Chapter 15

Aurora's POV:

“What’s inside the letter?” Jason demanded, his eyes fixed on me.

I hesitated, unsure of what to say. Before I could muster a response, Ethan interjected. “You may come for the pickup.”

Jason's brow arched. “That’s a shabby reply.”

Ethan didn't flinch. “Or a code. Something from her rogue pack, perhaps.” His eyes narrowed on me. “Alpha, with your permission, I can have her apprehended, detained, and questioned until she reveals the truth.”

My breath hitched. I forced myself to remain still, not to tremble, not to give them anything more than what they already suspected.

Jason rose from the tub, water cascading down his chest. He stretched out his hand, and I quickly handed him the towel, my fingers brushing against his warm, wet skin. He wrapped the towel around his waist, water pooling at his feet as he stepped out of the tub.

His steps were slow until he stood directly in front of Ethan. “Permission denied.” His voice was calm.

Ethan’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Why? She is obviously a spy.” He shot back. “You are making the wrong move, Jason.”

“That shabby letter is not enough proof to have her detained and considered guilty. That accusation could tarnish her image.”

Ethan chuckled. “Since when did you care about a slave’s reputation?”

“Not until now.”

Ethan’s gaze slid to me, his lips curling into a smirk. “You do love her, don’t you?”

My heart stuttered. Love? Could this be happening? Has my mission finally taken another step? 

No, no, no. That wasn’t important right now. What mattered was finding a way to get to that letter before anyone intercepted it.

Jason scoffed, his expression hardening. “You will follow her and receive whatever parcel she is picking up. If it turns out to be a threat to either me or this pack, I will make sure she is burned alive before the whole pack. And everyone will see what happens to anyone who dares to try the Alpha.”

His words slammed into me. 

Did the Moon Goddess grant me a second life only for me to be killed by the same man who had ended me before?

Have I been reborn just to face the same fate? Would my life end in flames, my screams echoing through the pack as I burned for a crime I was yet to commit?

The snap of Ethan’s fingers jolted me back to the present. “Get yourself out of those disgusting clothes and meet me at the front house in five minutes.” His tone was as cold as ever.

I nodded, pushing myself to my feet. My limbs felt heavy, but I forced them to move, my mind racing.

The moment I stepped outside, I ran. My feet pounded on the floor, until I reached the maid’s quarters. I slipped inside, avoiding the curious glances of the other maids, and quickly changed.

I dressed in a simple gray gown, my hands trembling as I reached under my pillow. My fingers brushed against the worn edges of the letter I had hidden there, and I slipped it under my petticoat, pressing it against my skin.

With barely a minute to spare, I reached the front house, my chest heaving as I struggled to catch my breath.

Ethan stood by a carriage, his expression remained unreadable as I approached.

“Will we be using the private carriages?” I asked, the words slipping out before I could stop them. “Aren’t slaves not allowed to?”

His eyes narrowed. “Well, slaves also aren’t allowed to ask too many questions, but you do.” His lips curled into a smirk. “So please, get inside.”

I swallowed back a retort, climbing into the carriage.

“Sit opposite me, not beside.”

I complied, folding my hands in my lap.

He rolled his eyes. “Sit at the far end.”

My jaw tightened, but I moved, pressing myself against the wall of the carriage.

“Where to?” Ethan’s voice broke the silence.

“To the Post office.” I announced, making sure the coachman could hear me.

Ethan’s eyes widened. “Are you receiving a letter?”

I nodded, holding his gaze.

The ride was tense, but I kept my eyes on the passing scenery. My mind ran through every possible scenario, every possible lie I might need to tell.

When we reached the Post office, I moved to get off, but Ethan’s hand shot out, gripping my arm.

I turned to him, confusion washing over me.

He ignored my expression and pulled out a seal—the Alpha’s seal. “If anyone sees this, you won’t be stuck in a line. And you’ll be taken to the desk immediately.”

I took the seal. “Thank you.”

He said nothing as I climbed out.

Inside the Post office, I approached the desk. A different man stood behind the counter, his expression bored until I mentioned a letter from the Vampire Kingdom under the name of Rowan.

His demeanor shifted. “No one ever receives letters directly from them. It is always delivered to their house, so you need to drop your address for delivery.”

I hesitated, then pulled out the seal. “I am from the Packhouse.”

His expression changed instantly. He called for an apprentice and relayed the details. “Please, take a seat. It’ll just be a moment.”

I was guided to a bench, and barely five minutes passed before the apprentice returned, a sealed letter in his hands.

I confirmed the seal and asked for the bathroom.

Once inside, I quickly swapped the letters. My hands moved on their own,  as I tucked Rowan’s letter under my petticoat and adjusted my clothes before stepping out.

Ethan snatched the letter from me as soon as I climbed into the carriage. His eyes scanned the seal, his lips pressing into a thin line.

“It will be read with Jason.”

The return journey felt like an eternity. When we reached the Packhouse, I was sent to my room. Two guards trailed behind me.

I scoffed at their silent vigilance, then slipped into the maid’s quarters. The other maids were present, their curious gazes flitting over me.

I changed into my maid’s attire, keeping my petticoat on. Trust was a luxury I couldn’t afford, not with Lydia’s spies lurking in every shadow.

I laid on my bed, my thoughts racing. Did Rowan believe me? Is my father still alive?

No. If he had died, the news would have spread. Bad news always traveled fast.

I lost myself in my thoughts until the door burst open.

I didn’t move, not until I heard my name.

“Meliss, Alpha Jason needs you in his study. Now!”

I sat up slowly, my pulse quickening.

Time to face the storm.