CHAPTER 3 - AWAKENED

I walked along the road, the bitter wind biting at my exposed skin. I had no particular direction in mind, I just wanted to go far away from the pack house. The echoes of their harsh words still lingered in my mind, the weight of my sacrifice heavy on my shoulders.

I wasn't even allowed to take anything away from the pack, not even my phone or purse, so I couldn't call for a taxi to escape this mess. They seemed to be enjoying this mess they've put me into, but I'll never back down.

As I continued on my aimless journey, a strange unease slithered up my spine. It felt as if someone was following me, their presence undeniably present but just out of reach. I turned around, my eyes darting from one shadowy corner to another, but there was no one to be seen.

"Who is there?" I asked, my voice echoing through the dark street.

The dark, quiet street was empty, devoid of any signs of life. I hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to trust my instincts or dismiss them as paranoia.

"Who is there?" I asked again but I didn't get any response. I knew for sure I was being followed, but why and why who?

In the end, I shrugged off the feeling and kept walking, but I definitely quickened my pace. I desperately hoped to find a place to hide, to escape from the invisible eyes that seemed to be watching my every move. But fate had a different plan in store for me.

Suddenly, a car materialized out of nowhere, hurtling towards me with an alarming speed. Every muscle in my body froze, and before I could process the thought to run, the car collided with me, sending me flying through the air like a ragdoll.

Time seemed to slow down as I soared through the darkness, the world a blur of lights and shadows. My body crashed against the harsh pavement, pain consuming me in an instant. Blood stained the cold floor beneath me, mingling with the darkness in a macabre dance. I lay there, half-conscious, the world spinning around me while I struggled to piece together my shattered thoughts.

Amidst the haze of my consciousness, I heard faint footsteps approaching, accompanied by a deep, male voice. It felt distant, as if it was coming from another realm altogether. The words they spoke echoed in my mind like a haunting melody.

"I think she is dead, she isn't breathing." The first voice said, and I could feel the warmth of his finger on my nose.

"We can't be so sure... I think we should go throw her into a dam or somewhere where no one would see her body." The second voice suggested. Panic gripped me, threatening to pull me under. I wasn't fully conscious, but I doubt I would survive even if I wasn't thrown into a dam. But drowning together with the pain I was feeling right now, it would be too much.

"No! We don't have to... the alpha didn't ask us to do that. Let's just get out of here."

With that, the sound of their retreating footsteps faded away, leaving me alone in the darkness once more. Chester really sent these people to kill me?

Everything went black, time becoming an elusive concept. It felt like an eternity consumed by nothingness. But eventually, the darkness loosened its grip on me, and I blinked my eyes open, struggling to regain my consciousness.

My body felt weak, but as I glanced down, I realized my wounds had miraculously healed. It was as if I never faced the horrors of that fatal accident. Confusion and disbelief flooded through me as I slowly rose from the cold, hard floor.

I found myself in a stable, the scent of hay and animals filling the air. The dim light filtering through the cracks in the wooden walls revealed my surroundings. It was a humble place, a brief respite from the chaos that had consumed my life but the fact that I was brought back alive without having an interaction with the moon goddess was baffling.

With a dusting of my clothes, I carefully made my way outside, stepping into a world that seemed both familiar and foreign to me.

There were people bustling about, their voices blending into a symphony of urban life. I glanced around, squinting my eyes against the bright lights that contrasted with the darkness that still clung to my memories.

I couldn't recognize where I was, a feeling of embarrassment washing over me. I kept my head down, unwilling to draw attention to myself, and began walking again, hoping that fate would guide me to a place where I could find solace and replenish my tired body.

"Hey, who are you!" I heard a woman shouting at me, but I didn't look back.

"Oh my God! She's so stinky."

The city stretched out before me, its streets pulsating with life. Cars whizzed by, their engines roaring, and the scent of street food lingering in the air.

I weaved through the crowd, my every step filled with uncertainty. Where could I go? Who could I trust? These questions weighed heavily on my mind, but I had no answers. I was lost, both physically and emotionally, adrift in a world that felt like a distant memory.

I needed a place to cleanse the bloodstains from my body before I could even start to think of something else.

As I walked through the city, my heart pounding with anticipation, I stumbled upon a pack house. The sight of the massive building sent shivers down my spine, but it also filled me with a strange excitement.

