Chapter 7
Enzo's POV
We're deep in the wilderness, but I can't seem to locate the Hell of Caves. The dense fog shrouding the entire area is making it increasingly challenging to search with my naked eyes. I can't detect Dante's presence anywhere nearby. I'm unsure whether I arrived first or if he beat me here. My gaze sweeps over the surroundings, and that's when I spot a colossal lion approaching. My eyes widen as I realize Dante is riding on its back.
"Hey, were you looking for this?" he asks, holding onto the mighty beast.
I'm greeted by his characteristic mischievous smirk. This guy, always full of surprises.
"Goodbye, see you at the finish line!" he exclaims, racing ahead on his tamed lion.
I became both angry and disappointed in myself. I couldn't allow him to win this battle because I aspired to become the next Alpha King of the Pack. I refused to let my dad perceive me as a coward and a loser. I was determined to prove to him that I was different from him, as he had chosen to die in vain and lived as a loser himself.
I let my wolves run as swiftly as possible, following the prince closely. He was just three meters away from me when I tapped into my hidden beast power to catch up with them. With a powerful leap, I reached him and clawed at his neck, leaving a light cut. My red eyes and piercing tail revealed themselves.
He tumbled off the beast lion and rolled on the ground, but Dante quickly recovered from my attack. I concealed my true form from him and he remarked, "Nice try, Enzo, but your best wasn't enough to defeat me." Dante's eyes blazed with fire, resembling a demon.
I stood there, stunned and immobilized like a mannequin. I had no idea what he had done to me, but I felt as if my body had gone numb. He approached me with a leisurely pace, and I attempted to growl back in defiance, but he responded with a mocking smirk.
"Is this all you've got? Now, I will show you how the great Dante fights!" He gritted his teeth, and when I noticed his claws transforming into long blades, fear began to course through me.
My wolf knelt before Prince Dante, pleading for him to spare my life. It was my first time witnessing his demonic side.
"My lord, I surrender! Please, don't kill me!" I begged, and I heard him laugh at my distress.
"Relax, Enzo. This isn't my true form yet. I am the son of Alpha King Otto, with a bloodline of demons. No matter how hard you try to outwit me, you will fail!" He taunted.
I decided to let his trash talk wash over me, promising myself that this would be the last time he looked down on me. Everything has its end, and I was determined to prove that he wasn't always the victor.
"I surrender," I admitted defeat. He sprinted ahead towards the finish line, having successfully tamed the wild beast, a lion, and defeating me in the process.
The hunting game had spanned three days. Caleb discovered Ashina inside his cousin's room and informed his Aunt Aurelia, the Queen, requesting permission for her to witness the impending duel between Dante and Enzo.
Two days earlier…
Caleb recognized the scent immediately.
He issued orders to the Palace's soldiers, demanding they make way for him.
"Sir, you can't decide what to do with her! The prince will have our heads if we allow you to take her out of his room!" Ford, the blonde soldier, obstructed him.
Caleb suppressed his anger towards his loyal cousin's soldiers. Instead of engaging in individual conflicts, he proceeded to the Queen to seek permission to escort Ashina outside.
Queen Aurelia arched an eyebrow at her nephew's request.
"Why would I do that?" she replied coldly. "She is my son's servant, and I'm fine with it."
Caleb questioned, "Have you ever considered what if she were your daughter? Do you think her family wasn't concerned about her? She was an Omega, so why keep her unless she's your son's mate?" His words made Aunt Aurelia's eyes widen disapprovingly.
Aunt Aurelia swiftly rose from her throne, her tone defensive. "What are you implying, Caleb? She can't be my son's mate! I'd be relieved if you took her away from here. I can't fathom why my son insisted on having an Omega servant!"
Her resentment for the Omega Pack ran deep, especially since the Alpha King had mated with one of them and even had a child with them.
Ashina's presence stirred memories of her dark past, which she had struggled to bury deep within her mind. Each encounter with an Omega werewolf ignited thoughts of vengeance.
When her gaze fell upon the woman named Ashina, she was reminded of someone from her past – Ana, the King's secret concubine. It was too late when Ana became pregnant and fled to hide. Though it all belonged to the past, history seemed determined to repeat itself.
"Okay, since Dante is still in the game, take her out, but make sure to keep her beside you and don't let her escape, okay?" Finally, she accepted her nephew's request.
Caleb jumped in joy.
He was about to kiss his Auntie when Aurelia pushed him away. "Just take her!" she added, giving him a furrowed face. "Thank you, Auntie! Don't worry, I won't let Dante catch her!" He promised the Queen and ran back to where Ashina was taken.
Ashina's POV
It's afternoon, but I'm still locked in here. I wish I could use my power to sweep them all away, but I won't do that. I promised my mom to be good, as many innocent people would die if I did it again.
Maybe the Canarians are having fun outside the palace while waiting for the prince and his beta to arrive, each with a fierce lion companion. I wanted to attend the battle of the werewolves because this is my first time as a guest of the Shadowborn Kingdom.
I press my palm against the window to see what's happening outside when I hear the creaking sounds of a door. Someone is opening it. His scent is familiar, even as I stand before him.
"Hi, how are you?" It's his voice. I can tell it's Caleb.
"Caleb? What are you doing here?" I turned around, and my suspicions were confirmed; it was Dante's cousin, who happened to be the Alpha of his Pack.
I waited for his response, grateful that someone had found me here. Was this a positive sign or not? He wore a stern expression as he approached and observed me.
"Hey, are you going to sniff me forever, or what?" I scowled at him, causing him to halt and firmly grasp my shoulders.
"Why do you have such an unusual scent? Who are you?" he inquired, but I wasn't ready to reveal my true identity, especially my connection to Dante, the prince. I cleared my throat and pretended to be a naive Omega who knew nothing.
"What about my scent? It's odd, considering I sell firewood in the market. Are you here to discuss that, or do you intend to rescue me?" I inquired, posing both questions.
He chuckled and shook his head. "Neither of the above? I've come to escort you outside to witness the duel. But don't entertain thoughts of escape, or Dante will be after me. Let's go!" he exclaimed, and I was taken aback as he pulled me from the room.
I felt a sense of relief as he aided my escape, if only for a single day. While we strolled toward the crowd, I sensed someone tailing me. I swiftly spun around, but she was too swift. I discerned she was a female shapeshifter due to her scent, distinct from the strong and unyielding odor of the male wolves.
"Anyway, thank you for taking me outside. I want to go home. Please, help me!" I pleaded with him to take me back.
I yearn to reunite with my family. Mom was right; this was a trap. I've made a colossal mistake, but it's too late for regrets. I had thought the Shadowborn Kingdom would be like a home fit for a princess and a prince, but this place is more like hell.
Caleb shrugged his shoulders and shook his head once more. He walked me beside him, treating me as if I were his daughter. I wondered where his mate was, as he was here with me.
"It's too dangerous. You can't fool me, Ashina! I know you're Dante's mate, but why did he choose to lock you in his room?" he asked.
Now that he knew my true role here, there was no way to conceal my identity from everyone, but Dante would kill me if I did.
Caleb firmly held my arms and assured me that he could help, but not at this moment.
"I can meet your parents and assure them that you're safe. Perhaps it's the best course of action for now," he said, and I was relieved to hear it from him.
We heard jubilant voices from the crowd, and then we saw Dante emerge as the first.
"We have a new crowned Alpha King! Dante! Dante! Dante!"
Our ears were filled with the chants of Dante's name as he proudly wiggled his tail above the majestic lion..