Chapter 37

Thorne’s POV

Why am I so fucking worried?

Aurora is an adult, and she can handle herself… but then again, she’s headed into the heart of the pack with no warning. Not many people get an invitation to meet my parents, especially humans.

My stepmother may seem sweet, but she can be a viper when she’s upset or when things don’t go her way. My father, well, he’s a grumpier, stricter, and older version of myself. He dislikes humans more than most werewolves, and Aurora is exactly what that.

A weak human walking right into his territory.

Shit. This is ridiculous. I didn’t go with her because Ivy said they wanted to see Aurora alone. Why? I can’t think of one reason they would call on Aurora.

“Unless they learned of your relationship,” my wolf says, making me groan. I’ve kept things quiet and low with Aurora, so they wouldn’t have been able to figure out who she is to me without digging.

Honestly, I wouldn’t put it past them to do that, though. Ivy’s mother has been a pain in my side for a while now, trying to convince me to complete my mating. They don’t usually make me nervous, but I don’t like that they’ve summoned Aurora with the intent of talking to her without me there.

“I’m sure I would have heard something by now if they knew,” I tell my wolf, but the thought does make me worry a bit.

While I try to focus on my work, I can’t stop my mind from wandering. What could they be talking to Aurora about? It’s not like they know her, unless Ivy told them about Aurora. In that case, are they treating Aurora badly?

I know Ivy doesn’t feel any warmth for Aurora, so there’s no telling what she might have said to her mother.

My father isn’t known for being kind toward humans, though he isn’t known for being awful to them either. My stepmother, on the other hand, might have more of a problem with Aurora, depending on what she’s heard.

“Jace.” I open my mind link with my Beta. “What’s happening at my parents’ house?” Jace drove Aurora there, so he would be staying around to bring her back after the meeting.

“I was ordered to stay outside, Alpha. I wasn’t allowed to follow her in,” he answers. “Aurora did seem very nervous when she got out of the car, though.”

Jace’s words have me on my feet before I can process the movement. I grab my keys and head for my car with a silent curse. I shouldn’t have let her go alone. She isn’t part of this world, not fully, and meeting with high-ranking wolves might send any human into a panic.

Aurora isn’t just any human, though. She’s my secret mistress, which puts more pressure on her shoulders in a situation like this.

If my parents find out about mine and Aurora’s relationship, there’s no telling what they’ll do to the little human.

Aurora’s POV

I probably look ridiculous, staring dumfounded at the Alpha couple in front of me. They wait patiently for my answer, but I don’t know what to say.

Am I allowed to deny them?

If Thorne is getting married, I don’t want anything to do with it. The last thing I want is to help him get married sooner, and that’s exactly what I would be doing if I planned his wedding.

My eyes move between the two powerful werewolves in front of me. Fear and uncertainty bubble in my gut, making me feel a bit sick. What do I do? What do I say?

Is there a way out of this without making them angry?

There is, and it would be to agree. That’s the only safe path out of here. Refusing would be suspicious and could only cause me trouble in the end. They would ask questions, which means they could find out about my relationship with Thorne.

None of us want that secret getting out.

“I think having a capable woman like yourself plan Thorne’s wedding would be the best course of action,” the former Luna states while smiling. She doesn’t know that with every word, my heart is tearing a bit more.

I should have known this little relationship with Thorne couldn’t last very long.

It had always been a temporary situation, and now, it’s beginning to feel cheap as well. If he’s already engaged, he doesn’t need me.

“Anything that you need to help you plan the wedding such as money, assistants, or resources will be at your disposal. You just let me know, and I’ll take care of everything,” the Luna adds. She motions to her husband and herself, saying, “We want this wedding to go off without a hitch, so we will be sparing no expense.”

The Luna’s words fade as my loud heartbeat fills my ears. She says something about how important it is for Thorne to finally get married, and she gushes about how the Alpha’s daughter is an amazing match for Thorne.

“She’s smart and gorgeous. She’s been training to be a Luna since she was a child, taking classes and shadowing the former Luna,” Thorne’s stepmother explains. “Her family is from a strong Alpha line, so she has good genes, which could bring us an entire litter of grandchildren. Imagine all the little Alpha babies…”

Each word makes my chest ache more and more. This woman sounds like the type of person who should be with an Alpha. She probably fits every requirement to match as Thorne’s chosen mate.

Will he be happy about this arrangement?

I can’t stop the thought from entering my mind.

“We will also be able to form alliances, which will strengthen both of our packs. Speaking of, I’ll get you the basic information on both of our families, and you can incorporate that into the wedding…”

I try to remind myself that I’m nothing more than a passing fling for Thorne. His mistress, not the woman he loves. I’m nothing compared to the woman that the Luna talks about. I’m a human, someone who can’t offer any sort of power or benefit to Thorne.

Our relationship, like he said in the beginning, is purely physical. I knew that when this started.

I know that now, but sometimes, I feel like there’s more than a contract between us. I know I shouldn’t think that way, and I shouldn’t let myself be affected by this new turn of events. So why does my chest hurt so much at the thought of losing him?

“Is it safe to assume you have never been to a werewolf wedding?”

“No, I haven’t,” I answer simply.

“Ah, well, I’ll assign someone to help you plan the mating half of the ceremony since you don’t know about that,” she tells me with a clap of her hands and a bright smile. “Everything will come together so beautifully with your help, Aurora… Can I call you Aurora?”

Without waiting for my reply the Luna beams, “Oh, I’m so happy I could cry.”

Forcing a smile, I try to think of anything that would let me escape.

I feel like I could cry as well.