Chapter 2 Something Scent Burst

The first thing Rea felt as soon as her legs set foot in the Black Wood forest was goosebumps, not because of fear, but rather an indescribable sense of joy.

It was as if the atmosphere that hit the pores of her skin was much different from the sickening air around the palace. The forest really feels fresh even though there are millions of scary mysteries surrounding it.

 "Rea, if you also want to look for plants, it's best not to go too far."

 "Okay." Rea raised a thumb while flashing a grin at the chairman which was immediately returned by the young man's goosebumps face.

 "Don't cause trouble, or we will be in danger even though this area is still guarded by our warrior pack," he warned again before finally choosing to join his group.

 After they left, Rea looked at the dark trees around her. The tree trunk was large and towering, looking like an iron monster with a dark aura that seemed to want to devour Rea's tiny body.

However, instead of feeling afraid, Rea was beaming with joy.

 Now the girl understands why this forest is so dark, this happens because the large trees with dense leaves prevent sunlight from directly touching the ground and the area within it.

Making it damp and overgrown with various strange plants hanging down from the trees. It spreads like hair and makes it seem like the trees are alive.

 Until finally, Rea, who had started to focus on crawling to look for plants while relying on her poor vision considering that the forest was quite dark, suddenly flinched in surprise when something scent burst into her nostrils. The strong scent continued to grow over time, and Rea felt dizzy beyond belief.

 "What is this scent?" Without realizing it, the girl rubbed her arm because she suddenly had goosebumps. "How could something this fragrant exist in the forest? Could there be wildflowers?" she said trying to guess.

 Now, Rea stepped away from the place. This really made her curious. However, she was surprised by the appearance of the chairman and his three friends from another direction. Approaching Rea, who was still frozen because she was too lulled by the intoxicating scent.

 "Rea!" called the chairman quite loudly. Rea herself woke up instantly from the freeze. "In front there are warrior packs, they want to check our identities to make sure we are not rogues in disguise," he explained.

 Rea nodded as she took out a small board representing the identity of the people of the Rosemoond Pack from inside the bag.

 "LINE UP AND HAND UP YOUR IDENTITY BOARDS! ALPHA KILIAN WILL CHECK IT!"

 The shouts approached along with the sound of horses' hooves calling to each other. The convoy of warriors numbered approximately 10 people and Rea assumed that the man riding at the front was the alpha.

 That's right, alpha has become the talk of the town lately.

 However, it wasn't because of the man's good looks, authority, or bravery that made Rea freeze until her legs felt like they were going to collapse, but because of the refreshing and intoxicating scent that broke her focus, which in fact came from the alpha.

 Spontaneously, Rea got goosebumps when a pair of dark eyes with the face of an angel of death in the dimness of the forest met the girl's green eyes.

 Both of them looked shocked, at the same time Rea covered her mouth. "Impossible!"

 ***

 Not only did Rea widen her eyes, but Alpha Kilian who sat proudly on his horse also had a similar expression. For a moment, only silence fell between the two of them until one of the warriors interrupted and broke the silence.

 "Alpha, you should check their identity board," said the guard warrior known as the alpha's right hand—Luce.

 Alpha Kilian didn't say anything, but he nodded while reaching out his hand towards the chairman who went first. "Are you from the medical field?" asked the alpha after regaining his composure. He checked the chairman's identity board.

 "That's right, Alpha, and I am the leader of this squad."

 Kilian once again nodded, ignoring the look of awe that the chairman showed because he didn't expect to meet the alpha at a time like this. Honestly, Alpha Kilian is rarely seen. Only certain times did he leave the palace and patrol like now. This was why no one had ever truly seen his face other than people in the inner palace, where the core members of the Rosemoond Pack kingdom resided.

 "Next!"

 While the others finished their examination, Rea clearly froze when her turn came despite being last. The girl who was usually calm under any circumstances suddenly trembled as soon as the alpha's voice greeted her eardrums.

 "What's your name?" Kilian asked, observing the ragged girl evenly. On the one hand, Luce, who knew the alpha well, was quite surprised to find out that Kilian didn't try to spread charm.

The rumor that Alpha Kilian likes playing around with lots of women is not just a rumor. That's a fact! Even the alpha was too friendly to almost any girl he met, no matter what she looked like.

 However, Luce realized that Alpha Kilian was not like that today, even though the petite girl in front of him was cute enough to tease even though her appearance was messy.

 "Rea ... Rea Esclar," the girl answered quietly, sounding soft but seeming afraid. On the one hand, Kilian didn't expect that he would harden his jaw and even clench his fists until Rea's identity board was crushed.

 Rea flinched in surprise then took a few steps back while looking down.

 "Alpha, is there something wrong with that girl's identity?" Luce approached while observing Kilian's darkened expression. The man's aura even terrorized the people around him because it was so strong.

 Kilian sighed, then turned around haughtily. "Nothing, they got away." Pulling the horse's reins, the alpha called out, "we're back to the palace!"

 And, the group left, leaving Rea with mixed feelings. Really, the girl didn't know how to react.

 In fact, Rea was sure that Alpha Kilian felt what her felt. Then why did the man act as if nothing had happened?

 Rea really doesn't care enough about the concept of mate which is often discussed by other omega girls, hoping that in fate she will be paired with someone worthy. Rea has also been taught what the concept of a mate, a lifelong partner is, or what symptoms will arise if they meet.

 Even though she realized too late that the alluring scent she felt was a sign of the appearance of her mate, Rea clearly never thought or even joked about being paired with an alpha figure. No! Rea hasn't once thought about a partner all this time. Her head was only worried about medicine and when she would take part in the graduation qualification ceremony.

 Even if all wolves have a soul mate, Rea suspects it is not far from his social caste as an omega, the lowest caste on the social ladder.

 But, how could this happen? Had the Moon Goddess punished her for being naughty?

 Without realizing it, Rea said, "Hey, have you ever heard of someone rejecting the Mate they had been assigned to?"

 The chairman, who heard it, suddenly turned around with a panicked face. "What? Why? Do you feel something?"

 Rea suddenly got annoyed. "Why do you look scared? Don't worry, it's not me. This is just a question so just answer it."

 The chairman breathed a sigh of relief. "I didn't think you would discuss this, but, according to the law, a person has the right to reject his partner. However, there are certain consequences that will result because it is the same as rejecting the fate of the Moon Goddess," he explained, while Rea froze.