5. "Stepping into the Pit of Darkness"

Olive's POV

The clouds were dark when the cold handcuffs slapped around my wrists.

I looked up at the sky.

‘Did I imagine getting arrested by the cops with a crime I never committed?’

Everything seemed surreal when I found myself sitting on the back seat of the police cruiser. Houses, cars, and people outside window, I cherished each of them knowing that it would be a long time before I would see those sights again. Having these thoughts, the answer to my question came clear.

‘I wasn’t born a rule breaker. But for the man I love, I broke my own rule.’

“Get out.”

My mind was hazy when the door of the police cab opened. What waiting before me was a gloomy concrete building for people seeking forgiveness for their sins. And I had to go through with it. For Vincent, for the pack, and for my grandma.

‘Vincent will take care of my grandma.’

His promise, a solace for my flickering hope, gave me courage to step in and enter the police station.

Walking into the bustling lobby of the police station wasn’t like a walk in the park. It was shady, gloomy, and unwanted. And as we made our way through a maze of rooms ushered into the interrogation room, I knew my life would be turned upside down.

Sitting on a bolted chair, I looked around the room that had nothing except the fluorescent lights above, the table in front of me, a reflective window film, cameras on the wall, and the door that cannot be opened from the inside.   

“So, this is what an interrogation room is.”

I said that not out of amusement, but in terror.

I saw what an interrogation room looks like from the movies and dramas I watched on television. But just knowing and being here is way too different.

Closing my eyes, my stomach churned. I replayed what Alpha George told me before turning myself in.

[“Remember, none of this has anything to do with my son. Vincent was drunk and you put him in the passenger seat. You were the one driving the car and you fled the scene after accidentally hitting Vera. Don’t make a mistake, Olive. Think about your Grandma.”]

At that moment, I felt throbbing pain, I thought my head would crack open.

“Ahhhh.”

I held my head with handcuffed hands and clenched my jaws, thinking it would ease the pain.

‘The injury in my head hasn’t healed yet.’

 It was then I heard the door open. Footsteps echoed, I forced my lids open and saw a tall silhouette looking at me in disdain. My sight was blurry, it was difficult to say who was who.

‘Is that the police?’

“Sir,” I uttered, holding my aching head.

All I want to ask is medicine to give me a moment of relief. But when my sight cleared and I recognized the man standing before me, I knew I found my own bitter medicine – the stinging fate of a Lycan’s wrath.

“It was you,” were the first words that came out from Lycan Aaron’s lips.

I held my breath, looking at the man who had donned a sleek black suit. Fear and guilt should be the first thing I would feel. Yet I was betrayed by my own demeanor, especially when his scent reached my nose and enveloped my senses. My body went numb, but it was surging with excitement. I felt for the first time as if there was an unknown world before my eyes. Blood pulsing through my veins, pounding in my chest, my wrist, and my neck. It worsened my headache, but amidst that, I was drawn to his intoxicating fragrance.

In stark contrast to my demeanor, Aaron's piercing blue eyes widened, a wry smile playing on his lips, mingled with an incredulous expression on his face.

"How could it be you?" he murmured, his voice shaded with self-derision, taking a step back as if caught off guard.

His reaction was as if he knew me before.

Had I been discovered during the mating ceremony?

But swiftly, his astonishment morphed into vehemence, evident as I witnessed his fists clench, even the faint sound of his joints popping. He inhaled deeply, shutting his eyes tightly, as if battling against something within. Perhaps, he was suppressing the impulse to seek revenge for my alleged crime, for I was now a "murderer" in his eyes.

‘Sorry’ – this was what I was supposed to say. But will a simple apology be all that it takes to gain his forgiveness? Realizing that, I shut my mouth and only expressed my remorse silently.

During the long seconds staring at each other, I felt myself shrinking within his gigantic gaze that has no sign of subsiding, not until someone patches the wound of losing someone dear to his life.

It was me, of course. Venting anger towards the person who claimed to be Vera’s murderer was his salvation. And knowing that, my whole body quivered.

“Olive Smith.”

His voice addressed my name, expressing incredulity. His eyes, which had been cold to everything, peered straight into me. I was bewildered for a moment wondering how Aaron knew my name. On second thought, it must have been the police who divulged the information.

I remained quiet as Aaron closed the door.

Thud.

The tiniest sound banged in my ears. Time seemed to crawl slowly. As his footsteps drew closer, I lowered my head and tightly grasped the folds of my dress.

‘I killed Vera. I killed Vera. I killed Vera,’ I chanted these words inside my head, preparing to rehearse the narrative statement from the time I decided to take the blame.

