Freeing Starr
Chapter 45 ~ A Tour of the Kingdom

Leon was off to escort Alpha King Theodore to the airport. At first, I was planning to go with him but Stacia stopped me and mentioned that she wanted to show me around the kingdom.

Based on her words, “A queen should know her territory just as much as she knows her subjects. This will be lesson number 1. Tour the Kingdom and get familiar with the areas.”

So I didn’t have much of a choice in the matter. Leon was reluctant to let me leave the castle but his father reassured him that there would be guards to protect both me and his mother, who readily agreed to come with me.

So the moment Leon left, Stacia came through the doors, bouncing in her excitement.

“Starr, are you ready?” She called out from the living room.

“One second,” I called out as the maid, Sasha, clasped the strap for my heels.

When she was done, she stood up and bowed, waiting for further instructions.

I released the dress that was bunched up in my hand and let it fall to the floor before waving her away, “you may leave.”

She quickly scampered off and I opened the door and stepped out to greet Stacia’s excited eyes.

“It’s about time,” she exclaimed, clapping her hands, “this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You’re wasting precious hours!”

I tilted my head in confusion and asked, “what?”

She came and hooked our arms, leading us outside the room. The guards that was supposed to be guarding us immediately fell in line around us and Stacia leaned in to whisper, “As the queen, you don’t get to go sightseeing this often. They always have you trapped in this stupid castle saying ‘it’s for your own protection’ or some bull like that. I use every chance I get to slip away and have a little fun.”

Realization dawned on my face as I voiced, “so you volunteered to come with me so you can get out of the castle?”

She nodded proudly, “of course. The guide doesn’t know it yet but we’re going shopping!”

I frowned, “but won’t we stand out too much? Look at our clothing.”

She waved a dismissive hand and winked, “that’s fine. I brought some clothing to change into when the tour is done. Don’t worry, I have everything covered.”

My lips pulled into a smile at her child like excitement and I couldn’t help anticipating browsing around the malls of the kingdom. Would there be a lot of people? I’ve never shopped in person before. I always ordered everything and had it come to me.

We went and met the guide at the front of the castle and then hopped into the car that was brought in for us.

From then on, the tour began. The Kingdom was split into four major sections. West, South, North and East. The North was where the royal castle and all the important figures of the kingdom lived, the south was for the regular citizens, the east focused on the different industries, like farming, fishing and mining. There were a few estates in the east but most of the buildings were factories and research centers for manufacturing. The west was the training grounds and arenas for the royal army. That was where the army and their family lived. The Kingdom really was large and the resources were abundant, especially when it came to mining. I could see why Glacial City thirsted for it. Though it was foolish of them to think they could get it when they lacked numbers.

The guide took us to every nook and cranny of the Kingdom, only leaving out the poverty stricken areas that he deemed unpleasant for our royal eyes. Though I didn’t really mind going there. They were all my people, after all. I’d have loved to see how everyone lived.

The layout of the Kingdom really was different from what I was accustomed to back in my former pack. For example, in smaller or medium sized packs, the mind link between the pack was mostly always open. However, for the Kingdom, it was always closed unless you were meeting with the person face to face. Due to the vast population, the entire pack link was bombarded with conversations that it often caused headaches for most the people. It was hard to keep track of who was saying what and where this person was speaking from. In a sense, it caused a sensory overload. This was why the Kingdom adopted the humans’ technology of utilizing phones to communicate over a certain distance.

After the tour, Stacia informed the guide of her plans, who was very reluctant at first, but after a bit of convincing (blackmailing since she was Queen Dowager), the guide finally agreed. We were taken to an apartment in the city that was owned by the royal family and quickly changed into normal clothing to fit into the crowd. Then we left to visit the Windsor Mall. The largest mall in the Northern district and the most expensive. All the items sold there was authentic and durable.

Stacia loved visiting because she always found some great dress designs there.

I stepped into the bustling mall with wide, curious eyes. I took in the abundance of stores and the many people walking around. Chatter filled the background and the guards that was brought with us were decked out in normal clothing so we blended perfectly. No one took a single glance in our direction.

Stacia hooked our arms excitedly and tugged me forward.

“Come, let me show you this store I’m obsessed with. They sell quality clothing that feels heavenly against your skin.” She leaned in to whisper, “they also sell cute lady undergarments that’ll have Leon going crazy to rip them off.”

My eyes widened in surprise and I instantly glanced at the guards in embarrassment. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that they heard that. I leaned back in to whisper, “I’d rather not talk about that in public, thanks.”

She snorted, “you’re too stiff. I’m sure everyone here has heard worse... plus it’s true. Their lingerie are to die for.”

