RELIEVED

“UNA…” Hevian mused.

“Prince?” Una couldn’t believe her eyes that Hevian’s face staring worriedly at her. And it took her a while to realize she was in his arms.

“Are you hurt?” Hevian shifted his focus to her shoulder that had been wounded.

“No. Please, we need to rush home. My parents are in danger!”

Hevian slowly put her down when he was sure that Una was fine. The Princess of Alsache surely did a good job of healing her. Even the scar on Una’s shoulder was barely visible.

“I’ll carry you with me. Hold tightly.” Hevian immediately transformed into his beast form without waiting for Una’s answer.

She also wasted no time mounting at the back of Hevian’s massive wolf form. Every second counts especially since Nivo might be drawing his last breath. Worse, the perpetrators might have found Ursila’s hiding place.

When the gray wolf sprinted fast, Una crouched down and tightly held to its fur. She had never ridden a wolf before, or even a horse. But surprisingly, she could balance herself well, despite the speed of the wolf’s movements.

Una was silently praying they wouldn't be late when they arrived. Perhaps her father was writhing in agony as he struggled to fight.

No. Think positive, Una. She hardly shook her head. These dark thoughts would only add to her distress.

A few moments passed until they finally arrived at the doorstep of Una’s house. The eerie silence was deafening as if tragedy had not struck there a while ago. However, the damage on the front door showed a sign of forced entry, and whatever lies inside the house would surely shock Una’s fragile heart.

Hevian transformed back to his human form. He studied the surroundings for the possible ambush, but his senses knew it was safe.

“Father!” Una ran inside but there was no response. “Father, I’m back. I came with somebody to help us!”

“Una, wait—”

She kept looking around the house ignoring Hevian’s remarks. “Where are you?!”

Una was on the verge of breaking down, but she held herself. “Father!”

“Una. Listen. I sensed something just now… an unfamiliar energy. I’m sure it’s not coming from any kind of wolf shifter.” Hevian gently held Una’s arms.

She looked up at him. The dim light from the moonlight through the window was enough for her to see his face. “What do you mean? I need to look for my mother, too!”

Hevian let out a heavy sigh. “Okay, I’ll be right behind you.”

“Mother!” She darted towards the well and peeked down. It was already opened. Una thought that her mother had escaped. But she accidentally held the surface and noticed the blood had been spattered in it.

“Oh, no! Mother! Father!” Una continued to call for her parents but there were no answers. Slowly, her legs trembled and before she could fall, Hevian was quick to hold her up.

“Let’s not assume until we see their bodies. They could be well somewhere.” He tried to comfort her somehow, but Una pushed him hard.

“Those were all members of the Sabre Pack! I saw them. How can they be so cruel?”

Hevian’s jaw clenched. “I assure you; I’ll make them pay.”

Una bit her lower lip to prevent herself from crying. She promised not to shed more tears just because she was weak. It was not her fault that she was a lowly omega. However, she could not accept the fact that despite sharing the same heritage of being wolf shifters, being a lowborn means a plaything of the royals.

“Father! Mother! Where are you?!” Una called once again. But the same sound of night insects greeted her, and the wind suddenly blew.

“Come with me.” Hevian held Una’s hand. Although she reluctantly went, he made sure that she was protected. “Let’s check the energy I sensed earlier. I just caught a familiar scent, albeit it's faint.”

“Familiar scent? Could it be my father?”

Hevian smiled a little. Although he didn’t want to give her false hope, all he wanted was to cheer her up because she was too devastated trying to be strong.

UNA stood frozen when she finally caught up with Hevian at the place where he guided her. It was just a few minutes’ walk from their house where a small open grassland was located.

“Oh, heavens!” Her jaw dropped as she witnessed two familiar bodies lying motionless on the ground as if they were purposely put there for a moon bath.

Hevian let go of her hand while his eyes were busy checking around the surroundings. He knew they weren’t alone there. He could sense two unfamiliar presences lurking in the dark.

“Show yourselves!” Hevian urged, but no one appeared. There was only the rustling sound of the bushes nearby.

Una hurriedly knelt and touched her parent’s pulses. She was suddenly relieved to feel the slow throbbing of their veins. Una offered a silent prayer to the moon goddess for letting her parents live.

“They are still alive!” Una’s face beamed. “Thank you, Prince Hevian.”

Hevian smiled. “Don’t lower your guard, Una. We are not alone here.”

Una was suddenly alert. And for some reason, she hadn’t felt bothered about the threats. She admitted that Hevian’s presence there was enough to make her feel secure.

“I wonder why they are here…” Una whispered.

They were both stunned when two female faeries suddenly materialized.

“We brought them here,” the two said in unison. One thing they had in common, both of them had long silver hair. One was wearing a green cloak, and the other seemed to be a warrior guard because of her blue armor.

Hevian finally breathed out as a sign of relief. “It’s you! What are the odds to see you in this part of the forest.”

“W-who are they?” Una asked cautiously.

“They are the princesses of Alsache, Una.”

Una’s eyes widened and immediately bowed down. Those weren’t just fae royalties, but they were the heirs of the prominent water domain—the home of the gifted healers.

“I am willing to be your slave as a payment for this life debt. Thank you for saving my parents!” Una meant what she said.

The faeries laughed as if they heard a joke.

“Raise your head, little wolf,” said the one wearing a cloak. “I believe my sister is the one who healed you. I sensed her healing magic lingering around you. Well, we had a little fun walk when we sensed danger nearby, so we came to help. Gwiazda is surely dangerous!”

Hevian didn’t mind Ethyla’s words but he introduced his companion instead. “Una, this is Princess Ethyla. Princess Empera’s younger sister. And along with her is General Hadisa, one of their guards. They are our visitors to this Equinox Hunt.”

Una slowly got up but refused to meet their eyes. “I am a lowly servant who does not deserve to look straight into the eyes of the royalties.”

Ethyla giggled. “What a nonsense. Come to Alsache, the rules there aren’t restrictive like here in Gwiazda.” The princess gazed at Hevian. “With all due respect, Prince Hevian. I am just stating a fact.”

“Will… you get me as your slave?” Una silently swallowed. She wouldn’t mind it. Only a word of affirmation from Hevian is needed, and she’d be serving the royalties from Alsache.

“I wouldn’t wage a war in the wolf nation just because I made you, my slave.” Ethyla chuckled.

Una’s forehead creased in confusion. “I… I don’t get it.”

“Firstly, there’s no slavery in Alsache. Secondly, I don’t think Prince Hevian’s mate deserves to be in such a position. You deserve all the best things in life, little wolf.” The princess winked at Hevian. “Am I right, Prince?”

Hevian was lost for words to say. How could these faeries know that Una was his mate?

“Prince Hevian’s mate?” Una asked innocently.

The Princess and her General laughed again.