Staring at the floor, I dreaded seeing shadows overlapping my head, engulfing my presence on the chair. Within his proximity, the rehearsal I had in my head went futile.

“Do you know who I am?” he asked, standing before me.

“L-Lycan Aaron,” I answered with a voice hallowing in a cave.

“Very well, you know who I am. That means lying to me won’t work, Olive. Now, tell me what happened that night.”

“It… “My voice shrank, like dish-water gurgling through the sink. I bit my lip and tried another go. “I c-caused the accident. Then, I fled.”

“Are you saying that you were driving the car?”

“Y-Yes.”

“An underage lady drove without a driver’s license. And you expected me to believe that?”

"I've operated my grandma's tractor before. I foolishly believed I could handle a sports car.”

Swiftly, a hand grabbed my chin and forced me to look up. My mouth hung loose when I saw his eyes fixated on me like piercing spotlights, rendering me breathless.

“That night, you were with Vincent Harris. He let you drive his car? Do you grasp the gravity of deceiving me?!” He abruptly closed the distance, gripping my shoulders, and his voice let out a growl.

Afraid that my eyes would give away and he would catch me lying, I averted my gaze before detaching my lips.

“Vincent was d-drunk. S-So I had no choice but to drive. Then, I accidentally killed Vera. It was my fault. I am so sorry. I am ready to face whatever cons… ahhh!”

I was brought out of the chair, and in the blink of an eye, my back leaned against the wall. In front of me, red eyes glowed. A huge hand gripped my neck, and my airway was blocked by his clutch.

“Ack!”

My head ached; I think my wound reopened as I felt blood trickling down my face.

“A-Aaron,” I winced, holding his wrist, squeezing them with the remaining strength I have.

When I called his name, the clutch around my neck loosened. I breathed with coughs as my eyes swelled into tears.

Looking North, Aaron, who wasn’t satisfied with my answer, growled.

“You know I could easily snap your neck. Look at me! Tell me that you were lying! If you really killed Vera, then why did you call for emergency help!”

‘Because I wanted to save her. I really do. Believe me.’

I gulped the intended words I had in my heart and kept spouting lies.

“It’s the truth. I… I was so scared!  And… And I ran away.”

 

“Lie.”

“It’s my fault. Believe me. I did it.”

“F*ck! You disgusting liar!”

His arm grew fur, and something sharp-edged on my neck. It seemed he wanted to shift and kill me right here, right then.

“Didn’t I warn you to tell the truth! Huh!”

“Ack!”

I could feel his sharp nails scratching my neck. Soon, an unbearable pang tingled on my neck and blood seeped out.

‘Is he going to kill me?’

I made one more look into his eyes just in case I might find an answer. But in the next second, he released his grip. That was not something I could thank for, and actually, I didn’t have time to ponder anything because Aaron leaned closer and kissed my neck.

“Ahhh~”

Moans escaped from my parted mouth. Breathing heavily, his cold lips nibbled on my wounded neck, sending thrills down my body. There was a pit of fire in my stomach, I was burning like a hog, but then when his air brushed against my neck, cold goosebumps appeared on my skin.

It was a roller coaster. Hot, cold – warm, chilly.

Aaron continued sucking on my neck, bringing me ecstasy I couldn’t find with Vincent. A soft and sticky flesh pressed against my wound. It was his tongue licking the cut. Miraculously, the pain subsided, as if the wound healed in no time.

‘Wasn’t it only compatible for mated couples to heal their wounds with each other’s saliva?’

Maybe it was because Aaron is a Lycan.

Either way, it doesn’t make sense that he would save someone he intended to kill. Moreover, kissing my neck.

Aaron looked up, and I looked down.

Our gaze met. The next thing second, he stepped backward and let go of me. His hand was no longer covered in fur, and his eyes continued to alternate between red and blue.

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with one hand. He looked like a demon from hell, captivating yet making me want to submit to him.

"You'll pay the price for everything you've done," he said with a hint of resentment before he left the interrogation room.

**

Two days later.

I received my sentence. According to the Juvenile Protection Law, I only have to serve two years in prison. Yet, I am ready to spend the rest of my life seeking Vera’s forgiveness.

I thought everything would end up with me taking all the responsibility.

But as soon as I stepped out of the courthouse, the police ushered me directly into a car.

The door opened, revealing Aaron sitting inside. 

“I told you. You’ll pray for the price,” he said, smirking.

It was then I understood the meaning of his threat.

“Welcome to hell, Olive Smith.”