er 21 Chapter 21 The market is alive with noise , but all I can hear is the blood rushing in my ears as I bole through the maze of site , y fixed on the man ahead . Fucking bastard . Ill get you . Hes fast too fast for someone who looks as though theyve skipped a few meals t Im fueled by something durger than adrenaline : anger . This asshole has been stalking us , and Im done running . I dodge a fruit stand , the smell of overripe bananas slapping me in the face , and nearly crash into a vendor pelling for fresh fish . The man darts left , into a narrow alley between two brick buildings . hhaed Opphet Exucky when i dost avoid . But do I stop ? No , because apparently , I have the survival instincts of a drunk squirrel . The alley smells like damp stone and regret . My boots slap against the uneven ground , the sound echoing as the walls dose in on me . I glance around , my pulse hammering . No sign of him . Then , like a bad horror movie cliché , he appears behind me . Shit ! I whirl around just in time to block a punch aimed at my face . The force of it jars my arms , but I hold steady , shoving him back . Who the fuck are you ? I snap , my voice shaking more than I want it to . He doesnt answer . His face is a mask of rage , his dark eyes drilling into mine as he lunges . I duck , the air above me whiding as his fist misses my head by inches . Okay , so hes strong . But guess what ? So am I. I dont know where the hell this burst of strength is coming from adrenaline , maybe ? Or something else entirely . But its there , and Im not wasting it . I grab his arm , twisting it behind his back with a satisfying crack . He grunts , struggling to break free , but I slam him agains the wall , pinning him with my body weight . Start talking , I hiss , my breath hot against his ear . Why the fuck are you following us ? He coughs , trying to turn his head to look at me . Youll regret hiding him , he wheezes , his voice raspy but steady . You dont know what youve done . What the hell does that mean ? My grip tightens , my nails digging into his skin . He doesnt answer . Instead , he slams his head back , catching me in the chin . Pain explodes in my jaw , and my grip falters just enough for him to shove me off . Coward ! I yell , lunging for him , but hes already running . I dont chase him . My jaw aches , my hands are trembling , and I cant shake his words . Youll regret hiding him . You dont know what youve done . What the hell does he mean ? Who is Enoch , really ? I lean against the wall , catching my breath . My mind races with questions I dont want to answer , but one thought stic . like a splinter Could Enoch be … ? I push off the wall and step back into the market . The normal chaos of vendors and customers feels jarring after the quiet 1/4 Mar Chapter 21 intensity of the alley . My gaze falls to a crumpled piece of paper on the ground . A poster , The same poster Enoch and I saw back then . The Alpha Kings name stares back at me , regal and commanding even in black and white with the bounty below . I pick it up , my heart thudding . It wouldnt be possible , right ? But no . Thats crazy . Enoch isnt … he couldnt be … Taryn ! I flinch , stuffing the poster into my bag as the coachman storms toward me . His face is flushed , his expression a mix of irritation and disbelief . Do you have any idea how long Ive been waiting ? This is unacceptable ! he barks , gesturing wildly at the carriage . Yeah , yeah , I mutter , waving him off . Calm your ass down . Im here , arent I ? He scowls but doesnt argue as I grab my bags and climb into the carriage . As we pull away , I glance at the poster again , the Alpha Kings face burned into my mind . Could it be … ? I shake my head , forcing the thought away . Obnoxious . Absolutely fucking obnoxious . But the doubt lingers , gnawing at me like a wolf with a bone . 58 The wheels of the carriage creak to a halt , and I dont even wait for the coachmans condescending glare before hopping out . He mutters something under his breath , but Im too drained to deal with his passive aggressive bullshit . Seraphina is already waiting at the door , her face lit up as if shes been nominated for some humanitarian award . She clasps her hands dramatically , her nails glinting like claws in the sunlight . Oh , Taryn , youre back ! Did you get everything ? Yes , your majesty , I mutter under my breath , shoving the bags into her outstretched hands . Her smile falters for a second , but she recovers quickly , pressing her free hand to her chest . Youre such a dear for taking care of this . Really , I cant imagine anyone else handling it with such … dedication . Fuck you too . I dont even dignify that with a response , spinning on my heel before she can add more layers to her faux sympathy . Bless her heart , I hear her say behind me . Gritting my teeth , I head straight for my room where I know Enoch will be . Hes sitting at the table , staring at a half eaten apple as if it insulted his ancestors . Thank the heavens he didnt get into another fight . His emerald eyes flick up when he senses me , and just like that , my frustration melts . Enoch , I call softly , holding up the brown paper bag . Look what I got for you . His brow furrows in confusion , but he stands and follows me as I set the bag down . I pull out the camera , shiny and new , and watch as curiosity lights up his face . Its called a camera , I explain , holding it up . You take pictures with it freeze moments in time so you can look back them later . 2/4 The flash pure off , and tach flinched by Yuks tuloy . whit , anyway , flipping the camera to w wy o sa is The plan is pure durende face be cave middays wide and lips pared in surprise . Im cackling like a And thats when i notice . Hes not laughing . Hes not emiting theres fron This hate are clenched knuckles turning while , his bow be tight , and shes something dark and havned in his eyes . My laughter dies indenly , Enoch ? I say softly , stepping clower , He doesnt move , was your locked on some lavistole point behind ae Memorics Shit . This has to be about his memories again , similar to earlier Hey I whisper , setting the camera down and cupping his face in my hands . His skin is warto but clatory , a fine sheen of wweat breaking out on his forehead , Its okay I murmur , pressing , my lips to his forehead . The Kisses worked earlier so I hope it does the same mage again Youre safe He doesnt react , so I kiss his cheek , then his nose . His breathing , slows , his hands undenching bit by bit . Good I was down to his lips and my kisses stops , I dont think I can … Seeing my hesitation , my lips hovering inches from his , its him who doses the distance . My heart immediately banged wild in my chest . Shit , Shit His mouth crashes into mine , raw and hungry , and its like the world tilts on its axis . His hands grip my waist , pulling me closer until Im pressed against him , every inch of him warm and overwhelming Before I can process whats happening , he lifts me effortlessly , placing me on the edge of the table , the apple falling beside us . His hands slide up my thighs , rough and calloused as they pressed onto my skin , igniting sparks wherever they touch . Enoch … I called or whimpered , whatever it was . My head is on the clouds as his lips began to trail down my cheeks down to my jaw . This isnt right . Hes an amnesiac . Eno ah ! My words werent out of pleasure but of pain . When his fingers brush against the sensitive skin near my wound , I flinch . He freezes instantly , his gaze dropping to my leg . It was from the head maids whips . My wolf had a hard time healing them from how many they were . Enochs expression hardens as his eyes travel over the faint outline of the bandage beneath my skirt . Oh no … Who did this ? he growls , his voice low and dangerous . 3/4 Chapter 21 His eyes flash red , and the room feels suddenly too small , too charged . sure hope no one gets murdered tonight . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!