"I shall take my leave, Alpha, Beta," I bid farewell to the two most important people in my pack as I mounted in a carriage.

They both nodded. "Make our pack proud, Euphyllia." Those were Beta Rocco's words before the carriage set out on a departure.

Sighing, I stayed quiet for a long moment, leaning on my seat before closing my eyes, feeling a little exhausted.

The summons from the royal military should have been the only thing on my mind right now as I packed at dawn, but that one single letter was enough to make me feel restless throughout the whole night.

I had read it once, and once was enough. However, those words were etched on my mind and kept replaying like a broken record.

'It's good that I finally caught your attention. You're even more beautiful up close than only watch you from afar, Lady Euphyllia. But don't worry. I'm a patient person. I'll wait till you're prepared to meet me. And until then, I'll be watching.'

That parchment was resting in the pocket of my uniform jacket as if it had every right to be there against my chest.

No seal. No signature. Only those words, beautifully carved with steady strokes if whoever the gentleman who had written this had spent a lot of effort to make his action impressive to his lady.

Shivers coursed through my body. I knew that I should have thrown this letter when I got home, but I couldn't bring myself to. And I didn't know whether I should feel flattered, threatened, or both.

Was this supposed to be how admiration should go? Or was this an art of stalking?

It was hard to decipher the intention of the person who was the culprit of this letter. But one thing I could decipher was that he spent a lot of effort to trigger Alpha Derrick's uncanny ability to sense intruders near the pack's borders, which was a normal ability for every Alpha. Not only that, having Ives' unconscious just to send the letter was extremely foolish.

I slowly peeled my eyes open, scrutinizing the single chrysanthemum in my hand that until now, I was still holding onto it.

This flower was my favorite of them all. How did that person know about it?

The fact that the person knew about such a small fact that this was my favorite had made me uncomfortable.

My pulse quickened just by the thought of it. Even my hands were going clammy and quivering from what was happening.

Was there an admirer that I didn't know about? Then, who could that be?

Could it be... Redmund? Impossible! Never once had I seen Redmund spend such effort to make a letter.

He would be cautious in being intimate with me. He would never do such a thing as give me any material things that would be suspicious about our relationship.

With that realization, I mindlessly clenched my hand with the chrysanthemum inside my palm. I almost dropped it as I snapped back to reality, looking to my left and right as if frightened that someone might have been watching me for longer than I could imagine.

I was already too late to realize what I had done and flinched as my emotions blinded me just by thinking about how I became a fool towards Redmund.

And now that I would be returning to the royal military headquarters, I would cross paths with Redmund and Lilith.

Just thinking about meeting them again after a few days that I was in my vacation leave was enough to make my heart ache because of their betrayal.

How would I suppose to act fine when I get to see them? Pretend the wound in my chest didn't exist? Or confront Redmund and ask him what his plan is for us, or would there be any plan, and I was just hoping for empty promises?

I must polish what I should do next before facing them. Even though my heart was bleeding, I must apply being a tactical keeper.

I must not let them be a winner in this...

I bit my lower lip as my vision blurred from my tears falling. I gently wiped them away, telling myself to stop shedding tears for those people who had hurt me.

But why was it so hard? They were the people I loved the most.

There was no way that I could be able to show that I was alright.

Those were my thoughts even until I arrived at the camp. With a heavy heart, I reported to my senior, Marlin.

"Sorry for the short notice, Euphyllia," Marlin said when I entered his study. "I know your vacation leave was cut short."

I shook my head. "I don't really mind," I answered politely, clenching and unclenching my hand because Redmund suddenly popped up in my mind for no reason. My heart began to ache again because of it. "I know that this is an emergency, so military first before anything."

My boots echoed in the corridor as I left Marlin's study room. I thanked myself that I didn't break down in front of my senior, or else, I would have had a hard time explaining what had been aching in me lately.

It was my heart. Not physically, but emotionally.

