Chapter 2 Saved By Ron.

(Ariel's POV)

Time: 2200, six days until the new round of genetic testing.

"Ugh…" I groaned as something scratched against my skin. Frustrated, I rubbed my face and turned to the other side, but then I felt the scratching again, this time on my neck. "Ah!" I screamed, sitting up suddenly, confused and frowning. "What the hell?" I yelled as I rubbed against the tickling sensation.

"Ariel." I flinched at the sound of Ron's voice and looked around, realizing I was in the town's hospital. Ron was frowning, his expression tense. "Did you hit your head? Did you forget what happened?"

I sighed, rolling my eyes as I accepted the water bottle Ron handed me. "I thought I was going to die."

"You were." Ron scoffed, his tone mocking. "You've been unconscious all night. You have only woken up just now. I thought you were dead, so, I decided to check whether you would wake up or not."

I shook my head, frowning as I muttered, "Thanks…" Hesitating, I rubbed the cool surface of the water bottle with my hand.

"You don't need to thank me. I'm practically saving your life every day." Ron rolled his eyes, pulling a chair up next to my bed, checking my temperature and examining my wounds.

"I'm fine now…" I insisted, trying to sit up.

"Sure, you are. But you'll just end up provoking the wolves again and get punished once more, which will worsen your injuries. Right?" Ron retorted sarcastically, as he forced me to swallow a pill.

He sighed and lowered his head. "When are you going to stop being so reckless, always walking the edge with the wolves? Do you know how much time you were out this time? You were close to dying! If it wasn't for me, you'd have seen the Grim Reaper at this moment."

I chuckled, taking a sip of water as I tried to change the topic. "Who brought me here?"

Ron sighed. "Who else? I was on my way home when I heard someone say a human was being punished in the punishment execution ground. I figured it'd be you. I had to wait until the crowd cleared before I could pull you out."

"Looks like I owe you my life again," I smiled.

Ron frowned and shook my head. "You owe me hundreds of lives by now, Ariel. Can't you be more like your sister—obedient and sweet?"

I clenched my teeth. "Don't mention that bloody traitor to me!"

Ron's face softened as he stroked my hair. "What happened this time?"

I pulled back, avoiding his gaze. "Nothing… Alice reported me for hiding banned books."

Ron's eyes widened as he stood up straight and began pacing. "Are you out of your mind? You broke one of the wolves' four ironclad laws!"

I gritted my teeth. "I wouldn't have been found out if it wasn't for Alice! She is a traitorous bitch!"

Ron frowned and shook his head. "Stop testing the werewolves' iron laws, Ariel. You would've been dead by now if it weren't for the upcoming genetic testing." I nodded, looking down again. "Don't forget the werewolves' four laws."

I clenched my teeth. How could I ever forget the four laws that enslaved humanity? Fifty years ago, when the wolves conquered our city, we were forced to memorize these laws. They were the first lesson we learned after learning to read.

Humans are not allowed to roam freely; they may only leave their designated areas from 9 AM and must return by 8 PM. Violators will be beaten and denied food.

Humans cannot read banned books. Any violation will result in public punishment.

Humans are prohibited from possessing weapons that can harm wolves. Violators and their entire community will face judgment.

Humans must undergo genetic testing to determine if they are compatible mates for wolves. Only wolves have the right to decide whether to mate with humans; humans have no say in the matter.

I clenched the bedsheet tightly in my fist. I would never submit to those wolves! They're nothing but heartless beasts!

"Ariel?"

I shook my head and turned to Ron. "Do you really accept all this—the werewolves' rule, even you, Ron?"

Ron was silent for a moment, his eyes drifting away as he reached for more medication.

Ron was half-wolf, half-human. His mother was human. When his father fell in love with her and forcibly made her his mate, she was already with another human. That's how Ron came to be. Eventually, his father didn't care about his mother and even him. It was as if they've never existed. His mother was so traumatized by everything that she committed suicide when Ron was only five years old. How could Ron not hate his heartless father, and these laws?

Back to Ron. Everyone in the pack knew him. He was despised by both humans and wolves. That's one of the reasons we became friends—I was hated by humans too, for being a freak who always spoke out against werewolves. And, werewolves never liked my guts from the beginning.

Ron! He was the biggest victim of all! How could he accept the werewolves' rule now? Even if no one else understood me, he should. I frowned, shaking my head. He should be able to understand me, and my actions.

