Ashley's POV
Led by Lord Arwin, I ascended to the highest tower of the castle, referred to as the pentagon in this realm.
With a design mirroring that of the Pentagon, I attempted to recall the number of sides it possessed. Was it five? My memory faltered.
"How many chambers does the Pentagon have?" I inquired, hopeful my guess was accurate.
"Five," he confirmed.
Yes, I got it right. A triumphant grin emerged, momentarily sweeping away some of my worries. However, spotting two distant figures sent a shiver down my spine—the two captivating men from the pool!
Instinctively, I sought refuge behind Lord Arwin, striving to remain hidden from their view.
"Gwen, do you see those two individuals there?" Glancing cautiously in the direction he pointed, I observed the men—the brothers. "They are my siblings. The one on the right is Jared, the alpha's fourth son, and the left one is Koa, the second son."
Did he just say alpha? Like the alpha in werewolf legends? Wait—am I in a werewolf domain!?
Questions multiplied until I accidentally bumped my head against Lord Arwin's arm. There was no escape, and I silently hoped they wouldn't recognize m—
"Isn't she the girl who snuck up on me?" Following Lord Arwin's description, the elder on the right was Koa, while the one on the left was Jared. "Are you deaf?" Koa's tone was abrasive.
Why did he sound so brusque? Could it be his allure that's agitating my inner turmoil?
"No need to distress her. She simply requires rest, as her memory is currently blank." Lord Arwin interceded, and I nodded in agreement.
"Older brother, you're aware of the consequences for anyone sneaking up on the Lords of the pack," Koa reminded Lord Arwin.
"I am aware. Furthermore, it's against our laws to bring a lady into the inner chambers, let alone the pool."
Lord Arwin's response cast a stillness over the surroundings, prompting my mind to resume its pondering.
So, Lord Arwin is their elder sibling. Koa stands as the second, while Jared is the fourth. But where is the third?
Jared anticipated my question, preempting my need to ask. "Where is Damon?" he inquired.
"You know his present situation right now."
"Exterminating creatures like himself," Koa uttered with a malevolent grin before departing.
"I hope he's safe within the Night Walker clan," Lord Arwin expressed his concern.
"Wasn't it your mother, the head Luna, who dispatched him to that clan?" Koa interjected, pausing in his steps to address Lord Arwin.
"Quite the jest. The youngest Luna, your mother, apparently can't shield her second son from the rival clan."
My understanding faltered; I thought alphas could have only one Luna, chosen by the moon goddess herself.
"I hope he'll be present for the festival! I'm eager to see him!" Koa's words lingered as he disappeared from view.
"I apologize for the incident you just experienced. Why don't I accompany you to your dwelling? The maids will attend to your needs." I gave a slight bow to Jared before taking my leave.
"May the remainder of your day be pleasant, Gwendolyn," Jared wished.
"My name is Ashle—" I corrected myself, halting midway, "I mean Gwen." I offered a smile, hoping to alleviate the awkward expression on Jared's face.
The journey back home was enveloped in silence, with Lord Arwin leading the way. People bowed respectfully as he passed by. In this world, there were no cars, no signs of modern technology—just the embrace of nature in its purest form. The tranquility was palpable, and even amid this serenity, joyful expressions adorned the faces of those we encountered. I couldn't help but imagine myself without my phone, a thought that seemed unimaginable.
"How life can transform in an instant," I mused, lost in my contemplations. "If only I had learned to swim, perhaps I'd still be alive and working to mend these circumstances." Amid my thoughts, my mother's image flickered in my mind. "I hope they won't come after her?" But deep down, I doubted such an outcome.
"Gwen, do you recognize this place?" Lord Arwin's question redirected my focus as I scanned the surroundings.
If only I could catch a glimpse of what was happening. What does Gwen look like? Or am I inhabiting Gwen's body? Whoever Gwen is, I hoped she had led a peaceful life. Yet, my intuition clashed with that hope—I was right. I was the one who would undoubtedly complicate matters further.
