Page 44 of Mate to the Alpha Predator

Degar inclined his head to the woman beside him, without breaking his stride.

They walked in silence, and all the while, Ismena's head was still recalling the attack on the night before...and Wolfariane's defense. Catching lots of bullets flying from all directions on his hands and throwing them right back, while maintaining a fast run and with a woman hanging on his back? Heavenly heavens. She shivered.

Very dangerous man. Scary. Fearless. Powerful. What is this man?

She can't even begin to guess. Just thinking so much on it is threatening to give her heart failure. So, she surpressed the thoughts from her mind. Instead, her eyes surveyed him carefully...

"You're wounded!" She gasped when she saw the blood that smeared his left shoulder.

Wolfariane spared the wound a glance, and shrugged, "It's nothing."

She wanted to say something else, but the thick frown on his face wasn't encouraging it, so she snapped her mouth shut. Even the palm of his hands where he'd caught the bullets were bloodied too.

Guilt assailed her, it is all her fault.

"I'm very s-sorry for pawning your ring. I had no idea..." Her throat felt heavy and tears blurred her eyes.

The last twenty-four hours have been tiring, she'd put people's lives in danger. Him, Degar, her old neighbor...

What about poor Mr. Amil? Did he survive the attack? What about her house that has been destroyed? Her poor landlord...? Her clothes, shoes, meds...? Everything she has ever worked for is in that house.

She sniffled miserably. Suddenly, the weight of everything that happened was pressing down, hard on her shoulder. She's trying to keep the tears at bay, "What do I d-do now?."

His wolf stretched in agitation at the feeling of her anguish, Wolfariane turned towards her. "Keep it together. You have done great so far, don't fall apart now." He meant to console her, but his tone came out hard.

Ismena nodded her head vigorously, "Okay, okay. You're right." She sniffled again. Keep it together, Ismena. You have to keep it together, she told herself.

Degar's other half also felt her anguish, but he knows it's because she is an unclaimed potential mate. Either that or because she carries the scent of their Alpha King no matter how faint it is.

As they continued walking, Degar patted her back in consolation too.

Ismena nodded in gratitude.

The instant they stepped out of the unending forest, Ismena gasped in awe and shock. Her eyes widened, "Woah,"

People were moving around to their various destinations. Some women were seen carrying baskets held to their left side, laughing and talking as they walked. Children were playing around, having fun, screaming and laughing. Men with guns and swords that looked like guardians, warriors, sentinels, and lieutenants at the same time we're walking at the other side of the path.

There were no cars on the paths. Beautiful trees scattered everywhere, children climbing and jumping from them. Most of them were dressed...weirdly?

No, not weirdly. Just so last centuries.

Houses were built with timber flakes, wooden flames, walls of plaited branches covered in clay. More like a dwelling, instead of a house. There were a few manor houses scattered around too.

The view was just so beautiful. So ancient. So nature.

"It's like stepping into a scene in an olden days movies." She whispered in awe. "So beautiful..."

Degar smiled, "We try to keep up with time, but I guess we love the old ways because it's more...less technology to suit our animal nature. Most of our people refused to go into the non-changeling world because they hate it there."

Ismena can clearly understand what he meant. Staring at these people, she can practically see the love and obvious happiness in their faces. So stark and blatant, it was enviable.

"Alpha King...!" A child screamed in excitement.

That was when the other kids noticed their Alphas and a woman at the edge of the wild forest. The kids screamed, and started on a dead run towards them. Two little cats jumped down from the tree and joined the run.

Ismena watched with awe as these children and cats reached closer and threw themselves at Wolfariane and Degar. They caught as much as they could, while the others climbed their bodies, grabbing hold of their clothes as they did.

"No scratching, no shredding." Wolfariane instructed in the gentlest tone, she never knew he was capable of, love and care for this children practically overshadowing the constant coldness of his deep blue eyes.

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