As I turned the corner, I halted when I came to heard some giggles in the corridor and I spotted the people my heart had been aching right now.

Lilith... Redmund...

I held my breath upon seeing them standing close together. The one I heard giggling softly was no other than Lilith, her hand brushing Redmund's sleeves, while on the other hand, Redmund was whispering something in her ear as if there was something funny.

I clenched my hand from the sight I was seeing right now. I wasn't prepared to see them, yet the Moon Goddess would always find a way to mess up with me.

My heels were about to spin when Lilith noticed me. "Euphie!"

My nickname that escaped from her lips was cutting my heart into shreds.

I pursed my lips into a thin line, unable to come up with a word. But my eyes lingered on Redmund, and my wolf felt heartbroken when his expression shifted with unease. But he didn't even distance himself from Lilith.

I swallowed the lump that was barricading my throat. "Lilith." I nodded, coercing a smile at her before turning to Redmund. I raised my hand to salute him. "Captain Redmund, greetings."

Redmund licked his lips, hiding the quivering of his lips before nodding. "Greetings..." he paused.

I secretly gnashed my teeth, silently hoping that he would at least mention my name to Lilith.

But he didn't.

"Ruinart, sir. Euphyllia Ruinart."

Please, Redmund. If you care about me, at least mention my first name...

"Oh..." Redmund sounded like he had just met me. "Greetings, Ruinart."

Ah. This hurts so much. I just wanted him to at least acknowledge my first name whenever we were alone together, but he couldn't. As always.

I had the sudden urge to run away. But my feet were nailed to the ground.

"I-I didn't mean to intrude, you two." Then, I exchanged my gaze with them. But my eyes instantly lowered to the ground when they were getting misty. "M-My apologies. There's something I should do right now."

I made an excuse to leave. I couldn't last long to stay with them. I felt like I was about to pass out.

"Let's catch up later, Euphie!" Lilith shouted across the corridor when I was walking away from them.

Her voice chased after me, but I quickened my steps until I reached my quarters. As soon as the door closed behind me, my shoulders slumped, and my forehead pressed against the wooden door, trying so hard to breathe.

A sob escaped from my lips when Lilith's giggle, Redmund's silence, the way he didn't even acknowledge me as a lover or a friend, but as a freaking subordinate!

"Ruinart, sir. Euphyllia Ruinart."

I recalled my words as if I were a new soldier, introducing myself to my new senior. I hated that I had awakened from my deep slumber and still wanted him to acknowledge me, just by calling me by my first name.

"Redmund... Am I not really the mate you wanted?" I sobbed in a whisper, coming up to a painful conclusion.

Dragging myself to the bed, I was sitting on the edge of my bed, staring at the wall for a moment until my peripheral vision caught a white flower on my table.

It was a chrysanthemum!

My stomach dropped. I remembered that there was nothing on my table when I left to report to my senior. I knew it.

I knew all of my things and how neatly I was in arranging them. And if this was the same chrysanthemum from last night, it was deemed impossible because I accidentally crushed it with my bare hand earlier in the trip.

"Don't tell me..." I gulped, my hands trembling when I reached out to it.

My heart froze when I saw another small letter that had been rolled and tied to the stem. Again.

I gulped, my lips feeling dry as I unfolded it.

'It must have hurt watching them. You don't need to hide that from me, Lady Euphyllia. I see you. I always do. One day, you will see me, too. Until then, remember... you are not alone. I will be here, watching.'

I nearly dropped the note. My hands were clammy, my heart hammering. Whoever this was... not only had they entered my quarters, but they knew exactly what I had gone through mere moments ago.

This wasn't a coincidence. This was someone following me. Studying me.

This was the behavior of a potential stalker!

Fear and fury mingled in my chest. Who was this person? How long had he been this close?

Oh, dear Moon Goddess, please help me!

First, I had to be hurt seeing Redmund and Lilith together.

