Chapter 4

I had been walking all day and was already tired as well as my horse who seemed to walk slowly and lazily now.

I stopped by a stream to get a drink and give some to my horse too.

The water was cold and crystal clear. I looked around the large forest where I was alone, the trees were so tall that they covered the light that penetrated the forest making it look darker.

The sounds of birds whistling, insects chirping and the frogs croaking gave out a melodious tune.

I dipped my feet into the water and started splashing them around.

Not sure what I was thinking I suddenly pulled off my clothes and was in only a bra and panties.

I dipped my head into the water. I was never a bad swimmer, part of my training while growing up was to swim just incase we found ourselves in between a river and we have no other than to swim away.

I was in the water for a while till I heard voices above, I swam to the shore where no one would see me.

I observed the people that were there they seem to be looking for someone.

“Her clothes are here Beta Ryu.” A huge man said

“Here is her horse.” Another voice said from a distance.

Ryu was here. What was he doing here? How long have they been following me? The fuck kill me.

I couldn’t get out now since I was deliberately halfwd dress. I hoped they get a sign and leave so i can get out.

I stayed hidden in the waters not making a sound.

“Hold on, I_I think we came too far get back now. Far away from here.”

I hear Ryu say. He probably got the idea.

All of the men followed his command and left the place in the twinkle of an eye.

I made sure the coast was clear amd then I got out.

I quickly grabbed my clothes and wore them. My horse was eating some hay already, I guessed Ryu gave it some food before he left.

Remembering Ryu I boiled with anger at the thought he was following me. I got so mad. I told dad to let me go on my own and ge still sent Ryu to follow me.

“Come out here! All of you!” I ordered raising my voice which scared the singing birds away.

I clenched my fist tightly. The guards came out first one by one amd then Ryu.

“Your highness!” They all bowed and greeted.

“Who sent you?” I glared at Ryu.

“Your majesty wanted to be sure you are safe at all times.” Ryu replied.

“Then get going before I strike you all dead. I’m safe without you here.” I replied the anger surged through my veins.

“I’m sorry but I can’t.” It’s a kings order.

“And I’m your future Queen!”

“Till then Your highness.”

I got so angry as he replied me in such calm tone. It sounded more like an insult his every words. Getting more irritated, Ryu was strong I couldn’t beat him especially not now he would pin me to the ground in the blink of an eye.

“How about I tell the King, you disobeyed him and was spying at me when I was having a bath huhh?” I asked in a cunning voice.

He clearly did invade my privacy, so a win is a win.

“I_it’s not what you think Your highness.” He says his voice trembling now, his eyes widened. The guards seem a bit terrified too.

“What would the King think then?” I used their weakness now to my advantage.

“He would end your lives for dearing to look at his precious daughter in a lustful way.” I say mentioning the words one at a time.

“We are sorry your highness.” They all echoed.

“Well you should be sorry to forgive you I command you now to leave.”

Ryu walks closer to me.

“Don’t! Don’t you dear take another step closer to me.” I say

“Your highness, we can’t leave the king will double kill us. Please!”

I hear the sincerity in his voice. I knew my dad would deal with them for leaving me behind but I still didn’t want someone following me up.

“Sigh…Then you have to work for me now, for the rest of your time here. You won’t be giving feedback of any sort to the king. If he asks how I’m doing, tell him I’m ok and I’m enjoying my stay. DO YOU GET ME?”I say

“Yes your highness.” They all echoed in unision.

“That’s more like it. Now I’m hungry get me something to eat.” I say turning my back at them, I walked away to a nearby rock, brought out oneof the books the maids had given me back in the palace.

****

“Where are the warriors?” Ryland asked in his cold voice.

“They went prey hunting in the woods, to ensure the other evil creatures were not in our pack.” Kai responded.

“Who gave them the order?” He asked growling now he was abit angry.

“I did Alpha.”

“How dare you? What if something happens to them? I told you not to let them out without me there.”

“I’m sorry Alpha, it was an honest mistake.” Kai said calmly

Ryland hits hum hard below the belt, making him to fly and hit his back on a wall.

Kai growls as he felt the pain. He rubbed the spot Ryland had hit me.

“Get a horse ready!” Ryland says and walks out of him.

Kai stood up, he groans in pains and heads to the barn to get some horses.

****

“Never knew you boys could cook.” I say to Ryu and his men. My hands were stained with the savory meat they had hunted from the forest.

“It’s just me your highness.” I looked over a boy who was quite my age but I was a bit older said.

He didn’t look so big and huge like the rest. Ryu glared daggers at him making him to whimp.

I smiled at him and said “what’s your name?”

“Jackson your highness.”

“Hmm…Tell me more about yourself Jackson?”

“Uhmm…” he scratched the back of his hair, i guess he was a bit shy. “Nothing really much to know. I had lived with my widowed mum since the past ten years. My dad died while I was six, so I joined the kingdoms’ army to fend for myself and my mom.” He says.

“Oh that’s sad to hear…How did your dad died?” I asked curiously.

“He was a warrior who served the king faithfully till he died in a battle and the king was nice to take me in too as well.”

“You are a brave one Jackson.” I say nodding my head at him.

I turned to the rest if the pack who seemed to be paying earnest attention to us.

“You all can introduce yourself, other than staring so awkwardly.” I say. They were actually staring at me so horribly.

“I’m Jacob.” The husky voice from earlier started.

“Damien” “Paulo” “Zion” “Ryker” “Bello” “Tola” “Jair” “Oreb”

They all said. The last person was Ryu. He didn’t talk or say anything just stared at the fire that was burning in the center of where we sat.

“What about you Mr. I don’t talk too much.” I asked gi if him a smirk. Ryu was always a distant person and was hard to talk too. This was my first time staying this close with him and the men.

He looked up at me and a slight smile played on his lips and then instantly disappeared.

“Ryu, your highness.” He reponded and then loomed away again.

I sighed at him. “So boring.” I muttered to myself.

It was so dark already and I was so tired. I hadn’t slept all day.

“Make a tent for her highness.” I hear Ryu said.

The men quickly got up and brought out their camping tents. They set up one for me not too far away from where they set theirs.

“Thank you.” I said as they were done and hurriedly rushed in. As soon as I lay down the darkness envulfed me quickly.