Aurora's POV
The room went silent. Every drunk man's eyes looked at the stranger standing in the doorway. Rain dropping from his dark coat onto the wooden floor.
The boss's face twisted with anger. "Who do you think you are?"
The stranger walked forward, water under his boots. "Someone who doesn't tolerate slavers."
"Slaver?" The boss laughed. "I'm a businessman. This one came into my territory."
"She is a not property." The stranger's voice was cold and deadly. "Let her go."
The boss snapped his fingers. Five men stood immediately, hands moving to weapons. "I can see you have courage coming here alone."
"I was not asking for permission." The stranger removes his hoody.
My breath caught in my throat. His face was sharp and dangerous, with dark hair and eyes. Something about him felt ancient, powerful.
"Darius Shadowmere," the boss whispered, his confidence cracking completely. "I did not know she was yours…"
"Now you do." Darius's looked at me, and I felt something deep in my chest. "She is coming with me."
The boss's face turned red with anger. "Do you know how much…"
"I don't care." Darius's voice dropped dangerously low. "She is leaving now, or none of you leaves here alive."
You could feel the fear around room. Even the boss stepped back nervously.
"Fine," he spat. "Take her."
Darius walked toward me calmly. When he reached me, he spoke quietly. "Can you walk?"
I nodded, though my legs trembled badly. "Yes."
"Stay close." He positioned himself between me and the others. "We are leaving."
As we reached the door, Gold Teeth suddenly lunged. "Wait! She has the mark! That golden mark!"
Darius moved faster than my eyes could follow. One second Gold Teeth was reaching for me, the next he was unconscious on the floor by Darius.
"Anyone else?" Darius asked calmly.
Silence.
We walked into the rain. The cold water washed away my tears and the smoke smell. Darius guided me into the dark forest.
"Where are we going?" My voice shook badly.
"Somewhere safe."
"Why did you save me? You don't know me."
He paused, looking back at me through the rain.
"do you think so?"
My heart skipped. "What do you mean?"
"Come. We need cover before you get sick."
We walked for hours through darkness until we reached a small cabin hidden between trees, almost invisible.
Inside, a fire burning in the fireplace. Darius pulled out a thick blanket from a wooden cabinet.
"Wrap yourself," he said. "I'll make tea."
I took the blanket, moving closer to the fire's heat. My dress sticking uncomfortable to my wet skin.
"You said your name was Darius Shadowmere," I said quietly. "Who are you really?"
He poured hot water into cups, adding herbs.
"Someone who has been searching for you for a very long time."
I froze for a moment. "Searching for me? But I don't even know who I am."
"I know." He brought the tea, handing me a cup. "That's why I'm here."
"Do you know who I am?" The words rushed out of my mouth. "Please tell me. I woke up with no memories. Nothing. Just this mark." I showed him the glowing crescent.
His eyes fixed on it, Something crossed his face. "That mark is the sign of the Moon Goddess. You are…special."
"Special how? Please, I need answers."
Darius sat in-front of me. "Your memories were taken as part of a trial. The Moon Goddess decided your fate."
"The Moon Goddess?" The words sounds familiar. "Why would she take my memories?"
"Because you died," he said quietly. "And she brought you back. But at a cost."
My hands shakes, nearly dropping the cup. "I was dead?
"Yes. You were murdered, Aurora. Poisoned by someone you trusted completely."
"Aurora," I whispered, trying out my name. "That's my name?"
"It was. What it becomes now is your choice."
Tears filled my eyes. "Who would kill me? What did I do?"
"You did nothing wrong." His voice got stronger.
"You were betrayed by jealousy and greed.
Someone wanted what you had."
"Who?" I asked. "Tell me!"
Darius stood quickly and turning away. "It's complicated. There are things you need to remember on your own. The Goddess was clear about that."
"How is that fair?" I shouted, standing too. "You tell me I was murdered but refuse to tell me who or why?"
"Because if I tell you everything, you might never truly remember!"He turned to face me. "And if you don't remember naturally, you'll never break free!"
"Break free of what?"
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath. "A bond.
A mate bond. The strongest connection two souls can share."
My hand moved with instinct to my chest. "I have a mate?"
"Yes." The word seemed painful for him. "An Alpha named Stefano Greystone. He believes you're dead. He is grieving now."
Stefano.The name made me feel both warm and cold. I tried to remember his face, but there was only emptiness.
"Does he know I am alive?"
"No one does. Except me." Darius came closer.
"And it must stay that way."
"Why? If I have a mate who loves me…"
"Because whoever killed you is still out there, still in power, still believing they succeeded." His jaw tightened. "If you return now without your memories, without understanding what happened, they will kill you again. And this time, the Goddess won't save you."
His words hit me hard.. "So what do I do? Hide forever?"
"No." he holds my shoulder strongly. "You train. You learn to control your powers. You become stronger than before. And when you're ready, when your memories return, you go back and reclaim what was stolen."
"My powers? What powers?"
"You are not just a werewolf, Aurora. You are a hybrid. Part wolf, part witch. And with the Goddess's blessing, you have been enhanced." His eyes light up.. "I can teach you to use them."
"What do you get from this?" The question came from deep inside of her, a warning. "Why help me?"
His face went blank.. "Because I knew your mother. I failed to protect her. I will not fail you."
"My mother? Is she alive? Can I see her?"
"No." The word was final. "She died many years ago. I am sorry."
Hope all hope was gone. Everything was too much.
"I am tired," I whispered. "I need to rest."
"Of course." speaking gently. "There's a bedroom through that door. Rest. We will begin training tomorrow."
I walked toward the door, but turned back.
"Darius?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you. For saving me tonight."
Something change in his eyes again. "Sleep well,
Aurora."
I fell on the bed, too tired to remove my wet
clothes. My mind turned with everything I had just learned.
I had died. Been murdered. I had a mate who thought I was gone. Someone had gotten away with killing me.
But who? And why?
As I fell asleep, one thought echoed: I would remember. Somehow, I would remember everything. And whoever did this would pay.
In the main room, Darius stood by the fire, staring into the flames. His hands Tightened and released.
"Forgive me, Aurora," he whispered to the empty room. "For what I am about to do."
He pulled a small vial from his coat, filled with golden liquid that pulsed with light. Aurora's blood. Taken while she slept, before he had arranged for those men to find her.
Everything well planned. The cabin. The men. His perfectly timed rescue.
All designed to make her trust him. Need him. Depend on him.
Because Cassian Grey needed her power. And he would take it, piece by piece, until she had nothing left.
Then he would complete his ascension to godhood.
The fire flickers, and in its depths, he saw Aurora's face twisted in betrayal.
Soon, he thought. Soon she will know the truth. But by then, it will be too late.