Whispers In The Woods
Aurora's pov
A gentle silence settled between us before Olivia placed her cup down.
"I'm afraid duty calls," she said apologetically as she rose to her feet. "There are matters I need to attend to."
She smiled warmly at me.
"But later, I'd love to show you around the pack properly."
I couldn't help returning her smile.
"I'd like that."
Olivia squeezed my shoulder affectionately before leaving the gardens.
Soon, I was alone.
The morning breeze carried the scent of flowers and pine through the air.
For a while, I simply sat there, enjoying the quiet until I heard my name being called.
"Aurora."
I stood quickly, glancing around the garden but there was no one there.
"Aurora," the voice called out again and it sounded like Roman. It was coming from the forest.
Relief flooded me.
He must have returned from patrol. I hadn't seen him since we got here. He was busy having meetings with the neighboring alpha's, planning on how to solve this rogue and vampire issue.
I hurried toward the tree line.
"Roman?" I called softly. "Where are you?"
No answer.
The forest seemed strangely still.
I took another step deeper into the woods.
"Roman?"
Nothing, no answer again.
A chill crawled down my spine when I caught movement between the trees.
Two figures appeared infront of me.
My blood ran cold. They were vampires. I could tell from how pale they were.
I don't understand vampires can't walk in the sun howcome they're here during the day?
"Well aren't you a pretty little thing," the one with the blonde hair said as his eyes raked over my body.
I swallowed, taking a step backward.
"I'm sorry but I really need to go," I said as I turned around to leave but suddenly the blonde vampire appeared infront of me, blocking my way.
"And where do you think you're going sweetheart?"
"Listen I need to go or else if he sees you guys here he's going to get really pissed."
The Vampire with dark hair spoke. "Who are you referring to sweetheart?"
"My-my mate," I stuttered.
"I assume you're Roman's mate?" the blonde one asked.
I nodded.
"And she's human," the other vampire grinned, showing off his fangs.
"What are we waiting for?" The blonde smirked, "let's take a bite, she probably taste as good as she looks."
"No!" I yelled, pushing the Vampire away. "If you touch me he will kill you both!"
The other vampire chuckled but there wasn't any humor in it. "Let him try."
Panic surged through me.
I fought desperately, trying to pull away but they were too strong.
"Look at me," the blonde vampire whispered.
I wanted to run. I wanted to scream Instead, my eyes lifted to his.
Red swirled within red, hypnotic and endless. The forest sounds disappeared. My pulse slowed. The terror inside me dulled beneath an unfamiliar calm.
"You don't need to be afraid," he said softly.
The command slid into my mind like silk.
I knew I should resist but for some reason I couldn't. Then a loud scream tore from my lips as his fangs sank into my neck with brutal force, tearing through my skin. Agony shot through my veins, stealing the breath from my lungs as I cried out.
My strength drained rapidly. The trees spun around me.
The last thing I heard was the sound of my own uneven breathing.
Then a loud roar cut through the air. It echoed through the forest with such fury that the ground itself seemed to tremble.
The vampire holding me looked up.
His eyes widened in horror.
"We have to go," he muttered letting go of me.
What a coward, I thought.
I collapsed onto the forest floor. My vision faded in and out.
"But what about her?" The other one asked.
"We'll come back for her, we have to go now," he said as he suddenly disappeared.
"See you soon," the dark haired vampire smirked, disappearing into the trees.
The last thing I saw before I blacked out was an enormous figure with dark fur approaching me.
_________________________________________________
The first thing I became aware of was the ache. It settled deep within my body, heavy and exhausting.
My head throbbed painfully. I frowned, my eyelids fluttering as I tried to open them.
The scent of antiseptic filled my nose.
I blinked several times before my vision slowly came into focus.
White curtains, stone walls and
Shelves lined with medical supplies.
The infirmary.
"Aurora?"
The familiar voice immediately grounded me.
I turned my head and found Roman seated on the chair beside the bed.
His gold eyes widened with relief.
He looked exhausted. Dark circles shadowed beneath his eyes, and his usually composed expression had been replaced with worry.
"Aurora," he whispered, his voice rough. "Are you okay?"
I tried to answer, but my throat felt dry.
Roman immediately got up and reached for the glass of water on the bedside table.
Supporting the back of my head carefully, he brought the cup to my lips.
I took a few small sips before sinking back against the pillows.
"My head hurts," I admitted softly. "And I feel... weak."
Roman's jaw tightened.
"You lost a lot of blood."
His hand found mine beneath the blanket, his grip gentle despite the tension radiating from him.
"The vampires attacked you."
I swallowed hard.
"I remembered."
He exhaled, returning to the chair. "What were you thinking going into the woods by yourself?"
"I heard you called out my name and I followed your voice."
He exhaled through his nose, rubbing his temple. "This is worse than I thought," he whispered looking at floor.
"What are you talking about?"
He smiled but it didn't reach his eyes.
"Nothing for you to worry about little one. Focus on getting better."
"Don't do that," I muttered.
He raised a brow. "Don't do what?"
"You're keeping things from me."
"No I'm not," he replied crossing his arms and leaning against the chair.
"I will tell you but once you're okay."
"You promise?"
He smiled, squeezing my hand gently. "I promise."
_________________________________________________
Roman's pov
I was patrolling the borders of the Stoneridge Pack along with Henry's beta when I felt Aurora's anxiety through the bond. I immediately shifted into my Lycan form and rushed to her.
I found her on the forest ground unconscious and bleeding from her neck.
She was attacked by vampires and I had no idea how they got through the border when I was patrolling the area. And another thing confused me was how they could walk in the early hours of the morning when the sun was out.
And now that Aurora mentioned someone pretending to be me call her into the woods confirms my suspicion. Nicholas isn't working by himself, he's working with a witch a very powerful one.
"Roman?" Aurora called, her voice cutting through my thoughts.
"Yes?" I answered, shifting my gaze away from the window to her.
We returned to the guest room, my little mate refused to stay another day at the infirmary so I had no choice but to listen to her. She's still weak and the wound on her neck had healed but not completely.
"What are you thinking about?" she asked.
"I was wandering how I'm going to keep you safe from all of this."
"I'll be fine," she smiled.
"As long as I have you by my side."
I walked toward the bed and sat down beside her, pulling her into my arms.
"You know when I found you lying there..." I whispered. "I've faced rogues, vampires, and wars without fear, but seeing you on that ground..." I closed my eyes briefly before opening them again. "It terrified me."
A tear slipped down her cheek and I
brushed it away immediately.
"I don't know what I would do if something happened to you," I admitted.
"I'm still here," she whispered.
My hand tightened around hers.
"Yes," I breathed, lowering my forehead against hers. "And thank the Moon Goddess for that."