The Royal Mark-Chapter 340: Love That I Fear

In the expedition plan Elsa created, she selected the dogs that hunters in Arcanis typically use to transport the animals they hunted from the mountains. During the winter season, when the weather was too cold for horses, loggers also used these dogs to haul wood down the mountain.

The werewolves didn’t understand at first why their Queen had done that. Werewolves are not affected by the coldness of the snow but as soon as they entered the Mountain Ash Forest, no explanation was needed. They immediately felt the cold breeze and started wearing their fur coats and cloaks.

Towering mountain ash trees filled the forest, casting it into darkness even in broad daylight. The dense canopy blocked out all sunlight, making the forest floor significantly colder.

Since the group couldn’t use mountain ash wood, which would harm the werewolves, Elsa included in her master plan to bring only oak and birch wood. She instructed them to start the fire with birch wood first since it burns even when damp, then add oak wood to conserve materials and time.

Although werewolves don’t feel cold they lack the clothing that they need for their journey. They had to purchase and gather several fur coats and thick clothing to survive in the White Shadow Mountain. They were grateful to their Queen for meticulously planning their expedition, from the necessary gear, tools, and clothing to the selection of food.

For the first time, the werewolves experienced what it was like to be human. Adjusting was difficult initially, as they had never been affected by the cold before. However, by following all of their Queen’s instructions, they gradually adapted.

"How come it was easy for you to wear all these heavy cloaks?" Lexi asked Arla while walking the in snowy path.

"We are used to it. We wear this all the time in winter. I remember our teacher used to make us train in the snow for hours. He would only allow us to go to the fire once we were on the verge of getting frostbite! But now I am thankful to him for preparing us for this journey. Who would have thought that his training would become handy someday," Arla chortled.

Lexi smiled at her in return before glancing at Chris who was in the front line with Andrius, Drake, and Baahu. He never spoke a word ever since they started their expedition and let Andrius lead them.

Arla followed her line of sight and said, "Don’t worry about him. I am sure that he knows that Elsa would not accept what the demon king was claiming."

Before they set on their mission, the birdkeeper and Hoven ran after them as they exited the castle’s gate. King Mordrak has sent an invitation to his wedding with Elsa and a letter to Andrius, warning Zemaria to not dare help Arcanis in retrieving both Elsa and Milda until after their wedding, or something bad will happen to the two women.

"I don’t doubt My Queen’s love for our King. We all know that they love each other so much. They are mates after all. But it is the same love that I fear. Love could make people sacrifice themselves to save their loved ones. I just hope that it is not what the Queen is planning.

Ever since she saved her father and son, every day I try to convince myself that it was not her plan to get captured in exchange for their lives. I pray to the goddess to keep her safe and hope that she will not offer herself to the demon king in exchange for Chris’ life.

For us, werewolves, we rather die trying to protect our mates than live and be separated from them. Having been rejected after being mated and completing the marking would be the most painful thing that a werewolf could experience in their life," Lexi stated.

Arla smiled at Lexi and told her, "Have faith in Chris and Elsa. I don’t believe that their love story would end here. They had gone through a lot, but they never abandoned each other. If I will put myself in Elsa’s shoes. I am sure she was planning something and I think Chris knows that, that’s why he let my brother-in-law take over so he could think carefully, don’t you think?" Arla uttered, making Lexi ponder.

The two ladies were in deep thought when they heard someone shout from the front of the line and everyone halted.

Soon they saw Andrius and Drake walking toward the middle of the line where they were and said, "We have reached our destination. We will camp here tonight. Everyone should start setting up our tents and fire. The group in charge of searching for the well will start after we eat."

Everyone swiftly moved and proceeded to their assigned task, no one was idle. They have been traveling in the White Shadow Mountain for ten days now. The werewolves started setting up the tents and unloading the firewood, while the mages started making campfires and unloaded the food they would be cooking.

Lexi and Arla were in charge of helping Kaizer keep the vial with Rocco’s blood from freezing.

Kaizer had placed the glass vial into the wool and against the skin of a live sheep that they brought with them. They kept it in a small carriage that the dogs pulled. They surrounded the carriage with torches to keep the sheep warm, therefore preventing the vial from freezing. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Kaizer sat beside the sheep, petting it every now and then to keep it calm while Lexi and Arla took turns in making sure that the torches would not run out of fire.

Everyone did not waste a single second. As soon as everyone was done eating, they ready themselves to look for the well that would let them locate and open the entrance to the cave of the sleeping divine mages.

Drake together with Baahu went to Arla and Lexi and asked, "Is Chris done eating?"

The two women looked at each other with a frown on their foreheads. "How would be know that? The King ate with you," Arla replied.

This time it was Drake and Baahu who got confused. "But he said he would just check something and be back right away. So we thought he came to you to check on Kaizer and Rocco’s blood and when he didn’t come back we thought he decided to stay and eat with the three of you," Drake explained.

"We haven’t seen or talked to him ever since we stopped here. He also didn’t check–"

Arla didn’t finish her words after getting interrupted.

"Help! I need help! Hurry!" one of the soldiers shouted.