Second, I had to worry about meeting cross paths with Commander Lucretius.

And lastly, this. A stalker I never knew about, and just appeared recently.

I had so many things on my plate now. Could I be able to survive being in the royal military?

The order had come down this morning: all soldiers and clerical staff were to assemble in the hall. My colleagues and I were waiting for the meeting to commence.

"Ms. Euphyllia, I miss you!" I chuckled when Cerys, Marlin's assistant, tightly hugged me. "Why didn't Sir Marlin inform me about your arrival yesterday? It's so unfair! We could have caught up!" She frowned, burying her face in my bosom.

Chuckling one more time, I gently patted her head. "You are running some errands. That's why." I looked up when Marlin arrived. "Don't be mad at Marlin anymore."

Marlin arched his eyebrow when he caught Cerys glaring at him. He heaved out a sigh and looked at me helplessly. "Flick her forehead for me."

"Ouch!" Cerys gasped and looked at me in disbelief.

I smiled wryly at her. "I'm only following the orders." I gestured my head towards Marlin.

Cerys pouted but still clung to me while glaring at Marlin again, but he didn't pay her attention and was busy talking to his peers. I chuckled, my chest feeling lighter because of her. She looked up to me as her older sister, which was why she was one of the few comrades I got to close with. She was just two years younger than me and became our senior's assistant a year ago.

"I wonder which of the commanders will hold the meeting."

Our heads turned at Klein's arrival, who worked in the same field as me. He sat in front of us as he yawned and leaned on his seat before turning his head to us.

"Hey, Ruinart. How's your vacation leave? Must be awful that it's cut short, huh?"

"Indeed. It's quite... awful," I muttered bitterly, causing Cerys to gape at me from my words. Masking my smile, I caressed her head. "I hope Marlin will pay my remaining vacation leave days." I jested when he arrived.

Marlin pierced me with a gaze while Klein and Cerys laughed at my jest. "Where are the others? Didn't I tell you to summon them, Cerys?"

Cerys stood up. "I will check on them, sir." A wry smile plastered on her lips as she stormed out of the hall.

"They certainly are taking their time." Klein huffed and shrugged his shoulders.

Before I could respond by agreeing with him, a hush came from the other row when more soldiers entered the hall. However, two figures caught my eye, making my heart drop.

It was Redmund and Lilith. He was moving with confidence, his stunning beauty never faltered, and his presence commanding almost took my breath away while Lilith was beside him with her usual poise, her hair pinned flawlessly, and her lips curled up in a smile.

"Isn't that Lilith? She's with Captain Redmund."

"They look rather close, don't they?"

"I heard that they're dating already."

The whispers made me gnash my teeth.

Lilith's hand lingered a little too familiarly on Redmund's arm as though she wanted everyone to notice. Her laugh, airy and practiced, reached me even across the rows, threading through the murmurs.

"Typical," Klein muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes. "Parading themselves before a meeting. If they're truly together, good luck to him. He'll need it."

My lips pressed into a thin line. I wanted to ignore them, at least to look away, but I couldn't bring myself so as I followed Redmund's every movement. He greeted a few officers with a smile that didn't reach his eyes before his attention flickered across the hall, only to land on me.

M y heart skipped a beat before he averted his gaze as if he had never looked at me.

My lips were quivering, my heart shattering into pieces from his action. His action was still the same. He would only look at me for a few moments before turning away as if I was just a nobody to him and would only look at me if we would meet secretly.

I excused myself, claiming I needed the powder room. I scurried away before tears would threaten to fall from my eyes.

The cool air of the corridor brushed against my cheeks, but it gave a little comfort to my aching chest. My footsteps leading to the powder room became the only music that consoled me. It was empty like how my heart was right now.

I leaned against the counter, gripping its edge as if it was only my salvation right now not to cry.

"Pull yourself together, Euphyllia," I mumbled, staring myself at the mirror. I even began to fan myself to cease the tears resting in the corners of my eyes. "You've been taught composure. Always composure."

