Chapter 29

A Short Stop

Alpha Kingsley POV

The town was buzzing with activity the moment we stepped into it.

People moved in and out of shops, voices rising in cheerful chatter as traders called out to potential buyers. Wooden carts rolled across the dusty street while merchants displayed fruits, fabrics, and other goods under small shade canopies.

It was a lively small town.

Humans hurried about their daily routines, completely absorbed in their ordinary lives.

But hidden among them were others.

Werewolves.

Though most of them tried to suppress their scent, masking it beneath herbs or cheap perfumes, they could never escape my

senses.

I noticed them immediately.

A pair of men leaning against a tavern wall.

A woman walking past with a basket of vegetables.

Two young travelers pretending to examine weapons at a blacksmith stall.

To an ordinary person, they looked perfectly human.

But to me, their scent betrayed them instantly.

Being an Alpha King of Lycan blood made my senses far sharper than that of ordinary wolves. No matter how carefully they tried to disguise themselves, the faint trace of wolf still lingered.

This town was one of the few places where such a mixture existed.

A center hub.

A crossing point between the human world and the hidden paths of supernatural beings.

Most humans here lived their lives blissfully unaware of the predators walking beside them.

They laughed, shopped and even argued over prices.

Totally ignorant of the danger that sometimes walked quietly among them.

I suppose ignorance truly was a form of bliss.

A peaceful life built upon the comfort of not knowing the darkness that lurked nearby

such ordinary life was underrated but worth more than gold.

After witnessing and experiencing the Vicissitude of life such ordinary lite was another kind of luxury

Beside me, Olivia finally stepped down fully from the carriage.

The last traces of sleep faded from her eyes as she looked around

Her eyelids blinked repeatedly in fascination.

Her gaze wandered from one stall to another, from the colortul tabrics hanging in the wind to the small bakery across the street where the warm scent of fresh bread drifted into the air

A Non

She looked completely mesmerized by the bustling town

Her wonder was almost childlike.

I couldn’t stop the small chuckle that escaped my lips.

Her innocence was amusing and strangely… refreshing.

“Come,” I said, reaching for her hand.

“Let’s stroll around.”

My fingers wrapped around hers firmly but gently.

She shivered slightly the moment our hands touched.

Then slowly relaxed into my grip as we began walking forward.

Before leaving the carriage area completely, I turned toward the guards and attendants traveling with us.

“You all may take a rest,” I ordered calmly.

Some of them straightened immediately.

“Feel free to explore the town and stretch your legs,” I continued.

“But remain vigilant.”

My gaze swept across them. 1

“This place may appear peaceful, but caution should never be abandoned.”

They nodded in agreement.

“We will gather here again in one hour to continue the journey.”

“Yes, Alpha,” several voices responded.

Satisfied, I turned back toward Olivia.

Still holding her hand, I began leading her toward the center of the town.

She walked quietly beside me, her eyes moving everywhere as she tried to absorb everything around her.

A group of children ran past us laughing. 1

A street musician played a small flute near the fountain.

Nearby, a vendor shouted loudly while trying to sell roasted meat.

Olivia looked like she wanted to ask a hundred questions at once.

Then suddenly

“Alpha… can I join you?”

The voice came from behind us.

I frowned instantly.

Slowly turning around, my eyes landed on the last person I knew Olivia wished to see at that moment.

Kate.

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She stood a few steps away, her hands clasped together nervously in front of her

Her posture tried to appear dejte

Almost vulnerable

Her eyes lifted toward me, attempting to give that familiar pleading look she often used.

A look she probably believed to be charming or seductive.

My brows raised slightly, though the faint frown on my face remained.

“… kind of feel scared,” she said softly.

Her voice carried a trembling note that sounded forced.

“This place feels unfamiliar and uneasy.”

She stepped a little closer.

“May I please join your company?”

Her hand slowly lifted as if intending to grab the sleeve of my robe.

But before her fingers could reach it

I pulled my arm slightly away on instinct.

Just enough to keep her from touching it

For some reason, the thought of her touching my clothes while Olivia stood beside me made something inside me recoil. Almost like being contaminated.

Argon growled low inside my head.

“I don’t like her”.

His voice carried sharp irritation. I ignored him.

But the feeling remained.

“If you feel frightened,” I said calmly, though impatience crept into my tone, “one of the guards can escort you.”

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I gestured briefly toward the group standing near the carriage.

“Or better yet,” I added, “you may remain inside the carriage until we depart

Kate’s expression flickered slightly.

She clearly hadn’t expected that response.

“But Alpha…..”

Her voice started again.

I raised my hand slightly.

Ending the discussion.

“That will be all.”

My gaze shifted briefly toward the guards.