Chapter 19
HELGA'S FOREHEAD dripped with sweat as she ran for her life, desperately trying to outrun her pursuers. They were hot on her trail, shouting and swearing as they quickly closed the gap between them and Helga.
"Stop running you, runt!" one of the warriors yelled, causing her to flinch and wince as he yanked her hair. She stumbled back, her teary eyes gazing up at him, pleading for mercy. She was hoping he would spare her life when suddenly, a blood-curdling scream rang through the forest.
"Rogues!" another warrior screamed, and before Helga could even process what was happening, the man pulling her hair suddenly vanished as a large gray wolf leaped onto him, knocking him to the ground. Her eyes widened in horror, tears streaming down her cheeks as she watched the rogue tear into the warrior's throat with its sharp canines, leaving behind a gruesome scene. The wolf then turned its piercing gaze towards her, causing her to shrink back and crawl away on trembling limbs. Despite her fear, she forced herself to stand and continue moving in the opposite direction of the menacing beast. It growled low, baring its razor-sharp fangs at her, drool dripping from its snarling jaws like a predator stalking its prey.
With a fierce growl, the wolf advanced towards her, its hackles raised, and teeth bared. Helga let out a scream as she saw the wild predator looming over her, her heart pounding in her chest like a thundering drum. Tears slipped down her cheek as she braced for the imminent attack. In just a blink of an eye, the rogue wolf lunged forward, jaws gaping to rip the flesh from her neck. In a swift movement, she gasped and jolted upright, clutching at her throbbing neck.
"What's the matter?" Siegren asked, his brows furrowed as he noticed Helga gasping for air. She took a moment to catch her breath before glancing at him, relieved that it was just another recurring nightmare that had woken her up in a cold sweat. Without fail, this happened every month like clockwork. However, this time it felt more real, perhaps because she had just escaped Ardan Woods alive.
"W-where am I?" Helga's voice was hoarse and strained as she looked around. The unfamiliar surroundings left her feeling disoriented, her mind struggling to process where she was. Though the room was dimly lit by flickering candlelight, she could tell that this wasn't her bed chambers in the west wing. But more than that, "Why are you here, Your Majesty?" "Do
you think I have no compassion, that I won't even pay my future Luna a visit when she was unconscious for two days?" Siegren rested his back against the chair facing the canopy bed, he then crossed his arms with a slight frown tugging at his features.
Just as they had exited Ardan Woods, Helga had lost consciousness, but that didn't stop Siegren from declaring her as the future Queen Luna of Verdentia and the Royal Pack. The news quickly spread throughout the capital, and it would definitely reach all the other packs in the country sooner or later.
"How are you feeling?” Siegren inquired, studying Helga's bewildered expression. She couldn't believe she was unconscious for two days. Despite her vivid recollection of the test, the
events that followed were blurry in her mind. The last thing she could remember was that she rode the horse with the Alpha King.
"I-I'm fine, Your Majesty." she stammered as her hands instinctively touched her bandaged arm, a reminder that she had successfully completed the Ardan Woods test and survived. "May I know what happened while I was unconscious?"
"Hmm." Siegren tapped his finger thoughtfully on his arm, his gaze locked with hers. There were so many questions swirling in his mind, but first things first-he needed to inform her of everything that had happened while she was unconscious.
"The Madden family was itching to have a chat with you, but I promptly sent them packing back to their own territory," he informed her, causing Helga's fingers to twitch slightly on top of the blanket covering her legs. She turned her attention to the Alpha King, a few buttons of his white shirt casually undone, revealing a glimpse of his chest. He sat there with his arms folded, his loose hair brushing against his striking red eyes as he fixed his intense gaze on her. It was a mesmerizing sight, and somehow, being alone with him in the cozy a flurry of butterflies fluttering in her stomach.
chamber sent
"Seems like witnessing the gruesome scene you left behind in the Ardan Woods gave them second thoughts about losing such a fierce pack member," Siegren continued, prompting Helga to snap out of her reverie. Her brow furrowed as the weight of his words sunk in.
"What do you mean? Did they... Did they see me surrounded by those dead wolves and bodies?" she blurted out, her tone becoming casual in her conversation with him. The Alpha King wasn't bothered by her informality though; in fact, he seemed slightly puzzled by her shock.© NôvelDrama.Org - All rights reserved.
"Exactly. Didn't you notice them behind me that day? The Madden Family and the wench decided to tag along to witness what had happened to you." he explained, observing as she averted her gaze as if trying to piece together the new information she had received. Helga couldn't recall seeing the Madden Family that day, perhaps she was too out of it to notice them. But if they did witness her prowess, it meant they already knew her wolf wasn't to be underestimated. The damage left on the rogue wolves made it clear that only a strong wolf could have been responsible for that, and their desire to speak with her likely aimed to persuade her to rejoin their pack.
"I was told you couldn't shift at your own will." Siegren's voice broke through Helga's thoughts, which made her turn and face him once more. His gaze was fixed on her with intensity, almost as if he was preparing to interrogate her. She swallowed nervously, knowing that this moment would eventually come, and she would be questioned by him. However, she still hoped that he wouldn't find anything suspicious about her true identity. "Was David's report incorrect? I could have sworn you transformed into your wolf form that day, and you were prepared for it given how you were still in your clothes that day."
“The Incarnadine pack members believed I couldn't shift at will because they had never witnessed me transforming into my wolf form since I joined them. However, they were aware that I wasn't without a wolf, as Alpha Aldous sensed my wolf after my coming-of-age ceremony." Helga explained, remembering that fateful night as if it was just yesterday. "I was frustrated with my inability to transform, so I fled into the depths of the forest. But as I got deeper and deeper, something inside me started feeling different..."
"Without warning, a wave of agony washed over me, and I lost control of my body. Before I could process what was happening, I had transformed into my wolf form." she added, "I had been deceiving everyone into thinking that I couldn't shift at will. But the truth is my wolf and I have an agreement that we can only shift when I'm in grave danger."
"Interesting," Siegren stood up from his seat and went over to the table to pour some water into a glass. Helga's emerald eyes followed his every move until he approached her and handed her the glass. "You and your wolf must have a secret you're trying to keep hidden."
Helga raised her gaze to meet his as she cautiously accepted the water from him. Their skin lightly brushed against each other, causing a tingling sensation and a wave of goosebumps all over her body. She was aware that the Alpha King was perceptive and his interest in her would only grow stronger. It was an advantage for her, but at the same time, she was worried that he might coerce her into revealing something she was supposed to keep hidden.
"There are still many things I need to know, but I'm not that desperate so, I will let you rest more for now," Siegren said, "I will call for the physician to check on your wounds and injury and ask the servants to tend to you and prepare a meal."
"T-thank you, Your Majesty." Helga stammered, her eyes wide in disbelief as she tightened her grip on the glass of water. She couldn't believe the Alpha King was showing such concern for her well-being. Not only had he bothered to visit her, but he also took the time to fetch her a glass of water. It was a gesture she never could have imagined receiving from the powerful ruler of Verdentia, and it left her feeling both grateful and slightly bewildered.
As she sipped the cool water, Helga couldn't help but wonder why the Alpha King was going out of his way to take care of her. "We will continue this discussion tomorrow over breakfast." Siegren made his way towards the door, pausing to look back at her. "By the didn't you?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Helga nodded; her curiosity piqued, though she already had an idea.
way, earlier you asked me where you were,
"You're in the main palace and this will be your bed chambers from now on." he stated, pausing for a second that left Helga confused, "And don't forget, we need to start the wedding preparations as soon as you feel better. We will have the ceremony in three weeks."