Aurora's POV
The shrubs brushed my skin as I walked down the dark path of the woods. Panic had begun to set in as I tried to recollect carefully.
I'm not crazy.
I told myself on repeat – hoping that somewhere along the line my mind would believe it. I took another look around and there was no way to determine where I was, and even the knowledge of how I got there was a mystery to me.
Suddenly, voices sounded grim in the distance.
"Over here." The murmurs became louder with the sound of a rolling cart.
"What do you think, Joel? That's a footprint."
I rushed into the shade of a tree, watching them from a distance as they examined the ground. Both men appeared scruffy, with worn-out clothes – probably scavengers.
"You think it's the Crescent clan?" one asked, his voice troubled.
"They wouldn't dare cross over to this part of the river. Not if they want a war."
A gentle breeze blew, and the pungent smell of rotten flesh followed, a scent that came from the cart they dragged behind their horses.
I took careful steps backward in the hope of getting out of their radar. Branches creaked softly beneath my feet, splinters digging into my soles, but I didn't stop retreating.
Their voices had become mere whispers when my back bumped into a huge obstacle.
Fear simmered in my chest when I felt the hot breath of an exhale at the top of my head.
I turned slowly to meet a huge pair of eyes floating above me in the dark. The man advanced, closing the gap I was trying to create between us.
"Pretty," he remarked with a flirtatious glance that made his perverted stare even more agonizing. His voice was accompanied by the stench of rotten meat and ale.
Running wasn't an option given his size, and I had no idea what he was capable of. Too many unknown variables.
"I'm sorry, I just need to get back home."
"And where is home, pretty one?" he inquired. His voice rumbled through the woods like a roar.
"We can start a home."
Realization hit me then. I had nowhere to go. I glanced at his belt and recognized the skull emblem engraved on it.
"I thought slave traders of the Deep were banned in these lands."
"Banned?" He chuckled loudly, signaling the others as they approached our position.
"You really are a crazy one. The Deep rule these lands."
"That's enough, Ruxus," a frail voice commanded. He approached with a couple of men behind him, all disheveled, weapons at their sides.
"What is your business out here?"
I examined the scars running across his face in silence. He looked weak, his body thin, his skin pale.
"Did you lose your tongue?" he shot, his tone low but ferocious.
"I don't like repeating myself."
"I woke up here," I replied under my breath.
"Woke up here? Are you a whore or something?" another man sneered, sending the group into laughter.
"Joel!" the scarred man snapped. One word, and silence fell. The intensity of his gaze made his men recoil in fear.
"I'm sorry, boss," Joel muttered, dropping to his knees. It was strange how their builds clearly overpowered the man they feared most.
The leader's gaze returned to me, narrowing on my arm.
"Your arm."
He approached carefully, his inspection almost delicate. He grabbed my arm and studied the mark etched into my skin. His blank expression shattered into shock.
"This mark – the Crimson mark. This isn't possible."
"Boss, it's clearly forged," Joel said, but the icy look he received sealed his lips.
"I'm sorry."
"What's your name?"
"Aurora. My name is Princess Aurora of Crimson."
Silence followed, then thunderous laughter erupted.
"Princess Aurora!" the huge man bellowed, clutching his stomach as he laughed.
"Do you take me for a fool?" their leader asked, rage lacing his voice. He leaned closer, inhaling my scent. Once again, shock crossed his face.
"What are you?"
"What is it?" his men asked. My anxiety spiked as I realized I had no escape plan.
"She doesn't have a scent," he replied, stepping back.
I noticed their grips tighten around their weapons.
"I don't know what you are, but you're going somewhere that will find a use for you."
"Please, just let me go," I begged.
"I'll leave and you'll never see me again."
Chains snapped around my wrists and ankles. I struggled, but their grips were unyielding.
"You are now a prisoner of the Deep Hounds," he declared as they dragged me into one of the cages on their chariots.
"Welcome to your new home, princess."
*****
I thought sleep would bring comfort, but instead it gave way to questions with no answers.
A sharp pain throbbed in my chest, accompanied by flashes of a burning bird.
"Run!" A voice snapped me awake.
I was at the back of the moving chariots, several cages in sight. Most were filled with people, the rest with animals.
"You speak in your dreams," their leader said as he rode beside my cage.
"Are you some sort of witch?"
I fell onto my back, staring into the darkness as the cage rattled along the rocky path.
"Why should I explain myself to a man who has already decided my fate?"
I turned to face him, needing to see his expression as I spoke again.
"I will never explain myself to a man again."
"Stop!" He halted the convoy and moved closer to my cage.
"You are headed to the Slave Border. I'm taking a few men back to the capital."
"Is something wrong, boss?" his men asked.
"I have something to confirm."
His gaze settled on me.
"I'll be seeing you soon."
"At least tell me your name," I called, forcing a smirk to hide my fury.
"Give me the dignity of knowing the mighty werewolf who captured me."
He hesitated, lips parting without sound. His men watched closely, drawn by the tension.
"Call me Salem," he finally said.
He left with a few men, heading in the opposite direction. I didn't know where we were going, but I was determined to find answers.
"Where were you captured?" the woman in the cage beside me asked.
"Your skin is white as snow. You're not from Vermont."
"Vermont?" I echoed, startled.
"The village in the Nether Forest? Is that where I am?"
"Village?" Her tone shifted sharply.
"Are you insulting us? You could have just said you weren't from there."
Realizing my mistake, I pressed closer to the bars.
"I didn't mean to. I have no idea where—"
"Silence!" Ruxus roared, slamming his fist against my cage.
"Don't make me bring you out to play, little princess."
"That's enough, Ruxus," Joel warned. His eyes scanned the area before signaling a halt.
"It's too quiet."
The woman beside me gripped her cage bars.
"Brace yourself."
I barely had time to react before I saw it between the shrubs – a ferocious gaze locked onto mine.
Its eyes bore straight through my soul. Then it stepped forward.
He stood over six feet tall, broad shoulders radiating dominance. Even in the darkness, the tattoos covering his body were visible. Dark braids cascaded down his back, adding to his terrifying presence.
"Look who we have, boys. The legend," Joel chuckled. The others laughed softly as they turned toward the stranger.
He, however, was fixated on me.
"Alicia," he murmured.
"Where is Alicia?"
The Deep Traders exchanged confused glances.
"Never heard of the bitch," Ruxus replied.
The man smiled faintly, his eyes sweeping over them.
"Then I have no use for you."
"Brace yourself!" my cagemate screamed.
Wolves burst from the bushes behind him, chaos erupting instantly. The carriage overturned as snarls and screams filled the air, limbs torn apart in a spray of blood.
I noticed the lock on my cage had snapped from the fall.
"Help me!" Joel screamed.
I hesitated , my body shaking with adrenaline . I slammed my shoulder into the cage door until it burst open.
"Gather the prisoners!" someone shouted.
I turned and ran, but barely took a step before a strong grip yanked me back. My strength vanished instantly.
I turned to meet a hollow, predatory gaze cloaked in dangerous allure.
"Please," I whispered. "Let me go."
"What do we do with her, Alpha Kane?" one of the men asked nervously.
"Kane," I breathed. The name stirred something deep within me. The boy whose father mine had executed for treason.
Disbelief washed over my face.
"You can't be that Kane."
For a brief moment, light flickered in his eyes. He pulled me into his arms, locking me against him.
Before I could struggle, a handkerchief pressed over my face. A sharp scent flooded my senses, and the world dissolved into darkness.