Chapter 12

Aurora's POV:

The walls of my chamber had begun to suffocate me. Days had blended into weeks, since I was forced to stay in my room and recuperate. 

But today, the pull to leave was undeniable. It was as if the stale air itself was pushing me out, begging me to breathe again.

My steps were cautious as I slipped into the corridor. The Packhouse was alive beyond my door. Maids scurried with laundry baskets, warriors passed by with stern expressions, and conversations drifted through the halls. 

I kept to the edges, avoiding the curious gazes.

As I turned a corner, a group of maids halted their conversation abruptly, their eyes widening at the sight of me. It was clear they hadn’t expected to see the ghost of the Packhouse wandering the halls.

"Keep going." A brunette whispered, elbowing the maid next to her. "She might hear us."

"I don’t care if she hears." The other hissed back. "Lydia just threatened to kill herself! Did you see the scene she made?"

My heart stumbled. Lydia? I drew closer, pressing my back against the cool wall, straining to hear more.

"The Alpha’s with her now.” The brunette continued. "She’s in her chambers, saying everyone is mocking her. That she can’t take it anymore."

"She brought this on herself.” Another maid muttered. "If she hadn’t—"

“You want to end up scrubbing floors at the rogues’ den? Watch your tongue." The brunette silenced her.

They moved on, and their voices faded but my pulse thundered in my ears. 

Lydia was threatening to end her life?

Curiosity gnawed at me, and before I knew it, my feet were moving. I slipped through the corridors, as soon I had reached Lydia’s chambers. 

Where a cluster of brave souls had gathered, while the rest kept a safe distance.

I crept into the shadows, tucking myself behind a pillar.

"Stay back!" Lydia’s voice was a high-pitched wail. "If you come any closer, I swear I'll do it!"

She stood by the window, her hands clutched a shard of glass, with the jagged edge trembling against her throat. Her once immaculate hair was disheveled, strands sticking to her damp cheeks.

Jason stood several feet away, his hands raised in surrender. "Lydia, put the glass down. Please."

Her laugh was bitter. "Please? You care now, do you?" Her voice cracked. "Where was this when they laughed at me? When they whispered behind my back? When you looked through me as if I were nothing?"

“I had no idea that people mocked you, but now that I do I will make sure it never happens again.” He reassured her. “So please, put the glass down and put an end to this drama.” Jason pleaded. 

Seeing Jason with Lydia, seeing his kindness—why did it twist inside me like a knife?

"Nothing will change!" She screamed. "You stood there while they mocked and called me desperate and pathetic... You did nothing!" She yelled. “And you won't do anything in the future.”

"I couldn’t intervene then.” He said, his voice strained. "But I’m here now. We can fix this."

She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "Fix what, Jason? My reputation? My heart? Or is this about your guilt? Are you here because you actually care or because you can't stand to look like the villain?"

Jason’s expression tightened. "I do care."

Her eyes narrowed. "Then why? Why didn’t you choose me?”

A heavy silence filled the room. I leaned closer, my heart pounding.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Ethan emerged and shut the door tightly. 

“Enough of this spectacle. Back to your duties, all of you." He demanded.

And everyone began to disperse but I remained hidden. Until Jason stepped out of Lydia's room.

Sighing, I turned to leave, but Ethan's words made me pause. "She’s becoming a liability.” He said, coldly. "We can't afford weakness, not now."

"She’s not weak.” Jason replied. "She’s hurting. There’s a difference."

Ethan scoffed. "And what of the other issue? The whispers about Aurora’s father’s illness? Shouldn't we confirm—"

My breath hitched. Aurora's father?

"We'll handle it." Jason said.

Genuinely confused, I wanted to step forward and inquire about what I just heard. But I held myself back and returned to my room 

In the safety of my chamber, I sank to the floor. My body trembled as tears flowed freely out of my eyes. 

My breaths came in shudders, and I clutched my chest, forcing myself to calm down.

Could this be true? Is father really dying?

A sob broke free, and I pressed my hand to my mouth. Guilt crashed over me. I have been so consumed with my revenge plan, that I had forgotten my father.

I can't stay here. Not now.

What should I do?’ I asked myself. 

I had several thoughts in less than a minute, but every one of them seemed more impossible than the other.

I had a sudden jerk and I realized that I had forgotten someone. Rowan. We basically grew up together, and if anyone can help me, it's him.

I have no idea if he would believed, but I had to try.

Wiping off the tears on my cheeks with the back of my hand, I laid on the bed and stayed there until it was late in the evening. And all the maids who I shared a room with were fast asleep.

My hands shook as I lit a candle, then I rummaged through my things, pulling out a worn piece of parchment and an ink pot.

I sat by the dim light of the candle, ink smudging my fingertips as I wrote:

“Dearest Rowan,

This letter may come as a shock, but I need you to believe every word. I did not die the night of Jason killed me. My soul... it transmigrated. And I now live as Melissa, a slave saved by Alpha Jason from the horrors of Blood Hall Pack. Yes, I am his personal maid. I know it sounds like madness, but it is the truth.

For months, I have hidden this from everyone. Because my only goal was revenge—to make him pay for what he did to me, to us. But now... I have learned of my father's illness. My hatred can wait, but my family cannot.

I need to see him. I need to know he is alright. I understand the risks, but I am willing to take them. Please, pick a date, and come to Blood Moon Pack. So that we can meet up at the old church. Tell no one. 

Trust no one.

Yours,

Aurora"

I folded the letter, sealed it with a drop of wax and  slipped it into the pocket of my worn cloak.

However, I couldn't sleep all through the night. Until morning. And when the sun was up, I rushed to handle my chores and everything Jason would need as fast as I could.

And when he was all washed up, fed and busy in his study, I slipped out of my room with the letter tucked into my cloak.

I moved through the hallways quietly, until I was out of the Packhouse.

At the gate, the guard frowned. “Where do you think you're going?" The taller of the two, a bear of a man with a scraggly beard, stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

"Alpha Jason sent me on an errand.” I replied, keeping my voice calm. 

He crossed his arms over his chest, blocking my view of the gate. "Where’s your pass?"

"I wasn't given one." I said, forcing a small, hesitant smile. "It was urgent, and there wasn’t time."

He exchanged a look with the other guard, a wiry man with sunken cheeks. "No pass, no exit. Rules are rules."

My chest tightened, but I didn’t let my frustration show. "Please. It’s important."

"Then fetch the pass.”