CHAPTER 1 - Aurora

Somewhere around the Pacific Northwest.

It was night, and she was supposed to be on the road to her mother’s in Northern California, but unfortunately, here she was, fighting for her life.

Heavily pregnant and almost due for delivery, she brushed through the thick bush searching for any glimmer of hope or help from someone, but it was all bushes.

She had been badly injured by what she had seen to be a dog… or wolf.

It attacked her so quickly that before she knew it, she was bleeding profusely from her inner thigh.

Her chances of making it seemed impossible, but then, she saw people who moved with torchlights towards her, like they knew she would be coming.

“H… help me, please.” She weakly waved one of her hands in the air, shouting as she supported her injured thigh with the other hand.

“Dogs, wolves,” the men hurried their footsteps. “Help.” She collapsed before she could say another word.

The High Keep mansion

In the living room, Beta Luke informs Brynn, Alpha of The Foreclaws Pack, about the strange human that was being brought to the mansion.

“Prepare the trauma room and get the doctor Asap,” Brynn said, still focused on the book he was reading with his son.

“They’re here, master.” Luke sounded through the hallway as he rushed to meet Brynn. After seeing the state of the woman, he only wishes for there not to be further delay.

“Okay, now, Theodore, I think that’s it for tonight, now. Go meet your mother.” Little Theodore got up and left.

Brynn then headed towards the trauma room, and Luke followed immediately.

Brynn smelled the blood in the air. The woman was lucky to still be breathing, but barely alive.

“What do we have here?” Brynn asked the doctor, just as he stepped into the room, which looked like an operating room. His hands crossed behind him, but his eyes were assessing the helpless, heavily pregnant woman on the operating table.

“She was attacked by a werewolf and lost a lot of blood; whoever did this wanted her to bleed to death. I’m surprised that she’s still alive, adrenaline, I guess,” the doctor reported.

“Barely alive, you mean.” Brynn removed his glasses and pinched in between his eyebrows, “So what are your suggestions?”

 “A C-section can save the child, but there is nothing I can do for the mother; too long already.” The doctor said,

“We can’t change her, Luke,” Brynn said without looking at Luke, sensing what Luke was thinking.

“She can’t be changed with her surgery wounds,” The doctor said.

“It’s risky,” Brynn added.

“She’s going to die either way, we could try,” Luke said, feeling sincere pity for the helpless woman.

After just a few seconds of reconsideration, “Put a call across to the Moonridge Pack, send in the Beta’s wife.” Brynn said, and Luke ran as fast as his legs could carry him, as he tried to make a call.

“Hurry,” Brynn added. He didn’t have to shout; Luke heard him loud and clear.

“A human inside the pack’s house?” Bianca said to Brynn in sarcasm as he sat down in the living room.

“Not for long, so don’t sweat, Bianca.” He crossed his legs and gently closed his eyes.

In no long time, the Beta’s wife, Elise, arrived, accompanied by Luke; she looked heavily pregnant herself.

Understanding the urgency, she went straight to meet the wounded woman, who was already patched up after the operation.

“She’s strong, too bad.” Elise said, bringing out potions from her bag, “I need privacy, please.” She said, and was left alone in the room.

After some time, she came to the living room and met Brynn. “Her cuts are healed, you can take over now,” Elise said as she walked closer to where Brynn was seated.

“Thank you, Elise, let me give you both space to catch up,” Brynn said, leaving the two women alone, and Elise sat down afterwards.

Northern California, twenty-two years later.

Aurora, a human girl, was on the phone with her mother, standing behind the counter where customers made their orders.

“Mum, let me come visit you, just once.”

“It’s dangerous, and I believe you already know why.” The voice from the other end said.

“Mum, I am an adult now, I can look out for myself with a few defensive skills I learnt.” Aurora wasn’t backing down.

“But…”

“Pleeeeeaaase?” Aurora gave a wide grin.

The mother sighed, “Okay, fine, but you have to tell me about that boy you always mention when you get here, promise?”

“Promise, thanks, mum,”

Just then, she saw Lucius, her long-time crush.

The air around her suddenly froze, and time froze along with it, as Lucius opened the door to the coffee shop, accompanied by his two friends.

“Can you hear me?” The mother called out to Aurora,

“Talk later, mum.” Aurora ended the call,

“What can I get for you, Lucius?” She gave a heart-warming smile, unable to hide her feelings for Lucius.

“Cappuccino for all of us.” He smirked and used his thumb to brush along his lips, staring at Aurora.

“Coming right up, and a friend discount, as always. So, if you could please sit and wait a little,” Aurora said, pointing them to the empty chairs in the shop.

They left to sit down, and Aurora was blown away by how Lucius looked at her.

“How long is this going to continue, Lucius?” The first man asked.

“I’ve got it under control.” He answered, sparing a glance at Aurora as she happily made their orders.

“There’s a rumor about Ingrid.” The second man said.

Lucius gave a serious look, “And that’s what it is, a rumor.”  

Aurora soon found herself in the Pacific Northwest. She loved how elegantly dressed the house workers were; her mouth parted in shock at the beautiful interior and the well-polished floor her eyes beheld as she was escorted into the High Keep mansion by a servant.

This was her first visit to her mother’s place of work, and for once, she thought that her mother might be living a much more comfortable life than her.

“Mum,” Aurora called out as she was led into her mother’s room.

“My baby,” Moira hugged Aurora tightly, “Oh my, you have grown into a fine young woman.”

“Yeah, grandma tried,” Aurora said, smiling and rolling her eyes. “You’re heading out?”

“Yes, but don’t worry, stay in here, don’t step out, and wait for me, I will be right back. We both have a lot of catching up to do.” Moira said, slowly heading towards the door.

“Okay, mum, come back quickly,” Aurora sat on the bed.

“I will, honey,” Moira said, waving goodbye to her daughter.

Three hours later, Aurora started to feel bored.

Thinking that going on a tour wouldn’t hurt much, she left her phone and belongings in the room and headed out to see how much more glamour the mansion held.

She admired the chandeliers and the paintings on the wall that looked ancient.

She saw the house servants whisper, while some stole glances at her, others stared at her without fear that she could see them do it.

But that didn’t stop her from touring this enormous mansion.

She noticed the mansion felt so quiet, like one would have to go into it to confirm that there were living beings inside.

Aurora found herself in the entrance of an open room. She was in awe as this was too big to be called a room, and unlike anything she had ever seen; every inch of the room smelled of wealth.

Suddenly, her eyes fell on a servant, who quickly turned around and walked away at a fast pace, on seeing her.

She curiously continued, unsure of what was happening.

Just when she thought she could uncover more, she felt a presence in the room and stood still, and suddenly, a warmth came on her neck, and everything went black.