Chapter 2: Just Like That, She Traveled Through Time

Eleanor's mind reeled with shock. The beast had spoken! Had she truly heard it articulate words? Her eyes flew open, and she was met with a look of disdain in its eyes. The creature released her and, to her astonishment, rose to its feet in a manner eerily similar to a human. It towered over two meters tall, a colossal presence that seemed to blot out the light.

The being was a study in power and wildness. Its form was tall and muscular, with arms that bulged with sinew and a chest as broad as a wall. Dense, black fur covered its upper body, hinting at the well - defined muscles beneath. A finely crafted, gold - inlaid belt encircled its waist, and it wore a pair of white deer - skin boots. Its sharp claws, powerful build, and the upright ears on its head, which never seemed to droop, all screamed of its untamed nature.

Eleanor stared in a daze for a few seconds before the realization hit her like a thunderbolt. The ferocious beast before her was a werewolf! At that moment, her head felt as if it had exploded, and her ears began to ring. In her mind, werewolves were bloodthirsty, cruel creatures, addicted to the raw flesh and blood of humans and other animals. They had a particular penchant for hunting humans and were far more terrifying than vampires. They were, in essence, butchers!

Despair washed over Eleanor like a tidal wave. She pinched her face—damn, it hurt. This was no dream! Looking around, she realized she was no longer in the alley. Instead, she was lying on a lush, verdant lawn, with a fine rain mist filling the air. Towering trees shot skyward, their tops vanishing into the clouds. The light filtering down through the canopy was hazy and diffused. The boundless greenery was both mysterious and somehow empty.

"Go after her," the werewolf in front of her commanded, waving its sharp claws. In an instant, a dozen or so fiery figures emerged from the surroundings and shot into the depths of the jungle like bolts of lightning.

As she watched, the werewolf's figure began to shrink. Its fangs and claws gradually retracted, and the black fur on its body slowly receded, revealing human skin and arms. In a matter of moments, it transformed from a ferocious, towering werewolf into a robust and well - built young man.

Just then, a woman in a white robe stepped forward and draped a black satin robe over the young man. He fastened the robe and turned his gaze on Eleanor. She shuddered all over and immediately turned to crawl forward, her legs too weak to support her.

But after crawling just a few steps, a pair of black boots planted themselves firmly in front of her. Looking up, she saw a handsome young man in white, his eyes glinting with a lively, crystalline quality that was both captivating and terrifying.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.

Eleanor, as if she had spotted a savior in the midst of a storm, grabbed the young man's hand tightly. He was taken aback, his brows furrowing in confusion as he looked down at her.

"Are you... human? Please, save me," Eleanor pleaded, her voice thick with desperation.

The young man didn't respond immediately. Instead, he slightly curled the corners of his lips, revealing two sharp, white fangs.

Eleanor's heart plummeted. She released his hand as if she had been electrocuted.

"Boss, what should we do with her?" the young man grabbed her by the hair and lifted her up, causing Eleanor to wince in pain. Damn it, these beasts really had no concept of gentleness.

"Kill her," the young man said, not even bothering to lift his eyelids, his voice cold and indifferent.

What?! Eleanor's eyes widened in horror. Had the order been given so casually?

"Alright, in that case, I'll just eat her!" the young man suddenly became cheerful, dragging Eleanor by the hair toward the woods, as if he was eager to find the perfect spot to disembowel her.

"Be gentle, be gentle, be gentle!" Eleanor's tears flowed freely as she struggled, but the young man showed no mercy, completely ignoring her moans and pleas.

Damn it! She couldn't let him eat her. She'd rather slit her own throat and end it all quickly. A surge of survival instinct coursed through her. She quickly planted her feet firmly on the ground, bent down, and with one hand, she swiftly grabbed the hand that was holding her, while the other hand pressed down hard on the young man's arm. He let out a muffled groan of pain and released her.

Eleanor took the opportunity to slip away from him. She rushed to the young man's side in a few steps and knelt down at his feet, crying out, "Wait! Boss, you can't kill me yet. I'm useful!"

Although the young man had transformed back into human form, he was still extremely tall, standing in front of Eleanor like an imposing mountain, exuding an aura of power that made her cower. He narrowed his eyes and examined her, remaining silent for a long time. Eleanor kept her head down, feeling two piercing rays of light boring into her, making her break out in a cold sweat. She was certain it was all over—pleading for mercy seemed utterly futile. What could she do?

"Boss, this human is not simple. She actually knows martial arts. We must kill her!" the young man ran over, his previously mild smile replaced by a look of anger and a terrifying, sinister killing intent.

"That's not martial arts; it's just my way of self - defense. Boss, I'm not a threat to you at all!" Eleanor protested, her voice trembling.

"Enough! Calling me 'boss' so smoothly, I'll kill you right now!" the young man grabbed her hair again, scaring Eleanor into clutching the young man's robe tightly.

"I'm useful! You can't kill me!" Eleanor persisted, her voice rising in desperation.

"Annoying," the young man finally uttered after a long while, his voice deep and forceful.

At these words, not only Eleanor but also the young man shuddered. He quickly let go, knelt down on one knee in front of the young man, and the young man kicked Eleanor away, turning around and saying, "Since she claims to be useful, let's take her back first. I want to see what use she can be."

Eleanor's persistent begging had, for the time being, spared her from death. She was locked in an iron cage and loaded onto a carriage. The cage was tiny, so small that she could only squat, unable to even lift her head.

The carriage bumped and jolted its way out of the jungle and into a canyon. The canyon had sheer cliffs and towering peaks that seemed to stretch on endlessly. A light mist hung in the sky, and a fine drizzle fell, adding an air of mystery to the already surreal scene.

Eleanor, her eyes wide and dry, stared at the unfamiliar surroundings. She realized that if this wasn't a dream, she must have traveled through time. Although she had no idea where she had ended up, it was undoubtedly not the world she knew.

The young man in white seemed to have a grudge against her. He sat opposite her the whole time, his eyes fixed intently on her. If looks could kill, Eleanor would have been riddled with holes by now.

Eleanor felt extremely embarrassed under his gaze. Thinking back, she used to be so domineering both at school and outside, fearless of anything. Now, she was like a dog locked in a cage by wolves, powerless and trapped. It was humiliating!

She gritted her teeth in hatred. Damn it, Aurelion's ominous words had come true. She had been cursed, and the punishment had come swiftly.