Chapter 103: We have to go!

Werewolf Trackers?!

Della had always known this borrowed Peace wouldn’t last. Not when all the kingdoms and Packs have heard about her awakening and want nothing more than to slaughter the Rotblood and maintain power and peace.

"We need to get out of here," Annelise murmured, grabbing Della’s hand and pulling her along.

They couldn’t afford to follow the usual roads, hence, they moved between cottages and bushes, making sure they were completely out of sight.

At some point, Annelise brought out a crushed herb from her bag and threw some of it into her mouth, swallowing it down.

"Here, eat this," She said, handing the rest of it to Della.

"What is it?"

"It’s crushed hawthorn from frost petals. It’s capable of erasing a wolf’s scent for a period of time. Quickly swallow it before they find us."

Della didn’t hesitate this time.

She threw it into her mouth, and the moment it touched her tongue, the sour taste had her whole face twisting into a sickly look, and the urge to spit the whole thing out was great.

"Uhhhgggg," She groaned after she had swallowed, still feeling the sourness down her throat.

There were tears in her eyes, and she really hoped she wouldn’t end up vomiting.

Then, she stared at Annelise in awe. How was she able to swallow like that? Are her taste buds really working?!

The path they took back to their cottage took a longer time, but they eventually made it back. Annelise made sure no tracker was closed before they slipped into the house.

Quickly, she started to pack everything important into a small sack.

"Are we really leaving?!" Della asked, thinking about how she was becoming attached to this peaceful village.

"We can’t risk putting humans here in danger!" Annelise replied, then she tossed Della a few medical supplies, "Put this all together quickly and grab two dresses!"

In less than a minute, they were done.

The moment they approached the door of the cottage, Anne’s eyes shot up in alarm, and she quickly stopped Della from taking another step.

"Are they here?" Della mouthed.

"I think so," Anne nodded.

Slowly, very carefully, she peeked out the door and looked around. Just as she had suspected, she saw the same two men in cloaks standing by the gate of Darren’s house.

Their backs were facing them at the moment, and Darren was currently speaking to them. It looked like they were asking him some questions, and they held out a sketch on white paper to his face.

Anne didn’t need anyone to tell her that the sketch was probably Della’s face.

She watched as Darren drew his brows in confusion and thought, before slowly shaking his head at them, "I’m not sure I’ve seen her before!" He was saying, keeping his voice polite.

"Are you sure?!" One of the werewolves barked, "We’ve tracked her down to this very spot!"

"It’s possible she came here, but I would tell you if I ever saw someone with that face. And I’m pretty sure I have not," He replied smoothly again.

Annelise’s fingers dug into the wood, gripping it hard, as she focused on his heartbeat.

Those Werewolves were probably listening to it too, and would tell with it if he was lying or telling the truth. And Darren, being a human, cannot force-flatten his heart so it doesn’t skip when he tells a lie.

Surprisingly, and weirdly, his heart didn’t fumble at all.

Not even a little.

The man was as composed on the inside as he was on the outside. Nervousness or fear had nothing on this man at all.

Behind Annelise, Della tapped her once, "What’s going on?" She mouthed.

"They are speaking to Darren," Annelise replied.

"Oh no!"

*Don’t worry. I think we are good.*

*Are we?*

Annelise made to peek out again. The moment one eye slipped out the door to catch the sunlight and see what was going on, she was met with the figure of someone standing directly in front of her.

It was so sudden that she yelped, jumping back. Della almost jumped along with her friend, scared out of her mind that the trackers were here.

Or worse? Had already attacked them.

"No, no, it’s just me," Darren’s quiet, musical voice wafted into the house as he stumbled on, looking apologetic, "I’m sorry. You guys ok?"

Both women breathed out a relief of sigh, before instantly going back to alert mode. When they were sure he was alone, they approached him, "I saw the wolves speaking to you just now,"

A flash of surprise came over his face, and Annelise instantly looked guilty. Darren probably didn’t know they were wolves, but her panicked mouth had revealed that to him just now, "Oh...!"

"Where are they?" Della asked.

"They suddenly left," Darren replied.

"What do you mean?"

"It must be the werewolf guards Alpha Malachi put on us, causing a distraction. This is the perfect time to escape. We cannot waste the valuable time we’ve been given!" Annelise explained, tightening the sack tighter around her chest.

That was news to Della.

Malachi...had assigned guards to protect them?!

"Wait," Darren drawled, "You guys are leaving?" His tone was softer. Disappointed.

"Unfortunately so," Annelise replied quickly, grabbing Della’s arm once again, "We...have to go. We cannot be found,"

"Will you be back?!" His gaze fell on Della this time, "This isn’t the last time I will be seeing you, right?"

"I... don’t know," Della replied, lowering her eyes.

"Darren, I’m sorry but we do not have time," Annelise answered tightly, dragging them both to the door and peeking out once again, "The area is clear. We have to leave now before more of them start to arrive,"

Della turned to Darren, swallowing tightly, "I...,"

"Don’t say you’re sorry," He cut her off, his eyes glazed with emotions, "Just make sure you’re safe. That’s all. Make sure you’re safe, Della,"

She nodded, but she knew it wasn’t convincing enough, "I’ll try," She murmured.

His next move caught her off guard completely. She suddenly felt herself getting crushed in his arms. He held her there so securely, so tightly that her body began to convince itself that she could relax.

That this was warmth without hate.

"Let’s meet again," He whispered into her ear.

She could only nod.

Then, Annelise pulled a little hard and Della felt herself slip out of his embrace.

And then, they were gone.