Aurora James - POV
The ground was moist, and the path looked worn out as I emerged through the clearing when a smile broke out on my face. There was a complete contrast between the main pack and the beta pack. Whereas, back in the beta's pack, all I saw were men either training or goofing around, but here, I felt something bubble within me.
Since it was a weekend, there were quite a lot of families who were having a picnic by the river. I walked towards the river and took a seat at the edge as I dipped my legs in the ice-cold water while my eyes wandered around the surroundings.
I felt my heart squeeze in despair as I saw mothers running along with their kids. I thought I could have that one day, but I guess it would only be a dream. I didn't know how time flew by when I saw the sun setting on the horizon, and I knew that I would have to head back home. I got up from the ground and dusted the dirt from my clothes and made my way back to my car.
I felt my heartbeat increase as I arrived back in Beta Perez's pack house. I parked my car in the driveway and walked inside. As I passed the living room, I saw a few warriors in there watching television as I took the stairs and made my way upstairs.
This was the first time I was going to be alone in a room with a beta Perez, and I felt the familiar feeling of fear seep in, knowing that this would be a perfect chance for him to reject me. I knocked on his door and stepped back, waiting for his response. "Come in." I heard a gruff voice as I opened the door and walked inside.
The scent of oranges and cinnamon invaded my senses, making my body heat up. "If you don't have anything to say, then leave." Beta Perez said in a monotone without even looking up from his paperwork. I felt my heart tighten while my eyes were glued to him.
"I want to rent a shop in the human town." I cut right to the chase.
"Adam informed me."
"Adam?" I asked him, sounding confused when he finally looked at me.
"Alpha Lopez." He said while my mouth formed an 'o'. Shit, I should have paid more attention during history class.
"So, will I be able to rent a place, Beta Perez?"
"I will see and let you know." He answered. "You can now leave." He said, and I nodded my head.
"We can't go on like this, Aurora. Ask him about the mate bond. I can feel his wolf calling out to me." Lily insisted.
"This is not the right time to talk about it." I scolded her when Beta Perez raised an eyebrow at me.
Did I say that out loud?
"You did." She snickered as she blocked me out.
"Talk about what, Miss. James?" He asked me.
"Um, nothing, beta Perez. I will leave now." I stammered and turned around to leave, just as I reached the door, I heard him speak.
"You want to know about the mate bond we share?" His words stopped me midway as I turned around to face him. I didn't say a word as I felt my heart palpitate in anticipation.
"Beta Perez, I…" Before I could speak, he continued.
"I have decided to never let a woman into my life, Miss. James. I have learned long back that they only serve as a distraction. Why would I need a mate if I could have any women I want? Am I right, Miss. James?" He asked me as I felt my eyes burn, but I held back my tears.
"A mate is your better half, Beta Perez." I choked out the words when he let out a humorless laugh.
"According to me, you need a mate to satisfy your needs and maybe an heir in the long run. I think I can buy that with some money, Miss. James."
"Don't you feel the mate bond, Beta Perez?" I asked him, but he didn't answer.
"I would have at least considered mating with you if you held a rank, Miss. James. But I don't think I want a woman who is a nobody with a lonely mother and a runaway father." I felt my chest rise and fall in anger. A tense silence engulfed us as we stared at one another.
"I have heard worse insults in my life. I have already been hurt more than I could bear, Beta Perez. But I still hoped to find that fresh start in my life, and that is why I came here. If you don't want me as your mate, I am fine with it. I will not bother you about this question." With those words, I walked out of his office.
I ran up the stairs, and as I got closer to my room door, I felt the tears roll down my cheeks. I quickly walked into my room, and without even turning the lights on, I fell back on the bed as I cried. I heard a lot of stories about second-chance mates, and the moon goddess only gives them to certain people when her first choice for them has gone wrong.
But she has never gone wrong with the second choice, but I guess I am an exception.
Ring ring.
I took the phone when I saw that it was my mother. "Hello?"
"Sweetheart, how are you?" She asked me as I cleared my voice and quickly wiped away my tears.
"Doing great. How are you keeping up?" I asked her, but she didn't answer.
"Aurora, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, why do you ask?"
"I know when something is wrong with you, Aurora. So don't make me come over there." She warned me when I felt fresh tears roll down my cheeks.
"I found my second chance mate, Mom," I mumbled.
"That's great news, Aurora. Why are you…wait! He didn't…"
"He did, Mom."