Chapter 37

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                                                                   Reece

His breath sliced through his throat as he rounded the trees and leaped over the bushes through the woods. His paws thundered on the damp forest floor as he went through the invisible territory borders, and new odors assaulted his senses, but he didn't stop, even though his heart was thumping like a battle drum in his chest. He needed to move faster. He needed to get there before it was too late. He ran faster than he had ever done before, the orange and yellow trees a blur beside him, until a large tan wolf appeared in his path ahead. The wolf bared his white teeth in warning before skidding to a stop a few paces away. Reece's breath cut through his lungs, burning from the cool afternoon air.

"I need to see the High Lord. Now!" Reece parked, but the wolf's snarl sounded in response. He knew he had no authority here, but he didn't have time for this. "I'm the son of Jasper Aeraviel, baron of Greenhollow, and I need to see the High Lord!" He pushed, daring to take another step, when a second wolf emerged next to the first. His fur was a deep brown, like the bark on the trees around them.

"We've not been told to expect you." The dark wolf replied, keeping his head low to the ground and ready to attack at any moment. Reece wasn't given permission to enter the High Lord's territory; by right they could kill him, but he didn't care right now.

"It's about Sylvia Aeraviel." Reece tried, and the wolves exchanged glances. He could have thought they were holding a silent conversation before returning his gaze, his chest heaving.

"Stay close and don't wander." The tanwolf barked before rushing away. Reece breathed a sigh of relief before moving again, keeping up with the wolves in front of him. His legs barked in protest as they flew through the trees like arrows racing for their target. The wolves in front of him let out an ear-shrieking howl, and others responded from all over the forest. A warning to the remaining scouts that they are leaving their posts.

They sprinted for over an hour before the wolves in front of him shifted, accompanied by the sound of the bustling city ahead. The males looked to be quite similar, possibly siblings or twins. They had the same short brown hair and perfectly tanned skin, with muscles rippling throughout their bodies. Reece shifted a second later, falling into step with the two males in front of him. His blood raced as they fell into a walk; he didn't have time for this. Walking was a waste of time, especially when the estate was situated at the further end of the city.

"I don't need to be escorted; I know where to go." Reece growled, but the males did not respond. He couldn't risk fighting them, especially since time was running on, so he followed them. Each step fueled the anger in his veins. He remained silent as they passed the usual stores and cafes they visited when they were here with Jasper, taking slow, deep breaths as people passed by, all of them calm and at ease, while his mind raced.

By the time they arrived at the estate gates, he was fighting the impulse to grind his teeth, but mercifully the guards didn't stop them as the males led him up the cobblestone road and through the front door. The estate was still as beautiful as he remembered, and if he had the time, he would enjoy admiring the delicate white tiles, which had been polished and waxed to perfection. He knew if he looked down, he'd see his own reflection. The stone walls were also polished, with portrait after portrait of the surrounding woods and previous High Lords, serving as a testament to those who came before.

The males led him up a flight of stairs, followed by another and another. Each one is as lovely as the last, with elaborate features woven into the railings and a rich brown rug cascading down the steps with swirls and vines woven into it for detail. Part of him understood why Sylvia stopped trying to escape in those early months, but he'll have time to fully appreciate the details later.

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