Would they banish me from the pack?

It was the thought that has been running through my mind all night along with the concern for Vin. I didn't want him to lose his alpha position because of me. If he didn't hate me now, he would soon if that happened.

It was the perfect moment for Luna, my stepmother, to throw me out of the pack and their lives. And I was terrified of the thought.

If only I knew how to shift and fight, if only I could be strong, then Vin wouldn't have to come and help me out.

Though he didn't do it for me…

"Rory? You ready? Time to go! Alpha Vinson is waiting for you!" Mia yelled from outside.

A swarm of nervous butterflies stormed in my stomach remembering I had to travel with him. My heart started racing.

W-what would I say to him? I needed to apologize and thank him at the same time for saving me last night. And I had too many other things to tell him too…

'Nothing…'

His words from last night echoed in my mind, slicing through my heart. He definitely did not have any interest or time to talk to me.

"Rory!"

"Coming!" I answered.

Looking at my reflection in the mirror for one last time, I grabbed my old phone and ran outside. For the first time in my life, I was going outside of the pack, but other than a red V neck sundress with my hair tied in a loose braid, I didn't bother doing anything with my look. I couldn't. My future was at stake here.

Once Mia walked me to the street where a monster looking black car awaited me, my heart raced faster at the sight of the tall and powerful man in black button down shirt and jeans leaning against it.

His jaw was tight and midnight hair was ruffled in a beautiful way as if he had run his fingers through them countless times. Uncle Donovan talked to him while he did something on his phone. His shoulders tensed for a moment. Slowly, those silver eyes rose to me.

A shaky breath left me. My heart gave a thud.

For a moment, all the fear of the council left me at the mere sight of him. I wished I could hide into his strong arms…

His gaze went down on my body, before those thick brows creased with displeasure. His lips pursed.

He…didn't like my dress?

I bit my lip.

Mia squeezed my hand, breaking my gaze from my step-brother.

"Don't worry, everything will be alright. I'm sure Alpha Vinson won't let you get punished. It was Sam's fault after all."

I gave her a small smile before nodding. "Just pray that I get to stay in this pack."

"You will. Otherwise, I will follow you wherever you go."

My heart warmed at her words. She was the only one in my life other than uncle Donovan who genuinely cared for me. And Vin…I couldn't say the same for him anymore.

"Aurora?" Uncle Donovan called out. "Come and get in. Alpha and Luna already left with Gilbert. We are getting late."

Giving Mia a hug, I slowly walked to the car. Vin totally ignored me with his attention set on his phone. And before I could get in the front seat, a sweet fragrance of sandalwood reached my nostrils. The powerful aura told me who it was before she appeared beside me.

"I'm coming with you guys. I can't leave Vinson alone on such an important day." Adeline flashed Vin a sweet smile. Dressed in a polka dotted pink dress, she stood tall over my five feet height.

She was a female Alpha from our neighboring pack, one of the very few female Alphas that existed. A strong mate for him.

I bit my lip at my wolf's discomfort.

Giving a curt nod, when Vin was about to get into the driver's seat, her voice came again.

"Honey? Who is gonna sit in the front with you?"

Uncle Donovan's eyes met mine for a fleeting second while I waited for Vin's reply.

Dark silver eyes met my hazels.

"Of course, my mate."

My heart pinched with pain. Eyes burned as he coldly looked away and got into the car. While Adeline flashed a bright smile on her dolled up face. I stepped away from the door of the front seat with my head hung low.

"Aurora, you can sit with Beta Donovan. And yes, hold my bag for me."

Throwing her expensive bag at me, she jumped into the front seat. With a tiny frown, Uncle Donovan ushered me to the passenger seat before he followed inside.

Throughout the whole ride, except Adeline, no one said a single word. While I continued to sneak glances at the beautiful man at the front, he remained tense. Odd, but he kept taking deep breaths every while.

I didn't even have the right to sit beside him…

"So Aurora? I heard you're Alpha Christopher's daughter from his late mate. I don't know why you don't stay at the Alpha Manor, but you're Vinson's sister. So that makes us soon to be family, right?" Adeline turned to give me a glance, her bright blue eyes were probing.

