4 - Mate

Aurora and Eliza traveled through the snowy woods, with their bodies weakened by frostbites and their determination to live tested by the blazing cold. 

Every step was a battle against their limits. It seemed like Aurora and Eliza had been walking for ages, and their strength was fading with each passing moment. 

The frostbite was turning their fingertips and toes numb, but they pushed through the pain. Eliza's determination knew no bounds. Several times, Aurora wanted to give up, but Eliza never allowed her.

Aurora kept moaning in pain as she had never faced such harsh conditions before, and Eliza was battling to be strong for the both of them. 

Suddenly, a masked man appeared before them. Something about him seemed off, and his presence sent a chill down Eliza's spine.

“Who… Who's there? “she questioned, as she tightened her grip on Aurora.

“Your death. 

I have been sent to put an end to the ex-princess Aurora's life to ensure that she would never return to the pack. “He spoke, and Eliza turned pale.

“You… You don't have to do that. We're… We're already leaving. We're not going to come back. “She begged, but Aurora remained silent.

“I'd advise you to leave now. I have no business with you. “The man warned, but Eliza wasn't going to do that. Not a chance.

She pushed Aurora behind her and stood her ground.

"If you want to get to her, you have to go through me. "She warned, and the man scoffed at her action.

"Have it your way. "

Eliza fought long and hard to protect her precious princess, but she was no match for the giant monster she was battling, and Aurora had no interest in fighting or resisting the man.

He hit Eliza hard in the head and she fainted. Leaving Aurora completely vulnerable. However, Aurora did not run or flinch.

A bitter smile split her face as the masked assassin walked up to her. Life's burdens had grown too heavy, and the offer of death promised an end to the pain and turmoil that had now consumed her existence.

 Aurora braced herself for the final blow with her heart heavy with resignation. The masked man unsheathed his sword and unknown to her, it wasn't just pure silver, but its deadly sharp surface was coated in poison. 

As the blade pierced her skin, and made its way into her stomach, Aurora cried out in pain. 

She shed tears as she began to convulse. Her body was succumbing to the poison, and when the masked man saw this, he slipped away into the night. Satisfied with a job well done.

Eliza woke up a few minutes later, and terror washed over her when she saw the state Aurora was in. Her princess was gasping for air and losing her life. Her fingertips and lips were turning black, and she was growing ice cold.

Eliza sat beside her and frantically tried to stop Aurora's bleeding with trembling hands, but she soon realized that her efforts were futile. The wound was too deep. She needed help.

Desperation fueled Eliza's actions as she began to look around. At first, she screamed into the nothingness of the cold night for help. And when she was sure that no help would come from that, she stood up and began running in search of a lifeline.

Running blindly, she eventually stumbled upon a road. But just as she emerged onto the path, a speeding car was forced to come to a halt dangerously close to her. They narrowly avoided a collision. 

However, Eliza wasn't worried or too fazed about almost getting killed. She was more desperate to save her princess. She rushed toward the vehicle and cried out. Her voice was filled with desperation as she knelt on the ground and pleaded for help.

The back door suddenly opened and a strikingly beautiful man stepped out of the car.

His mere presence commanded attention, and Eliza was overwhelmed by him. He was the most beautiful man she had ever seen, and everything about him seemed to demand respect. 

Instantly, Eliza knew this was a man with power and if anyone could help her, it would be him. She grabbed his leg and began to weep profusely while begging him to save her princess. 

Moved by Eliza's fervent plea, the man finally decided to follow her.

She led him back to where Aurora was. Her skin was already turning black due to the poison, and when the man saw her, he knew Aurora needed urgent help, if not, she would die. 

With a sense of urgency, he dialed a number and spoke to someone who sounded like a doctor. Without further hesitation, he moved over to Aurora, scooped her into his arms, and began rushing back to his car.

The weight of Aurora's limp body pressed against his chest, and the man's determination burned bright. Adrenaline coursed through his veins as he rushed toward his car, racing against time to reach the help that Aurora so desperately needed.

He didn't want to disappoint the weeping Eliza, and he was interested in Aurora. Something about her called out to him. He wanted to know her story…

As he stared down at her with his silver eyes, he was certain more than anything that he wanted to save her. He wanted to know what exactly happened to her and got her in such a condition.

It was only after he had set her down beside him in his car and Eliza got into the front seat did he realized that there was something different... Something had changed in his aura.

He turned to look at the unconscious Aurora and his heart skipped a beat. When he announced.

"Mate! "

His Beta, Julian who was driving, screeched the car to a stop and both he and Eliza turned to look at the man in shock.

"What? "They both questioned. Julian in shock and Eliza in confusion.

"She's my mate. "Dante simply replied and Eliza froze.

"Hurry. Drive. I'm losing her pulse. "He then added, and Julian started the car and zoomed into the night, while Dante held Aurora. Praying to the goddess that he wouldn't lose her right after finding her.