Chapter 14

Aurora's POV:

"You are not Melissa, are you?"

“Wh-what do you mean?” My voice trembled.

A thousand thoughts raced through my mind. Has he found out the truth? Was I followed? Or maybe the postal clerk was one of his spies?

The sound of Jason's chair scraping against the floor, brought me back and I looked up at him.

He rose from his chair, and slowly made his way towards. And I kept on moving back until my back met the cold wood of the door, and suddenly, there was nowhere left to run.

He reached out, his fingers brushing a stray strand of hair behind my ear. The gesture was tender, almost loving, but the coldness in his eyes told a different story.

"I've always wondered how a mere slave could possess the wisdom of a ruler.” He began. "How could a slave speak with such eloquence, and strategize so easily?

My breathing hitched. "I... I don't understand."

He chuckled, a sound devoid of humor. "I thought the answer lay in your upbringing at the Blood Hall Pack. The brutal slave training system could break and mold anyone into several things."

I opened my mouth to protest, but he raised a hand, silencing me.

"But then today, you lied to my guards. Told them you were running an errand on my behalf." His eyes narrowed. "An errand to the postal office, without my knowledge."

My eyes widened and my lips moved, but no sound came.

He smirked. "You look surprised. Did you really think I wouldn’t know where you went? That I wouldn’t have eyes on you?"

"Lydia found your behavior suspicious.” He continued. "So she had you followed."

Lydia. Of course. She was like a serpent who never missed an opportunity to tighten the chains around my neck.

His voice hardened. "Tell me, did you send a letter to your Rogue Alpha? The one who planted you here as a spy?"

A shiver ran through me. "No! No, I... I sent a letter to my family."

Jason’s expression shifted. "Family?" He leaned in, his breath warm against my cheek. "I had your background checked months ago when you first caught my attention. You’re an orphan, with no relatives and no one to write to."

Panic clawed at my insides. "I... I”

“If you truly had a relative that no one knew about, then why didn't you ask for a pass? Slaves with kin give their letters to Ethan to be scanned before they’re sent.” He explained. “Or were you trying to avoid being found out?"

My knees buckled, and I dropped to the floor, clutching the hem of his trousers. "Please, Alpha. I swear I’m no spy!"

"Then who are you?"

Tears burned my eyes. "I was... I was born into a noble family. My father was a merchant, who was affiliated with several politicians. But when he died, our debts swallowed us whole. I was sold, passed from kingdom to kingdom. That’s why I speak as I do, why I know the things I know. It’s my past, not treachery."

He scoffed.

Seeing my lies were not doing the job, I decided to lie even more. “I am searching for someone, someone that would help me out of this place and grant me a better future.”

“Since when has being a slave become something anyone could escape from?” He demanded.

“I have gone through your Pack laws and I know that Slaves who were bought into this Pack have the right to leave. Only if the place isn't a threat to this Pack.” I retorted.

He remained silent for a short while. "I want to believe you." He said finally, his tone softening. "But if you are lying—if I become the laughingstock of the entire realm because I trusted you—I will not hesitate to behead you."

Relief and fear warred within me. "Thank you, Alpha. Thank you..."

"Get out." He snapped, and I stumbled to my feet, practically fleeing the room.

Two days passed quickly, and yet I still moved through the Packhouse like a ghost, my mind trapped between fear and hope. What if Rowan didn’t believe me? What if my father died before my letter could reach Rowan?

Sleep became a stranger, not any food I ate tasted like ash. I always did everything I could to avoid Lydia’s smug smirks and the prying eyes of the guards.

Today, after setting up Jason’s bath, I tried to slip away, but his voice stopped me.

"Stay."

I turned, finding him standing by the tub, his chiseled form wrapped in nothing but a towel. He threw it to the ground and stepped into the steaming water.

"Scrub my back.” He ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I swallowed hard, my fingers trembling as I picked up the soap. When I was done, I moved to rise, but his hand shot out, pulling me into the tub.

"Ah!" I gasped, water soaking through my clothes. His hand clamped over my mouth, muffling my scream.

His chest pressed against mine, and I could feel the thud of his heart. "You’ve been miserable these past days.” He whispered. "Is it because of me? Because I yelled at you?"

Tears burned behind my eyes, and before I could stop myself, they poured out. I couldn’t hold them back—not this time.

The weight of everything crashed into me. I had died by the hands of the man I loved, then I woke up in the body of a slave and now my father might die before I even get the chance to see him.

A sob escaped my lips, and I clung to him, my fingers digging into his bare skin.

Jason’s arms wrapped around me, pulling me close. His warmth enveloped me, and for a brief moment, I allowed myself to believe it was real—that he cared.

I was the Vampire Queen—the ruler of a dark kingdom, a sovereign who commanded legions with nothing but a glance. 

And now? Now I was reduced to this—a trembling girl, soaked to the bone, crying into the chest of the very man who had ended me once before.

When did I become so weak?

I had ruled with an iron fist, I stood on the ashes of my enemies with my head held high. 

Yet here I was. Broken. And I hated myself for it. But the truth was undeniable—I had reached my limit.

I couldn’t keep pretending, and trying to hold it all together. The façade had cracked, and now everything poured out—the anger, the grief, and the helplessness.

When my sobs subsided, he leaned back, his face inches from mine. His lips hovered, as though he was waiting for me to give him a vo ahead.

Smiling, I closed the distance and pressed my lips to his. He responded, his kiss deep and consuming. I lost myself in him.

But then—

The door swung open.

We froze.

My gaze darted to the doorway, where Ethan stood, his expression a mix of shock and something darker.

I pulled away from Jason, clambering out of the tub, my drenched clothes clinging to my skin.

"I... I’ll give you privacy." I stammered, my feet carrying me toward the door.

But Ethan’s hand shot out, gripping my arm. "That will not be necessary.” He said coldly. "It would be a lot easier to say it in front of you."

Jason’s brows knit together. "What’s going on, Ethan?"

A muscle in Ethan’s jaw tightened. "A letter just came in for her."

My world tilted.

While Jason’s grip on the tub’s edge tightened, his knuckles white. "Is that so?"