Ethan P. O. V
The whole mansion was in total chaos. It was a complete disaster, and there were plenty of injured folks around. I hadn’t heard of any fatalities from my Warriors, but I saw them bury a Rogue Wolf that I took down.
This was really beyond my expectations, when I thought everything would be much calmer for a while, it turns out I was wrong.
“Alpha, you really should take a break,” one of the Warriors reminded me about my injuries.
You’re right. I could use some rest. But right now, I can’t stop worrying about Claire’s safety. They wouldn’t have done anything to her, right? Still, I can’t shake the feeling that they might try to use her for their own plan.
I gazed at the forest, a place that felt like home. I’ve been part of this Pack since I was a kid, growing up here and knowing every inch of this land, right up to the mountain’s edge. So, while everyone else was busy tidying up and helping the injured, I decided to step into the woods.
But just a few steps in, I felt a hand on my shoulder, which made me halt. I turned to see Chen Lien standing there.
“Are you planning to hand your soul to the Rogue Wolves out there?” he asked.
“Even though I wish she didn’t exist and I see her merely as a means to gain more power, I can’t ignore that she is my Luna.” I said to him what I feel right now.
“Do you feel sorry for her?” he asked me. He smile, look like he mocking at me.
I shook my head. “No, but I just want to ensure she’s alright out there.”
“With the Rogue Wolves? Seriously, Ethan, how can you think she’s safe with them? Are you crazy?”
“I just have to believe she’s okay.” I turned away, ignoring Chen Lien’s look of disbelief.
I didn’t care if he returned to the mansion and split the beans about my actions; my mind was made up. I needed to ensure Claire was safe tonight before I did anything else.
“Are you really sure you won’t get lost in here?” Chen Lien was still trailing behind me.
I could hardly hear his footsteps. It felt like I was walking with a ninja or something, giving me chills since I hadn’t sensed his presence for a while.
“This has always been my playground. There’s no way I’m lost here.”
“Oh, that’s great. I wish I had a clue where I was headed.”
I’m not going to say anything. It wouldn’t change a thing because even if I tried to explain, Chen Lien wouldn’t understand. Besides, this place is foreign to her, and it’s not really my territory either. It feels strange to me now.
I stopped when I spotted the steep cliff I needed to descend. But given my current state, jumping down isn’t an option-free-falling isn’t ideal. So, I decided to take a detour, moving toward the waterfall and down the cliffside to reach the Rogues’ camp.
“You play a lot, too, right?”
“Just zip it,” I shot back at him as he kept striding ahead.
We still determined how long we trekked, winding through the valley and down the steep path by the waterfall, until we finally paused by a small river lined with big rocks.
“I can smell them mixed with Claire,” Chen Lien said.
I could smell that same scent, like Yang Chen Lien. But it felt way too quiet here, almost like there was no action. Were they trying to stay alert for something like this? Did they see my arrival coming?
No way. I mean, coming here solo, without any Warriors
It looks like there’s little security around here. Chen Lien is talking again, and it’s loud, which could easily give away our location.
“Stay put, I’ll check things out,” I told Chen Lien to hold her ground.
But just as I was about to move, she grabbed my arm. I looked at her, and she shook her head, saying, “If you’re looking to get yourself killed, this isn’t the right spot.”
“Let me take care of that,” she offered.
Honestly, it’s something I can only pull off with a hitch, especially since they can pick up my scent easily. If they catch wind of me, it won’t be long before all hell breaks loose.
Chen Lien’s choice to leave was definitely the right move. With Chen Lien out of the picture, I decided to settle further from the riverbank, hanging out and hoping for some good news about Claire’s condition.
This spot is really peaceful. I felt relaxed, knowing nothing bad could happen in such a remote part of the forest. The sounds of the night creatures were way more intense than when I heard them from the mansion. For a second, it threw me off.
But while I was waiting for Chen Lien to return, I suddenly heard footsteps that definitely weren’t Chen Lien’s. I immediately perked up, but the guy told me to stay put.
“Who are you?” I asked her.
I turned around to see how threatening she was, but all I found was a middle-aged woman wrapped in a thin flannel blanket draped over her shoulders. She didn’t seem dangerous, but I should keep my guard up.
“Just part of the crowd you usually try to take down during the hunt,” she replied, pulling the blanket tighter around herself. Her smile was warm and inviting, unlike the menace I had pictured.
“I’ve never seen you before.”
Her response came with a nod towards Dan and his friendly grin. “Well, that’s because I’ve never been part of the ‘hunt’ you’ve been on all this time.”
“I do?! It’s not me, it’s you!”
“Oh, really? Does your Pack have something so valuable that you think we’re the ones doing the ‘hunting’ instead of just enjoying the peace here?
You’re after my territory.” I could feel my emotions rising. But she just shook her head, leaving me totally confused.