I kept chanting silently until I froze when my eyes landed on the flower vase, resting neatly on the marble surface of the sink, and saw a familiar flower alone.

A chrysanthemum!

Again!

If from the other day, I saw that it was a pink and yesterday was a white one, now, it was a red chrysanthemum!

"No way..." My breath hitched. "Not again...." I gulped, my hands trembling when I saw another note tied in the stem. My heart was racing as I unfolded it, preparing myself for another eerie message.

'Oh, if I were him, I would never ignore you. I would never let another woman cling to me while you stood alone. He is blind, Lady Euphyllia. But I see you. Always. Remember this. Look at me. Only me.'

I hissed in annoyance and hurriedly checked every cubicle if there was any person other than me. I couldn't control how my body was shaking when I found no one, even checking the outside of the powder room. I saw no one was around.

Why of all times had this flower been appearing in a place where I was in my solitude then there would be a note from that person?

This stalker...

Every time I go, this stalker left a note for me. This wasn't funny anymore.

My knees were on the brink of giving up, and I clutched the sink, holding the edge so tight. The words on the note etched in my head.

'Look at me. Only me.'

Whoever this was... how much did they know? Were they in the hall, watching Redmund and Lilith the same way I was? Or were they also following me everywhere, waiting for the opportunity to be alone?

And could this person anticipate my movements as to where I was going?

Damn it! This person had given me two restless nights already. And I had no idea why they were leaving note for me.

My hand pressed on my chest, trying to calm myself as I was forcing myself to take a deep breath, but the air in here felt suffocating, and it felt like I was being watched as of this moment.

"I won't... I won't let this shake me." I gulped, fanning myself. I could almost feel myself hyperventilating.

My eyes darted at the flower. I grabbed it and shoved it into the trash as if doing that would be enough to calm my nerves.

But even doing that and telling myself to forget it, the message kept ringing in my head.

'Look at me. Only me.'

I shook my head vigorously before gently tapping my cheeks to wake myself. I must take my leave before this place makes me crazy. I used my hands to straighten my uniform and smooth my hair.

"Inhale. Exhale," I chanted softly. I must remain calm when I return. I must remain calm.

No one should see the brink of my downfall, not my comrades, not my senior, and certainly not Redmund and Lilith.

Those two were the last people I would let see me breaking down.

As I left the powder room, my eyes cautiously looked from left and right, using my wolf senses, if there was anyone other than me, but it was still empty and eerily quiet. When it felt like everything was clear to me and no signs of that stalker, I made my way back toward the assembly hall, but somehow, I felt uneasy.

It felt like I was being watched right now from this distance.

It felt like I was no longer safe anywhere.

The moment I pushed the doors of the hall, it creaked softly as I realized the meeting had already begun. All of the soldiers and clerical staff were silent as their gazes were fixated on the tall, commanding figure standing on the platform.

Those familiar freckled hazel eyes. That short, neat brunette hair that was softly to clutch. A trimmed beard frames a face cut sharply with authority.

No... No way... He was here?!

I cursed under my breath because the words from the note echoed in my head again, repeating like a broken record.

'Look at me. Only me.'

As if the fate was jesting on me, that man I never wanted to meet again locked his eyes on mine. Commander Lucretius's upper lip curled into a smile as if he had finally found his prey.

"Ms. Euphyllia, where have you been?" Cerys questioned as I slid into the chair beside her, her brows furrowing in confusion.

My lips formed a wry smile. "I was in the powder room," I replied, trying to calm myself as I realized that my other comrades were already here. "I thought Commander Rachelle would be the spokesperson for today," I changed the topic, ignoring the tall figure at the front.

I didn't want to. I refused to lay my eyes, but all attention turned toward the spokesman standing on the platform.

Cerys shrugged. "Apparently, Commander Rachelle hasn't arrived at the camp yet. It might be a few days before she returns from her vacation leave, too."