"No, I don't," I answered, my attention back on Lord Arwin.
"Well, this is your residence," he announced.
"My house!?" I exclaimed.
My exclamation was unavoidable, as I couldn't even afford to rent an apartment, let alone own a house.
"Taken aback?" He queried.
"Definitely not." I managed a grin, then proceeded toward the splendid dwelling.
The house was ensconced within an expansive, lush garden, exuding the air of an antiquated mansion from cinematic tales—a place where a kingdom's princess might dwell. It emitted an aura of timeless grace.
Adorned with intricate carvings and delicate ivy, the grand façade hinted at the opulence within. Constructed from aged stone, the building bore the weight of centuries, its walls echoing stories of bygone generations. Ivy-hung windows ushered sunlight into chambers graced with marble floors. Elaborate tapestries showcasing the kingdom's history adorned the walls, while ornate chandeliers cast their luminance over rooms replete with gilded furniture and delicate porcelain. The dwelling exuded an enchantment as if it held the very secrets of the realm, cradling its inhabitant within its eternal embrace.
A contented sigh escaped me as I sank onto the bed. "So comfortable."
Approaching footsteps heralded Lord Arwin's presence. "I hope this place might spark your memories," he said with a smile, yet I was absorbed in my own thoughts, cherishing the moment.
However, an unwelcome intrusion disrupted the tranquility—a message, signaling that something was amiss.
"Lord Arwin." The messenger, shirtless and marked with a chest tattoo, paid his respects and locked eyes with Lord Arwin. "Lord Damon has arrived."
In an instant, Lord Arwin's smile turned cold, and his muttered words struck an eerie note.
"He should have stayed put," Lord Arwin muttered, his tone edged with frustration, before storming out.
Without hesitation, I trailed behind him. My intent wasn't to make my presence known, but rather to uncover the situation and identify this Damon. I detested how my instincts guided me, yet I found myself compelled to follow him, praying they wouldn't lead to my downfall.
As we walked down the hall, in the distance, a figure emerged, bearing a familiarity that stirred ripples of recognition within me. A moment's pause ensued, granting me the space to reflect.
Yes, that visage, though fleeting, carried an indelible imprint in my memory—a face I had indeed encountered before.
Moved by this realization, I quickened my pace. As proximity grew, my memories of him surged, coursing through me like a sharpened blade. A slight but poignant pang gripped my head as I knelt, compelled by this unearthed connection.
Lord Arwin's gaze swiveled, catching sight of me trailing behind. "Why persist in following? Rest is what you require," he urged.
Unyielding, the pain reverberated. I clenched my hair in a desperate grip, my head bowed between trembling thighs. The torrent of remembrances, distorted yet vivid, besieged me—images of him and his cryptic words, a puzzle piecing itself together.
I remember now...
Fleeing the loan sharks, I clung to him for salvation—a surprise flicker in his eyes as if recognition dawned. Then his voice, like an echo across time...
"It seems you escaped the River of the Alps."
Lord Arwin's scrutiny bore into me, curiosity as palpable as the weight of his gaze. Seeking clarity, I ventured to ask him. "Have you ever heard of the River of the Alps?" Slowly, I raised my head, hoping to read his expression.
"Is your memory returning?" His gaze held mine, and as words escaped me, he continued, "The River of the Alps, the accursed river you entered. Following Victor and Victoria, they returned with news of your drowning, despite their prior warnings."
A surge of disbelief jolted through me. "What?"
"Yes, that is the account. Yet, I harbored skepticism. I knew their disdain for you, but your compassion for them blindsided you. My regret runs deep for what transpired." Lord Arwin's voice carried a weight of remorse.
In the midst of this revelation, the person I once believed aided me against the loan sharks emerged as the third son of the pack's alpha. Contemplating this revelation, our gazes converged—his smirk, a haunting emblem that intensified my unease. A shiver coursed through me, repelled by this eerie encounter and the unsettling aura he exuded.