Aurora’s Pov
After the introduction Ryan made about me being his mate, we took our seat.
The room remained uncomfortably silent. The elders exchanged looks, their expressions unreadable, before the one seated at the center, a man with silver-streaked hair and piercing gray eyes spoke first.
“I am Elder Marcus,” he said, his voice deep and authoritative. “And these are the Elders of the Council.”
One by one, they introduced themselves. Elder Vivian, the only woman in the room, had sharp, calculating eyes. Elder Damon, with scars across his knuckles, looked like he had seen many battles. Elder Tobias, with a face lined with wisdom, seemed to study me the most. And then there were the others, all powerful figures whose approval, I realized, was essential.
I swallowed hard, my throat dry.
Elder Marcus leaned forward. “Tell us, Aurora, do you understand who Ryan is?”
I nodded hesitantly. “Yes… He is the Alpha. A leader. Someone who carries the weight of his people on his shoulders.”
“And yet,” Elder Vivian cut in, her gaze sharp, “you are human.”
I held my breath. “Yes, I am.”
“How do you intend to support him? To stand beside him when you are not one of us?” Elder Damon asked, his voice rough.
I glanced at Ryan, but his expression gave nothing away. This was on me.
“I may not be a werewolf,” I began, “but I am not weak. I will learn, adapt. I will stand by his side, no matter the challenges.”
Elder Tobias studied me closely. “Do you love him?”
The question caught me off guard. Love. It was something I was still figuring out. But when I looked at Ryan, at the way he stood protectively beside me, I knew the answer.
“Yes,” I said with certainty. “I do.”
Murmurs spread through the room, hushed whispers that I couldn’t decipher. The air grew heavier, tension mounting.
Elder Marcus finally spoke, his tone clipped and final. “We have heard enough.”
The murmuring stopped as all eyes fell on him. He exhaled deeply before continuing, “Aurora, you are an outsider. A human. We have spent centuries upholding traditions that protect our kind. Your presence… disrupts that balance.”
My stomach dropped.
“We do not approve of this union,” Elder Marcus declared.
Silence filled the room, suffocating and absolute. I felt as though the air had been knocked out of my lungs.
Ryan stiffened beside me. “You cannot decide that.”
“It is not just a decision, Alpha,” Elder Vivian said. “It is a warning. A human mate is a risk, and we do not trust it.”
I felt my eyes sting, but I refused to let them see me break. I clenched my fists, fighting against the lump in my throat.
Ryan took a step forward, his voice low but filled with authority. “Aurora is my mate. My choice. And I do not need your approval.”
The tension in the room thickened, the challenge in his tone clear. The elders exchanged glances, but none dared to challenge him further.
Elder Marcus sighed. “You are the Alpha, Ryan. The decision is yours to make. But know this…if this union brings chaos, the blame will fall solely on you.”
With that, the meeting was over. Ryan grabbed my hand and led me out of the room, his grip firm and reassuring.
I barely registered the hallways as we walked, my mind swirling with emotions.
“They don’t accept me,” I whispered.
Ryan stopped, turning me toward him. “I don’t care what they think. You’re mine.”
His words should have comforted me, but deep inside, I knew this was far from over. The battle for acceptance had only just begun.
“When are we going back to the city?” I asked him as we walked to the garden, I remember clearly that this way leads to the Garden.
“Are you feeling uncomfortable this soon,” He asked as he stopped in his tracks.
“I didn’t mean it that way, it’s just weird being the only human here,” I told him.
After making that statement, I didn’t wait for him to reply, I dragged him by the wrist and took him to the garden.
We stayed there for a while before he told me that he had to go arrange for something.
“I’ll be back in thirty minutes,” he said, giving me a peck on the lips.
“You’re sure you don’t want to go in? Can you find your way back?” He asked, as his voice was laced with concern.
“I don’t wanna go in now, and I can certainly find my way back,” I told him, giving him a warm smile.
He nodded in agreement to what I said, before heading out from the garden.
I watched him from the back and all i can say is “Damn he’s hot!”