Before I could express my disappointment that Commander Rachelle, the one I revere the most because of her heroic deed, the hall hushed, but it didn't escape me how my fellow women were thrilled to see the spokesman at the front.

That was when my eyes darted at him; his commanding presence was still the same that night in the tavern. Suddenly, the memory of that night crossed my mind.

Commander Lucretius stepped forward, his boots clicking against the polished floor. His freckled hazel eyes skimmed throughout the crowd as if he were looking for someone. I gradually slouched my back, to keep my head slightly bent down while I was still able to watch his movement, but the words from the cursed note surged back.

'Look at me. Only me.'

That made my posture come back out of nowhere, chills running down my spine, which garnered his attention as his gaze finally landed on me.

Again.

And that gaze made me hold my breath as I remembered that night, making me grip the edge of my chair until my knuckles blanched.

Goddamn it! Why did our eyes lock again? This was the second time already!

I reclined my head as if I was reaching something on my boots, silently cursing, wanting to hide from his gaze again. It couldn't be possible that he remembered me, right?

It was impossible. He might be able to identify that I was a royal soldier, but there was no way that he knew who I really was.

There was no way Redmund's uncle would pay attention to me, even though I felt burdened that I had given away my most precious virginity to a man I barely knew.

"Soldiers," his deep voice echoed across the hall. His tone was steady and commanding, causing my eyes to involuntarily close, feeling if he was just beside me and whispering dark things to me. I peeled my eyes open from the absurdity I just thought and pinched my thigh to castigate myself.

Fix yourself, Euphyllia!

"Auritaurie is currently in a state of lockdown. Reports confirm the rogues are no longer acting as scattered wolves without purpose."

Murmurs loomed around the hall, everyone becoming low and anxious as they exchanged glances.

Commander Lucretius paused, his head cocking from left and right. As always, he never failed to look stunning with just one simple action. His gaze swept through the hall once more, and I could have sworn his eyes lingered on me for too long before continuing.

"They have formed a warband. Organized. Strategic. Dangerous. Their leader goes by the name Magnius Lothim."

Everyone's jaw dropped at the mention of the name. I even got to look at Marlin and to my comrades, even the whispers from the others didn't halt.

That name had become infamous. He was a rogue leader who was bold enough to challenge the parliament.

Cerys leaned closer to me. "Magnius... Isn't he the one who had slaughtered many Alphas years ago?"

I gave a faint nod, chills running down my spine. "Indeed..." My hands were fidgeting because that man was the cause of the death of my father and our Alpha's father.

I couldn't believe that I would be hearing his name again after several years had passed.

Magnius Lothim was the bane of every subject here in the Waevalon Kingdom. Everyone would be uneasy just by the mere mention of his name.

The sound was breached by Commander Lucretius's speech. "Magnius Lothim is bringing the divided packs together under his leadership. He spreads more quickly than we thought he would, and information indicates he is getting close to the borders of Auritaurie. If he is successful, the result will be a battle that burns kingdoms to ashes rather than just raids."

The assembly hall was enveloped in a deafening silence. The weight was so heavy that breathing would make you suffocate.

But his eyes... Damn it! Those freckled hazel orbs pierced in my direction. Again!

This wasn't an accident anymore. I knew it.

It could mean that he remembered me that night. The way he was looking at me since I arrived here was like he was a predator finally found his prey, and I was that prey!

My pulse quickened as my thighs unconsciously pressed together. It was as if I could feel his breathing on the apex of my thighs because of the way his attention burned me from across the room.

Oh, dear Moon Goddess... Why was I feeling this way? He wasn't even my mate, but just him, keeping on looking at me was enough to make me feel excited.

This wasn't good. This wasn't really good.

This could mean that Commander Lucretius really remembered me. I thought he was the kind of person who would easily forget the woman he had bedded with just as I heard from the rumors.

