Chapter 11 The market is chaos , a sensory overload that makes my head spin in the best and worst ways Vendors scream over each other , their voices blending into a symphony of desperation , their voices rising above the laughter of children and the clinking of coins . The air smells like roasted chestnuts and something Id rather not identify . Enochs eyes are darting everywhere , wide and curious , his head swiveling as if hes afraid hell miss something if he blinks , I glance at the list Seraphina handed me . Its crumpled , a little sweaty from being shoved into my pocket , and looks about as appealing as her personality . Who the hell needs this much fabric for one Mating Ball The items on it are annoyingly precise yards of silk , decorative orbs , floral arrangements from some overpriced pack boutique . Because of course . Seraphina would demand nothing less than extravagance . Is this woman planning a ball or staging a hostile takeover ? I mutter , cringing at the sheer expense of it all . Enoch doesnt respond . Hes too busy examining a display of flower crowns , his hulking frame towering over the vendors stall like a toddler . His wide emerald eyes dart around , taking in the world with an innocent curiosity that makes him look seem a kid at their first carnival . Really ? I raise an eyebrow as he picks up a crown of daisies and plops it onto his head . The effect is absurd this massive , intimidating man child with daisies framing his wild hair but his grin is so pure I cant even laugh Cute , I deadpan , biting back a smirk . Very … ethereal warrior . He grins wider , and I swear the sun gets jealous . Alright , big guy , lets keep moving , I say , tugging his sleeve , but not before grabbing another headband and sticking it on my own head . Might as well join the circus , right ? We keep moving , dodging elbows and carts piled high with everything from handmade jewelry to jars of mysterious pastes that Im definitely not brave enough to ask about . A few steps later , a flash of silver catches my eye . A simple bracelet , nestled among a mess of mismatched trinkets at a vendors table . Its nothing fancy just a thin band with a single charm with the sape of a crescent moon but something about it feels … right . I hesitate , my fingers brushing the few coins in my pocket . My savings have taken enough of a beating lately, thanks to Seraphinas endless lists and my own bad habit of stress buying tons of groceries . But Enoch , with his clueless grins and puppy like loyalty , deserves something Hold still . I say, slipping it onto Enochs wrist .. Enoch stares at it as though Ive just handed him Excalibur . His green eyes widen , a strange glint flashing through them- something intense , almost feral , that makes the hair on my neck stand on end . 1/5 Youll wear near me kaytay Hying to take off the worse му The nods , big adening on my hand dough here scared Ill take it back Alrig , fersey putting him along again Weve got shit to do The crowd thickens at we move , the noise turning into a roar . My eyes dart around trying to spot anything that might esde the ridiculous item beraphinas be when something stops me cold . Abouty poster , pinned to a weathered wooden post . The royal ing is stampet boldly at the bottom , and above it , blocky letters announce a reward for anyone who can Locate the missing Alpha King If theyre sejou slour finding him , they shouldve put his damn face on it , I mutter , shaking my head at the wboundary Enodi freezes beside me Whats up with him ? I glance up frowning His gaze is locked on the insignia , his fingers reaching out to trace it as if it holds some kind of secret . His jaw is tight , his entire body teme in a way that makes me nervous . Enoch ? I tug his sleeve , but he doesnt move . All of a sudden , his eyes begin to shift from its dazzling green to that lethal crimson that still haunts my dreams . Its unsettling , seeing him like this . Usually , hes all smiles and puppy energy , but now … now he looks like hes trying to remember something , and its scaring the hell out of me . I swear the air around us shifts , growing heavier , colder . Lets go , I urge , sharper than I intended . Before he can move or I can figure out what the hell is happening a man steps out from the crowd , blocking our path . Hes wearing a hoodie , the shadow of the fabric obscuring his face , but the way he moves calculatedly sends alarm bells ringing in my head . My grip tightens on Enochs arm . Excuse us , I say , trying to sound casual , but my voice wavers just enough to betray me . The man doesnt budge . Instead , he tilts his head slightly , the hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. Its you He murmurs , his eyes glinting with recognition as he looks up at Enoch . Theres an edge to it that makes my skin crawl . Enoch steps forward , and for the first time , I feel the full force of his presence . His massive frame seems to grow even larger , his eyes narrowing as he steps in front of me , shielding me from the stranger . The man might be the one blocking our path, but Enoch is the one commanding the space now , His green eyes are locked on the stranger , unblinking , his shoulders squared , ready to pounce . I glance at Enochs hand , the bracelet still gleaming on his wrist , and for a moment , Im not sure which one of them I should be more afraid of The man takes a step back , his smirk faltering , anddor a moment , the entire market has gone silent . 