Chapter seventy-seven

Aurora

I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. I was in a small cottage, with wooden beams and a thatched roof. A warm blanket covered me, and I felt a soft, plush mattress beneath me.

As I sat up, my head began to throb. I winced, bringing a hand to my forehead.

What happened? I couldn't remember. The last thing I recalled was... was…nothing.

My memories were hazy, fragmented if I could say.

The little thing I remembered was running through the woods, and falling off the cliff. And then... nothing.

Which is strange.

I looked around the cottage, trying to take in more details. There was a small fireplace, with a kettle hanging from a hook. A wooden table and chair sat in the corner, with a small lantern on the table. The room was cozy, but I felt a sense of disorientation.

Where is this place?

I frowned.

Before I threw off the blanket and swung my legs over the side of the bed. My head spun, and I had to grab onto the bed frame to steady myself.

"Okay, okay. I just need to take it slow." I mumbled in my throbbing head, standing up on my feet.

I took a deep breath and stood up very well, testing my balance. The room didn't spin as much this time, so I took a tentative step forward. And then another.

Before I then made my way to the fireplace, peering into the kettle. It was empty, but I spotted a small bucket of water in the corner. I filled the kettle and hung it over the fire, watching as the flames crackled to life.

As I waited for the water to boil, I looked around the cottage again. This time, I noticed a small note on the table. I walked over to it, picking it up.

The handwriting was unfamiliar, but the message was clear: "Drink the tea. It will help with the pain."

My frown deepened as I wondered who had written the note. And what tea? I didn't see any tea leaves anywhere.

I glanced around, allowing my eyes to wander about and that's when I spotted a small punch of dried herbs on the old wooden shelf by my right.

"Is that the tea?" I whispered in my head. But before I could take a step forward, it was as if something clicked….. like a crack of lighting.

I quickly held my head and staggered back, the note slipping off my hand to the ground.

Memories immediately started flashing back; my encounter with Brielle, the stranger who had decided to help, and how he had tried to kill me and me running through the woods. My gaze narrowed and I remembered falling off the cliff and then my mate swimming toward me.

"Mate," I gasped at that thought.

Wait, I found my mate!!

No freaking way, I shook my head not believing it.

But where is this?

I forgot about the tea or even the water on the fire, my curiosity was at its peak. That man that wanted to kill me, I had seen him with Alpha Valerio.

Speaking of Alpha Valerio, I wondered how Isabella is doing there. Did she know how much of a bitch Brielle is and that man?!

I bet my baby girl doesn't have any idea.

I have to find a way, and get to the Nightshade pack. I immediately rushed outside and the breeze hit my face.

It's windy.

I still managed to step outside, spanning my eyes to take in my surroundings. It seems like I am in the middle of the woods or nowhere. The whole place is surrounded by tall trees and leaves.

"What the fuck am I doing here?"

My heart skipped as I took a conscious step forward. Where do I go from here? It's windy and from the clouds, it's obvious that it's about to rain.

"I know you did wake up today," a sweet musical voice deeply echoed behind me, and I immediately jumped up and spun around.

And my gaze widened at the person in front of me.

He stands so tall, around 6'2" with a rugged athletic build that gives him a weird vibe. His broad shoulders and chiseled chest are evident under the worn flannel shirt he's wearing. His sleeves are rolled up, revealing strong, sun-kissed forearms and merely looking at his hands that were holding a bunch of firewood, you could tell how rough they are from years of living off the land.

My stunned eyes traveled up to his hair that was rich, dark brown that fell freely and long, stopping at the middle of his back. My gaze moved to his green eyes and my breathing quickened. They were beautiful and worth a sharp intelligent glint that misses nothing.

They are the kind of eyes that seem to see right through you, yet sparkle with warmth and tenderness.

My heart was pounding so fast that I had even forgotten about my aching head. His handsome face was angular with high cheekbones, and a sharp jawline though with a small scar above his left eyebrow.

"Are you done admiring, mate?"

His last word jolted my senses back. And my widened eyes almost bulged out.

So that's him? Our mate?

"Yes, he's ours," Ellie growled out possessively. He's so handsome that it's almost painful to look at him. Looking at him was more like gazing directly into the sun.

He looked captivating, mesmerizing that I almost forgot how to breathe properly.

"You're my…. My mate," I stammered, not sure of what I was seeing. He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and hummed. "Yes,"

I gasped, even after Ellie had confirmed it. It still felt so unbelievable to me.

He dropped the firework with a sigh and ran his hand through his hair, combing them backward and the gentle flexing of his muscles sent a tingling sensation all over me.

Oh, my goddess.

It's this what it feels like, I mean the mate bond?

He sighed and turned to face me again. This time, it felt like I was melting.

"Did you see my note?" His deel muscular voice was like thunder on a summer day, low and husky, and utterly captivating.

Fuck it.

"Mate is so handsome," Ellie shamelessly giggled and I hummed in agreement. Not disagreeing either.

Seeing that I am not responding, not even ready to reply anytime. I was just gaping at him like a fool, he let out a defeated sigh and stretched out his hand. I stupidly gazed out his palm, I gulped and stared back at him.

Not sure on how to react.

How did Bella even react the first day she met Alpha Valerio?

Gosh, I feel so shy.

He gave me a side eye and forcefully grabbed my hand, leading me inside. The jolt of electric sparkles shot through me at the sudden contact.

I didn't say much and just followed him inside, he stepped in and saw the note on the floor but the steaming sound of something burning drew my attention and I immediately screamed as my gaze fell on the water that I had left in here.

I immediately detached his hand but before I could get to that fireplace, a figure instantly pushed me by the side and pulled the cup to the ground.

The cup was now empty with its back now black. The fire had dried up the water.

He tore his gaze and raised his perfectly curved brow at me. I swallowed and quickly looked away.

"First time here and you almost want to burn down my small mansion," he growled. I indirectly glanced at the place, just a wooden cottage nothing close to a mansion.

I rolled my eyes in my head.

"Asher, what's your name?"

I tilted my head to look at him. I found those green eyes staring back at me.

"Aurora,"