Far from the mansion, on the roof of an abandoned stone building, a woman stood cloaked in black. Her arms were crossed tightly over her chest, her long dark garments rippling in the breeze.
Her eyes—sharp and haunted—were locked onto the distant mansion.
Unknown POV:
My gaze didn't waver from the window.
Her room.
I could feel it—like someone had wrapped icy fingers around my heart and was slowly squeezing. Watching her cry shattered something inside me.
But I stood still. Trying hardest to be Cold. Distant.
I had to be.
"Pat... pat..."
Footsteps echoed behind me, but I didn't turn. I braced myself, hardening my heart.
"Are you sure you don't want to take your daughter away from that hell?"
A deep, gravelly voice—Lucien.
I clenched my jaw.
"Shut up, Lucien." I hissed. "You know I'm not going back there."
He sighed behind me. That heavy, frustrated sigh I'd heard a thousand times.
"Selena... Don't be so ruthless. She's not like them. She can't survive in a wolf's world. Take her to the human realm. She deserves better."
I turned around slowly, frowning.
Lucien stood there—tall, broad, scarred from battles past. His arms crossed, but his expression was soft. Pitying.
I hated that look.
"She has to learn," I snapped. "She has to see how cruel this world is. If I save her now, she'll never grow. She'll always be that weak little girl, always crying. Always needing someone to protect her."
My eyes burned, but I refused to let the tears fall.
"She doesn't need comfort."
"She needs strength."
Lucien closed his eyes, his voice calm but heavy with truth.
"Selena, as your friend… let me say this."
"That girl—your daughter—has never known comfort. Not since she was a child."
His jaw tightened.
"And from everything I've seen in my life, there are only two paths for someone like her."
"One, she'll become cold and distant—hard as stone."
"Two… she'll become vulnerable. So starved for affection that the moment someone shows her kindness, she'll cling to it. She'll be grateful—blindingly loyal—to anyone who offers her even the smallest warmth."
Hearing his words, I felt something stir deep inside me. My fists clenched at my sides.
"She hasn't endured even a fraction of what I've survived, Lucien," I snapped. "She won't break so easily. She doesn't get to."
Lucien opened his eyes and looked at me—truly looked at me.
He shook his head slowly.
"Selena… that's exactly what worries me."
Aria POV:
I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and forced myself to stand. My legs trembled, already weak from the punishment—every step felt like I was walking on open wounds.
They almost gave out beneath me.
I need medicine…
If I don't heal this soon, tomorrow will be another nightmare.
I limped toward the door, each movement sending sharp jolts through my thighs. Carefully, I pulled it open and peeked outside.
The hallway on the other side was everything my room wasn't—spacious, pristine, and bathed in warm golden light. Marble floors gleamed beneath chandeliers, and expensive paintings lined the walls. A world of wealth and luxury… while I had nothing but a mat and pain.
Seeing no one, I stepped out, moving as silently as I could.
I had to get out before they noticed.
Stepping outside the mansion gates, I made my way into the quiet streets, my limp barely hidden as I walked on brick-paved roads.
The night was eerily silent. No wind. No voices. Not even the howl of a distant wolf made me uncomfortable.
I glanced around, eyes narrowing. Something felt… wrong.
That's when I heard it.
Footsteps.
Slow. Measured. Just behind me.
My instincts kicked in immediately, heart racing in my chest.
I swallowed hard, a bead of sweat trailing down my temple.
I quickened my pace, trying to appear calm—but the sound kept following. Steady. Closer.
Who's following me?
Every step I took was matched by theirs. And no matter how fast I walked… the distance was closing.
I moved faster—almost breaking into a run—but the pain in my legs made it impossible to go full speed. Every step was a jolt of agony, but I couldn't stop.
I just had to get away.
Up ahead, I spotted a turn. A narrow alley branching off the street.
Maybe I can lose them in there.
Hope sparked in my chest as I turned the corner.
Then I froze.
My eyes widened.
My heart dropped.
The alley wasn't empty.
A group of rough-looking werewolves stood waiting—lean, muscular, and grinning like wolves circling prey. Their eyes gleamed in the moonlight, filled with hunger.
And all of them… were staring directly at me.
The one in front stepped forward, a wicked grin spreading across his face.
"Well, well… look who finally showed up."
"We've been waiting for you."
His voice dripped with amusement—and something darker.
He took a slow step toward me.
I instinctively backed away—
Only to bump into something solid.
A cold shiver ran down my spine.
I turned my head—
Another group. Behind me. Grinning. Waiting. They trapped me.
"Oh, pretty girl, where are you going?" one of them said with a chuckle, his voice mockingly sweet. "We'll be gentle. Come into my arms."
The others burst out laughing like it was the funniest thing they'd ever heard.
His hand reached toward me, fingers inches from my skin.
Panic surged through me.
I glanced around frantically—and then I saw it. Another alley, barely visible between two buildings.
Hope.
I didn't hesitate. I turned and sprinted toward it, ignoring the pain screaming in my legs.
"Don't let that bitch get away! Catch her—now!" one of them roared behind me.
I heard their footsteps pounding, getting closer.
One of them lunged—
I twisted my body, barely dodging his grasp. It took everything in me not to collapse.
Up ahead, the alley opened into thick darkness.
A jungle.
I didn't stop to think. I threw myself into the trees, branches clawing at my skin as I ran.
Fear gripped my chest like a vice.
Don't stop. Don't slow down.
If they caught me in here… I wouldn't survive.
Suddenly, my foot caught on something—
CRASH.
I hit the dirt hard, my hands scraping against stones and rough earth.
No… no, get up—RUN!
But my body wouldn't listen. My breath came in sharp gasps, the pain in my legs unbearable. And behind me—footsteps. Getting louder.
"Whoa, whoa… would you look at that. The bitch fell."
Their voices were filled with cruel amusement.
I clamped a hand over my mouth, trembling. Maybe they're bluffing. Maybe they didn't see me.
I started wriggling forward, dragging myself through the dirt, sharp stones cutting into my skin. Every inch was agony.
Then—
A small yelp slipped from my lips.
Shit.
The ground darkened.
A shadow loomed over my body.
They found me.