Chapter 17 Chapter 17 An Unexpected Encounter
Angelina's POV
By the time everyone snapped out of their shock, more than ten seconds had already passed.
I knew Tyler was, after all, a championship racer. His fame in the racing circuit was no small matter. And now I'd beaten him!
I could already picture it—the moment word got out that some unknown racer had beaten Tyler "Apex" Cross, every motorsports journalist and racing blogger would be scrambling to get here. They'd be shoving cameras and microphones in my face, demanding I take off my helmet, wanting to know who I was, where I came from, how a nobody just dethroned a three-time champion.
Most drivers kept their helmets on, their identities hidden behind visors and fire suits. The mystique was part of the appeal—you were only as good as your last race, and your reputation was built on results, not your face. Unless you actively sought the spotlight or signed with a major sponsor, you could race for years and still be a ghost to the mainstream world.
I naturally wouldn't be stupid enough to wait around for those people to interview me. Having finally gotten this ordinary, interesting life, I didn't want to make myself a target again.
"Holy shit! That was amazing! Aria, you're absolutely incredible!"
All the way down the mountain, Zion's praise was all I heard. And he kept repeating the same few sentences over and over. He wasn't tired of saying it yet, but I was tired of hearing it, so I simply ignored him.
When we reached halfway down the slope, I suddenly remembered something.
"You guys go ahead. I've got something to take care of. See you in a bit," I said to Zion and Logan.
Without giving them a chance to respond, I flashed into the dark brush beside us. In the blink of an eye, I disappeared into the depths of the forest.
My footsteps were light, moving silently through the woods. If anyone were around right now, under the bright moonlight, they might catch a glimpse of a figure flashing past quickly before vanishing in the blink of an eye.
After running for some time, I arrived at a steep slope near the base of the mountain.
Below the slope was a massive circular sinkhole. Unlike usual, lying quietly in the sinkhole was a Porsche smashed to pieces.
The mangled Porsche had fallen from halfway up the mountain, crushed and deformed by the tremendous impact. Blood slowly seeped from inside the car—not hard to imagine what had just happened.
Tyler and his car.
I stood on the high slope, observing quietly for a while. Only after confirming Tyler was dead did I turn around and silently run back through the forest.
In the quiet little grove, only the moonlight overhead illuminated the path.
Tonight's night gave me an inexplicably uneasy feeling. Like something was about to happen.
Sure enough, my premonition had never been wrong.
I hadn't run far when I heard movement ahead. I narrowed my eyes, dodged to the side, and hid behind the nearest large tree.
Soon, two sets of powerful footsteps suddenly rang out.
Where my gaze reached, I saw a moonlit forest. The owners of those footsteps also came into view.
Walking from the other end of the forest were two men.
The man in front stood around 6'2", early twenties, moving through the moonlight with the kind of presence that made you stop and stare.
Dark hair, military-short but not buzz-cut. Sharp jawline. The kind of face that belonged on a movie screen—all angles and intensity, like young Tom Hardy.
He wore black tactical gear that fit him like it was custom-made. Everything about him was controlled.
This was a man who knew exactly how dangerous he was and didn't need to prove it to anyone.
The kind of man your mother warned you about.
I recognized him.
Or more specifically—he was Caelan Thorne, Alpha of Evergreen Pack.
Evergreen Pack. One of the most powerful packs in the world. Their territory spanned major cities and mountain ranges across East Asia.
They were one of the only packs on the planet that could match Riverbend's strength.
In my previous life as Angelina, I'd heard stories about Caelan Thorne. The Alpha who'd taken control of Evergreen in his early twenties and turned it into a global powerhouse. Brilliant strategist. Absolutely ruthless when crossed.
We'd never crossed paths directly. But if Caelan Thorne was here, half a world away from his seat of power...
That was no accident. That was a message.
"Alpha. Intelligence confirms the matter has been resolved."
The man beside him stood about 6'1", mid-to-late twenties. He had that refined, almost professorial look—wire-rimmed glasses catching the moonlight, sharp features. The kind of guy who looked like he belonged in a corporate boardroom or teaching graduate-level literature, not skulking around in the woods at night.
Rowan Vale. Caelan's Beta and right hand. In pack hierarchy, the Beta was second-in-command—the Alpha's strategist, enforcer, and most trusted advisor all rolled into one. If Caelan was the sword, Rowan was the brain behind every calculated move Evergreen made.
The two seemed to be here to complete some important task. Now that task appeared to be finished.
"Mm. Let's go."
Caelan, who hadn't spoken a word until now, finally spoke. The man's voice was magnetic and pleasant.
Rowan nodded. "Understood."
I'd been hiding behind a large tree this entire time. I held my breath, quietly listening to their conversation.
I was preparing to slip away silently.
However, just as I turned around, a dangerous presence suddenly struck from behind me!
Shit! I've been discovered!
I reflexively dodged to the side, barely avoiding an attack.
Caelan's profile suddenly appeared before my eyes.
When had he gotten so close to me! I hadn't sensed him at all!
After my rebirth, my skills were far inferior to before. This body was pitifully weak. If it were my previous life, perhaps I could still fight head-on, but now... I could only run for my life!
But just as I turned to flee, Caelan moved faster, grabbing my face with his hand.
His tall figure completely covered me against a tree.
He used an icy tone to interrogate me:
"Who are you?"