Ariana's New Quest
Ariana Pov
"Hell". He said those four letters calmly like it was nothing. Probably to scare me, He will definitely not kill his own wife right?.
My thoughts were disrupted as we finally reached our destination. He tossed me into a damp, dimly lit cell, the stone floor cold beneath me. I landed hard, my palms scraping against the rough surface.
I was injured but I struggled to sit up, Alex stood in the doorway, his eyes glinting with triumph. "You'll have plenty of time to think about your betrayal," he sneered, his voice dripping with sadistic pleasure. He was definitely enjoying this.
I glared up at him, my anger and fear simmering just below the surface. "I don't know what you're talking about," I spat, trying to keep my voice steady. I had no right to be angry at him and he has no right to hate me this much considering I'm not even his real wife.
Alex chuckled, a cold, mirthless sound. "We'll see about that," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You'll be singing a different tune soon enough."
I gulped down my words, was he seriously going to torture me?. But he said nothing again.
With that, he turned and left, the heavy wooden door slamming shut behind him. I was plunged into darkness, the only sound the faint rustling of unknown creatures in the shadows.
He really did prepare this hell for me because right now I'm alone, trapped, and at the mercy of a man who seemed determined to break me. Aria's so-called husband.
The thought sent a wave of unease through me. I leaned back, closing my eyes, and focused on my breathing. Inhaling, exhaling. This situation was getting worse by the minute...
On one hand, I was trapped in this world, forced to be the wife of an alpha with a reputation for atrocities. On the other hand, I had no idea why I was here, in the body of someone who looked identical to me.
My thoughts drifted to my mom back home. Would she miss me? Did she even know I was gone?
Just as I was starting to feel hopeless, a voice echoed in my mind. "Dear Player 421, welcome to the Werewolf System."
My eyes snapped open, and I sat up straight. "Finally, a manual to this damn world!"
The system continued, its voice cheerful and robotic. "You opened a story mode and have been chosen for a quest."
I giggled, the absurdity of the situation hitting me. "A quest? You've got to be kidding me. I was sent here to die at the hands of an angry husband."
The system asked, "Do you have any questions, Player?"
"Oh, just a few," I replied, sarcasm dripping from my voice. "Why am I really here?"
The system responded, "You are here to change the fate of the character Aria.
you play, the story ends and you go home"
I whistled, long and low. "Well, I'll be damned. So, I was sent here to replace a wife with allegations? I'm not Jesus, System."
The system's response was immediate. "You will receive further instructions shortly, Player. Please stand by."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite my situation. On one hand there's Alex, and now this damned system.
I wondered what the system had planned for me? And what did it mean by "changing the fate" of Aria?.
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Meanwhile I waited, my mind racing with questions. What kind of instructions would I receive? And what did the system mean by "changing the fate" of Aria?
The silence stretched out, and I began to feel a sense of unease. What if the system was just a glitch? What if I was really alone in this strange new world?
Just as I was starting to lose hope, the system spoke up again. "Player 421, your first step is to survive the alpha's wrath ."
I snorted. "Easy peasy. Said no one ever."
The system ignored my sarcasm. "You will need to navigate the complexities of werewolf politics and gather allies to aid you in your future quests."
I raised an eyebrow. "Allies? You mean like friends?"
The system responded, "Affiliations will be crucial to your survival, Player. Forming alliances with key individuals will increase your chances of success."
I whistled, impressed despite my situation because anyone seeing me right now would think I have gone mad. "You've thought of everything, haven't you, System?"
The system's response was dry. "I am designed to provide optimal support to players, Player 421."
I chuckled. "Well, I'm glad to have you on my side, System."
The system's next words sent a shiver down my spine. "Remember, Player, the alpha is not the only danger lurking in the shadows. There are those who would seek to harm you, simply because you are Aria."
I gulped, my heart racing. Seems like my luck has run out because now I'm in deep trouble.
"Do you have any more questions player?" The system asked again.
"yes"
"Then go on player, I can only answer two".
I hesitated, unsure of what to ask. But then I remembered that I only had two questions left. My mind raced, I took a deep breath and asked, "If Alpha Alexander was really Aria's mate...I mean, mine," I corrected myself, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks, "why don't I feel that weird connection like it's said in books and movies?"
The system's response was concise. "Because you two haven't mated yet."
I nodded, filing that information away for later. My second question was more pressing. "What happened to the character Aria?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.
The system's response was blunt and short "She's been killed."
My eyes widened in shock. "How?" I demanded, but the system just said, "Sorry, Player, your two questions are up."
I groaned in frustration. Now I have more questions than ever. If Aria was dead then what am I doing here? .
The system continued, its voice cheerful. "Now it's time to start your task, Player. You will be given two options, of which you have to choose one. For each completed tasks, you get two points and some abilities unlocked.
And for each quest, you get a gold star "
I rolled my eyes. "Whatever."
For the first time since I'd arrived in this strange world, I was being given a choice. The system presented me with two options. "Player 421, would you like to know your new quest or find out more about the character 'Aria'?"
I hesitated, knowing that both options were important. "What if I choose both?" I asked, trying to negotiate.
The system was firm. "No, Player 421, you can only choose one."
I gritted my teeth. This was unfair. But I knew I had to prioritize. "Fine, I want to know more about the character Aria."
The system's response was unexpected. "Close your eyes, then, Player 421. The character will tell you the story herself."
I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. But I did as I was told, closing my eyes and waiting. And then I heard a voice, Aria's voice perhaps? whispering in my ear… and with that I fell asleep.