What is the solution?

Camen repeatedly banged on the door of the alpha, but to no effect. He went into the Alpha's room to get clarification on his belief that the Alpha was at the horse ranch.

The sight of the alpha's lifeless body on the ground startled him.

"Alpha" Camen called out, tapping his face.

After bringing the Alpha to his bed, Camen doused the Alpha's face with water from a jar. With a loud gasp, Alex's eyes opened. He started to gasp for air as his breath became labored.

Concerned for the alpha, Camen stormed out of the alpha's room to find the sorceress.

Camen rushed into the sorceress's chamber.

"Amarynthia, the alpha needs your assistance." Camen said, concerned.

Despite her curiosity about the Alpha, which she knew Camen would make clear when they entered his room, Amarynthia nodded her head and followed him out of her room.

When they finally arrived at Alpha's room, they found him gasping for air on his bed and feeling as though something had strangled him.

With her eyes closed, Amarynthia sat by his side and started to chant while hearing voices and sounds whisper words in her ears.

She understood what it meant —the cries, the blood, the pains, and the feeling— and it felt like a firm grip that had been there for decades.

It seemed to have been waiting for the Alpha for a while, calling him to carry out his responsibility.

Amarynthia gasped and opened her eyes. With ragged breaths, she turned to leave, staring at the calm Alpha.

"Why are you heading out? What is the issue with him?" Curiosity prompted Camen to ask.

"She feels enraged with him. It is time for him to confront the hardship; she has waited far too long."

Camen stumbled; he needed to know the answer even though he knew his suspicions were correct and was not shocked that Amarynthia could discover the truth.

"What needs to be done?"

"Finding her will be the only thing needed for everything to be ideal.'

"But we have tried that, Amarynthia, and there is no way you could find a woman like that."

"That is the only solution. I must go now." Amarynthia beckoned and exited the alpha's room.

Camen sat on the furry sofa and drove his hand into his head, unsure what to do. He was clueless about how to tell Amarynthia that their search for the lady had been fruitless.

After realizing that Alex was grunting, Camen hurried over to ask,

"How are you feeling, Alpha? Your improved state of health is entirely due to the sorceress's abilities.

"Whatever, what is the solution? Did she tell you" Alex asked, holding his head in pain.

"Yes, it is to wed your chosen bride." Camen made up a lie.

Alex rolled his eyes, sensing that the sorceress was using this as a plot to get what she wanted. He rose from his bed and told Camen to saddle their horses.

******

When Nova awoke, her throat felt parched.

"Water," she uttered while examining her surroundings.

When she realized it was Ember's cottage, she relaxed, but she became terrified to face Ember. She was aware that what she had done was improper.

Ember brought Nova a cup of water and gave it to her.

"My child, drink this." Ember patted her head and said, "You are fine; Asher is not here."

Nova becomes anxious at Asher's name.

"He strangled me, but how did I end up here?"

With a smile, Ember assured Nova that she could relax. Nova gave a nod, then sipped the water. How she had gotten to Ember's cottage intrigued her.

She wanted to ask Ember, but she is aware that Ember will not be honest with her. Her memory of the Lycan king's assistance returned when she noticed a mask on Ember's bed.

"Ember, what is the purpose of his mask?" Nova enquired with curiosity.

"Who, Nova?"

"The Lycan king"

Ember shook, her hands trembling. Nova saw that Ember's demeanor abruptly changed upon hearing about the Lycan king. Then she started to wonder about his actual nature.

She noticed that people tremble whenever the name of the Lycan king is mentioned.

"It is alright, Ember. Since he is not present, why are you afraid of him? His character is good. Indeed, he assisted me last night.

Ember snickered.

"Nova, do not fall for it. It is preferable to be near Asher than to be beside the Lycan king. He is a vicious animal." Ember scoffed. "I was surprised to learn that he assisted you; the Alpha usually punishes rather than supports individuals like us. Keep an eye out for him."

Nova thought Ember had told a falsehood because her words sounded odd. His feelings and the eyes behind the mask were genuine and compassionate.

Can the Lycan king be genuinely virtuous or evil? Nova pondered in her mind. She brushed it off, figuring she had to get ready for her next chores.

"I love you, Ember. Thank you."

After showering Ember with kisses, Nova departed from the cottage. With a happy jump, she descended to the forest to gather herbs for the pack.

She stopped when she sensed that someone was following her. She was thinking about what to do as her heart pounded against her ribcage.

She had two options: either go out of the forest or carry on finding the herbs.

"It would be a problem if I went to the pack empty-handed," Nova told herself as she carried on looking for the herbs.

Her fear increased with each step she took. When she looked back to look for the stalker, nobody was there. Nova examined the ground closely for herbs, believing she was mistaken.

When she realized what she needed, she grinned. Reaching down, Nova scooped them into her basket.

She sensed movement in the forest as she turned to go, and a rabbit suddenly leaped out of the shadowed woods.

Nova let out a terrified cry, "Ahhh."

When she saw the rabbit, she exhaled with relief. She overcame her fear and went back to the village.

While strolling through the forest's depths, she hummed a song.

All of a sudden, Nova struggled in the stranger's grasp as a hand clamped down firmly over her mouth.

"No, NOOOOO!" she let out a scream, as the stranger pulled her into the woods.