Chapter 4

**Earlier that day**Sabine sat in her room, crying uncontrollably. She couldn't believe that Marcus, the man she loved, wasn't her mate. Instead, the moon goddess had chosen Aurora, a commoner and a slave, as his mate. She felt betrayed and angry, her mind racing with thoughts of revenge.“Curse you Aurora! You damn bitch! You have finally ruined my life, I'd make sure ruin yours even if it's the last thing I do.”

Sabine cried.Just as she was about to calm down, someone knocked on her door. She opened it to find a mysterious figure cloaked in shadows. The figure's face was hidden, and their voice was low and husky.“So this is what the almighty Sabine resorts to when her heart is broken…. Tantrums? Useless…. Very, very useless.”

Sabine got defensive instantly, her claws spring forth with murderous intent.“Relax Sabine, I'm a friend. I know you're upset,” the figure said. “But I can give you what you want.”Sabine's eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?” she asked, her voice laced with skepticism.“I can make Marcus love you,” the figure said. “But of course not for free. In exchange, you have to give me something.”Sabine hesitated, her mind racing with possibilities.

“What do you want?” she asked finally.“Freedom,” the figure said. “And you have to make me become royalty.”“Why the hell should I trust you of all people? For all I know, you also contributed to my current pain.” Sabine said.“Well, let's say it was my plan all along. A person has to do whatever it takes to seize his or her moment.” The figure said.“Intriguing…. Very intriguing. But I'd have to refuse, you aren't to be trusted.” Sabine said. “Who knows, you could turn on me one day too.”“Turn on you? Now why would I do that when you'll give me all I already want? Think again, the clock is ticking, and your prey is getting away this night. You don't have a choice if you want revenge.” The voice said.

“I can give you all you want Sabine.”Sabine's eyes widened. “How can you do that?” she asked, her voice full of wonder.“I have my ways,” the figure said. “But you have to trust me. And you have to be willing to do whatever it takes to get what you want.”“Well, sadly, I don't want Marcus love anymore. I want revenge for what he did, and I want him, and Aurora dead by my hands.” Sabine said, her heart full of hatred.“Well, how can you achieve this if not making him love you first? It's all step by step.” The figure said.“Okay,” she said finally.

“I accept your deal.”The figure smiled and handed her a small vial of liquid. “Drink this,” they said. “It will give you the power to use dark magic.”Sabine took the vial and drank the liquid, feeling a surge of power and energy flow through her body. She felt stronger and more confident, ready to take on the world.“Thank you,” she said to the figure. “I won't forget this.”The figure nodded and disappeared, leaving Sabine to her plans.**Present**Aurora tried to escape, but Sabine's guards caught her. They beat her until she was half dead, and then Sabine appeared, her claws raised for the final blow.“You're not going anywhere,” Sabine sneered, her eyes blazing with anger. “You're not worthy of Marcus's love.”Aurora tried to defend herself, but she was no match for Sabine's strength.

She fell unconscious, and the guards took her body into the dark forest, leaving her for a wild beast to eat.Sabine watched them go, a smile on her face. She had finally gotten rid of the woman who had taken Marcus away from her. And now, she was going to use dark magic to kill him.She went to Marcus's quarters, her heart racing with excitement. She found him sleeping, and she crept up to him, her claws extended.But just as she was about to strike, she hesitated.

She remembered the figure's words, and she knew she had to be careful. She couldn't kill Marcus, not yet. Furthermore, she needed him alive, at least for now.So she used her dark magic to make him love her, to make him forget all about Aurora. And as she watched him sleep, she smiled, knowing she had finally gotten what she wanted.“It's all over dear Marcus, I won in the end.” Sabine said, smiling maliciously.Meanwhile, Aurora lay in the dark forest, her body battered and bruised. She had been left to die, and she knew it. She tried to move, but her body screamed in agony.

Furthermore, she was weak, so weak. Furthermore, she couldn't even lift her head.“Why did I try to escape?” she thought to herself. “If only I had stayed with Marcus, maybe things would be different. Perhaps he would have protected me from Sabine's wrath.”She remembered Sophia's words, “Hold onto Marcus, Aurora. Don't let him go. He's your mate, and he'll keep you safe.” But she had ignored her friend's advice, and now she was paying the price.As she lay there, she felt her life slipping away. Her vision was blurry, and her breathing was shallow. She knew she didn't have much time left.

She thought of Marcus, and how she would never see him again. Furthermore, she thought of Sophia, and how she would never be able to apologize for not listening to her.Suddenly, she heard a rustling in the bushes. She tried to open her eyes, but they were heavy. She forced them open, and what she saw made her heart race.A creature, like an animal, was coming towards her. It was big and furry, with sharp claws and teeth. Aurora thought it was a rogue wolf or a bear, come to finish her off.“No, please,” she whispered. “Not like this. I don't want to die alone in this forest.”But the creature kept coming, its eyes fixed on her. Aurora closed her eyes, waiting for the end. She thought of Marcus again, and how she loved him. She thought of Sophia, and how she would miss her. And then, everything went black.