Do Not Delulu

They parted ways at an intersection close to Alfafa Boutique. Keir didn't go towards the city. He returned to the mountain to meet his men.

They gathered under a large tree.

"Sir, we have been traveling around. We don't think there are any spies here," reported one of them steadily.

Keir sighed. They didn't find anyone, but he did find someone's whereabouts on the way down the mountain. He was even worried if those people were good at hiding body scent.

"Don't let your guard down. We still don't know our enemy," he retorted.

"Yes, sir!"

"Make sure our supplies are safe. On Sunday, there will be a girl coming to the soldiers' quarters. Teach her to look after the groceries."

The five soldiers nodded obediently.

Keir led them back to the city. People on the street looked at the palace soldier as a marvelous thing. They were always working to protect Emberfall. No one could match them.

***

Elestria fought the cold water while washing her shoes and robes. In between, she smiled suddenly. She had got a job from the boss, not to mention he was good-looking. Elestria was sure her eyes would always be healthy.

"He didn't hire you because he was interested in you," Scarlett snapped.

"I'm just happy Keir gave me the job I wanted."

"Before that, he said you didn't fit the criteria."

"Because he realized my hidden potential?"

"Your potential won't be recognized if it's hidden."

Elestria frowned. She understood Scarlett had become sensitive after meeting Keir. Especially when Elestria was stunned to see Keir working on the campfire. The sweat that coated his skin was mesmerizing.

"You've got a new job. Lusi should know."

"Yes," Elestria replied, "but after work, I can't see Lusi. Keir said no contact with outsiders."

Scarlett let out a long sigh. "Twice we found that amazing scent. I still remember how I was pounding so hard."

"That's true too. I looked everywhere, but there was no one. Is it a hallucination?"

Scarlett frowned. She felt that the scent was the scent that was said to be a sign of you finding your mate. "You were busy hallucinating about Keir."

"You're very ignorant. He's so nice to me."

"My warm self is only for our mate." Scarlett lifted her chin haughtily.

Elestria rolled her eyes. She got up from the bench to put her shoes by the wall. They should be dry by tomorrow night.

The moon wasn't shining, but the night sky was bright. Overcast clouds seemed to be taking over Emberfall's sky. Elestria watched the window before climbing into bed.

Elestria placed three blankets over her body. She smiled widely as she wiggled her body. She was very happy to get into the blanket after fighting the cold.

Then, she remembered how empty the mountain was when she arrived earlier. "By the way, was the hunt canceled?"

Scarlett was forced to wake up from her sleep. Her eyes looked right and left. She couldn't say she misinformed Elestria. She answered, "Yes... I think so. The weather wasn't good, right?"

***

The herb hunters stared in horror at the figure sitting in the center of the Seraphim warriors. They stared at the ground for a moment after being pelted with a bag of gold each. They swallowed nervously and cautiously.

"You guys have worked hard. Go home carefully."

That sentence should've been full of warmth. However, the white-haired man said it with a wide grin. His pair of fine fangs could be seen.

The hunters picked up the bag of coins. All of them hurriedly fled from that location. Some fell down and hurriedly got up unsteadily.

"General, look! Peach root!" His man lifted the peach root before him.

The other soldiers gaped.

"Peach root is very rare, General, and it helps maintain stamina!"

The General cupped his left chin. His fiery red eyes weren't interested in the booty, nor the other spoils. He still remembered his little wolf.

"You should have caught her and claimed her at that time," Dev, his wolf, whispered.

"Rash."

Dev changed his expression. He rolled his eyes, then howled loudly for Gideon to give another answer. But he was always let down.

The red-eyed white wolf was named Gideon. To earn the rank of major general, he traveled with the spy team to Emberfall. Now, his ambition has increased because of his little wolf.

Of all the palace soldiers, Gideon has yet to find his mate. He has been busy working. He thought his mate was also busy working towards something. However, he was disappointed.

His desire flared up due to Dev's temptation. Nevertheless, he couldn't let go of his desire and later endanger his mate.

"Wan!" he called out.

Wan approached him still carrying the peach root. "Yes, General?"

"We'll be back tomorrow."

"Yes. What?" Wan gaped.

Gideon got up. He grabbed the peach root and proceeded to walk into the tent. His hand lifted it so that it was level with his eyes.

The peach root is not the root of a peach. It's named so because this root is brightly colored like a peach. Proper processing makes it an immune-boosting medicine. On the other hand, the wrong processing would result in a drug that increases the desire for intercourse.

Gideon grinned at the root. He had no intention of processing it properly. 

***

Elestria woke up at dawn. She winced from the pain in her stomach. She looked around in confusion.

"What's wrong?" Scarlett woke up too.

Her palm rubbed her stomach. She felt uncomfortable there. "Starving," she replied.

Elestria put on her blanket and left the room. Her feet stepped into the kitchen. The air was cold inside the boutique. She wanted to light the fireplace.

She arrived at the kitchen. She knew the ingredients were stored in the cupboards, but they were all raw. Making a dish would take time.

"Let's go hunting," Scarlett invited.

"I don't want to."

"You're starving."

"Not anymore."

Elestria went back to bed. Now, she believed herself not to be hungry. That knot in her stomach was her period.