The Princess And Her Alpha Bodyguard

22~ A DOPPELGANGER?

I sucked in my breath as I looked between the white and red werewolves, daring not to make even the slightest moment. As I stood next to these two giant animals, my thought drove me to think of a tiny ant. I wondered if it felt the same way I felt when a human stood next to it.

Now, what should I do? Should I run to hide behind Mez? A question popped up in my head. Well, it's a good idea. At least, I won't expose myself out in the open like this.

Before I could move my feet, a low growl echoed, sending a bone-chilling sound up my spine. It made me rethink what I'd thought.

I changed my mind. I'll just stay here. I thought to myself.

The two werewolves stood face to face, but neither of them was in battle mode. After all, they didn't bare their teeth at each other. I wondered if this red werewolf was a part of Valdemir's pack. If it was, then I could assume that we were safe since the wolves wouldn't fight their fellow pack members.

Right?

Another growl echoed from the red werewolf made me second guess my thought. I turned to look at it to see that it fixed the pair of red eyes on Mez.

Wait. These eyes are familiar. I squinted my eyes, trying to get a better view. Don't tell me this red werewolf is Valdemir.

I debated calling out his name and seeing if he responded. But Mez's low growl halted me from my action. I looked at her to see she was shaking her head. I wasn't sure if that movement was meant for him or me. Still, I decided to take a safety measure by remaining silent. Of course, one would never be wrong if one didn't speak.

Mez and the red werewolf did nothing but look each other in the eye. It seemed they were using the wolf's link to communicate.

Suddenly, the red werewolf stepped forward and let out a loud growl, making Mez retract a few steps and lower her head.

"Whoa." My body jolted in surprise at this sudden noise and movement. I was dying to know what they were talking about, which made the red werewolf look angry.

I turned to Mez to see she was still lowering her head to the ground. It looked as if she was feeling guilty. As I struggled with what to do with the situation, I sensed another movement in the bush not far from where I was standing. When I turned in that direction, I widened my eyes in shock as a giant, gray werewolf leaped out and jumped over my head to stand between Mez and the red werewolf.

Okay. Here comes another one. Is he a friend or foe? I thought to myself. I walked as quietly as I could to hide behind the tree. No matter whose side this new guy was on, the situation wasn't doing me any favors.

Think about it. Three werewolves against one human? I didn't want to imagine all the worst scenarios.

Peeking from behind the tree, I watched in silence as the grey werewolf walked toward Mez and used its neck to nuzzle against hers. Then he turned to face the red werewolf and looked into his eyes, probably using the wolf's link to talk again. After a short while, the red werewolf relaxed and took a step back before leaping away into the deeper part of the forest. Mez and the grey wolf followed suit and disappeared into the bushes behind them.

The situation went from tense to... silence.

And I was left alone.

Again.

"I hoped they just went to put their clothes on and came back," I muttered under my breath, hoping Mez didn't forget that I was still here.

"Lae." Mez emerged from the bushes a few minutes later. Her cadmium green dress was replaced by a black olive one. Coming right behind her was none other than Gerold, who appeared in the same attire I last saw him in. I wondered if he had brought the clothes with him after he shifted. Still, I didn't ask because I had another question that was more of a priority than this.

"Where is the red werewolf?" I looked around to see if the one I assumed to be Valdemir had made his appearance yet.

"He'll be here soon," said Gerold.

"Are you the grey werewolf?" I turned back to him.

"Yes." He nodded.

"Then, is the red werewolf Valdemir?" I asked.

Mez and Gerold looked at each other before turning to face me and shaking their heads.

"What?" My jaw dropped open in shock. "He isn't?" I couldn't believe that I got it wrong. "But the eyes...They are red. Just like Valdemir's."

"Every Alpha has red eyes when they shift. It isn't just him." Gerold shook his head.

"But Valdemir's eyes are also red even when he's in his human form," I said.

"He's special." Mez stepped forward until she was standing next to me. "That's why he isn't just our pack's leader but also our king."

"It doesn't feel right." I shook my head. "If that wolf wasn't Valdemir, why did you two act like you were scared of him? Don't deny it. Even though I didn't know what you were talking about, I could tell from your actions. Especially you, Mez." I looked at her. "You looked as if you didn't want to confront him."

"Lae, I'm a Beta. No matter how skilled I am, an Alpha still has an advantage over me." Mez placed her hand on my shoulder. "I may be able to defeat a young Alpha or an untrained one. But for a full-fledged and well-trained Alpha, I don't stand a chance."

"What about you?" I turned to Gerold. "Didn't you say many Alphas aren't a match for you?"

"Exactly." He shrugged. "I said many. Not all. That guy is among the minority."

"So, who was that red werewolf then?" I tilted my head to the side in confusion.

"It's—"

"It's me." A hoarse voice echoed from behind me, cutting Gerold off.

I turned around to find a man in a brown tunic, pants and a black vest walking toward me. His towering height resembled Valdemir, although every other part of his body didn't. I knew I hadn't seen Valdemir's face, but I saw the color of his eyes and hair. They were red. But this guy had not even an ounce of red on him. Instead, he had a combination of black: a pair of deep-set black eyes and black hair as dark as the sky on a moonless night.

"Hello. You must be Lae, right?" He asked when he was at my arm's length.

"Y-yes." I stuttered for no reason. My eyes fixated on the pair of rosy, pink lips on his oblong face.

"I am Edward Bure, King Valdemir's shadow guard," he said, placing his right hand on his left chest and lowering his head. "I'm assigned here to be your bodyguard."

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