I pushed my embarrassment aside and followed close beside her as we entered the store she was speaking about. After browsing through the many options, I had to admit that Stacia wasn’t lying. The material, the texture, everything was heavenly... and the lingeries were really cute. Though it was awkward for me to show much interest in them with the guards standing two feet away from us. I admired Stacia’s confidence. I laughed at the amount she picked out and threw in our cart for the both of us.

We spent like two hours in that store. We wanted to try on a few items in the dressing rooms so the guards had to wait at a further distance, thank the goddess.

Then we moved on to a shoe store. I was currently sitting on a bench clasping the straps of my shoe together while Stacia was across from me checking out some gold heels.

“I wish I’d have seen this before the mating ceremony. It would’ve been perfect for my dress.” She muttered to herself as she inspected the heels.

I glanced across at her and suggested, “maybe you can wear it for something else. It looks good.”

She hummed, “should I get it?”

“If you really want it, sure.” I stood up and carefully took a step forward in the black shoes that I liked. The heels were gold and high enough to leave an impression. “How do these look?”

She took a step back, her eyes scanning my feet in appreciation, “I like it. Especially the gold.”

I chuckled, “you like gold, don’t you?”

She winked, “what woman doesn’t?”

I shrugged. I didn’t have much of a preference really. Gold, silver, all of them was gorgeous to me.

I sat back down to take the heels off. I was definitely getting them.

“Maybe I should’ve brought Lorena along. She developed her mother’s shopping habits,” Stacia giggled to herself.

I laughed, “you mean she loves spending money?”

“Preci-”

Pop pop pop.

Stacia and I winced in surprise.

Pop pop.

I looked out at the entrance of the store in confusion, “are they popping fireworks in here?”

Stacia’s face grew serious as she looked out as well. The guards quickly came to our side as screaming broke out inside the mall. A crowd of people were currently forcing their way towards the exit as they rushed pass the store we were in.

“Those aren’t fireworks, love. They’re gunshots. Someone’s shooting in the mall.” Stacia informed me, hurriedly gesturing towards my shoes, “quickly take those off. Something’s happening. One of you go check the situation.”

One of the guards quickly left to analyze the situation.

Screams rang in my ears as I hurriedly discarded the shoes and replaced them with my own. Then I stood by Stacia’s side, having no idea what to do in a situation like this. I had no idea what was going on and my heart raced anxiously as the guards surrounded us and guided us towards the door.

The salespeople looked to be closing up the store in a hurry as many people rushed into and by the store, looking for shelter from the gunshots that kept going off.

One of the guards put out his hand to block someone from running into us and shouted over the panicked crowd, “we have to get the Queen and Queen Dowager out of here!”

Stacia retorted, “we have to save the citizens. Contact the army right away and alert them.”

The guard nodded, “yes, one of you try to mindlink the army.”

Another one shook their head, “the pack link is too chaotic. They’re saying it’s an attack from Glacial City!”

My heart shuddered in surprise.

Glacial City?

Attacking a mall in the kingdom? What was their purpose?

“Use your phones!” The guide hissed.

Stacia tried pushing forward but the guards continued to block her way, “we can’t rush out there until we know the situation, your highness. Please don’t make this hard on us.”

“Standing here is doing nothing! Someone needs to take those guns away! I can protect myself!” Stacia fumed.

I quietly took in the situation. Right now, the employees of the store were trying to close the doors but the crowd was too much and they were losing the battle. Soon enough, the store would be flooded with panicked people and we’d get mixed up into it all.

I thought about Leon and the fact that he was currently away from the Kingdom at the moment. This morning he had left to take Alpha King Theodore and the other royal family to the airport. He was too far away for me to feel or contact him. Then I thought of Leondro and asked Stacia, “what about Leondro!?”

Stacia replied, “I’ve already alerted him. He’ll be here as fast as he can. That’s why we need to move! Now!” Her voice raised as she argued with the guard.

“Your highness, we can’t risk moving until we know the full situation!” The guide insisted.

I nodded.

Pop pop pop.

I jumped as an involuntary scream bubbled up my throat. I glimpsed the bullet that collided with someone’s head then watched as they fell to the floor and got lost in the crowd.

That startled me.

The faint scent of wolfsbane invaded my nose and caused my chest to burn slightly. “There’s wolfsbane in the bullets,” I mentioned.

Stacia sucked in a sharp breath and said, “we can’t stay here. The wolfsbane from the bullets is going to spread and eventually weaken us. We’ve gotta push our way out.”

The guide hesitated as he muttered, “Goddess please guide and protect us through this shit fest. The King will have our throats if either of them get hurt.”

Stacia rolled her eyes and grabbed my arm, “Starr, listen carefully. The second you hear the whistle of the bullet coming towards you, duck.”

