Chapter 2

Heavy breathing and resounding footsteps overwhelmed the room where Aesthelia was. It's been an hour or so but she is still not waking up-she isn't back in her original world. 

"Aesthelia! Sit down for a second. My eyes are hurting because of you, "Antoinette exclaimed as she had been eyeing Aesthelia's movement for hours. 

"You've been going back and forth. What are you thinking right now? I swear if it's about your obsession again, I would literally slap you back to your senses. " Antoneitte asked. She stood up from the infirmary soft bed where she sat just to question Aesthelia.

"No, it is something more important than that. I need time to think. Can you please remain quiet? " Aesthelia whispered, her thumping heart becoming louder the longer she stayed in this unfamiliar place.

"Okay, but make it quick. There will be an assembly in an hour, "Antoneitte said, reminding Aesthelia of the scheduled event.

Antoneitte continued to voice her thoughts.

"We can't be late. Alpha Rou Frauzon will be hosting today's event, "Antoneitte groaned and added. 

It was obvious that Aesthelia was not paying much attention to what she had been saying. She is well aware of Aesthelia's obstinacy. What did she anticipate?

After having heard Gior's father's name, Aesthelia, who had been unaware of Antoneitte's presence, finally glanced up and seemed intrigued.

"Alpha Frauzon, isn't dead right now? Is this the present or the past? " Aesthelia blurted out her words before she knew it. 

Antoneitte, who heard it, widened her eyes as if she had just heard someone say something forbidden. A word of treason, a treasonous remark.

"No, no. It's not like that. While I was unconscious, I had a nightmare. He died there. " In an attempt to persuade Antoneitte that she had mixed up reality and her dream, Aesthelia stuttered.

When the chaos subsided, Aesthelia, who had many questions, began to think more deeply.

'I'm deep within the pages of the book. The plot dictates how the events will unfold. A timeline doesn't exist. There's only the beginning and the end'mentally, Aesthelia pondered.

'There must be a reason why I didn't transmigrate as a newborn infant like the other transmigration stories I've read before.' Aesthelia added mentally.

'Well, it's for the better.' Aesthelia mentally commented. 

When Aesthelia noticed something, she came to a halt. There were three of them, but Antoneitte was the only one who stayed by her side.

"What happened to the other two?" Aesthelia wondered aloud, her hand gesturing to where the two were seated. The space was vacant. 

"They obviously went out when you ignored us, as if our presence was a joke to you," Antoneitte casually said.

Antoneitte murmured under her breath, "You're so distracted right now, and it's suspicious."

However, you're not the quiet type of person; you're a great deal of a troublemaker, "Antoniette observed, her eyebrows furrowed. 

Antoneitte took a long stride to the window, allowing her to reach and pull the curtains aside.

Looking outside, Antoneitte decided to add, "They are probably on their way to the training ground."

"Why aren't you with them, then? Why did you choose to remain here? " Aesthelia questioned, her voice struggling to sound normal.

Aesthelia needs some time alone, and this lady named Antoneitte isn't helping at all with her nonstop talking.

"I am waiting for you, and you appear to be in good health. Plus, you need to attend, "Antoneitte was taken aback. She couldn't believe she had to say something so obvious.

Aesthelia Rasc is a high-ranking warrior who has received praise both from Alpha and Beta. She has the potential to be a formidable warrior.

"Why? I'm not quite certain why I'd need to be there, "Aesthelia wondered aloud. She was attempting to conceal her anxiety, but fortunately she did not present any signs of it.

Aesthelia did not expect she would have to brace herself in this kind of situation, meeting everyone right after she woke up in this dimension. To make it worse, that included meeting the Alpha and the protagonists of the story.

"You didn't forget, did you?" Antoneitte asked, raising her eyebrows.

Aesthelia tilted her head, perplexed. She had no recollection of anything, of course. To begin with, she is not Aesthelia Rasc.

Even though she tried hard to remember something from the book, she couldn't do that and it didn't help her. The story did not tell us much about Aesthelia Rasc. She was a damn supporting character. 

The focus was not solely on her.

"You're behaving in a strange way; it's like not you, Aesthelia," Antoinette said slowly as her eyes narrowed into small slits.

Aesthelia gulped unconsciously and her palms began to sweat like crazy. She is nervous for a reason; she could get into trouble when someone finds out that she is not Aesthelia. 