I coerced myself to look at the floor as if it was an interesting masterpiece I had ever seen.

"Do not underestimate Magnius. He thrives on fear. He thrives on hesitation. And if we falter, he will take Auritaurie from us. Every soldier here must understand that you are the first and last line of defense."

His words echoed through the hall, but to me, they reverberated differently.

His stern command and warning... They were the constant reminder of that night. The way he was growling against my ear, the dominance in his tone that he could make me submit to him, and the heat of his breath fanning on my bare skin were so hard not to forget.

I shifted in my seat to snap back from reality, trying so hard that something had crumpled on the hem of my uniform.

Oh, please. Could you stop looking at me? You shouldn't remember me!

I wanted to shout as of this moment.

Cerys nudged me with her elbow, whispering, "Is it just me? Or does Commander Lucretius keep looking at you?"

I looked at him in disbelief. "T-That's absurd," I whispered back, feeling my heart about to explode. So, I wasn't the only one who noticed how he kept looking at me. "Maybe the people on our back," I added, trying to be defensive.

"In a week, His Majesty, Alpha King Claudian, will be returned from his training. As per his order that has been relayed from the generals, all soldiers must be trained strictly. And also, Marlin," he called my senior.

Marlin stood up, saluting before him. "Yes, commander?"

"Fetch the records from the years of Magnius Lothim's reign of terror, along with Auritaurie's map and the latest reports the intel passed to you yesterday, and bestow them to General Cairo."

Marlin nodded. "Understood, commander."

When Marlin's reply made him satisfied, Commander Lucretius turned to General Simon, who was sitting on the side platform, and bowed his head before him. "General, I am finished with the meeting."

General Simon nodded and patted his back as he turned to us. "Alright. Everyone can now return to their station. Remember Commander Lucretius' words. Understand?"

We all stood up and saluted our high-ranking officers. "Sir, yes, sir!"

As the meeting adjourned, all the soldiers and clerical staff began to disperse. I gathered my things quickly and got distracted when a few women squealed near the platform.

"Commander Lucretius! Notice us, please!"

My breath hitched as I couldn't help looking at their way, knowing how popular he was. But my heart leaped out of my ribcage when I found him being surrounded by our peers, only for him to lock his gaze on me.

That was when I immediately averted my gaze. "C-Cerys!" I called her as I tried to catch up with her.

Good Moon Goddess, why was he looking at me, too?

I swam to the sea of crowds when a figure brushed past my side with calculated ease. Then, I felt a calloused, firm hand slipped something into my palm, making my steps falter when I looked to the side.

Redmund.

My erratic heart suddenly broke into pieces from the realization. Suddenly, the feeling of nervousness I felt towards his uncle died down because of his presence. His face was unreadable, his posture remained casual as if nothing had happened.

Redmund even simply tilted his head, warning me not to react. His action made me clutch the folded parchment he slipped earlier, hiding it quickly.

My action felt natural and nothing happened because I had done this so many times throughout the year we both found that we were each other's mates.

"Later," he murmured low enough for me to hear before he disappeared into the crowd.

I swallowed hard as the memory of him kissing Lilith lingered in my mind again. The pain arose again, like a thousand knives stabbed my chest, before I fished out of my breast pocket of my uniform jacket the note he passed on to me.

'Meet me later. Same place. Same time.'

That was all it said. It was short and precise, the usual note he would pass on to me. It felt empty, which I usually would be delighted as simple as this.

I knew that I should be deeply disappointed, but one thing that made not to do so was for another reason.

Because something was wrong...

The handwriting...

Redmund's penmanship had always been messy, crooked, as though written on the fly with no patience. It was so different from the anonymous notes that kept haunting me these past few days. They were written beautifully and slanted, even I could decipher that those notes were written in a rush.

They remained elegant and deliberate.

A shiver ran down my spine.

If Redmund wasn't the one leaving me those messages... then who was?