Chapter 3

I groaned in torment when I tried to move my body. Every joint was in pain when I noticed something was placed above my chest. Precisely, a hand is groping my breast.

I watch in great fright when I realize that no other than Adolf is lying so close to me. My throat went dry, and my whole body went completely solid as I glanced below how Adolf looked comfortable while lying almost on top of me.

His breath was fondling my skin. It's making my stomach twist and my heart jump.

I was about to protest and throw hands when I stopped myself. I recalled what happened earlier. Adolf transformed into a magnificent beast and brought me many memories I tried to bury. I glance at his godlike features before realizing he is already awake and staring through my soul.

My lips parted, and my mind was dazed before I recognized what was happening. Did Adolf notice I was gawking at him? I quickly looked away, disgraced for just letting him grab my breast when he moaned.

"Are you okay?"

His deep raspy voice hits a ring in my ears. It was as if it was his morning voice every time he wakes up. I gulped, then composed myself, thinking, how long I was out?

"Yes…" I trailed off.

I look around and notice that we are still here in the city of Delinquents. The strange atmosphere ruled the area, making it easier for me to distinguish the place. I was about to move my leg when I noticed something.

"I treat your wounds while you're asleep."

I look up at Adolf, who is leaning down. His eyes are leveled down on my ankle. I gasped silently when he grabbed my exposed leg. He places them above his lap while his hand rests on my thigh. My whole being was placed under control while staring at his veiny arms and long fingers on my skin.

"I already put your joint back in its normal coordination. The pain will soothe sooner or later. Can you walk right now?"

I move as he helps me stand up from the ground. Our body is so close to each other that it makes my cells tremble. Once he tried to let go of me, I almost lost my balance when I took a step forward using my incapacitated ankle.

"I will carry you."

"No, you don't have to-"

Before I could protest, I was already swung above his arms. My breast is in contact with his mighty barreled chest. I bit my tongue, glancing down, and noticed his hands were portioned to my thighs and the side of my breast.

He's too close. It's making my world stop spinning for a moment and relish the moment.

Adolf was silent while marching our way to the center of the city. I roamed my eyes in the area and realized something was not quite right here. I believe he already threw away the defeated creatures earlier. However, my main concern is that…

Everyone is avoiding us, and I know the reason why.

"Don't mind them."

Adolf probably sensed that I kept on looking around the area. It's odd since we're the trespasser here.

"He's the late Alpha's son."

"He's alive…their blood still flows."

"Do not engage with them."

I knew it.

News is spreading like wildfire after he transforms himself into a werewolf. He resembles his great father, who ruled all creatures here before. The main reason why it brought me back to the time when we were kids.

"You two should move your feet out of this city."

Adolf stop in his tracks when a foe talks behind us. I felt his hands tighten and his breathing become shallow. I glance up only to see his eyes turned dark and dodgy.

His jaw moved while slowly turning around to face another enemy ready to attack. We just encountered a group of trolls earlier. Now, we are engaged with another group of hupedes.

Half human, half centipedes.

"That's what we are trying to do. Getting out of this filth and go home in our land."

The hupedes scornfully howl at Adolf's remarks.

"Destroy them!"

The hupedes attacked, and everything happened at the speed of light. I thought Adolf would get bitten by their pair of extended mandibles when he shielded his left arm, ultimately protecting me from the attack.

I cursed, trying to get off his hands to fight back with my sword, but he didn't let me.

The low jaw from the opponent digs into Adolf's skin. But the latter looks unbothered by it. Instead, he transformed again into a werewolf. Its long snow fur caresses my skin as he did not let go of me the whole time while fighting.

"Adolf!"

He thrust the enemy away, then caused an animalistic howl that thundered and shook the whole city. My grip tightened around his body, leaning my head against his chest as he fought the enemies single-handed. After a minute of knocking them with a single blow, the place becomes awfully silent.

Adolf took this opportunity to escape, causing enough chaos in that city. He places me above his back, letting me ride him as we sprint away.

"I'm sorry for causing too much trouble."

We both stop in our tracks when we successfully escape that city after encountering a lot of foes. I was glad both of us were okay, and only a minor inconvenience is what I got.

"It's okay…you were pretty strong out there. I did not anticipate that from someone like you."

Maybe my words were a bit harsh since it seems like I am saying he's weak. He shot me a look that would give you chills down to your bone. I smiled awkwardly to fill the intense atmosphere between us when he spoke.

"I am not like before, Princess. I changed."

I was moved by the way his voice was controlled. I wanted to protest by the title he called me, but I chose to ignore it. I look to my front and notice the parched land on our tracks. However, something feels wrong after stepping my feet on the ground.

"What are you thinking?"

I heard Adolf ask when I tried to move. I could feel my ankle this time but Adolf stood beside me, urging himself to cloak his hands around my waist to help me balance myself. The thought made my cheeks flush.

"Something is not right in this land…." I whispered to him, looking over my shoulder to see his reaction.

Adolf's face becomes serious all of a sudden. He kneeled down to inspect the land closely when I sensed something.

Adolf's eyes pierced furiously as if everything had slowed down. Something was aiming at us. It's sharp and deadly. Adolf quickly grabbed it before I could even catch my sword and slash it. Adolf opened his palm, and we saw an arrow.

He sniffed it but quickly leaned away.

"This is poisonous."

He immediately threw it away and placed me behind him to protect me from the intruder. Since we came out of this land to retrieve our Kingdom, enemy after an enemy is ganging up on us.

"Skulk!"

My jaw drops when I peek at a familiar skulk in front of us. And he's not alone. He brought a whole group with him. Adolf's protective self-activated when they outnumbered us.

"He's the same skulk I defeated," I mumbled, squinting my eyes.

"The rumors are true…."

One of them turned into an average human, but I can still differentiate he's one of the skulks. His long chromatic hair flawlessly slips down on his back. Adolf groaned, then took a step forward to face our opponent.

"The late Alpha's son is really alive."

I glance at them back and forth. It itch me to step forward to do something when Adolf blocks his hand, warning me that I shouldn't interfere.

"Hurt the princess, and I will kill you all."

My breath was taken away when Adolf announced that. The skulk snicker a little but shakes his head.

"I am here to deliver a message from the Alpha, Azariel."

My whole body went still, and everything around us suddenly faded when he mentioned that name.

That same name who ruined everything. The reason why I am here…why both me and Adolf are fighting.

"He knows both of you are still alive. You know what will happen to you from now on…."

"He will do whatever it takes to kill you both."