The voice was muffled by the mask. Addy couldn’t be sure. But the tattoo on the neck gave him a definite answer.
Addy instantly froze. His movements stopped abruptly. His body suddenly seemed to lose all strength. Worse, his face turned pale and his eyes stared at the man in confusion-almost blankly. Then he spoke. “Alpha.”
The man’s eyes closed dramatically. His mouth was tightly shut with an expression of frustration he could not hide. He realized that the slight reflexive answer he had given had indirectly answered Addy’s curiosity about his identity. It was too late for him to control himself. Now all he could do was curse himself as he tried to leave. He wouldn’t let Addy get any more proof that he was indeed Usher-especially the future Usher.
Luckily for Usher, Addy seemed to be in a real state of shock, which caused his anticipation to fade. He took full advantage of that. He released Addy’s hand from the hood of his jacket. Then he restrained Addy instead. He looked at Addy intently and piercingly, then said, “It’s up to you. You can think of me as the Alpha, and if that’s the case, there’s nothing you can do but follow my orders, right?”
The arrogance made Addy frown. Doubt crept in, then his gaze changed to Usher. “Who are you really?”
“I already told you; it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you must protect your family. Leave this place. It is for your own good.”
After that, Usher left, leaving Addy alone, still standing where he was. He stood motionless, not moving at all, even though he actually had the chance to stop Usher from leaving. He could keep pushing until he could confirm that his suspicions were correct.
But Addy couldn’t. He wanted to, but he couldn’t. It was as if his body refused to move. Worse, he began to shake and would have fallen to the ground if he hadn’t quickly grabbed hold of a tree.
Addy gasped. His breathing was erratic, as was his mind. Everything was jumbled, causing indescribable confusion.
On the one hand, Addy was one hundred percent sure it was Usher. Not only because of the Alpha-mark tattoo that weighed heavily on his suspicion, but also because of Usher’s piercing gaze. For him, who knew Usher personally, there was no doubt about this suspicion.
But for Addy, this certainty raised a big question. In his mind, he questioned the reason for Usher’s actions. Everything felt confusing to him when he realized that Usher had no other relationship with him than that of an Alpha and a pack member. On top of that, the scandal involving Usher, Vione, and Mireya made everything feel even more complicated.
Addy’s mind raced, but he couldn’t find a single clue. In the end, he could only ask himself as he continued to stare at the spot where Usher had disappeared from his sight. “What’s really happening?”
*
Usher tried to control himself as panic began to creep over his body. He tried to stay calm, knowing full well that panic wouldn’t solve anything. His mind had to stay clear to find another way out.
His once heavy breathing began to even out. His racing heartbeat began to calm. Usher was more in control, his mind clear again. He racked his brain, trying to think, but unfortunately, he couldn’t come up with any other plan.
Usher closed his eyes tightly. He kept trying to think, but he realized that the only way out was indeed Addy.
A few moments later, Usher’s eyes opened. His fingers clenched tightly and he shook his head repeatedly. “I can’t just give up. I have to convince him to leave immediately.”
Usher could only hold on to the only way out he had. He couldn’t waste the last chance he had, so he decided to go back and find Addy.
Not just two or three times, Usher met Addy repeatedly. He kept trying to convince Addy to leave until he was almost desperate.
“Please leave before it’s too late.”
Ironically, Addy was just as adamant in his refusal as Usher was in his urging. Addy was firm in his resolve.
“I’m not leaving here, and you know why?” Addy looked into Usher’s eyes without the slightest doubt. “Because I was born a part of the Frostholm Pack. So, I will remain part of the Frostholm Pack until the day I die. I will never leave here.”
A growl rumbled in Usher’s chest. In his heart, he said. If you don’t leave, you really will die.
“So, I hope you will stop doing something so senseless. I don’t know why you’re telling me to do something so unreasonable, but I’m telling you to stop this before I lose control. I could report this to The Palace and you would suffer the consequences.”
Usher narrowed his eyes. “Why haven’t you reported this to The Palace?”
Addy fell silent.
“I’ve met you several times and you haven’t reported this to the Palace. Why is that? Isn’t it because you feel a little doubt? Isn’t there a slight hesitation that makes you question my actions again and again?”
Addy couldn’t answer. In fact, he couldn’t deny it.
“I know you have reasons to be suspicious, but please, I have no ill intentions towards you or your family. On the contrary, I only want to save you all before it’s too late.”
The implication of this sentence made Addy frown. “What do you mean, before it’s too late?”
This time Usher remained silent. However, a spark of emotion in his eyes gave Addy an indirect answer.
“Tell me,” Addy said, nudging Usher. “What is really happening?”
Usher closed his mouth as tightly as he could with a pained expression. The inner struggle made him growl, and that made Addy press even harder.
“Tell me! What is really happening?”
Usher was cornered. Desperation was evident in his eyes. He was caught between the grim possibilities that could befall the Munest family and the relentless passage of time. In the end, he gave in.
“I can’t explain it to you, but what you need to know is that The Palace is in bad shape. Something is happening, and it will endanger your family’s safety.”
Addy didn’t immediately react to the answer. Instead, he stared at Usher intently. “Is that why Vione had to leave The Palace? Is that why you…” He paused and took a deep breath, as if to suppress the emotional turmoil he felt. “… reject her?”
Usher’s tongue felt tied. He couldn’t answer. So, he could only look into Addy’s eyes, which began to fill with tears.
“I know,” Addy whispered with a pained smile. He nodded repeatedly amidst the overwhelming emotions. “I know you love Vione, Alpha. I know that you would never hurt her. I know that.”
Usher closed his eyes. He couldn’t say anything to contradict Addy’s conclusion. Worse, he couldn’t do anything when Addy fell to his knees in front of him. Addy knelt down, still holding his hand.
“I will do it, Alpha. I won’t ask for anything more. My family and I will leave here at your command.”
Usher couldn’t suppress a curse in the midst of the gratitude he felt in his heart. In the end, he brushed aside the carelessness he should never have shown. At least he could breathe a little easier now. Addy and his family would be leaving.
“We will go, Alpha.”
Usher took a deep breath and reached for Addy. He wanted to help him stand, but suddenly his body tensed in anticipation. He caught a faint rustling sound with his keen hearing. He turned sharply and at the same time heard someone approaching from the opposite direction.
“Addy!”
*