pte

ely managing. I stammered to get myself together, but the lifeless corpses of wolves nearby obscured my line of vision, making my head s

he bloody mess as his orbs met mine,

ted, his tone deadly an

bliged when Alpha St

ward my presence. And yet, here he stood, akin to a chivalrous knight, coming to my rescue. It often crosses my mind whether he's deliberately crafting an image, one I find hard to resis

wasn't for me—it was for herself, for how the Alpha might chastise her. Her gaze lingered

head and an

"You heal well...for someo

f they were insinuating that I was one of them. But even if I were to be counted among them, why did I not se

r the appearance of an eighteen-year-old; I appear older. Maybe I fell into the category of thos

age to not make a sound while she was tending to me. I must admit it hurts badly. However, I want to appear courageous an

lmly but neutrally gazing. His attention made me shift uncomfortably in my seat. Finally, realizin

ly expressed my gratitude, I couldn't be sure if she caught it. Just as she was

ey attac

The ro

they address

o keep moving. Though, given your condition, it'

mind. Though I am fully conscious and alert, my body was beaten up, dried, and deprived of rest and food. I was not in a better shap

, head-turning towards the sprawle

of your concern, not unles

on't kno

s of pushed the narrative that I was

attacked in such a way that

ks out here. Of course, they would want you dead—but seeing

pping her anger toward me. Whirling in c

. He did it unexpectedly and I wordlessly responded. Martha opened her mouth as if to question but quickly closed it

arted marching his way toward the snow-cladded path, leaving the faintest of footprin

o each other, however, they just followed suit. And by the time

couldn't help my attention upon digesting our proximity. He was eminently beautiful now that I could see him clear

" I mumbled a

us. Then, obscured by the shadows of trees, I saw how Alpha's eyes brightened and turned into crimson. It made me w

lew upon the

e camp. They knew what was ahead. What

fortunately, he didn't know that I was also staring. T

ss while we're in the wintry forest," Alpha emph

a bit, but his eyes never left the trail and that mad

my head against his chest. I knew that he was about to protest, but I felt him draw a breath when

you doi

utinized me fo

do you

ed me..." I

rememb

r explained. "—the girl you sent

anding; still, it sen

our welfare. All I need is your m

f I run

ves are one thing, but surviving out there in

eart in a faze

o be involved i

, but your kin

hing to do

a changed person. Your essence

apologize for

t matter. It doesn't

r his gaze turned to one of disdain, my heart felt like it was being squeezed

so sure that I

ignature color of

ard I try and make sense of

ted when Martha intervened. She was supp

raine say if she saw her...l

it clear between us. She understood the co

on that I shouldn't overstep my boundaries. Something at the back of my throat clogged up. My heart w

ver, I was afraid to hear the answer.

*

th each passing time. The weather didn't falter, it became colder and harsher. For the first time ever, I had to admit bei

cross. Beyond the bridge, I could scarcely see the silhouette of a castle frontier etched against t

. I simply cannot comprehend the magic the forest contains. One second it was dark and snowing, the next thing

now magic. What more

but instead of delving into the matter at hand, he directed his attention toward someone who r

me. Even from afar, the Kingdom uphill is beyond massive, the dense clouds

f, however, Alpha seemed to catch wind of what

e turning to the emiss

my stomach when I felt it twisting from hunger. And as if attuned to the rumble, Alpha stole a

sone

ed for the second time, but it wasn't because of hunger. The look she had on her f

id you

ng you, don't ever cause trouble

ure

uieted down when her wariness perturbed me. I thought our conversation would b

a veiled cloak to wear. Without query, I wore it and hid my face inside

s suddenly plagued by my uncertainty. Alpha on the other hand is fueled by impatience t

ers did the same. Martha on the other hand, still bothered me. Alpha Strevu

n ar

he swung himself behind me and started holding the reins. With a lump in my throat, I gulped and was almost

fields and rocky pastures as the wind sl

and ahead of us, Martha