She just can't say that she is someone else's soul that possessed their friend's body, randomly and out-of-nowhere. 

"What? No, haha. I just tested you out to see if you really knew, "Aesthelia responded. She laughed nervously as she walked away in order to hide her nervous expression.

Aesthelia sauntered her way straight to the open window and stared at the sight outside. She is awestruck by the beautiful sight of a lush green forest.

The scenery caused a blurred series of memories to flood her mind. For an unknown reason, she quickly gathered her thoughts. 

Aesthelia squinted her eyes shut. She let herself relax under the brisk wind. The fresh air alone is a priceless-worthy thing.

"Yes, I remember everything." Aesthelia added, specifically, she meant the part she had read in the novel.

The training ground is located at the center of the territory. There's a tall tree in the middle. It is called the tree of aegis that protects everyone within the territory. It's an old tree that has been spelled by their ancestors.

Aesthelia can't take her eyes off the woods. It is beautiful. Growing up in an industrialized place, she was taken aback by the sudden change in scenery. 

"Okay, it's time for us to get ready and join the others," Antoneitte said while getting herself ready. 

Aesthelia nodded. She licked her lips, a habit of hers when she is edgy. She followed Antoneitte without saying anything. She was afraid of saying something that would get her in trouble. 

Aesthelia began inhaling and exhaling. She convinced herself that she could do it. There is nothing that can bring her to her knees, that she is a brave soul who got lost in a different dimension.

Aesthelia convinced herself that she could change the plot as long as she strived harder to survive, and this time she would protect the characters from experiencing their greatest pain. 

A bell rang throughout the forest, interrupting Aesthelia's thoughts. 

'That must be the signal,' Aesthelia thought mentally as she recalled that it was mentioned in the story, shortly. 

When the bell rang, it was either a surprise attack, or an event that was yet to begin.

Aesthelia abruptly stopped walking when she saw Antoneitte getting half naked. 

"Woah. Why are you stripping your clothes off here? You could have at least warned me. " Aesthelia shouted in shock at the bare back of Antoneitte. 

Aesthelia swiftly covered her eyes. She is a loner in the world she was originally from. She's finding it hard to get along with others, especially witnessing this unusual behavior. 

"What? We normally do this when we transform and run. We can't keep our clothes anyway. The clothes will only be torn when we wear them while transforming, "Antoneitte said.

Antoneitte nearly face palmed herself when she heard Aesthelia's words, because that was the last thing she was expecting to hear. 

"Oh yeah, right. You're right, "Aesthelia said, nodding her head anxiously.

Aesthelia remembered that part of the werewolf stories. They would strip themselves naked before turning into wolves. 

But, what Aesthelia worries more about is the fact that she can't do that, she can't turn herself into a wolf. 

Aesthelia doesn't know how to transform or even summon her wolf spirit. Did they need to run? 

'No way. I am doomed, 'Aesthelia mentally said. 

Aesthelia looks around, trying to find a reason for her to prevent suspicion. Aesthelia can just tell them that she is feeling unwell, but she can not bring herself to say it. 

"You go first. I will just stroll around this area and think about what to do with that Merideth, "Aesthelia said, unsure if she had said the right words.

She said that to get less suspicious. She knows that the old Aesthelia loathed Merideth because of her jealousy.

Aesthelia couldn't transform into a wolf. Sure, she read that before in the books, but it wouldn't work even though she tried it in one go, so she made an excuse instead. 

Antoneitte's wolf form stared at Aesthelia long enough to wreck some nerves before the wolf form ran into the woods. 

Aesthelia, who was left alone, began to look around for the second time. She was greeted by a huge house that looked like a mansion, guessing that it was the pack house. 

It looks like an old royal mansion. The empire must have built it for the werewolves. She knew that it sounded weird, but there was a treaty between royals and beasts. It's a give and take agreement. The story mentioned that before. 

Aesthelia began walking, hoping that she wouldn't get lost in the forest. She cleared her throat, trying to break the silence, but it was no use.

It echoes back to her.

After an hour, she found the training ground. It is crowded, there are different faces and characters Aesthelia didn't know about. 

She arrived at the training ground after an hour's journey. It's crowded, and Aesthelia doesn't know many of the characters. She had never got to know them before.

Antoneitte gripped Aesthelia's hands and pulled her towards where Lily and Senia were. Aesthelia let herself be swayed by Antoneitte. 

