The Wolf Princess

Chapter 8. Too Late

* Alpha Daemon *

"Oh, is that so? Then I'd like to speak with your Alpha!"

The wolf smirked as he looked at me and the warriors who were behind me. I counted and calculated how many he has and it does not even reach a dozen. The others might be inside the Palace which is still a few miles away from here.

"Nonsense! The Alpha has given his command that no outsider is allowed until he gives the order. So if you want to keep you you're wolves life, I suggest you run back to where you came from!"

My warriors groaned, most of them are offended.

"Why don't you ask Apha Rosmund to come out and face me now!"

The wolf snarled. "How dare you challenge the new Alpha King now!"

My eyes widened. No! Even warriors looked at each other, I know and I have felt it too, the aura of the Alpha King has been diminished.

"That's not true! I have an alliance with the Alpha King, if you don't open for us now then we need to use force!!"

After that I signaled for my warriors to shift. The best warriors that I have in the shadow pack are all lined up beside me. They started tearing the wolves guarding the gates into pieces. It did not take long before all of them was eliminated. I didn't even have to shift yet. Those wolves might already be tired from fighting the Royal guards.

I slowed my horse, though every instinct screamed at me to charge in. Bodies of dead wolves littered the ground.

Royal guards of the Alpha King, I recognized their faces because I was just here yesterday. Warriors that are covered in blood. Even the servants.

The metallic scent of blood thickened the air, choking, and suffocating.

"Damn it." I growled under my breath, sliding off my horse.

I was too late. A faint groan pulled my attention to the side. One of the Royal guards, barely alive, reached out, his armor soaked in crimson.

I knelt beside him, gripping his collar. "Speak to me."

"Alpha Daemon," he coughed, blood spilling from his lips. "Y-You came."

"Where is the Alpha King?"

His eyes trembled, unfocused. "H-He, fought, until the end."

My grip tightened.

"Is he dead?" The guard didn't answer immediately. His gaze drifted toward the burning Palace behind me.

"He is taken by Alpha Rosmund."

The word hit harder than any blade, Alpha King Richard. Taken? By Rosmund, the Alpha of the Dark River.

"And the Princess, where is she?" I demanded sharply.

A weak, broken smile touched the guard's lips.

"She, was not here when it started," he whispered. "S-She ran, before it began..."

Relief flickered through me, brief, sharp, and quickly buried. Good, but I am not certain if she is safe wherever she may be right now. But I am sure that if she is safe it isn't for long.

But at least she wasn't here to be caged like prey. Because that only made things worse. The guard's hand suddenly gripped my arm with surprising strength.

"P-Please..." his voice cracked, desperate. "Don't let them, find her she could be the last blood of the Royal wolves."

His grip loosened. And then his eyes tuned blank. I let his body fall gently to the ground, rising slowly as my eyes swept across the devastation. This wasn't just an attack.

This was a message. Rosmund didn't just want war. He wanted to control everything now. The Alpha King, the Princess and the Royal bloodline. My fists clenched.

"You made your move Alpha Rosmund..." I muttered, eyes darkening as flames reflected in them like hell itself.

A slow, dangerous smile formed on my lips.

"Now it's my turn."

I turned toward the burning Palace one last time, then toward the dark forest beyond. Somewhere out there.

A runaway Princess thought she had escaped fate. She had no idea. Fate was already hunting her. And this time. I wouldn't be late to take her because she belongs to me. Not to the son of Alpha Rosmund!

I heard his name is Roden, and when he marries the Princess he would take over his father's title and will become the Alpha King, they thought it would be that easy. They never thought I am going to be their worst enemy now!

The forest swallowed us whole. Dark and thick but we don't care. The scent of smoke slowly faded behind us, replaced by something far more important and far more dangerous.

I raised my hand, and instantly, every warrior behind me came to a halt. Silence fell like a blade as I listened then I inhaled slowly. There it was.

Faint, but unmistakable. Wild jasmine, and something softer beneath it. The Princess scent. My eyes darkened.

"She passed through here," I murmured. It wasn't that long ago.

I dismounted, crouching low as my fingers brushed against the disturbed earth. There are sign of footprints. Careful but still visible. Rushed, but not reckless. A smirk tugged at my lips.

"She learns fast."

But not fast enough. I straightened, turning sharply to my warriors. Their eyes were already glowing, their wolves restless beneath their skin.

"Listen carefully," my voice dropped cold, controlled, and dangerous. "From this point on, no one moves without my command."

They stiffened and agreed immediately.

"You will spread out in pairs. Not a step further than my scent range. I don't want heroes, I want results not one of you is allowed to die under the hands of the enemy."

"Yes, Alpha," they answered in unison. I stepped closer, my gaze sweeping across each of them.

"She is not the prey."

The words came out sharper than I intended. A warning and a command.

"And she is not to be harmed." A low murmur of understanding passed through them.

"If any of you so much as lay a claw on her without my order..." my voice dropped into a deadly whisper, "I will personally tear you apart."

They were silent but agreed in unison. My warriors believed me. I turned slightly, eyes scanning the trees.

"The Dark River pack is already moving," I continued. "Rosmund didn't burn that Palace for nothing. He will hunt her. His son will hunt her."

Roden. The name alone made something feral stir inside my chest.

"She is the key to the throne now," I said. "Which means every wolf out there will want a piece of her."

I let that sink in.

"Which also means..." I paused, voice sharpening, "we are not just hunting." My eyes gleamed. "We could be hunted too."

A branch snapped in the distance. Every warrior tensed but I didn't. Instead, I closed my eyes briefly, focusing. Her scent is stronger now. Closer to me. A slow, dangerous smile spread across my lips.

"She's heading east," I said quietly. "Toward the lower valleys."

Smart. Too smart for a sheltered Princess. I mounted my horse in one smooth motion.

"Move," I ordered. The warriors shifted instantly, vanishing into the shadows of the forest like ghosts.

But before we advanced, I spoke one last time.

"Stay sharp. Mask your scent when needed. No unnecessary kills, we don't alert others to our position."

I pause for a while.

"And if you see anything unusual." My gaze hardened.

"Report to me. Immediately." The wind picked up as we moved again, faster this time. I stayed focused. Drawn by the same invisible thread. Her scent lingered in the air like a promise. Like a challenge that I never had in a long while. I leaned forward slightly, gripping the reins tighter.

"Run all you want, Princess..." I muttered under my breath, a dark edge creeping into my voice.

"You've already been found." And this time. There would be no escape because I intend to make a deal with her one she cannot afford to decline.