CHAPTER 3

In the midst of the busy market, a petite body clad in men's clothing dashed forward in impatience. She didn't pay attention to the beauty of the market, but was focused on getting as far from the capital as possible.

The distant bargainings of the customers and the traders were like a background music to her ears. The smell of foodstuffs and other groceries wafted into her nose, but it didn't falter her focus on getting away from there.

'I must get away from him if I need to return back. If I die, at least not by his hands. It will be a great disrespect to me and this body!' she determined in her thoughts as she pivoted forward, avoiding the strange gazes of people she bumped into by mistake.

Selena did not bother to apologize to them. She thought it would be a waste of time, and they might recognize her if she did.

Her inked hands were hidden in the leather gloves she wore. Her fiery-red hair was concealed by the hoodie the shirt she wore provided. It also concealed half of her face that dropped to her chest.

Just when she thought she was finally distant from the castle and no one noticed, a voice broke out the murmurings in the market.

"Don't let that person in men's clothing go anywhere! Do all you must to make sure she doesn't escape!" The harsh instruction from the husky voice was enough to keep her going forward.

'Damn you, Ryker! I didn't even have the time to get so far, yet...' Her heterochromic eyes said those words as she broke into a run. Selena avoided every persons that had their eyes on her.

She didn't notice that as soon as she passed them, their countenance changed and they started to transform into their beasts.

It was a type of command no one could resist. If they did, it would be a torture on their wolves. Although it came from the Supreme Alpha's second-in-command, they never dared to go against it.

[Get her!!] A man's inner voice stated as though they were about to head for war. The echoing howls of the Lycarians who transformed to their beasts reached every part of the market.

It was enough to render the market trembling with the sounds of their four legs chasing after Selena.

"Oh shit..." Selena muttered in her breath and she started to increase her pace. She almost tripped on the muddy ground, but was quick to balance on her feet because of her determination.

'That f**king Alpha turned his people against me. So much for being his Queen.' Selena snickered in her thoughts while she continued running in between empty market stalls, with the wolves on her trail.

She felt adrenaline flow like a torrent in her bloodstreams, making her almost frozen on the spot. This was a battle she couldn't win all on her own. It was almost like the entire Lycarians were against her decision to escape their kingdom.

Selena wasn't ready to give up, but her lungs were not giving in. There was a burning sensation in her chest while her heart kept thudding hard in her chest cavity.

'If this goddamn organ doesn't stop beating hard, I'll be roasted!' She thought.

She could do this. She could. She won't give up! Selena tried to empower herself while feeling her body slowing down.

The distant growls behind was getting closer. They were about to catch up with her. Queen Selena was so lucky and sensible enough to have ran ahead. But it seemed she was about to meet her tragic end!

'This goddamn body... so weak to press on further!' her inner voice sounded strained as she tried to move.

Selena never knew her eyes started to glow while she struggled to move. Everything in her point of view was happening in slow motion.

As soon as the Lycans were a meter before her, a strange, dark hand grabbed her arm and she dematerialized into nothingness before them.

The Lycans screeched to a halt as soon as they realized the person they were chasing faded into thin air. They were so close to having her in their grasp!

[Eh...? Where did he go??] A voice inquired the remaining Lycanthropes whose eyes widened because of the disbelieving scene they saw.

[That's not a he! It's the Queen!!] Another voice exclaimed, there was a sound of fear none of them could ignore in the mind-link.

For no reason, the weather turned gloomy in their lives, after this great discovery. They were not safe...

[Shit...] Another person cursed out through the mind-link as the mood turned heavy. They all knew what was coming for them.

[Ahhh!!] A shrill voice resounded in their heads and it shot drugs of fear and chills into their body.

The voice was accompanied by another one, while the sounds of bones dislocating started to fill the air. The agonizing cries of the Lycan people filled the air, while a majestic figure clad in dark regal outfits with golden embroideries of a wolf's head meandered toward them.

His scarlet eyes gleamed with fury, while his pheromones contaminated the clean air for them. It was supposed to be a refreshing evening after a monsoon shower, but it was torture for them.

[You let her escape?] They heard his livid voice in their heads, and all wanted to beg for mercy. But it was impossible because his aura commanded them to shift in a painful manner.

In a way that reminded them of their first shift, but more tortuous.

Coupled with his pheromones all over the place to make breathing difficult, there was nothing saving them from the King's wrath.

[She finally succeeded in leaving!] His wolf berated him because his master never allowed him to take control.

Ryker never wanted to admit it, but he underestimated Selena's willpower. He thought she could not even knock out two people who were four times stronger than her. But she was more powerful with her mindset.

There was no way he made a mistake forcing her into this. Besides, this was a proof to him that she might have an idea where that sacred item was.

'I'll find you, Selena. You can celebrate wherever you are for getting away luckily, just look forward to having that moment ruined. And when I find you, your legs will become so tired you won't be able to escape me any longer... Even if your mind is strong enough!'

There was a cold glint in his scarlet eyes as they focused on nothing. The air around him became bitingly cold that it rendered his subjects scramble away in fear while they were still in pain.

___

Why does the Alpha's second-to-the-last lines sound so... Hot!?!??