2/5 11:41 Sat , 15 Mar A 60 Chapter 11 Lets go , I whisper , tugging Enochs arm again . This time , he follows , his steps slow as we push past the man and back into the chaos of the market . My heart is pounding , my hands trembling , but I force myself to keep moving , refusing to look back . Whatever just happened . Im not sure I want to We push through the market , weaving between stalls and ignoring the confused looks from vendors . But no matter how fast or erratic our path , the man keeps appearing . Casually leaning against a fruit stand one moment , pretending to browse trinkets the Fuck , who even is he ? My stomach churns . Dont look now , I mutter to Enoch , my voice low , but were being followed . Enoch doesnt respond , but when I glance up , his expression is darker than Ive ever seen it . His expression is something unfamiliar dangerous . His jaw is tight , his shoulders rigid , and his green eyes have lost their usual softness , replaced by a storm I dont recognize . He definitely noticed . A shiver runs down my spine . I pick up the pace , dragging Enoch along as my heart pounds a war drum . The crowded market feels suffocating now , the noise too loud , the people too close . We should head home , I whisper , more to myself than him . This place is- I stop mid sentence as Enoch stiffens beside me , his body rigid as stone . My gaze darts to the side , and there he is the same man , closer this time . Too close . Alright , what the hell is your problem ? I demand , whirling around to face him . The mans smirk vanishes , replaced by something far more sinister . Before I can react , he lunges forward , shoving me aside as if Im nothing more than an inconvenience . Ah ! Pain flares through my palms as they scrape against the rough cobblestones . Hey ! I shout , scrambling to my feet , but its too late . The air shifts . One second , the man is stepping toward Enoch as though hes got something to prove , and the next , Enoch is on him . It happens so fast I barely register it . The market falls deathly silent . Enochs hand flies to the mans throat , lifting him clean off the ground like he weighs nothing . His eyes are no longer green ; theyre dark , wild , and utterly terrifying . 3/5 Chapter 11 80 % E Enoch , I stammer , my voice shaky The mans legs dangle , his hands clawing at Enochs forearm , but its useless . Enochs arm doesnt waver , his expression is now carved from stone The change in Enoch is terrifying Gone is the gentle giant who tried on headbands and marveled at bracelets . His face is a mask of cold fury , his eyes glowing with an intensity that makes my knees weak . E Easy , big guy , I say , inching closer despite the warning bells screaming in my head . Lets not murder anyone today , yeah ? You promised me . Enoch doesnt move . His focus is laser sharp , his chest rising and falling with slow , controlled breaths . It doesnt even seem like hes even himself right now . People are staring , some backing away , others frozen in place looking as though theyre watching a horror show unfold . Enoch , I say again , louder this time . The man gasps , his face turning an alarming shade of red . Put him down . I urge despite the panic clawing at my chest . I think he hasnt heard me . But then, slowly , his gaze flicks to mine . I hold my breath . For a moment , I see something human beneath the fury a flicker of recognition , of restraint . I take a deep breath , my heart hammering against my ribs . Let him go . I say , softer now . Theres a tense pause , and then , like a puppet with its strings cut , Enoch releases the man . He crumples to the ground , gasping and coughing , but I cant bring myself to care . Whats your deal ? I snap at the guy , adrenaline overriding my common sense . Youve been stalking us all day , and for what ? To get your ass handed to you in the middle of a marker ? The man glares up at me , but theres fear in his eyes now a fear that has nothing to do with me and everything to do with the giant looming over him .. … I know you … he starts , his voice trembling , but I cut him off with a glare sharp enough to cut glass . I hiss , grabbing Enochs arm . Were leaving . I dont wait for him to recover . Grabbing Enochs hand , I tug him away from the growing crowd of onlookers . He follows without resistance , his fingers warm and steady around mine . 描 My heart doesnt stop racing until were well out of sight , the noise of the market fading into the distance . What the hell was that ? I ask , glancing up at him . He doesnt answer , his gaze distant , his jaw still tight . I take a deep breath , trying to steady my own nerve . Look , I mutter , Whatever that guys deal was , its over . Lets just go 475 11:41 Sat , 15 Mar A MT . Chapter 11 home , okay ? He nods , finally , but his shoulders doesnt ease . I squeeze his hand gently , hoping to ground both of us. And for the first time since this mess started , he looks at me really looks at me and theres something in his eyes that sends a shiver down my spine . Not fear . But something close . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!