Chapter 42

Twila's POV

We continued on our way after leaving the forest. Zackfronth didn't let me hear the end of the fact that he had not only seen the Unicorn, but also touched it.

He went on and on about how he was the purest guy I could ever meet.

“I still don't get it, how could you be pure even after kidnapping me?” I asked and he smirked.

“I told you already. I didn't kidnap you, I need your help.” He explained.

“But you still haven't told me what for…” I countered. He sighed.

“Fine, fine. You must have heard of the Eastern Kingdom being in ruins, right?” He asked.

“Yeah…” I replied, not sure where his question was leading.

“Well, I need your help in fixing it.” He said and I didn't know when I burst out laughing.

“I can't fix a Kingdom that has been in ruins for centuries.” I said. “Heck, I didn't even know it still existed.”

“Well, it does.” There was a hint of sadness in his eyes, but he quickly masked it with a smile. “And you'll help me fix it by force or by choice.”

“Yeah right… You sound like some Alpha. You can't make me do anything.” I replied.

“Ohh Luna, I am the Alpha and I can make you do a lot.” He said as he moved very close to me. I could feel his breath on my face.

“W..w..wha..what..what are you doing?” I stuttered. Goodness!! I was stuttering because of Zackfronth?

He smirked and pulled back. “You’re so adorable.” He said and focused on the road.

I could feel my heart beating faster in my chest. What is wrong with me?

Azrael's POV

We've been looking everywhere for Twila. I had men placed on every route that goes in and out of my Kingdom. We had to find her.

I paced to and fro my study as I waited for Thane to show up. He had also gone in search of Twila the moment I told him she was missing.

Orion couldn't find out about this if not he'll have both our heads. I didn't know what to think. Was Dakota with her or was it Ryker?

I was feeling very frustrated. The girl I loved was missing and I had no idea where to look for her.

Ryker's POV

I found myself hiding amongst peasants in the Northern Kingdom. I needed any information I could get and from what I could gather, Twila had gone missing. There were soldiers everywhere in search of her. I also spotted a few of Dakota's men and even Orion's men. This meant one thing.

The Little wolf was kidnapped but had managed to escape and now, they were all in search of her.

I smirked.

This is it. The chance I needed.

All I had to do was find her before anyone else.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Twila Vesper, you'll be my redemption.

Twila's POV

It was already very late at night, so we decided to stop for a bit.

“Stay here Luna, I'll get us something to eat.” He said.

“I see… you have no hunting tools you know..” I rolled my eyes and he smirked.

“You seem to be forgetting something, I'm a wolf. A shifting wolf.”

“Rub it in…” I frowned and he laughed, disappearing into the forest.

It was quiet. Too quiet.

As I sat by the edge of the small clearing Zackfronth and I had set up for the night, I couldn’t help but let my mind drift to Azrael... and Orion. They were probably losing their minds right now.

Azrael had always been the more intense one. The moment he realized I was gone, he would have turned the entire kingdom upside down searching for me. I pictured him pacing his study, growling at his guards, demanding answers, and blaming himself. And Orion... oh Orion. He would have gone cold and silent, letting his fury simmer just beneath the surface. He would mask his fear with deadly calm. I’d seen it before.

I sighed, hugging my knees.

They must be worried sick. And here I was, stuck in the woods with the most annoying yet oddly charming guy I’d ever met.

Just then, Zackfronth emerged from the trees, a triumphant grin on his face and a couple of freshly hunted rabbits in hand. "Told you I’d get us something."

I arched a brow. "I’m impressed. I didn’t think you had it in you."

He smirked. "You doubt me too much. I’m full of surprises, Luna."

He set to work, skinning and preparing the rabbits while I watched. His hands were skilled, and he moved with ease, like someone who had lived in the wild for a long time.

"You’ve done this before," I noted.

"Yeah," he replied casually. "I’ve had to survive on my own a lot. You learn fast when you don’t have a choice."

There was something in his tone—something heavier beneath the light-hearted sarcasm he always wore like armor.

Soon, the aroma of roasting meat filled the clearing, and my stomach growled in response. He chuckled.

"Here," he handed me a stick with perfectly roasted rabbit. "Try not to die from how good it tastes."

I took a bite. "Not bad, Alpha."

He beamed proudly. "See? I’m useful."

We sat in silence for a moment, the fire crackling between us. Then we began talking. Nothing serious at first—just silly things. We joked about the elven queen’s uptight guards, the look on the little elf’s face when we handed him the Unicorn’s mane, and how I almost stuttered earlier when Zackfronth leaned in close.

"That stutter was adorable, by the way," he teased, winking.

I rolled my eyes, but my cheeks betrayed me. They warmed.

As the fire reduced to glowing coals, our laughter faded into a comfortable silence. I found myself staring at him. Really staring.

There was a softness in his eyes now, something vulnerable hidden behind the confident front. He leaned back on his hands, legs stretched out, head tilted to look up at the stars.

"You know," I began, my voice quieter, "you surprise me."

"How so?"

"You kidnapped me. Threatened me. But then you also stood up to the queen, fought your way through a cursed forest, and brought back a Unicorn's mane. All for some mysterious cause you won't even fully tell me about."

He turned to look at me. "I had to kidnap you because I didn’t think you’d come willingly. And I needed you. Still do."

"For what, Zackfronth? You keep saying that, but you don’t tell me why."

He leaned forward, his gaze intense. "Because I’m afraid you’ll say no."

That took me aback.

"You think I’d say no to helping fix a kingdom?"

"Not just a kingdom," he murmured. "My home. My people. My family. Everything I lost."

My heart clenched at that. His voice cracked slightly, and I knew this wasn't an act.

"Why me though?" I asked.

He didn’t respond immediately. Then, slowly, he reached out and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Because there’s something about you, Twila. Something powerful. Something... different. You’re not just any wolf. You’re more. And I feel it, even if I can’t explain it."

Our faces were inches apart now.

I should have moved. I should have said something witty or sarcastic. But instead, I leaned in a little. And he did too.

Our lips brushed.

Just once.

Soft.

Tentative.

Then I pulled away, heart thundering.

"We should get some sleep," I whispered.

"Yeah," he said, his voice just as low.

We lay on opposite sides of the fire, but I couldn’t sleep. Not with that kiss replaying in my head. Not with the strange new feelings twisting inside me.