Chapter 3- Trapped

AURORA'S POV

Uncle Dexter walked out from the shadow, his claws sprung out. He was a no-nonsense kind of man.

Wasn't he supposed to be gone for the meeting with the king?

“You snuck out of the house! Went whoring around like a little slut in some cheap dress,” he growled. “And worse, you got rejected as a mate.”

“I am sorry—”

“Cut it—” He raised his hand and grabbed my wrist. “You have been a powerless, useless little human in a wolf kingdom. I raised you since your parents died; you owe me, but now… I have been left with no choice.”

“Stop bringing my parents into every little fight we have. Should I bleed in order to show I am grateful for you raising me? Maybe you should have let me burn and die in the same fire that consumed my parents. Maybe I wouldn't have to deal with this bullshit!” I spat.

SLAP!

I felt a sting on my cheek. Before I knew it, blood dripped on my chest and slid between my breasts.

“You ungrateful girl. I will teach you manners.” He swiftly pulled out his belt—his common weapon, the one item he always used for punishment whenever I did something wrong.

He whipped it on my body and I screamed in pain.

Oh shit. I won’t let him murder me tonight.

“You got rejected by the prince! Sneaked out of my house like the slut you are!” he growled.

“Now you pay!” He raised his belt in the air for one more whip and I instinctively dodged it.

“What?! How is that possible?” He whipped again but I dodged every strike at lightning speed.

“So it’s true—you are an abomination. A cursed child with no wolf. Now you’re doing black magic!” He grabbed my arm tightly and dragged me out of the house.

The cold night air brushed my skin. Surprisingly, it didn’t bother me anymore. It felt nice being exposed to the cold air.

What was wrong with me all of a sudden? Was I sick or something? Gosh…

“People of Velmoria! The cursed human is doing black magic to hunt me! She must be burnt!” he yelled angrily.

Suddenly, everyone stormed out with pitchforks and fire torches.

“I heard she almost murdered the princess tonight! Seize her!”

“Burn her!” the crowd yelled, gathering into numbers.

My tummy twisted. Was this my fate? I did not even know what was wrong with me.

I felt a flash of anger rush through my veins.

The crowd gasped and stepped backward as I felt heat burning through my veins.

“Her eyes are turning red! She’s an evil witch!” one man yelled. “Let’s burn her before she kills us!”

I had to act fast. I yanked my uncle’s hand from my grip and ran fast.

I didn’t look back.

I didn’t know where the speed came from and I didn’t want to think about it. Maybe the gods remembered to gift me something on my birthday.

I stepped out of Velmoria kingdom and ran into the deep, dark woods. The night made it look worse, but the moonlight showed enough light for me to see. Useless glasses.

I tripped several times in the woods. For the first time, I saw how destroyed our forest was.

Did everyone know about this?

Trees withered. Dead animals everywhere. The strong stench hit my nostrils, almost suffocating my lungs. But I didn’t stop.

The voices of the crowd faded as I sprinted faster into the woods. My glasses didn't do any justice as I kept grazing my skin against branches.

I hit something hard. I instinctively jumped far from it.

I knew better than to mess with forest creatures. I could hardly kill a fly.

A hissing sound escaped its lips.

A tall, pale figure slurping on blood. It was the most hideous creature I had ever seen—with fangs and glowing eyes.

“Chosen…” it hissed, turning its attention to me.

Oh shit, I’m toast. Goddess, if you can hear me now, it’s your time to perform more miracles for me…

Hello, Wolfy? Still not there?

“Must eat… Chosen!” It dived at me and I ran even faster. This time, I didn’t realize I left it far behind before bumping into a huge old gate. Some ancient words were engraved on it, but I was too scared to read.

I pushed the gates, but they couldn’t budge.

Hey, goddess, I am about to be eaten here. Do something… Wolfy??

Just then, I got a pin from my hair and picked the lock. I ran inside fast, closing it behind me.

The vampire creature tried to enter but it screeched in pain.

Was there a magical barrier on the gate? Damn Who cares…I am safe.

“I will catch you… Chosen!” it whispered harshly before shape-shifting into a bat and flying into the woods.

Oh boy… What a messed-up birthday, am I right?

I rubbed my necklace slightly, catching my breath.

Where am I?

Suddenly, I felt heavy footsteps behind me.

Oh ooo… What now? Am I dinner now?

“Who dares enter my territory?!” a huge, deep, manly voice echoed. I felt the hairs crawl on my skin.

I turned, shaking and trembling.

There it was. The creature only rumors described.

A naked man-like beast standing at 7 feet tall, muscular body, tattoos on his ripped chest. Golden eyes that stared right into my soul, slightly thin pink lips, chiseled jaw, and slightly long black silky hair.

He was extremely handsome.

“I am Aurora—” I trembled. “From the kingdom of Velmoria.”

He growled loud, my ears almost bled.

He moved fast, held my neck with one hand. I felt my feet ascending from the ground. He sniffed me like he was scanning my entire existence. My core felt excited as his nose sniffed my neck, sending shivers down my spine.

“Do you know the consequences of stepping into the lycan’s territory?!” He groaned. “DEATH!”

A lycan… no wonder the scary appearance.

I think I was both scared and horny toward this naked beast.

“Please—don’t kill me!” I pleaded. My voice was barely audible. I felt him cutting off my blood supply.

This savage wasn’t so handsome anymore; he was a beast meant to kill.

“Lucien!” he called out.

A man equally tall and muscular showed up.

“Send a word to that dreadful wolf kingdom, Velmoria. Target: Dexter Gray,” he growled. “Tell him I have his niece, the key. Tell him his debt will be repaid with blood. Finally.”

Lucien nodded and disappeared into the woods.

How did he know my uncle Dexter? And what key? What debt?

Doesn't he know my uncle doesn't give two shits about me?

“Don’t burn your brains trying to figure out what will kill you,” he huffed, squeezing his hand tightly around my neck.

I think my head is turning purple now. “My uncle won't care about me, he wants me dead”

“Oh trust me, he will care. A deal as old as time itself… He will come!” He growled. Squeezing harder.

“Please—” I thought this was my end. So long, world.

“I can kill you now… little wolf!” He growled and dropped me on the ground.

I coughed heavily.

“I am not a wolf. I am human, and don’t eat me please.”

He glanced at me coldly, gripped my hand tight.

His hot breath fanned on my face.

He looked at me like I was ridiculous and mad.

“I know a wolf when I see one.”

“You are mistaken!” I half-yelled and cupped my mouth before realizing this beast can still rip me into pieces.

He took out his large claws and sliced through my arm. I winced in pain.

A throbbing pain shot through my arm.

“The lycan king never makes mistakes!”