The pack house stood proud and imposing, its doors wide open, welcoming people with open arms. There seemed to be no restrictions, and the constant flow of individuals intrigued me.

It was the perfect opportunity for me to seek refuge, to perhaps find a way to cleanse myself, find new clothes, grab a meal, and disappear from this unknown territory to find my own world.

With trepidation, I ventured into the fenced pack house, observing the buzzing energy that engulfed the space. It was teeming with activity, an air of celebration thick in the atmosphere. Though I couldn't discern the reason behind the festivities, the presence of numerous men in black and white suits indicated it was a momentous occasion.

I needed a disguise, a guise that would grant me anonymity within the walls of the pack house. My eyes scanned the area, searching for an opportunity. And then I saw it - a tidy maid's uniform left unattended. This was my chance. I swiftly donned the attire, blending seamlessly into the bustling crowd.

"Morning Araya," I heard from behind and I looked back to see the young beautiful lady, wearing the same uniform I was wearing.

"Araya? You mean me?" I asked, confused.

"Oh c'mon, Madam Donna has been asking of you. You need to go meet her now because she's already upset with you." The lady said, patting my back and walked away with a smile on her face. Did I really look at the Araya she was talking about or she's just blind? Oh Goddess! Who is this Madam Donna?

As I roamed the vast mansion, my heart raced with each step, the fear of being discovered gnawing at me. The enormity of the building made navigation a challenge, yet I pressed on with determination. I couldn't afford to falter or draw attention to myself, especially now that I was being recognized as Araya.

As I was walking down the hallway of the third floor, I collided with someone, jolting me back to the present moment. Shock coursed through my veins as I looked up, meeting the piercing gaze of a young man. His towering stature, chiseled physique, and mesmerizing eyes left me momentarily breathless. He was undeniably handsome, a perfect example of male allure. He was a Gamma.

"I... I am so sorry Gamma, I didn't know you were, please forgive me." I quickly bowed my head and stammered an apology.

The man's expression twisted into a frown as his eyes bore into mine, "Araya? Where are you headed at?"

No way!! Looked like this Araya was very popular, how would a gamma recognize a maid and remember her name?

"I... I... I am on my way to... to the kitchen." I stammered, trying to remain composed.

"Kitchen? But this isn't the way to the kitchen?" He replied.

My heart threatened to burst from my chest as I registered his doubt, but I had to stay composed. Summoning all my courage, I feigned a smile and scratched my hairline, an attempt to appear casual, "Yes, actually, I needed to get something from the store up there before heading to the kitchen." I said, this time, I sounded more confident and convincing.

Holding my breath, I waited for his response, afraid that he would see through my ruse.

The man shook his head in disbelief, his skepticism evident, "You need to be more cautious, okay? Always be careful so you won't collide with someone who wouldn't forgive you."

I nodded earnestly, promising to heed his advice. As he walked away, I released the breath I had been holding, relieved that my deception had remained intact, if only momentarily.

I resumed my aimless journey, moving through the labyrinthine hallways of the mansion. Uncertainty clouded my mind as I pondered my next move. Then, the sound of voices drifted through the wooden door of a nearby room I was passing by, drawing my curiosity. Hesitant yet compelled, I paused, attempting to comprehend the heated argument raging within.

The voices grew louder, and amidst the cacophony, I caught a snippet of conversation that sent a chill rushing down my spine.

"...they couldn't find her and the letter she dropped says she isn't interested anymore."

"We will have to look for a substitute bride, there are alot of guests outside, we can't cancel this marriage because of our reputation." I heard a woman, trying to lecture goddess knows who. I still didn't understand what was going on but I kept listening.

"But why would Indrane run away after everything we've done," I heard another voice, thick bold and masculine and that was when I figured what was going on... But it really was none of my business.

I didn't want to hear any more, fearing the implications and the danger it might bring. I turned away from the room, silently urging my feet to carry me away. And then, just as I thought I had escaped, the door swung open, emitting a sense of urgency that sliced through the air.

My heart lurched, lodging itself in my throat as I heard the command that froze me in my tracks. "Hey you! Come with me!" The words rang out, filled with authority and an unmistakable sense of finality.