Chapter 4

Aurora's POV

I never thought I'd miss my old body.

The sleek, immortal body that could run for miles without wheezing like a dying cow. But here I was, my chest heaving and legs aching when I'd only ran a few kilometres.

Branches whipped against my arms as I crashed through the cold forest.

My breath came in ragged gasps like I'd swallowed a damned frog.

My lungs burned.

My legs ached.

My breath came in ragged gasps as I sprinted through the thick forest, my feet sinking into the damp earth with every step.

I clenched my jaw, frustration twisted inside me like a blade.

In my old form, I would've outrun them with ease like a phantom. But damn, my chubby frame was slowing me down.

Curse this body.

I heard more footsteps.

A snap of twigs behind me sent ice through my veins but I didn't dare look back.

I ran like my life depended on it.

The ground vanished beneath my feet and I let out a dignified scream.

My body lurched forward, tumbling into a pit and pain exploded in my knee.

I crashed against the dirt. My body twisted awkwardly against the sharp rocks below.

“Aargh!”

I screamed, pushing myself up. But agony flared through my knees. I looked down and cursed. Blood seeped through my torn dress.

Before I could scramble out, shadows loomed over the pit.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” An amused voice sneered.

Bastards!

They wasted no time.

Thick ropes were tossed down and before I could resist, rough hands grabbed me, yanking me up and out of the pit.

“Let me go!” I screamed and fought but they were stronger than me.

I hated how they handled me, their sharp fingernails digging into my arms.

I hated how powerless I was.

I hated how they handled me like property.

The moment I was thrown onto the cold ground, I spat at their feet.

“Touch me again and I'll kill you all!” I yelled.

They laughed.

“She's got fire in her.” one of them smirked.

Disgust and anger formed a dangerous mix and curled in my stomach.

I would kill them. I swore I'd kill them but first I needed to escape.

One of them grabbed my chin, forcing my face upward. “I bet you taste sweet, Red.”

I nearly hurled when his rank breath hovered against my face. In my anger, I bit down on his thirst, tasting blood.

“You little bitch!” The man snarled and backhanded me.

Stars exploded in my eyes as I hit the ground.

I shook off the pain and lunged at him. If I was going down, I'd take a piece of him with me.

“Hold her down! She's rabid!” He echoed a panicked yell.

They were fast. Raw. Dangerous.

Their hands pinned me down, their fingers tore at their dress.

I fought like a cornered animal but my “fights” were useless against them.

“I'd like to see how feisty you are.” He said.

“Let me go!” I panicked.

“We will…” he smirked and turned to his colleagues. “...After we're done with you.”

My heart dropped.

No.

Fear settled in my chest like a stone in water. I was going to be raped! By a bunch of horny slave traders!

Before they could have their way with me, a voice, deep, cold, and commanding; echoed in the forest.

“Let her go!”

And just like that, everything stopped.

My chest rose and fell. I knew that voice. No, I knew the owner of that voice.

I had once whispered his name.

I had moaned his name.

I had cursed that fucking name in my final breath.

Jason!

My blood turned to ice.

A part of me wanted to laugh — a cruel, bitter laugh. Of course, fate would throw him into my path.

But I thanked the gods for one thing — he didn't recognize me.

Not yet.

“Alpha…” One of them stammered, stepping back as Jason approached them.

Even after all this time, after all my hate, I couldn't deny the power he carries. He walked like a man who ruled the world.

His green eyes like the moon itself. Cold, unforgiving, deadly.

The guards who had been laughing moments ago, were frozen in place. None of them dared to reach for their weapons.

“It's him,” one of them whispered.

“Alpha Jason…” another muttered, his fingers trembling.

The third guard swallowed hard. “I thought he was supposed to be miles away from here.”

“Shut up!” The first guard hissed. “Do you want him to hear you!”

Eyes darted between each other, as if silently deciding who would speak — or who would run first if things went south.

How could a single man reduce armed men to nothing but nervous whispers?

As I stared at Jason looming over me, I now understood their fears.

Jason wasn't just any wolf. He was a storm, a beast who tore through his enemies without mercy. And standing there, he was the one true predator.

He stared at me as though waiting for me to tremble under his gaze. But I didn't.

Unlike them, I knew him better than anyone.

Because I had once loved him. And once, he had killed me.

If the universe had a sense of humour, this was the most twisted one ever imaginable.

Jason tilted his head. He wouldn't recognize me. Not in this body.

The men eyed each other as though passing a secret message.

It clicked. They were going to run.

I tried to move but Jason flashed me glare.

“Oh shit.” One of them said in a whispered panic.

Immediately, Jason moved.

His sword cutting through the traders - swift, merciless. By the time he was done, the air smelled of blood and smeared on his fur coat.

The wind brushed past his coat, making it dance in the wind.

This was the man who saved me?

And yet, as I watched him slaughter a cold dread settled over my stomach.

I knew this man as my executioner but not as my saviour.

Jason was the one who killed me in my past life. How ironic that he's saving me in the new one.

He stretched his hand towards me and I swallowed hard.

I should've been dead but he saved me.

Rage couldn't blind me at this point so I did what any reasonable person in my position would do.

I put my hand in his and dusted dirt off my sleeve as I rose to my feet.

He couldn't know I was. Not yet because the moment he did, I would kill him.