Chapter 23

Aurora’s POV

The journey back to the RedMoon Pack was eerily silent.  

Jason rode beside me on horseback, his posture rigid, his face unreadable beneath the dim glow of the moon. Louis had been left behind, free—but alone. A part of me felt guilty, but I knew he’d understand. This was my fight, my vengeance to claim.  

Jason had agreed to my condition without hesitation, but I could see the questions burning behind his cold blue eyes. He was watching me, calculating. Did he suspect me?  

I tightened my grip on the reins and kept my eyes forward. If I wanted my revenge, I couldn’t afford to falter now.  

When we arrived at the RedMoon Pack, the gates opened without question. The guards bowed as Jason passed, their deference unwavering. I swallowed back the resentment that bubbled within me. This was the same pack that had once hunted my kind like animals. The same pack that had followed their Alpha when he slaughtered me.  

And yet, here I was, riding through its gates once more.  

As I slid off the horse, Jason grabbed my wrist. His touch was firm but not painful. Still, it sent a jolt through me.  

"Come with me," he ordered, his voice low.  

I didn't resist.  

He led me through the halls of the packhouse, past watchful eyes and whispering mouths. They were all wondering why their Alpha had brought back a mere slave.  

Finally, we reached his chambers. The door clicked shut behind us.  

Jason turned to me, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. "Who are you, really?"  

My breath hitched.  

I forced a laugh, feigning innocence. "You already know who I am, Alpha. A slave—your slave, as you once declared in the Vampire Kingdom."  

His jaw tightened. "Don’t play games with me, Melissa." He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "You’re different. From the moment I saw you, I knew you weren’t just some ordinary servant. And then—" he scoffed, shaking his head, "—you stood before your kidnappers and bargained like a Queen instead of begging like a slave."  

My stomach twisted.  

I needed to throw him off, to redirect his suspicions before he saw through me.  

I forced my lips into a small smirk. "Is that why you’re interested in me, Alpha? Because you think I’m different? Or is it because I remind you of someone else?"  

His expression darkened, his eyes stormy.  

I had hit a nerve.  

"You remind me of *her*," he admitted, his voice strained. "Aurora."  

Hearing him say my name—my true name—made my chest tighten.  

I stepped closer, tilting my head slightly. "The Vampire Queen?" I whispered.  

Jason inhaled sharply. "Yes."  

I let silence settle between us, watching the flicker of something—guilt, longing, maybe even pain—flash through his features. He was still haunted by my death. Good.  

"I heard she was a monster," I mused, feigning innocence.  

Jason’s gaze snapped to mine, his body rigid. "She wasn’t."  

A spark of something dangerous ignited inside me. He still defended me, even after killing me with his own hands?  

"Then why did you kill her?" I asked, my voice soft but laced with venom.  

Jason's jaw clenched. He turned away, pacing toward the window. The moonlight cast shadows across his face, making him look more like the ruthless Alpha I remembered.  

"It wasn’t supposed to happen like that," he murmured.  

I stiffened.  

What did he mean by that?  

Before I could push further, the door burst open.  

Lydia stood there, her eyes wild with rage.  

"You brought her back?!" she shrieked, marching forward. "After everything—after what happened in the Vampire Kingdom—you still went after her?!"  

Jason exhaled, clearly irritated. "Lydia, leave."  

She ignored him, her sharp eyes locking onto mine.  

"You’re lying about who you are," she spat, stepping closer. "I *know* you’re hiding something."  

I held my ground. "And what exactly do you think I’m hiding, Lydia?"  

Her lips curled into a sneer. "I don’t know yet. But I’ll find out."  

Jason let out a low growl. "Lydia, I said leave."  

She hesitated, her hands curling into fists, but then she turned sharply and stormed out.  

The moment she was gone, Jason let out a tired sigh. "Stay away from her."  

I crossed my arms. "Why? Is she dangerous?"  

Jason’s eyes met mine, something unreadable flickering behind them. "You have no idea."  

I swallowed.  

Lydia was a problem. She was already suspicious, and I knew she wouldn’t stop digging.  

But I wasn’t afraid of her.  

Because if she got too close to the truth… I would bury her before she could expose me.  

Jason studied me for a long moment before he finally spoke again.  

"Get some rest. We’ll talk tomorrow."  

He turned away, but I lingered a moment longer, watching him.  

This was only the beginning.  

I had returned to the RedMoon Pack not just for revenge, but for answers.  

Jason still wasn’t telling me the full truth.  

And I intended to rip it from him—one way or another.