"Does it matter whether I accept it or not?" Ron sighed, packing up some medicine.

I clenched my fist, frustrated by his resignation. I had to protect my friend. I don't know why everyone had submitted to them without even trying?

"I've been working on something new. Want to hear about it?" I asked, remembering my latest invention, trying to divert Ron's attention from this unhappy event.

Ron looked at me, silent for a moment, before finally asking, "Is it illegal?"

I shrugged. "I made a new weapon. It looks like a gun, but it shoots a sedative. For wolves, it's deadly—they'll die on the spot…"

"Ariel." Ron shouted, immediately rushing to close the door to the medical room. Once he ensured no one could hear us, he whispered, "Can't you stop breaking the rules? You almost died this time. Haven't you learned your lesson?"

"I'm still alive, right?" I smiled as Ron flicked my forehead.

"Next time, I won't care if you die." He poked at the wound on my neck, his tone half-joking, half-serious, and face, red with anger.

I knew he'd never abandon me. Ron was more of a brother to me than Alice ever was. He loved me and treated me like his little sister.

I smiled as I got out of bed. "Don't worry. I'll behave."

I wouldn't let them find out about my plan. I'm already under surveillance. I couldn't afford to act recklessly now. Otherwise, I might never have the chance to complete my goal—to overthrow the werewolves' rule. I had to stay under the radar, and be obedient. I can't let them catch something on me.

Ron sighed. "I can tell you're planning something."

"I just promise you, I won't be doing anything."

"Alright, alright. You should go. Just make sure not to get into any more trouble. If you behave and don't get into trouble again, you'll be fully healed by the time of the genetic testing."

I liked my scars—they kept other werewolves at bay. Even though I was twenty years old, no wolf had picked up my scent yet, which is why I'm still on the list of potential mates for the Wolf King.

All unmated females—human and wolf alike—under 25 years old had to submit their blood samples.

I sighed as I walked out. I was already late. I needed to get to work at the weapons manufacturing company. I couldn't be late otherwise, even this opportunity will be taken away from me.

I was the only unmated human to work at a company full of werewolves. I never thought I'd get such a chance, but I got it, thanks to someone.

During a weapons design class, I showed off my talent, catching the attention of Mark, the mate of a wolf beta who was there scouting for talent. He's also a human.

Compared to women, men who become mates to female wolves lead a much better life.

But Mark never became arrogant. He held a high-ranking position and broke through all the werewolves' opposition to choose me as a designer.

I'd always be grateful to him. It's made my life better—at least I don't go hungry anymore. With money, I can buy more of what I need, like bribing the librarian. That's how I got my hands on banned books.

When I arrived at the company, the other wolves taunted me over my recent punishment, mocking me for not accepting reality. However, Mark stepped in, stopping the harassment before it got worse.

He led me to the target range, where I put on my headphones and started testing my designs. Everything went smoothly. Mark praised my work.

I thanked Mark for looking out for me over the past year. Despite becoming a wolf's mate, he still respects humans, not like my sister, Alice. She betrayed me the moment she got mated to Jack. I would rather not remember her, but Alice's thoughts repeatedly roamed my mind. I sighed in frustration as I looked at the clock. It was time for me to leave.

As I collected my today's paycheck and prepared to leave, Mark stopped me.

"Ariel!" I turned to look at him when he gave me a smile, and hesitated. "Do you want to get mated tomorrow…?"

I flinched, my mouth widening, and I couldn't hide the displeasure on my face. "I'm not interested in that, Mark." I was ready to leave when Mark held my hands.

"It's not like that. It was foolish of me to ask the question when I already knew the answer." Mark said, glancing down before he again looked up at me with a smile on his face. "I have gotten my hand on a new potion." I raised my eyebrows, not understanding what he meant when he explained further. "One that can mask anyone's scent completely. Even if it was the Alpha King himself, he couldn't find his mate."

My eyes sparkled with excitement as I turned toward him wide-eyed. It meant, even if I was mated to a werewolf, I wouldn't be found by him. The corners of my lips crooked up before I try to hide my excitement again.

"Y—You're willing to help me?" I questioned in disbelief before I added again, "So, what's the catch?"

As Mike's lips curled upward, a shiver ran down my spine. HIS CONDITION WAS OUTRAGEOUS!