Chapter 151: Stranger in the Village

Amelia's POV

My fingers twisted nervously at the hem of my dress, a habit I'd developed whenever I felt cornered. The collision had left a lingering warmth where our bodies had connected—a physical reminder of the solidity of this stranger. I could still feel the imprint of his chest against my shoulder, firm and unyielding.

I opened my mouth to answer, my name forming on my lips, but then stopped. My wolf's instincts screamed caution. This wasn't just any werewolf—there was something distinctly powerful about him.

"You don't need to know who I am," I finally said, lifting my chin. "I don't talk to strangers."

His eyebrows rose slightly, the only indication that my response had surprised him. The muscle in his jaw twitched, a momentary crack in his composed facade.

I sidestepped around him, searching for another path through the village. Though my heart hammered in my chest, I forced my steps to remain steady, refusing to show weakness.

I couldn't resist glancing back over my shoulder. He was still watching me, his expression unreadable. When our eyes met, he immediately turned away, as if I wasn't worth his continued attention.

Fine by me, I thought, pushing forward.

The village stretched before me, a maze of modest houses and dirt paths. People moved about their daily business—heading to work, carrying groceries, children playing. It seemed peaceful enough, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I didn't belong here.

The scent of wood smoke filled the air, mingling with the earthy smell of damp soil and something cooking—perhaps bread—from one of the nearby homes. Chickens clucked in a small pen to my right, and somewhere in the distance, I could hear the rhythmic sound of chopping wood. Everything seemed so ordinary, yet somehow alien.

"Damn it," I muttered under my breath as I realized I had no idea which direction would lead me back to civilization. Every path looked the same, and I couldn't remember which way I'd come from. I instinctively reached for my pocket, expecting to feel the reassuring shape of my phone.

My hand met empty fabric. I frantically patted all my pockets, my heartbeat accelerating.

"No, no, no," I whispered, spinning around as if my phone might be lying on the ground nearby. It wasn't. Either I'd dropped it somewhere in the village, or—more likely—it had fallen out during the taxi ride.

I ran my hands through my hair, tugging at the roots in frustration. No phone. No GPS. No way to call Alexander or my mother. No way to summon another taxi.

Frustration built inside me, threatening to spill over into tears. I took several deep breaths, consciously blocking the emotions that might travel through my mate bond.

This was supposed to be a surprise—me showing up at AL Global unannounced. How had such a simple plan gone so wrong?

After twenty minutes of wandering aimlessly, I spotted a large oak tree at the edge of the village. Exhausted and discouraged, I made my way to it and sank down at its base. The rough bark pressed against my back as I closed my eyes, trying to center myself.

The scents here were nothing like Shadow Kingdom; a chaotic jumble of unfamiliar smells that offered no clues. My nose, usually my best guide, was useless in this alien landscape.

My fingers dug into the cool earth beside me, grounding me as I fought against rising panic. I drew my knees up to my chest, wrapping my free arm around them in a self-comforting gesture. A light breeze stirred my hair, offering small relief from the turmoil within.

Think, Amelia. Think.

What if Alexander couldn't find me? What if I was stuck in this nameless village forever? My mother would go insane with worry. Alexander would tear apart the whole Azure Lake looking for me.

"I should have just gone to AL Global," I whispered to myself, remembering the hotel attendant's clear directions. "But the taxi driver told me that 'AL Global is where outsiders shop.'"

I groaned, covering my face with my hands, feeling the heat of embarrassment flush my cheeks.

The honk of a car horn startled me from my self-pity. I opened my eyes to see a sleek gray luxury sedan idling a few feet away. The tinted window on the driver's side slid down, revealing a familiar face—the same werewolf I'd collided with earlier. My heart skipped a beat, recognizing him instantly.

I hesitated for only a moment before scrambling to my feet, brushing dirt from my dress with trembling hands. Pride be damned—I needed help.

"Excuse me?" I approached the car, trying to appear composed. "Could you give me a ride back to town?"

He studied me for a moment, his expression bored. His fingers tapped impatiently against the steering wheel, the soft clicking sound amplifying the tension between us. Then he nodded toward the passenger seat. "Get in."

When I didn't immediately move, he added, "Don't waste my time."

I hurried around to the passenger side, slipping into a leather seat that probably cost more than my entire college tuition. The car smelled of expensive cologne and something uniquely him—that same werewolf scent I'd detected earlier, powerful and potentially dangerous.

As we pulled away, I noticed villagers stopping to watch the car pass. Some even bowed their heads slightly. My curiosity deepened—who was this man? I pressed my fingertips against the cool glass of the window, watching their reactions with growing fascination.

"They seem to know you," I observed, breaking the silence.

He didn't respond, keeping his eyes on the road ahead. His hands gripped the wheel firmly, knuckles whitening slightly when we hit a rough patch in the road.

After a few uncomfortable minutes, he spoke without looking at me. "You're not my type. I have plans tonight."

It took me a second to process what he was implying. When I did, heat rushed to my face—half embarrassment, half indignation. My stomach clenched with a mixture of shock and offense.

"That's not what I meant!" I snapped. "I just needed a ride, not... whatever you're thinking." I crossed my arms tightly across my chest, turning slightly toward the window to hide my flustered expression.

The corner of his mouth twitched, but whether in amusement or annoyance, I couldn't tell. His dark eyes flicked briefly toward me before returning to the road.

"Which pack do you belong to?" he asked abruptly, changing the subject.

"Shadow Kingdom, the most powerful pack." I replied with pride.

He let out a cold laugh. "Most powerful pack? What would a lost girl like you know about power?"

His dismissive tone irked me. My nails dug into my palms as I fought to control my irritation. Then curiosity overtook my annoyance.

"Is your pack somehow stronger than Shadow Kingdom?" I asked, studying his profile. The expensive suit, the deference from villagers, his arrogant demeanor... "Who are you, anyway?"