Chapter 22

As Amelia peered around the dewy environment above a carpet of snow; she could see some rabbits, birds, and weasels dashing through the bushes. The trees stood heavy with snow beneath the clear sky, the cold breeze whipping against her face. The land was scattered with many Lycans with their groups and packs. It was always an eventful season with beaming faces and thrilled time.

“Let’s stay close together,” the general whispered to the family, particularly facing Amelia.

But Amelia…Amelia already had her day planned out. She’d met up with Sophia the previous day to plan out her elopement with Henry to the human country that very day.

All she had to do was find her.

“You ready for the race, son?” The general asked Troy, and he responded with a nod.

“You should be in my place,” Troy said to her through the mind link.

“Maybe another lifetime,” she replied curtly.

Troy had been chosen to represent the family in the seasonal race; he’d always been the one representing, and also…losing.

Her eyes trailed the family that’d registered at the checkpoint, and it met with the herald in the middle of the land.

“On behalf of the Alpha King, I announce the seasonal hunt open!” He bellowed and blew a trumpet, “the race will commerce by the order of the prince.”

“Are we ready?” The general communicated to the pack with the mind link.

“We were born ready!” They replied in sync. They’d won the hunt just once; her grandfather was still alive then, and she’d been a little pup.

Millions of Lycans cheered and chanted as the herald ended his announcement; they began to scatter around the bush to begin the hunt.

Amelia had left a trail of the location of the portal to the human world for Sophia; she’d even drawn out a map to guide her through correctly; the woods was very large, and one could get lost in it. They’d agreed to meet up at a memorable spot in the bush before her elopement.

“It’s a fox!” Amelia exclaimed, and they all peered around, standing in position, and pointing their arrows.

“I don’t see anything.” Veronica said, tilting her head.

“Neither do I,” Rose said, and Amelia shot a feral grin at her.

Her plan had failed miserably, and she’d have to think of something smarter.

“We’ll find a bigger prey,” the general said as they continued their hunt.

Amelia then thought to herself…there was no way she could escape from her family except the traditional way. It meant a lot of trouble, but it was better to take the risk.

Discreetly, she peered around—

“I’ll cover your trace,” was Roselyn’s voice. She knew her so well and had most likely figured out her plot to escape.

She’d told her never to cover for her, but she needed to leave so badly.

“Thank you,” she replied through the mind link.

Then Amelia…Amelia paused without their notice; she watched as they limped in front, and she turned to the other direction, bolting to the spot she was to meet Sophia.

When she arrived there, her eyes welled up. Henry was next to her, he’d removed his coat for her, and she was resting on his shoulder.

“Mel!” Sophia exclaimed as they ran to embrace each other.

“I’ve been waiting for so long,” she muttered, her eyes wet.

“Hope you brought the map?” She questioned, and Sophia nodded.

“I’m going to miss you,” Sophia whispered, her gaze meeting with the valise around her shoulder.

“I’ll find you,” Amelia stroked her hair, she knew she had to explain a lot for her to adapt in the country.

“I brought all my valuable jewels,” Sophia revealed.

Amelia had informed her about the pawnshop. How she’d have to sell her valuables to make some money for survival.

Suddenly…she heard a sound—the loud frightening sound she’d gotten accustomed to hearing; her heart raced, and her eyes widened.

“That’s wonderful,” Amelia said, trying to conceal any weakness. “Oh, you’ll love it there!” She enthused, her eyes flickering to Henry; he moved to their side and shot a smile, emphasizing his errant hair.

He was handsome in a messy way.

“Thanks for helping us, Lady Amelia.” He bowed his head slightly, and she smiled warmly.

“You have to leave now,” she announced, hugging her dear friend one last time.

“I’ll see you soon!” She waved.

Amelia watched as the lovers wandered off, their legs leaving trails on the snowy ground.

The sound she’d heard earlier—she tried to think of the possibility.

Who could be so cruel to try to ruin an auspicious day?

She gazed ahead, preparing to face her parent’s wrath, it was going to be—

“Amelia!” Her heart skipped. She could recognize the voice from anywhere.

Her wolf stirred as she turned.

It was Harry, and he was limping with no guards around him. She widened her eyes and ran to him.

He was already so weak and losing some blood.

“I knew I smelt you close by,” he said faintly.

“What happened?” She questioned worriedly.

But Harry…Harry took in her grey furry outfit, and the arrow that was behind her, “I have to say, you look so hot with the whole outfit,” he gestured.

Amelia shook her head. He was unbelievable. “Not the time!” She almost yelled, but failed miserably at concealing the blush that stained her cheeks, “what happened?”

“Three men in weird masks suddenly began to pursue me with some weapons,” he revealed, “the guards are buying me time, but they might find me at any moment from now.” He panted apprehensively.

“It’s funny…I almost died, and all I could think of was you,” Amelia felt her face flame up, her heartbeat increasing as she began to search through her mind.

She didn’t want him to die—she wasn’t going to let him die.

The prince was going to regenerate and heal, but they’d have to get the bullet out of his body first for speedy recovery.

There was only one place to get it done. She tried to get the silly idea out of her mind, but the more she thought of it, the more she convinced herself she had to do it.

“I can feel them getting closer,” Harry whispered. She knew she had to make a decision fast.

Her wolf was stirring, and she whispered.

“You’d have to hold onto me tightly.”

Harry raised a brow.

Without waiting for his approval, her bones began to crack, and her canines lengthened as she turned into her wolf.

Harry gazed at the grey wolf, his eyes shining in awe.

“Hurry,” she said through the mind link, and he hopped on her back, holding onto her neck firmly.

The masked men were already behind, firing their guns.

She dodged the bullets and bolted far away from them.

They were never going to catch up to her.

She'd said she was faster than her father, but she hadn't truly believed it till that moment.

The bushes brushed against her skin, and the air swept through her body.

“You’re remarkable,” Harry said.

But what had happened was more serious than they reasoned.

They were definitely not hunting animals; they were hunting the prince…