Chapter 2

Yifa's POV

As I cautiously approached the motionless wolves to check their condition, a figure emerged from the surrounding woods. He wore a distinctive blue and yellow uniform, catching my attention. Elena and Anita instinctively backed away, their wariness increasing as they observed five more individuals donning the same attire. However, this time, these newcomers carried weapons. From their uniforms, it was apparent that they hailed from the Western kingdom.

"Shift!" the commanding figure in front of me uttered assertively.

The leader possessed striking features—an allure emanated from his luscious brown hair and captivating green eyes. He bore resemblance to a majestic tree, exuding an ethereal beauty. Yet, despite his appearance, there was an air of ferocity and strength about him, evident from the abundance of badges adorning his attire, surpassing those worn by his comrades.

"Did you not hear him? He explicitly instructed us to shift," the man standing beside him uttered, his expression vacant. It seemed as though he yearned to be anywhere but here. In my personal assessment, he emanated an unpleasant aura, resembling a contemptible individual.

Curiously, though, he possessed an air of regality, akin to that of a prince. His golden locks intertwined with his piercing blue eyes, complemented by attire befitting nobility. If a crown adorned his head, I would readily assume his royal lineage.

"They must be deaf, Black. Look at them; they are merely gawking at us," the "jerky prince" remarked with a smirk, addressing the leader with a handsomeness that concealed his true nature. Undoubtedly, he embodied the essence of a repugnant individual.

I couldn't help but notice how frequently he glanced at Elena whenever he had the opportunity. It was peculiar, but I couldn't afford to dwell on it. Our primary concern was to escape from this place, and we needed to do it quickly.

"Derek, you're not being helpful," the leader, Black, reprimanded. So, the person causing trouble was named Derek.

I attempted to take a step forward, but I froze when Black's gaze shifted towards me.

"Don't even consider it. We could end your life before you even move an inch," warned Black. He stared directly at me, his eyes narrowing, prepared to intervene if I made a wrong move.

"Transform. I won't repeat myself. Transform, now," Black commanded sternly.

We all knew we had no choice but to obey his orders. Reluctantly, we transformed against our will. Thankfully, the men were considerate enough to avert their eyes while providing us with oversized clothing. The garments were ill-fitting, but we had no reason to complain. We considered ourselves fortunate enough to have gotten this far.

Black's intense gaze was fixed upon me, his voice laced with a peculiar mix of determination and concern. "We mean you no harm, but it's imperative that you accompany us," he declared. I met his gaze unwaveringly and posed a question, already aware of the answer. "You want me, don't you?" A flicker of indifference crossed Black's face as he diverted his attention to Derek, who was yet again captivated by Elena's presence. Simultaneously, Elena returned Derek's gaze, her eyes veiling her true emotions.

Interrupting the silent exchange, Black cleared his throat, redirecting his words to Derek. "Derek, it would be wise to bring all of them with us. It appears you have unresolved matters to address with that young lady," he stated, indicating Elena. Derek couldn't resist rolling his eyes, attempting to refute any insinuations made against him.

Meanwhile, Anita, who had remained ominously silent in the background, began whimpering in fear. "No, I refuse to go," she pleaded, her voice trembling with trepidation as she tentatively retreated backward. Desperately, I reached out to grasp her hand, but our actions were misconstrued as an attempt to flee. Before we could take another step, the soldiers swiftly apprehended us, binding our hands together with tight restraints.

Out of nowhere, a searing pain shot through my neck, engulfing me in darkness. The putrid stench that assailed my senses was unbearable. Gradually, I pried open my eyes, only to find myself in a dimly lit prison cell, sprawled on an icy, unforgiving floor.

"Yifa? Are you conscious?" I strained to locate the source of the voice and turned my head, discovering Elena and Anita confined in separate cells before me. As I glanced downward, a startling revelation dawned upon me—we were trapped in a wretched dungeon.

"What in the world happened? Have they harmed either of you?" I blurted out, consumed by anxiety. The pervasive odor of blood hanging in the air heightened my trepidation.

Both of them shook their heads in response. "No," Anita replied. "No one has come into this pit since we regained consciousness."

Before we could delve deeper into our discussion, the sound of approaching footsteps reverberated through the dungeon, interrupting our conversation.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity, as if I had experienced this before. In silence, I acknowledged the strange sensation.

Before us stood Black, accompanied by two soldiers. His presence demanded attention, and he began his introduction with confidence. "Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Black Knight, the esteemed Head Knight of the King of the West," he declared, his posture exuding authority.

Oddly enough, there was a distinct scent surrounding Black, reminiscent of pine trees and rain. It was a captivating aroma, though I knew it wasn't his natural fragrance since he hadn't emitted that scent during our encounter in the forest.

With a tremor in her voice, Elena mustered the courage to ask, "Why have you brought us here? What is it that you want?"

Black's gaze shifted towards me, and he replied, "Your companion appears to have the answers."

I averted my eyes from my friends, then slowly nodded. "You seek my powers, don't you?"

My mother had warned me countless times about revealing my true identity as a white wolf. Some white wolves possessed special abilities bestowed upon them by witches – the power to break any curse cast by any witch.

From the time I was a baby, my parents discovered my extraordinary abilities when I emitted a yellow glow while sleeping. The healer within our pack confirmed this and was bound by our Alpha to keep it a secret, both for my own safety and the well-being of our pack.

"Come with me. Don't even think about escaping. It's in your best interest to follow," Black instructed, forcefully disconnecting my mind from dwelling on the past. With little choice, I simply nodded and trailed behind as they guided me out of the dungeon.

The distant echoes of Anita and Elena's protests reached my ears, fading as we ventured further away. Utilizing the opportunity, I took in my surroundings, simultaneously searching for a means of escape. The hallway we traversed possessed a captivating beauty, captivating me with its opulence.

The environment exuded wealth and grandeur, with shades of blue and yellow predominating, symbolizing the kingdom of the West. The decor encompassed a blend of antique elements, carrying a sense of history, and modern touches that radiated prosperity. In spite of my predicament, there was a peculiar sense of familiarity within these walls, as if this place could be considered home.

As we neared our destination, the captivating aroma of pine trees mingled with the scent of rain, growing stronger with each passing moment. In the depths of my mind, my inner wolf expressed its enthusiasm through yips and playful pounces.

"Mate. Mate. Mate," my omega chanted persistently within me.

An undeniable surge of excitement raced through my heart, causing me to fidget with my hair and adjust my attire in an attempt to appear presentable.

This was the moment, the gateway to my future.

Black cast a peculiar glance in my direction before proceeding to open the door, revealing an intoxicating scent that surpassed any I had ever experienced.

Little did I know that behind that very door awaited my ultimate downfall.