I rested my head properly on the resting bench to take in the cool air, as I closed my eyes, my mind drifted back to everything that has happened. How I ran away from home, how I got a job at the bar, how I met Ryan when I wasn’t looking forward to it.
How it turned out that werewolves were real. Everything felt so surreal, but I had to accept it that way. I loved him, but I wasn’t ready to tell him yet.
Lost in thoughts, I suddenly heard footsteps…it drew closer and it turned out to be Leila and Mira.
“Good day, Aurora,” Leila said with a face filled with a smile.
“Good day, Beautiful,” Mira said. She didn’t smile less than how Leila smiled, her lips were so widened that if I smiled like that, my cheeks would hurt.
“Hey guys, how are you guys doing?” I asked as I sat up and stayed in a sitting position while they stood up.
“We’re good,”
“Is the alpha suspicious that we are planning something?” Leila asked curiously.
“Suspicious? No. but he definitely knows that we’re talking about something.”
“I told him that it’s girls’ stuff, so i dont think it’s a thing for concern right now,” I told them.
“Well, that’s perfect. We were afraid of being caught,” Leila said as she clasped her hands together when she said the word perfect.
“No, don’t worry about that, he won’t find out,” I told them, sounding very sure of what I was saying.
I’d be so embarrassed if Ryan finds out what I’m planning.
“Now what’s next?” I asked.
“What’s next is that we’re going to meet Elder Elliot for his help with the little guests that would be attending,” Lelia said.
“Isn’t he busy right now?” I asked them. I didn’t want to disturb him, I’m still hurt by what he said, but I don’t blame him.
Come to think of it, why didn’t he attend the meeting? He was an elder so he should have been present.
This was my chance to ask him.
“No, he isn’t busy, he’s actually having a meal, this would be the best opportunity for you to ask him,” Mira said as she dragged me up from my seat.
She always does that.
“Me? What do you mean me?”
I was nervous already from the thought of it, “I thought you guys were doing the asking.”
“Aurora, we’re just maids, you are the respected one here, we’ll wait outside the dining hall while you go have a little discussion with him,” Mira said.
“It’s settled, let’s get going,” Lelia said excitedly…. she was happy with the progress.
“Fine, let’s get going before Ryan gets back.”
They led the way until they came to a stop in front of the dining hall.
“You have to take it from here,” Lelia said.
“Okay, you guys should wait for me here, I’ll be quick,”
They both nodded and Mira mouthed goodluck.
I stepped into the hall. It was massive and scary at the same time. I spotted Elliot eating his meal alone.
“Eating alone?” I asked.
“Aurora,” He said with a smile.
“Can I join you?” I asked as I came closer to where he was.
“Of course, come and have a seat.”
“Thank you.”
I pulled out one of the chairs and sat down, he was already done with the last spoon of his meal.
“To what do I owe this pleasure,” He suddenly asked, after wiping his lips off all the food stains.
“Can I ask you something?” I said to him.
“Go on, you’re free to ask me anything,” he said.
“Why didn’t you attend the council meeting?”
“I already know the outcome, Ryan has chosen you and no one would stop him when he has made a choice.”
His tone was firm like he was so sure of what Ryan could do.
“Oh,”
“Yes, that is why I didn’t attend,”
I kept quiet, not knowing how to bring up the information of the birthday party.
“Is there something else you want to ask?” He suddenly questioned me.
“Ah yes, I was wondering if you would be able to arrange guests for Ryan’s birthday, that is in 4 days. I’ll talk to Caleb for entertainment aspect,” I told him nervously.
“I’ve been waiting for this! Ryan has never celebrated his birthday, but now you’re here, I’ll certainly arrange a guest!” He told me excitedly.
“You shouldn’t worry, Carry out with other things, the guests would be handled,”
“Thank you very much Elliot, I appreciate your help.”
It was easier than expected. He really wanted to get it done immediately.
First stage…. buying of the dress: DONE
Second stage….. guests invitation: Done.
Next stage: Meeting Caleb for refreshments and entertainments.