Chapter 86: The Chase

THIRD PERSON

Nathalia ran out of the tunnel, with Maeve just following a few steps behind as she changed into a new set of clothes. As soon as Nathalia was outside, her men were immediately informed of the situation. No one dared to question her orders, and they hurriedly and subtly blocked Draven's way of sight to Maeve.

Seizing the situation, Maeve ran to the opposite direction, somewhere far from that crown prince. She pushed her way out of the ocean of men fighting for their lives. The women had escaped, and all that was left for her to do was go back to her disguise and leave this district immediately.

But the plan was far from simple. The moment she was outside, a whiff of her scent brushed into Draven's sense, awakening his already berserk wolf. That sweet scent that he had long to smell again. The scent of the woman he had been looking for a long time. The heavenly scent that he sensed back at the mountain. It was back.

"Maeve!" Draven shouted at the top of his lungs, pushing everyone out of his way. Nathalia immediately moved, her men pushing everyone to block Draven's way.

In the middle of the crowd, no one knew who was with whom. Each of them had their own things in mind. Draven could almost kill everyone in his way, including Nathalia who he didn't notice on the side. His mind was filled with Maeve. Only Maeve.

Meters ahead, Maeve ran barefoot. She jumped over the debris and dead bodies, with escape the only thing in her mind. Her wolf howled, trying to heal her as fast as she could. The only goal was to reach their room once again, and hope that the potions were still intact.

She couldn't look back. Her heart hammered against her chest as she heard Draven's scream for her name. He saw her. He knew she was alive. And that only meant one thing—he would hunt her until she was in his hands.

"Fuck no," she muttered under her breath, evading the falling debris from torn buildings. Her feet sped up, the hotel almost reachable by her eyes.

Suddenly, a loud growl shook the air. Horrifying, possessive, and predatory. She knew that growl very well.

Meters behind Maeve, Draven shifted while running. Exposing his wolf was the least of his worries, and if it was needed to catch her, he would do it. The ground shook as he ran in all fours, going to a full sprint.

Maeve felt it. How the ground shook as his heavy presence approached her. She almost froze on the spot. Her wolf and her human mind didn't know what to do. Should they shift to outran him? Or should they keep their profile low?

As she turned her body back, her violet eyes met his hazel ones. Draven's heart beat wildly. He wasn't dreaming. She was really in front of him, looking as beautiful as before. The need to own her once again ignited in his heart, sending his legs to move faster.

He could feel her warmth around him as he approached. The familiar scent he longed for enveloped him in a tight embrace. Just as she was almost arms reach, an invisible barrier stood between them, sending Draven meters away.

At that moment, the frozen Maeve woke up from the absurdity of the situation. Seeing Draven flying away because of something unexplainable made her realize what she needed to do. Without a word, she picked up her pace, running as far as she could.

Meanwhile, Draven was on the go once again. He tried to chase her, yet the barrier remained. He punched through the barrier, attempting to break it, but every time he did, he would be sent back further.

"Maeve!" he screamed, punching the air. But the women remained silent, just running away from his grasp.

Just as when Maeve thought everything was peaceful, another figure appeared in front of her. A predatory glint reflected in his eyes.

"Miss Maeve," the Grand Knight whispered, looking at her from head to toe. "You're alive. The High Commander will be pleased to see you again."

Maeve took a step back. How come the Grand Knight knew about her? He wasn't in the position when her family was slaughtered. Did it mean that Draven was using this man to find her? Did everyone in the palace know about her?

The Grand Knight offered his hand. "Miss Maeve, come with me. I will bring you to His Highness," he spoke, taking a step forward. "Your appearance will surely grant me well."

"You will never have me," Maeve spat out, reaching for her dagger. "Tell your prince to stop looking for the dead."

Without a word, Maeve jumped in the air, her dagger slicing the side of the knight's arm. The Grand Knight wanted to draw his sword, but he knew that laying a hand to her would mean a sword on his neck. He couldn't hurt the woman his superior cherished.

Just as when he was about to formulate a plan, Maeve threw a pile of broken debris to his direction, together with a pile of sand that covered his vision. That split second was enough for her, and when the knight opened his eyes, the woman was nowhere to be found.

Maeve cursed herself as she approached the hotel. The door was ruined, but the area where their room was still intact. Just as when she was about to sneak inside, a hand grabbed her wrist, yanking her backwards.

Instinctively, she swung her dagger, only to hit a set of fabric that was thrown to her face. Another hand grabbed her dagger, stopping the attack midway. The fabric fell to the ground, revealing the man's face.

"You..." Maeve whispered as she stared at the man's face. Rhydan stood in front of her, his temple bleeding as he caught his breath. "Why..."

Rhydan tightened his grip around her wrist. "Take the potion in my left pocket," he spoke firmly. "Wear those clothes and run to the carriage. Pretend nothing happened."

He let go of her, picking up the men's clothes from the ground. Rhydan placed it on Maeve's arm, who was still confused as he watched her. Rhydan pulled out a single vial and injected a syringe inside, handing it to Maeve.

"Go back to your disguise," he whispered, taking a step back. "Make sure they won't see you, Lieutenant.”