Chapter 87 Play The Game

Chapter 87 Play The Game

MAEVE

My swirled with confusion as I ran to the back of the building, hiding myself from plain sight. The screams of men were almost inaudible from my position, and there were no traces of Draven nor the Grand Knight near me. The only person I could sense was Rhydan.

I gripped on the syringe tightly, my mind filled with questions. How the fuck Rhydan knew about my identity, and the potion? Only Declan and I knew about it, and I never saw Rhydan before. There's no way he could have met me in the Rising Sun Village.

"It was him," my wolf spoke as all of my wounds healed. "He stopped Draven from reaching us. He used his magic to protect us."

I let out a heavy sigh of relief. I had already felt the magic within the barrier between Draven and I, and of all people here, only Rhydan was the one I knew who could yield magic. He didn't just help me once, but twice.

"Should we even trust him?" I muttered, stabbing the syringe on my skin. The potion seeped through my veins immediately, running with quick speed as it covered my whole body.

The small dress Nathalia gave was ripped as my body changed and grew. In just a few seconds, no traces of Maeve were left. Everything that was left was all about Maxwell.

Without a word, I changed into the men's clothes Rhydan provided. I couldn't sense him anymore, but I knew that I had to leave this place quickly. Go to the carriage and reach the palace. Or else, Draven might sense traces of my real identity here.

Patting the relic hidden on my clothes, I ran to the exit where our carriages are located. As expected, a few of the recruits were already waiting, on guard with their hands on their swords.

"Where are the others?" I asked, my feet stopping just a few steps from them. Everyone's eyes landed on me, and it was William who took a step closer to respond.

"The Grand Knight went back," he answered. "He said he was looking for someone."

I silently gritted my teeth. He must have sensed me, that's why our paths crossed while I was on the run. That, or Draven had mind linked him about my existence.

My eyes wandered around as my senses reached outward. There were only a few men inside—others either escaped or were already dead. I wonder if Nathalia and her men already left?

"Let's wait for them here," I responded, leaning against the carriage. "The relic is already in our hands. Once they're here, we will go back to the palace."

"And the rebels, Lieutenant?" William asked.

I kept silent for a moment, thinking about what would happen once we stepped foot in the palace. Would the Alpha King and his High Council doubt us on what happened?

"Let them be," I spoke, gripping the relic tightly. "There's no sense looking for rebels anymore. The district was destroyed and if this was caused by them, then I'm sure that they already fled."

My mind drifted back to Thorne. Draven didn't look pleased when he saw us together. I wonder if there was a quarrel between them before Thorne was banished from his position. Would my encounter with him make Draven doubt me more?

I shook my head. There was no sense dwelling on it. I could just make excuses, and as long as Draven had no proof, I don't think he would send me out of the palace. Whatever his plan was, I knew he still needed me.

I didn't notice how long we stood there, but when I saw Terron and the others approaching, I immediately stood up straight. My eyes looked for the Grand Knight and Rhydan, who were walking just a few steps behind the group.

"I got the relic," I spoke, showing a small peek of it. "Are we going back now, Grand Knight?"

He wiped a drop of blood from his temple. His brows were furrowed as he kicked the small stone in front of him. I remained standing, watching him as he vented his frustration on things.

"Is there any problem, Grand Knight?" Terron asked, torn whether to approach the leader or not. The Grand Knight only motioned him to stop and not go any further as he massaged the bridge of his nose.

He took a heavy breath before his eyes landed on me, particularly on the relic I'm holding. "We will go back now. I will explain this to His Majesty," he answered, entering the carriage without waiting for a response.

We all looked at each other. With a single nod, everyone followed the unspoken order. I gripped the relic tighter. This would be our only way to show to the Alpha King that we succeeded.

We separated once again. Our team waited for the Grand Knight's carriage to move before we did. As we moved further from the district, I couldn't help but take another glance from the ruined area. I could still see several men in the crowd, pushing their way out.

Yet only one of them caught my attention.

Draven.

He was half-naked. His hands were bloodied, but he wasn't moving. Instead, he looked ahead, right in our direction. His hazel eyes struck my soul even with the distance, and I knew that he could see me too.

He almost caught me. If Rhydan didn't interfere, I would have been in his grasp now, my plan ruined. I need to be careful. This wasn't the first time I was almost caught.

I turned my head back, moving the curtain to cover the view from the inside. Unseen by me, Draven watched everything from a far, and a small smile formed on his lips as he stared at the carriage's retreating figure.

"So this is how you want to play, huh?" he whispered, inhaling the last piece of scent I left behind. "Just wait. I'll defeat you in your game, my little wolf."

With that, he stepped back. His eyes landed on each filthy man fighting to their lives. Without a word, he lunged. His claws sank deep into their skins. He slashed, kicked, punched, and killed. That would be his temporary way to calm down...until he had her in his hands again.