Aurelia
I sat behind my desk, poring over contracts and legal documents, when the door to my office burst open. Luella, my long-suffering assistant, strode in with an air of barely contained exasperation. "Your mother is here" she announced, her voice laced with disapproval. I sighed heavily, leaning back in my chair as I prepared myself for the inevitable storm. "Thank you, Luella. Please show her in."
Luella nodded stiffly and disappeared back through the door. I stood up, buttoning my jacket as I straightened my posture, preparing to face whatever tempest was about to enter my office. The door swung open again, and there she was, Victoria Knox, my mother, a formidable woman who seemed to grow more imposing with each passing year.
My mother swept into the room, her heels clicking sharply against the hardwood floor. She was dressed impeccably, as always, in a tailored suit that accentuated her slim figure. Her silver hair was pulled back into a severe bun, and her ice-blue eyes scanned the room with a critical gaze. "Mother" I greeted her coolly, remaining standing behind my desk.
"I hope this isn't a social visit" I said, gesturing to the chair opposite my desk. "Because I'm rather busy today." Mother raised an eyebrow but took the seat nonetheless, crossing her legs elegantly as she settled into the chair. "Of course not, Aurelia" she replied smoothly. "I've come to discuss your recent... indiscretion." She paused, her lips pursing slightly as if the word left a bitter taste in her mouth.
I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk as I steepled my fingers. "Oh? And what exactly would that be?" Mother's eyes narrowed, and she leaned forward as well, mimicking my stance. "Don't play coy with me, Aurelia" she snapped. "You know very well what I'm talking about. That omega."
I rolled my eyes, refusing to let her bait me. "Elian is his name, Mother" I corrected her. "And he's none of your business." Mother scoffed, sitting back in her chair with a haughty expression. "None of my business? You seem to have forgotten who runs this city, Aurelia" she reminded me, her voice dripping with condescension. "Everything within these borders is my concern."
I bristled at her words, my wolf stirring restlessly beneath my skin. "This is not about your territory, Mother" I growled lowly. "This is about my life." She waved a dismissive hand, her eyes flashing with irritation. "Nonsense" she snapped. "Your life belongs to this family, to our legacy. You are the heir apparent, Aurelia. You cannot afford to be distracted by such trivial matters."
"T-trivial?" I stammered, taken aback by her callous dismissal of my feelings. Mother's expression softened marginally, and she sighed as if explaining something simple to a child. "Darling, you know how these things work" she said, her voice taking on a patronizing edge. "Alphas are meant to mate with betas, to produce strong, capable heirs. Omegas are merely playthings, disposable distractions."
I stood abruptly, my chair screeching loudly against the hardwood floor as I glared down at her. "Enough" I snarled, my voice low and dangerous. "Elian is not a distraction, nor is he disposable. He is mine." Mother's eyes widened slightly at my outburst, but she quickly regained her composure, her expression hardening once more. "Very well," she conceded, her voice calm and measured.
"When we came to dinner that day, his scent drove us crazy" Mother continued, her voice laced with a warning. "And you know other Alphas will come after him. If you won't take responsibility for him, then someone else certainly will." I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I fought to maintain control.
"You think I haven't considered that?" I retorted, my voice tight with frustration. "Do you really believe I would allow anyone to harm what is mine?" Mother smirked, clearly amused by my display of emotion. "And how do you intend to stop them, Aurelia? Will you fight every alpha who dares to challenge you for this omega's affection?" She leaned back in her chair, her eyes gleaming with a cold calculation.
I stepped closer to her, placing my hands firmly on the desk as I loomed over her. "Yes" I growled, my voice low and menacing. "I will. Anyone who tries to take him from me will face my wrath." Mother laughed, a harsh, bitter sound that grated on my nerves. "How dramatic" she sneered. "But ultimately pointless. You cannot be everywhere at once, Aurelia. Eventually, someone will get past your defenses, and then what?"