"Do you have any idea what trouble you are in?" Lily asked. Her eyes were telling Aesthelia that she was in big trouble.

'I already was, the moment I woke up,' Aesthelia said mentally.

"I know that you are nervous, but who would not be? You are messing with Merideth. You know that Gior favors her, but look, you just reap what you sow, "Senia said while crossing both her arms in front of her. 

Aesthelia, who was quiet the whole time, became the center of attention. The whole pack was looking at her. 

Aesthelia's eyes widen, wondering why they are all looking at her. She quickly faced the three and asked. 

"Okay, what is going on?" Aesthelia finally asked the three. The stares of many might burn a hole in the back of her head.

"I know that you felt superior to Merideth because she was weaker than you, than any of us. You even forgot that you challenged her to a duel, insulting her this much. " Antoneitte muttered while her hands were on her hips, giving some more details than necessary.

"I challenged her to a duel?" Aesthelia repeated the words that rang through her mind. What was the old Aesthelia thinking? Has she gone insane?

Aesthelia finally remembered this part of the story. Aesthelia asked Merideth in a duel fighting over Gior. 

Aesthelia's nerve-wrecking and heartbeat become louder. A Duel is an arranged engagement in combat between two parties. 

As for women, they use pistols or swords in duels. She can't believe that the empire influenced werewolves like this, to fight and fall into a mutual agreement. 

Aesthelia knows that Merideth can't transform into a wolf form. That is why the female lead became the subject of bullying. 

"Today is the promised date for the duel between Aesthelia Rasc and Merideth Reiss." Alpha Rou's voice rang out. 

Alpha Rou's face told everyone that he was unsatisfied with it, but he respected their decision. Having the best warrior and his son's childhood friend in the middle of the crowd. He hopes that they won't aim at each other's neck.

All eyes are on Aesthelia's way, and Merideth, who is trembling in fear uncontrollably. 

Aesthelia hitched her breath as her eyes fell on the famous female lead, Merideth Reiss. 

Now she understands why the readers and fans are going crazy about Merideth Reiss. She's gorgeous. She stands out the most from the crowd of beauties. She has green wavy hair, long eyelashes, round black eyes, and pale white skin. 

'What can I say? She is the female lead, 'Aesthelia mentally said.

As the hours ticked by, Aesthelia didn't notice. Somebody shoved her into the middle, and the cheers grew louder.

Out-of-balance in the crowd, Aesthelia nearly fell over on her face. It's a good thing that she managed to stand up before actually landing her face straight down on the ground. 

"Wait," Aesthelia uttered, but nobody heard her small and worried voice. 

Aesthelia looks up at where Merideth is. The poor girl kept trembling in fear. The terrified look was visible. She wonders why this girl agreed to this when she's shaking like crazy. 

The cheering became louder. Most of them were cheering for Aesthelia Rasc. They gave both parties a sword. 

"Can I withdraw from the duel?" Aesthelia whispered, trying to think of a way out of this trouble. 

The more she messes with the protagonist, the more unfortunate she will become. She should be establishing a good relationship with Merideth, not fighting her in a duel.

"What the hell is going on?" A booming voice silenced the crowd. The alpha tone makes everyone cower, including Aesthelia. She unconsciously flinched as her hand clutched the sword tightly. 

The cheering stopped at once. 

"You're going too far, Aesthelia." A male deep voice continued as the guy got nearer. The sound of footsteps was the only thing that could be heard. 

Incredulous, Aesthelia looked up to see who was speaking with such venom and hatred. Upon seeing her, he glanced at her with a deadly glare.

Aesthelia's eyes widened when the realization hit her and she looked directly at the newly arrived guy that everyone feared except Alpha Rou. 

"Considering how vicious you are, Merideth would never consent to this. You planned this! " The man yelled at Aesthelia. 

Then he told someone to take Merideth out of the center and lead her away to a safe place. 

This was also the opinion of Aesthelia. It's likely that the real Aesthelia emotionally tormented Merideth in order to persuade her to agree.

When Aesthelia eventually realised who was standing in front of her, her jaw dropped.

It is the character she got attached to, her favorite character. 

It's Gior Frauzon, the male lead character. He had black hair that matched his warm natural. The alluring looks are enough to capture countless eyes, the chiseled jawline, well defined muscles, and athletic build.

"I will accept the duel instead, a fight for our honor," Gior announced. 

Gior snatched a new sword and unsheathed it before Aesthelia could process what was happening.