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 that. I took another look around and there was no way I could 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 examine from a distance. Both men appeared scruffy with worn out clothes – probably scavengers.
"You think it's the Crescent clan?" One asked with a troubled voice.
"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 backwards in the hopes of getting out of their radar. The branches creaked softly as I stepped on them and the splinters made their way into my sole but I didn't stop retreating.
Their voices had become merely a whisper 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 around slowly to meet a huge pair of eyes floating above me in the dark. The huge man advanced as well, closing the gap I was trying to create between us.
"Pretty," he remarked with a flirtatious glance that made his perverted look more agonizing to stare at. His voice was accompanied by the stench of rotten meat and ale.
Running wasn't an option because of how huge he was and I had no idea what he was capable of. There were 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 at that point, I had nowhere to go. I took a look at his belt and I recognized the skull emblem on it.
"I thought slave traders of the Deep were banned in these lands,"
"Banned?" He chuckled loudly as he signaled the attention of the others that were approaching 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 other men behind him, all looking disheveled with weapons by their side.
" What is your business out here?"
I was examining the scars that ran across his face in silence. He appeared weak, his body was thin and his skin pale.
"Did you lose your tongue?" He shot with a low but ferocious tone.
"I don't like repeating my sentences,"
"I woke up here," I replied under my breath.
"Woke up here? Are you a whore or something?" Another man shot a question that made the men erupt into laughter.
"Joel!" The scarred man snapped. Just one word and silence fell in the woods. The intensity of his gaze made his men crouch in fear.
"I'm sorry boss," he fell to his knees. It was strange because their build and appearance clearly overpowered the man they all feared.
His gaze turned back to me and his focus was narrowed on my arm.
"Your arm,"
He approached carefully, surveying my body with a delicate look. He grabbed me and examined the mark on my arm. His once blank expression broke into a stunned countenance.
"This mark – the Crimson mark. This isn't possible,"
"Boss, it's clearly forged," Joel spoke and the chilly gaze given in response had his lips sealed.
"I'm sorry,"
"What's your name?"
"Aurora, my name is Princess Aurora of Crimson,"
Silence fell in the midst, followed by the thundered sound of their laughter.
"Princess Aurora!" The huge man blurted as he laughed heartily to his fill.
"Do you take me a fool?" Their leader asked with a hint of rage in his tone. He got closer and tried to take in my scent. Once again, the shocked expression came over his face again.
"What are you?"
"What is it?" His men asked. My anxiety had begun to kick in at this point and I had no plan of escaping.
"She doesn't have a scent," He replied as he stepped away from me.
I took another look around and noticed their sudden grip on their weapons.
"I don't know what you are but you are going to a place that would find a use for you,"
"Just let me go," I said desperately.
"I will get out of your way and you will never have to see me again,"
They pulled out a chain and bound my hands and legs. I tried fighting them off but their grips wouldn't budge.
"You are now a prisoner of the Deep Hounds," he voiced as they dragged me into one of the cages in their chariots.
"Welcome to your new home, princess,"
*************
I thought sleep would bring better comfort to me in my predicament but it only gave path to my questions that had no answer.
A sharp pain throbbed in my chest, a pain that was accompanied by flashes of an image - a burning bird.
"Run!" A voice snapped me back awake.
I was at the back of the moving chariots with several other cages in sight. The majority had people in it while the rest was occupied by animals.
"You speak in your dream," Their leader said as he rode beside my prison.
"Are you some sort of witch?"
I fell on my back, staring at the darkness of the night as the cage rattled on the rocky road path.
"Why should I explain myself to a man that has already decided my fate?"
I spooned to face his gaze because I needed to see the expression on his face when I uttered my next words.
"I would never explain myself to a man again,"
"Stop!" He halted the convoy. He advanced closer to my cage.
"You are headed to the Slave Border. I'm taking a couple men back to the capital,"
"Is something wrong boss?" His men raised their concerns.
"I have something to confirm,"
His focus turned to me ," I will be seeing you soon,"
"At least tell me your name," I voiced loudly, putting on a smirk to conceal how furious I was.
"Give me the dignity of knowing the mighty werewolf that captured me by name,"
He was hesitant, his lips ovally shaped but no words were heard. His men watched keenly, their interest captivated by the intensity of the moment.
"Call me Salem," he finally uttered.
He left with a couple men and headed in the opposite direction. I had no idea where we were heading but I was determined to find answers when we arrived.
"Where were you captured?" The lady in the cage next to me asked curiously.
"Your skin is as white as snow, you are not from Vermont,"
"Vermont?" I reacted with surprise.
"The small village in the Nether Forest. Is that where you are from? Is that where I am?"
"Small village?" The mood of the lady switched.
"Are you trying to insult us? You could have just said you weren't from there,"
Seeing that my desperate response might have struck a wrong chord, I pressed against the metal bars of my cage to get even closer to her,
"I didn't mean to. I have no idea where —"
"Silence!" the huge man roared, clattering my cage with his large fist.
"Don't let me bring you out to play, little princess,"
"That's enough, Ruxus," The one called Joel warned. His eyes scanned the area carefully as he gave a signal for them to halt.
"It's too quiet," The lady next to me said. She hurriedly sat down and gripped each side of the cage bars, bracing for something. I watched with bewilderment but in the next second, something caught my eyes in between the shrubs — a ferocious gaze.
It's eyes met mine and I could instantly feel it bore through my soul. For a second I was frozen, watching as the being stepped out.
He towered over six feet, his broad shoulders radiated an aura of dominance. The cold look on his face as he stared at the slave merchants with contempt. Even through the night's darkness, I could still see the tattoos that covered his entire body. His dark braided hair cascaded down his back adding to his intimidating presence.
"Look who we have boys, the legend," Joel chuckled softly. The other burst into soft laughter as they turned to face the stranger that had just emerged. He was curiously fixated on me, almost like he found me familiar.
"Alicia," he muttered softly.
"Where is Alicia?"
The Deep Hounds shared a look amongst themselves, confused by his question.
"Never heard of the bitch," Ruxus responded.
The man grinned oddly, his eyes examining everyone around.
"I have no use for you then,"
"Brace yourself!" My cagemate shrieked. Instinctively I grabbed the iron bars and I did that right on time. In an instant, we were overrun by wolves that pounced out from the bushes behind the man.
The carriage was run over like it was nothing, causing our cages to stumble down the path. The smell of blood filled the air accompanied by loud snarls and screams from people whose limbs were being torn apart.
I moved swiftly when I noticed that the lock had snapped from the fall.
"Help me!" Joel's voice rang in the woods. I hesitated — my body was trembling with adrenaline.
I rammed my shoulder against the door bars until it sprung open.
"Gather the prisoners!" Someone ordered and I immediately turned the opposite direction to flee.
I had barely taken a step when a strong grip held my hand back. The will I had suddenly eluded me. I turned to meet a fierce hollow gaze — like a dangerous predator cloaked in allure.
"Please let me go," I pleaded with a heavy breath. I was drained and couldn't go on anymore.
"What do we do with her, Alpha Kane?" One of the men asked, glancing nervously at the Alpha who still held me firmly in his grasp.
"Kane," I muttered as I took another look at him. I recognized the name but his eyes were much different from the image I had in my head. The image of a fifteen year old whose father was killed by mine for treason against the continent.
My expression shifted into one of utter disbelief."You can't be that Kane,"
For a second, his vacant gaze had light. He yanked me closer, lockin
g me tightly in his arms.
Before I could struggle, a handkerchief pressed against my face. The sharp scent flooded my senses until the world around me slipped into darkness.