The tag of being his…sister didn't sit well with me. I never saw him as a step-brother. But the truth was always bitter.

I remained silent. Even the mere sight of her made my wolf agitated.

"We haven't gotten to know each other well since I arrived. So tell me, did you find your mate?"

The car jerked to a stop with an aggressive screech. With my heart in my mouth, I looked at Vin.

His jaw was clenched, his knuckles were white around the steering wheel. Broad shoulders were rigid as he moved his head to his right, shielding his face from everyone's gaze.

"We are here." Voice deep and guttural as if suppressing a growl.

"Baby, are you alright?" Adeline asked, placing her manicured hand on his shoulder.

Taking a deep breath, Vin gave a tight nod. "You go inside with everyone. I need to make a phone call."

"But…"

"Leave!" He snapped, making both Adeline and me flinch.

When uncle Donovan got out, Adeline soon followed outside with a look of hurt on her face. Scared, I tentatively got out of the car as well.

As soon as I did, I found Alpha, Luna and Gemma Gilbert standing outside, waiting for us. I looked down on the ground at Gemma's hostile glare. Mia said Luna had already declared me as the main culprit, seducing Sam in the woods. The whole pack believed her.

"Let's go, all the Alphas are already here for the council meeting," my father said. His tone was cold.

The absence of his affection didn't hurt me anymore.

"Be ready to pack your bags. You will need it while leaving the pack soon." Luna gave me a look of disgust before following her husband and others.

My stomach fell.

W-were they really going to banish me?

My heart trembled at the thought of going away from Vin. I may not be his mate and couldn't gain his love, but not seeing him for the rest of my life…

No!

My breathing came out deep. My eyes turned to search for him, but he wasn't in his car.

"Rory, let's go."

Uncle Donovan took my hand before guiding me inside the building. And soon, we were inside the enormous room where my fate would be decided. The room was eerily empty other than the antique lined up chairs in a straight line as if made for kings and a long dark wooden table before them.

Six chairs were occupied with Alphas from across the country who were members of the werewolf council, the most powerful ones after the werewolf king. This kind of jurisdictional meeting was held only when an Alpha, or a future Alpha, committed a crime.

All the powerful auras were taking a toll on my wolf, suffocating her. Everyone from my pack stood at a corner while I was ordered to stand in the middle of the room like a criminal. All the aged and experienced cold eyes of the Alphas scrutinized me from their seats.

I wasn't an Alpha they would question, but I was the reason behind the incident. My legs shook as I stood there with my heart pounding in my chest.

"Where is Vinson Salvatore Rustov? As a future Alpha, he should know the importance of time. We were not here to talk to an omega," said the Alpha in the middle of the six in his deep and rough voice.

"H-he is outside, Alpha. He will be here in a minute," replied my father. The first time I heard him stutter.

The Alphas glanced at each other before putting their attention on me. I shrank in my place.

"What's your name, Omega?" asked the man at the corner.

Where are you, Vin?

I took a deep breath. "A-aurora Reeves."

Luna's snort reached my ears, making the questioner Alpha narrow his eyes at her for the interruption. She lowered her head in respect, while Adeline stood beside her with her eyes set on the entrance.

"You're accused of seducing the son of the Gemma of RedClaws pack, and it resulted in a misconception following Vinson Rustov attacking on him. Is that correct? Do you have anything to say in your defense?"

I gulped, feeling the glare of Gemma Gilbert on me.

'Don't you dare lie, rogue!' he growled in the mindlink, making me flinch. Tears started to form in my eyes.

I wanted to deny and say I was innocent. It was Sam who tried to force himself on me. But as if words got stuck in my throat, I couldn't form any words.

"We are waiting for your answer," said another Alpha. His green eyes held annoyance.

"I can't believe we were wasting our time on an Omega!" another Alpha hissed under his breath, eyeing me with displeasure.

"Speak! Did the cat get your tongue?" Luna snapped in a low voice.

"She won't." A deep powerful voice rang across the room, silencing everyone.

My eyes snapped to the entrance and there he was, standing tall and proud with his hands in his pockets. Silver eyes as cold as ice.

I literally let out a breath of relief, a tear rolled down my cheek. Even if he was so far from my reach, his mere presence was enough to make me feel at ease.