One of the guards said, “Don’t worry. We’ll shield you the best we can. Please forgive our closeness,“then they came and tightly banded around Stacia and I. The guide stood at our back muttering prayers.

The guard that we sent out hadn’t returned and we couldn’t stay and wait for him either.

Though, I still had no idea what was going on. What was the point of targeting a mall?

The guards pushed forward in the crowd and we shuffled closely behind them while they shouted for the people to move out of the way. It wasn’t wise of us to reveal our identities in such a panicked crowd. Especially since we didn’t have a proper grasp of the situation yet. For all we knew, we could be the target of these attacks.

We left the store and got into the busy hallway as gunshots continued ringing out. Humans and werewolves alike ran for their lives, trampling over each other. There were even a few people who shifted in order to protect themselves but it was no use in a tight packed space like this.

The guards continued slowly progressing forward through the crowd and I kept my head lowered and my arm wrapped around Stacia’s tightly.

Then I heard it.

The whistling of a bullet as it flew straight towards our group.

“Dodge,” I exclaimed in surprise and twisted away to the side without delay, barely missing the bullet as it sped pass and hit a woman that was running across from us. She screamed and tumbled to the ground. My heart trembled.

I’ve never felt this close to death before.

The scent of wolfsbane got a little stronger and I hurriedly covered my nose and mouth to block the scent.

“The Royal Army! They’re here!” I heard someone excitedly scream through the crowd.

Stacia sighed in relief as her gaze softened, “he’s here.”

We saw the escalator we took to come upstairs ahead of us and quickly rushed towards it.

Suddenly, the sound of a can falling to the ground was heard and it only took a second before someone let out a piercing scream, “it’s a grenade!!”

A what?

Stacia’s eyes widened in surprise as she screamed, “turn back! It’s up ahead!”

She quickly stopped and turned back, tugging me with her as we burst through the encirclement to get out of range of the grenade.

Boom!

The floors shook as dust and debris flew. My ears immediately rang as I stumbled and fell to the floor, Stacia losing her hold on my arm.

“Starr!” I could hear her screaming over the crowd but she had already been swept away in the chaos.

People were stepping on me as they tried to get away and I quickly pushed aside the pain and moved to stand up.

However, the moment I stood, I ducked again to avoid another bullet that flew right pass my head.

“What the hell!?”

Despite the ringing in my ear and panic all around me, I managed to feel the probing of someone inside my mind. Relief instantly washed over me.

Leon.

He was back.

"Peach?" I heard his panicked voice filter into my mind as I opened up for him.

"Leon.” I breathed, ”We’re at the mall! It’s Glacial City!”

“Don’t move! I’m on my way!”

“I have to move! There are bombs going off!”

“Fuck! Then get inside of a store and hide! Where’s my mother? I can’t get a hold of her!”

I hesitated before I admitted, ”We got lost in the crowd. I can’t replace her.”

“Fuck! Keep our link open!”He swore again and ordered.

I spotted one of the men up ahead as I got back to my feet and narrowed my eyes as he aimed his gun at a woman running by. Without hesitation, I began sprinting towards him and before he could react, I brought my claws out and swiped them across his throat. Blood spurted as he tumbled to floor, dead.

He was human.

My lips curled in disgust. Pathetic. I took up the gun he had and aimed it at another man that was shooting in the distance. It took me a while to focus on him due to the crowd but once I did, I didn’t hesitate to pull the trigger. The bullet whistled through the air and landed into the man’s shoulder, effectively causing him to drop his weapon. A wolf that was running close by quickly doubled back and jumped to clamp their fangs around the man’s neck, crushing it.

Our eyes met as the wolf twisted his head in my direction. He nodded his thanks then continued running.

Another bomb went off and I looked back in worry when I heard the screams. Just as I was about to rush in that direction, I froze.

My heart almost flew out of my chest as I felt a familiar presence. One that I hadn’t felt in a long time. One that I loathed yet feared at the same time.

"Don’t do it, Starr!" Leon ordered, having read my thoughts.

I completely ignored him.

“Don’t move!”Leon continued to scream yet I completely ignored him as this unnerving feeling washed over me.

My lips curled in dismay as my eyes immediately looked across from me to see the back of a man turn down an empty corner. Instinct told me exactly who that person was and without hesitation, I switched directions and followed him.

I had to settle this myself.

This corner of the mall was less crowded, it seemed to be in the opposite direction of the exit so nobody thought to stay there. Just as I rounded the corner to follow him, something rolled out in front of me and smoke immediately filled the air.

My eyes widened at the strong scent of wolfsbane and I immediately lifted my hand to my nose and coughed. I turned around to run out of range but was hit with something heavy upside my head. As I lost consciousness, the last thing I heard was Leon’s panicked voice calling my name.

“PEACH!!!”