I froze, gazing at him closely. He was too close. He was quite well-built and tall, his blue eyes piercing right through me. A jolt shot through my veins as I felt a sudden electric shock, one that left a sting throughout my whole body, my heart hammering as my breath hitched.
I had to leave now. I shouldn't wait any longer, but just how did I plan on doing that? I was surrounded by the guards and some of the town members that I had no idea were even around to begin with were also outside.
"Why were they all still awake at this time?" I wondered. This was supposed to be just packing and escaping. Now that he had found me, was this really it? Would I be returning to that pack? My eyes widened in horror as I almost stumbled back just at the mere thought. I was lucky to be alive after what happened, but I doubted I would be anymore.
"I am Kieran, Alpha of the Nightshade pack," I heard the stranger say. "And by the order of the Lycan King, this town is under lockdown. No one enters, and no one leaves..." he added. But wait—so he was an Alpha?
And they weren't sent from Rendell. I should be eased at the mere thought, but why wasn't I? Was it the aura this stranger had left, the fact that his gaze remained locked on me, narrowing as though he had seen me somewhere before?
Was there more to it than he had said? But now that I knew this wasn't about me or Rendell, I turned, hoping to leave, holding my luggage, which many of the town members were sure to bring suspicious thoughts about. But just when I decided to take a step, I felt a grasp on my arm, causing my gaze to turn back at him as he closed in the distance. Now he was way too close. I could feel his breath almost mingling with mine, the heat his body left almost seeping into me. I watched him inhale a breath, one that caused me to pale as a sinking thought occurred. Could it be he knew that I had sealed my wolf soul and somehow suspected me? Was that why he had approached me with that gaze?
His lips curled up into a slow, knowing smirk, my heart seizing in those moments. He leaned close, his voice almost brushing against my ear as I heard him utter those words, "You're hiding something, little wolf. You don't seem like our kind, do you?" He questioned.
I watched him withdraw after, his narrowing eyes disappeared, followed by a soft chuckle, one that caused the whole frozen crowd to echo in laughter as well.
Should I say he knew or didn't? I had no idea who he was, but many people, just like Arabella, were able to tell I was hiding something through the scent I emitted.
The same stranger turned to the rest of the soldiers, "Come on, we have to move now. Let's find a place to settle for the night, then we start securing the whole place tomorrow..." he commanded.
As they all replied, "Alright, Alpha," I thought they were leaving, but I was wrong. Not until those eyes of his returned, staring at me.
"She will show us the way..." he added. But why? Why did he choose me? I thought he was going to let me out of his sights, but I was only wrong in the end.
Was he planning on letting me go so easily?
I wanted to refuse, come up with an excuse, say I couldn't—if I stayed too close to him, I feared he would find out everything about me sooner.
But if I disagreed right here, wouldn't that bring more suspicion to me? I had no idea why they were here, why the Lycan King wanted this town to be on lockdown, but I knew it was important for them to have sent an Alpha from the Nightshade pack.
So this was it... I had no choice. After some seconds, my legs finally moved, and I led them through the way into the town.
I had dropped my luggage with Arabella on the way.
"Tell me, little wolf, were you planning on going somewhere before...?" Kieran had asked, but I left no response. I just wanted to get this over with and leave as soon as I could. I didn't need him prying into me further.
"You can rest here..." I suggested after arriving at a spot.
"You heard her. Let's camp out here..." Kieran commanded as the soldiers started laying out their camp equipment. During those moments, his gaze still remained fixed on me. I could feel it, even if I wasn't looking directly at him; the feeling was there.
"I will be leaving now, Alpha Kieran. I hope you have a good stay..." I said, turning as I hoped to leave this time.
"Please don't stop me. Please don't..." my mind repeated all those seconds as I took some steps distancing myself, the ease that came knowing he never called me back, but just when I planned on taking a step further, I felt a sharp sting on my head. My vision grew blurry as I almost stumbled backward, only to feel a grasp on me. It was Kieran. "Are you alright?" he asked, but I was lost on what to say when I caught sight of my reflection in the stream nearby. My eyes were glowing a golden color.
"No... no, this can't be..." I whispered.
"What did you say?" he asked, jolting me back to the fact that he was beside me.
"Nothing. I will leave now, Alpha..." I said hastily, making my way.
I made my way to my home, shutting the door after entering. I went straight to my mirror, staring at my reflection as I squinted, leaning forward, feeling around my eyes bag with my hands.
"Why... why is this happening now? It can't. It shouldn't be..." I whispered, crumbling to the ground.
My eyes, they glinted a golden color; it could mean only one thing. The seal—those very chains that had bound my wolf—was slowly breaking...
Does that mean he will be able to scent me soon, find me no matter where I go?
I couldn't allow that, but I wasn't able to leave this town for one month. Could I really risk my hope on that?