Throwing me a brief glance, he walked in the room and stood right before me, as if shielding me from the Alphas. Subconsciously, I took a step towards him, hiding behind his back.

"You should know you can't make the council wait for you, Mr. Rustov," said the Alpha who spoke at first. Surprisingly, his tone was softer than earlier.

Vin just stared at him unapologetically. "I was late only so I could save all of your time from unnecessary investigations."

My father and Luna Ralph had looks of confusion.

Right then, a slender yet tall man stood at the entrance with a knock on the door.

Matthew, Vin's future beta, and uncle Donovan's nephew. He had also left with Vin for training years ago.

After getting the permission, he rushed inside the room before handing some files in the Alpha's hand who sat in the middle.

"Take a look. I hope after reading this, you won't need much time to make your decision," Vin said in a monotonous tone.

I blinked at him. What were those files about?

The Alphas went through the files and shared looks with each other, before turning to us again.

"We will let you know about our decision after fifteen minutes."

At their decision, everyone fell silent.

"Don't worry, babe. You will be fine. They can't punish you. Me and my pack are with you." Adeline wrapped her arms around Vin tightly as soon as the alphas left. The way her body was pressed against him, it felt like a stab to my heart.

Matt, the future beta, threw a look of amusement towards Vin at her words, as if she said the most funniest thing in the world. While Vin stood rigid, not returning Adeline's affection.

"Adeline, that's so kind of you. Alpha Vin surely needs your help," Matt said, biting back a laugh. It earned a look of nonchalance from Vin.

My legs still trembled from the confrontation, my insides urged comfort in his arms. But he didn't even seem to acknowledge my presence behind him.

'Vin?' I tried to mindlink him for the first time after he returned. But I got no reply.

Then his arm slowly wrapped around Adeline before pulling her close to him.

"Of course, what can happen to me when I have you?" he said to his mate in his deep voice.

My chest burned. Before my tears could fall, he turned to Matt.

"I need to have a word with you."

And then he disappeared, leaving me alone with full of powerful wolves who hated me. But I needed to talk to him, no matter how much he hated me now. No matter how much he hurt me.

So following his intoxicating scent of woods and fire, before anyone could stop me I found myself walking through some dark long hallways with high ceilings.

It didn't take long to find him.

With his back facing me, he talked to someone on the phone.

The way his head snapped slightly to the side said he knew of my presence. My fast heartbeat was enough to announce it. I was desperate to talk to him, desperate for some…comfort of his arms.

But he didn't cut the call as he spoke through his teeth, "Make sure no unmated Alphas or betas stay in the pack until the ceremony. If I see one, heads will roll on the ground. I don't want any unmated wolf around her."

Her…Adeline?

The possessiveness he had for her…it was once for me.

Cutting the phone call, he stayed quiet, still not turning to me. Other than the sound of my drumming heartbeat, there was no other sound.

His heady scent reached my nostrils, giving me some comfort. My legs started to approach him.

"Don't."

I flinched at his harsh voice. His shoulders rose up and down with his heavy breathing.

But I had to talk to him. I wanted to ask what papers he submitted to the council, if we would be safe from any punishments.

"I-I'm sorry," I whispered. "I put you into trouble. I…I swear I didn't mean to. He…" I stopped, not wanting to remember that horrendous night. "But I want to thank you for saving me, Vin…"

"If you're done, then leave." Voice hard and…suppressed.

My eyes burned at his cold tone. "D-did I do something to anger you? Why are you so cold to me? You were not like this, Vin. You seem to hate me…"

Before I could finish, the air whooshed  around me and then I found myself pinned against the wall with his hard body pressing against mine.

I gasped.

Ooo! The atmosphere just got hot!! 🔥

Our poor Rory is stuck in a bad space! Do you think our big bad Alpha will save her? What's going on in his head? Why do you think he is so cold towards his Butterfly?

Let me know in the comments! I would be grateful if you vote and share this story with your book nerd friends! And good news! I will update twice every week from now on! Be ready on every Sunday and Wednesday!

Are you guys happy now? Then comment more and more! It will get this book a good amount of reach!

With love,

Eva Zahan