CHAPTER TWO

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“Waking in the Wrong World”

I could feel it, the air. It was different from what I’d felt before. Lighter somehow. Warmer. For a second, I actually thought I’d made it to paradise. My heart dared to hope.

Slowly, I opened my eyes, expecting light. Peace. Maybe even an end to all the pain.

But the moment reality settled in, disappointment slammed into me like a wave crashing against rocks. This wasn’t paradise. It was... something else entirely. Or maybe, maybe this is what paradise looked like? Twisted. Strange. Not quite what you'd expect.

The ceiling above me was carved from dark wood, with odd etchings and lines of metal running across it. Nearby, a glass machine let out a soft hum, its lights blinking steadily, small coils inside spinning like it was alive. One wall was lined with messy shelves, books piled high, beakers bubbling with glowing liquids, scraps of handwritten notes scattered like fallen leaves.

Another wall was covered in pinned-up maps and strange symbols I couldn’t decipher. There were diagrams too, ones that looked eerily like werewolf anatomy.

Then I heard it, a soft sound.

My head turned toward it instinctively, slow and cautious. And that was when I saw him.

That same human.

The one who had rejected me.

He was standing there, wearing a smile that almost knocked the breath out of me. Not because it was perfect, but because it wasn’t. It was soft. Real. Like he didn’t know what to say either.

My heart clenched, beating so hard it felt like it might tear through my ribs. And in that one moment, everything that had happened rushed back all at once. The betrayal. The pain. The fear.

I found my voice.

“Where am I?” I asked, colder than I meant to.

“You collapsed,” he said quietly, stepping closer. “It’s been three hours and you still weren’t waking up. I couldn’t just leave you there... What if something had found you—wild animals, or something worse?”

I let out a bitter laugh under my breath. Something worse? That already happened.

“You still haven’t told me where I am,” I said, this time sharper.

He met my gaze.

“You’re in the human realm,” he said. “And for now... you’re safe.”

At that moment, I jumped off the bed. “Are you honestly crazy?” I half-yelled, quickly covering my mouth.

“No,” he replied calmly. “But I am, my lady.”

His soft smile contrasted with the panic written all over my face. I clearly wasn’t ready for any of this.

“Calm down,” he said gently. “Did you expect me to take you to the werewolf realm? Where we’re not welcome? Judging by those men who were chasing you, it’s clear you’re not welcome either. They would’ve had both our heads cut off without a second thought.”

Whatever it was he was saying, he was absolutely right.

“What about your people?” I asked, feeling a dull ache creeping into my forehead.

“They’re good,” he said simply.

He glanced briefly at the door. A moment passed between him and someone outside the room—too quick to catch, but it left a weight in the air.

I rolled my eyes inwardly. I wanted to ask if he really thought I cared about his people—people who had slaughtered us any chance they got. But the pain in my head intensified, and I slowly sat back down on the bed.

I paused. Something felt… strange. I tilted my head and took a long, deep breath through my nose. My wolf senses awakened, searching. I caught traces of dust, metal, an old book’s musk, and beneath it allmno blood, no threat. Only soft fabric, food, and something minty. My ears twitched slightly, but no distant whispers or dangerous footsteps followed.

Safe. For now.

“Take this,” he said, handing me a glass of water.

I looked at him, hesitant. Sensing it, he took a small sip first.

“You see? I didn’t poison it,” he said, offering the glass again.

I wanted to tell him that wasn’t why I hesitated. It all just felt strange. I hadn’t experienced this kind of… kindness in a long time. But I knew he wouldn’t understand. So without saying a word, I took the glass and drank. The moment the water passed my throat, I felt better—strangely better.

I looked at him in disbelief.

“It’s dehydration,” he said, as if reading my mind. “That’s what caused the headache. I can tell you haven’t eaten in three days.”

As if to confirm his words, my stomach growled loudly.

Just then, a soft knock came at the door. Two women entered, each carrying trays of food and drink. I didn’t recognize any of it, but the smell alone made my mouth water. I tried to remain calm.

“This is for you,” he said after the women left the room.

“Who are they?” I asked.

“Oh, them? They’re my workers.”

“Your workers?” I repeated. “Who are you, exactly?”

“I’m Elias Vermont. I’m a scientist. I found you during one of my research outings, and I’m glad I did. Who knows what would’ve happened otherwise?”

Silence filled the room. My mind spun with questions, trying to understand these strange words.

He noticed. “Hm. You seem confused by the term. A scientist is a professional who conducts research and gathers knowledge about the natural world using scientific methods.”

Another long silence. I tried to process what he’d said.

“T-That means you’re one of them? The ones who kill us?” I asked, my voice trembling. Horror spread through me as I pointed a shaky finger at him and stood up.

He sighed deeply and opened his mouth to speak, but I wasn’t ready to hear him.

“No! I’m leaving. Take me away from here! I can’t stay in this place,” I shouted, my voice rising in panic.

He rushed toward me and gently covered my mouth, but I fought back. The thoughts alone were terrifying. Even if this was the man who had saved me, the memory of his kind killing ours wouldn’t leave my mind.

Then—

A loud crash hit the door. It burst open.

Five people entered.

Guns. Cuffs. Hard faces. Cold eyes.

I froze. I couldn’t move. My gaze locked onto one familiar face. Among them were two Hollerith Pack guards, my own pack—and three others I assumed were humans.

“You really thought you could run from me, Arya Stark?” the voice sneered.

My heart stopped.

I knew that voice. It was my brother.

Right there. In the human realm.

My world tilted.

What was he doing here? The humans were our sworn enemies have been, even before our father’s reign. Why would wolves work with them?

What was the connection?

Questions flooded my mind, but none of them made sense. Betrayal and confusion wrapped around me like chains.

“Take them to the prison,” one of the humans said.

Without hesitation, they handcuffed both me and Elias, pushing us forward.

So this was it?

Was this the end of my life after all that happened?