isn't it?" I asked back.

"U-huh. But I thought you'd still be outside celebrating your engagement to Tallulah." He said as he leaned on the door frame.

"I need to speak to Mrs. Craton for a moment." I said as I looked her straight in the eye, watching as she tensed visibly.

"Um sure, come in man." Max said stepping aside.

"Alone." I said once more.

There was an awkward silence for a moment before Aspen cleared her throat and stood up. "I should see what Remus is up to. Max, can you help me look for him?" She said as she took hold of Max's arms and dragged him out of the room, before closing the door.

I looked at Aurora who stood up next to her bed and was playing with her dress bottom while averting her eyes from mine.

"Auro..."

"Congratulations for your engagement sir. I wish you both happiness." She said as she bowed her head, taking me by surprise for a moment.

"Thanks." I said before we both fell silent again. I kept my eyes on her. Even though it was one of those rare sunny days, she wore a turtleneck shirt, surely trying to hide the mark I made on her last night.

"Did you need something sir?" She asked breaking the silence between us.

Right then there was a knock on the door before it opened, and Tallulah walked in.

"Oh, babe. Here you are. I've been looking for you. Um, Aurora right? Kala said she needed you in the kitchen to help prepare the feast for out engagement party tonight." She said as she clung onto my arm.

"Yes ma'am. I'll go right away." She said as she bowed before us. "Congratulations once more for your engagement." She said before leaving the room.

"Damn it."