Mother stood gracefully, smoothing out the wrinkles in her skirt as she towered over me. "Eventually, someone will take him from you, Aurelia. Unless..." She paused dramatically, letting the words hang in the air between us. I rolled my eyes, already knowing what she was going to suggest. "Unless what?" I prompted, my voice laced with sarcasm.
Mother smiled, a cold and calculating expression that sent a chill down my spine. "Unless you make it official" she said, her voice smooth as silk. "Marry him, Aurelia. Make him yours in the eyes of everyone, and no one will dare to challenge your claim." I stared at her, disbelief warring with anger within me. "You can't be serious" I spat, my voice shaking with barely contained fury. "You want me to marry an omega?"
I turned away from her, pacing behind my desk as I tried to process what she was suggesting. "Mother, you know that's impossible" I said, running a hand through my hair in frustration. "Our laws forbid it. An alpha and omega union can never be recognized legally." She shrugged elegantly, her expression unconcerned. "Laws are made to be broken, darling" she replied nonchalantly. "Besides, who do you think makes the laws?"
"If you truly care for this omega, you will find a way" Mother insisted, her voice firm with conviction. "Make him yours completely, and no one will dare question your claim. It is the only solution, Aurelia." I turned back to face her, my mind racing as I considered her words. Could I actually go through with something so drastic? The idea of marrying Elian filled me with a strange mix of excitement and trepidation.
The room fell silent as I grappled with the enormity of her proposal. Marrying Elian would indeed solidify my claim on him, but the implications went far beyond that. It would set a precedent, challenge centuries of tradition, and potentially shake the very foundations of our society. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil within me.
I looked up at my mother, her expression expectant as she awaited my response. "I... I need time to think about this" I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. Mother nodded, a satisfied smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Of course, darling" she replied smoothly. "Take all the time you need. But remember, the longer you wait, the greater the risk."
I watched as my mother stood and adjusted her suit, her movements precise and deliberate. "Very well" she said, her voice carrying a note of finality. "But do not take too long, Aurelia. Time is of the essence." With that, she turned and walked out of my office, leaving me alone with my thoughts. As the door clicked shut behind her, I sank back into my chair, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.
I sat motionless, staring blankly at the door where my mother had just exited. My mind raced, replaying her words over and over again. "Marry him." The phrase echoed through my consciousness, each repetition bringing a new wave of shock and disbelief. Elian was everything I wanted, needed even. His presence in my life had brought a sense of completion that I hadn't known was missing. Yet, marriage?
My phone rang, piercing the silence of my office. I glanced at the screen and saw Raina's name flash across it. Swiping to answer, I put the call on speakerphone. "What is it, Raina?" I asked, my voice tinged with impatience. Raina's voice came through the line, sharp and urgent. "Aurelia, Tarek Likaris is here. He says he smells an omega in your home."
My heart skipped a beat as I processed her words. "What?" I barked, my voice echoing through the office. "Repeat that." Raina's voice was steady, professional despite the urgency of the situation. "Tarek Likaris is here at the villa. He claims he can smell an omega inside. We need instructions on how to proceed." I cursed under my breath, my mind racing with possibilities.
I strode out of my office, leaving the door wide open behind me. Luella jumped up from her desk as I passed, her eyes widening in surprise. "Is everything alright, Ma'am?" she called after me, but I didn't slow down or respond. My heels clicked sharply against the marble floors as I hurried towards the elevator, my heart pounding in my chest.
I punched the button for the parking garage, tapping my foot impatiently as I waited for the elevator doors to close. Once they did, I selected the button for the underground level and leaned back against the wall, closing my eyes briefly to center myself. When the doors opened again, I strode purposefully towards my car, fumbling with my keys as I approached.
I slid into the driver's seat of my sleek black sports car, slamming the door shut behind me. My hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, knuckles turning white as I tried to rein in the surge of anger and fear coursing through me. Starting the engine, I peeled out of the parking garage, tires screeching against the concrete as I merged onto the street.