002
Two days had passed since Aurora was thrown into the dungeon after the public rejection and watching Rowan accept Maddy as his mate.
She has had neither food nor water for the entire three days. In addition to this, the massive blood loss and wounds had exhausted her.
Her limbs were clasped with heavy metal chains while her quivering lips chapped from the coldness of the cell.
The sound of boots against the floor made her flinch.
A guard dressed in armor came into view as he let out a scoff.
“You will soon be put out of your misery.” He said with disdain, making Aurora look up at him.
He was among her worst tormentors for the past two days, coming at intervals to beat and harass her on Maddy's orders.
For a moment, he felt as if her stare cut right through him. But he quickly dismissed it as a hallucination because how could a mere omega possibly have that kind of aura?
****
Meanwhile, Beta Andrew met Alpha King Rowan pacing in his office. At first sight, he looked obviously troubled as if his mind was all over the place. Andrew shook his head, guessing the reason for Rowan’s discomfort.
“Alpha, you sent for me.”
“Is everything ready to transport the Luna away?” Rowan turned to him and asked.
“Former Luna.” Andrew corrected, earning him a scowl from Rowan.
“You have to arrange adequate security for her, I don't want to hear stories about her getting hurt.
And don't you dare leave her in the woods like those old fools wanted, she's too fragile to bear such horrors. Have your men been taking care of her in the dungeon?”
“I passed the message across on the first day. I'm sure they didn't give her a hard time.”
The alpha sighed in relief.
“Send a message to Alpha Rex of the crescent moon pack.
Your men will take her there. Instruct him to take good care of her and ensure she doesn't lack. Of course, he will be duly compensated.”
Andrew looked at him in surprise. Wasn't his agreement with the elder's council to completely break off ties with her and leave her to go her way?
Why was he arranging a safe house where she would be treated like a princess?
“I understand, Alpha.”
“Emphasis on treating her well and making sure she's alright. If anything happens to her, hmph.” Rowan didn't complete his words but the threat was obvious.
Behind the door was Maddy who was eavesdropping on their conversation. Her face turned dark as he listened to their words.
“I knew it. He still loved that bitch despite all my efforts to tear him away. He won't even mate with me, making an excuse that the wedding has not been done.”
She continued listening to them as Rowan repeatedly reminded Andrew to keep the Luna safe.
Maddy’s heart darkened even more and her eyes became red with the desire to kill.
All through the conversation, Rowan referred to Aurora as Luna, not even ex-Luna, making the fires of fury course through her veins.
Even after all her scheming and careful planning, he still won't completely let go. During the times they were mated, Aurora was like an extension of his arm and it was common to see him dragging her into a corner for a quickie.
However, his high libido seemed to disappear once it became Maddy's turn to have him.
“You want to keep your true mate in a safe house and sneak to her occasionally? Will I let that happen? Over my dead body!” She muttered and turned to leave, gritting her teeth.
*****
The carriage that would drive Aurora away soon arrived before the pack house, and she was led out.
A crowd was outside, booing and mocking her. Someone threw an egg at her, making her gasp in shock as the disgusting liquid ran down her face. She looked up to see Alpha Rowan standing on the balcony with Maddy holding him possesively while glaring at her.
She felt a sharp stab of pain in her heart on seeing her husband with another woman being so intimate. She gritted her teeth and quickly got into the carriage, refusing to see more.
The horses pulled the carriage away, and soon, they were out of the Silver Fang territories and into the wild lands under ownership dispute. The area was overgrown with bushes, and filled with wild trees. No, to be exact, it was a thick forest with a road running right through it.
Aurora closed her eyes and relaxed back into the seat, awaiting her fate.
A sudden collision and the neighing of frightened horses had her opening her eyes, a frown on her face.
Before she could ask what it was, she saw it. Men in black, with their faces covered with black clothes.
“Shit! What's this?” The carriage driver muttered, reaching for his dagger, same with three other guards riding with them.
An arrow flew past Aurora’s hair, making her scream and duck for safety.
“You're blocking the Alpha King's carriage which is a capital offense. Move away from the road or face the consequences.” One of the guards on horseback escorting her shouted, followed by the shining of swords being unsheathed.
In response, the assailants fired another arrow at them, killing one of the four guards in the process. Pandemonium immediately broke out.
The horses kicked up dust, and some ran into the trees, unhinged from the carriage. At once, the carriage overturned and crashed into a tree, leaving Aurora with severe injuries.
“Protect the ex, Luna! Do you all know the consequences of blocking the King's envoy? Even if you escape today, he will definitely find you.”
“Don't threaten us with the alpha king, we are here on his orders.” A gruff voice replied, making them speechless.
“Do you take us for fools? Why would the alpha king send a message to thugs instead of soldiers under his troops? Move away, this is your last warning.”
But the thugs didn't budge, rather they began to fire arrows indiscriminately.
“Could they really be from the alpha king? Their weapons pierced our special armor, even the reinforced carriage was no match for them.
Their arrows are limited edition from the armory research department still in the test phase, and forbidden from use due to their extreme lethality.
People don't even know they exist since Division One only answers to the alpha king. These are top military secrets. Could they really be sent by the alpha king?”
At this point, the light in Aurora’s eyes dimmed. She held out hope he only abandoned her for the pack, and was only doing his duty. Although it was painful, she could still accept it and wait for him to come back to his senses. When the enemies showed up, she never believed their words, but now, it was obvious that Rowan pretended to release her only to send hitmen after her.
‘Rowan, was loving you a crime?’ She muttered the tears she had been fighting back for two days now effortlessly streaming down her cheeks.