The Werewolf King’s Runaway Queen
Chapter 24

Alissa's POV

I watched from the door of the indoor training hall as guards and warriors trained inside.

I decided to actually come here after so long since Liana had to take care of something important with Luke.

I just stood there watching quietly refusing to go inside.

"Why aren't you going in?" Lucas suddenly appeared.

"Oh hey" I greeted him.

"Hey" he greeted and gave me a smile and chuckle.

"Why don't you go in?" Lucas asked.

"Well, for one, I'm basically a stranger to everyone. Even the ones I once knew" I pointed out.

"And two, if I get in there, I will most likely be tempted to start training again" I said and both Lucas and I chuckled.

"You stopped?" he said.

I nodded.

"Kind of, yeah. I barely train in my pack because I'm usually busy with teaching but I do help out a lot in improving our pack's defenses" I told him. Lucas nodded in understanding.

"So that's why you managed to get caught up with rogues. I thought so" he muttered.

I looked at Lucas and he looked at me as well.

"You're not one to normally lose in a fight, Ali. Not even with a group of skilled male wolves" he said.

I chuckled.

"You're exaggerating" I said shaking my head as I looked in front.

"What? So you just casually forgot how you beat 5 wolves at a time during sparring in training?" he reminded me.

I rolled my eyes with a chuckle.

"During training. I did it during A TRAINING session only" I said

"Mh-hmm because you actually defeated 7 rogues on your own during an in real life situation" he argued.

I scoffed.

Oh that.

Flashback...

"Great work today again, Ali. You're a real tough nut, aren't you?" uncle Connor said as he playfully nudged me.

I chuckled.

"Defeated 5 skilled wolves in one round yesterday and broke this week's record for training. You're incredible, kid" uncle Rainer also came. I smiled shyly.

"Please lower your voices. I'm still improving and I don't want the others to think that I'm boasting in any way" I said in a quiet tone.

uncle Rainer and uncle Connor looked at each other and chuckled.

"In short, you want us to stop complimenting you?" uncle Rainer said.

I nodded with pursed lips.

Uncle Rainer shook his head as he reached his hand out and ruffled my hair.

"Still, great job, kid" he whispered and I smiled.

"What are you guys up to?" Axel suddenly appeared.

I immediately grabbed my bag and put it on my shoulder to leave but uncle Rainer wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

"Aren't you just curious, Axel" uncle Rainer teased Axel.

Axel scoffed.

"You guys aren't bullying Ali, right?" he said.

Both uncle Rainer and uncle Connor scoffed at Axel's remark.

"What do you think of us?" they said.

The 3 quarreled like kids and I just shook my in disbelief as I sneakily slipped away from there.

I left the training area and headed towards the woods to take a walk like I usually do.

I walked to different paths every time since I continue to get familiarized with the whole territory surrounding the palace.

I've been here already for 4 years so I'm really used to walking and roaming around the area.

I continued to roam around and then stopped at my favorite spot which is by the tallet tree in the territory.

I sat down and looked up with a smile on my face.

It felt so refreshing being here.

I closed my eyes as I breathe in the fresh air-

I opened my eyes on high alert when I smelled an unfamiliar scent.

I got up on my feet as I looked around.

Then suddenly, rogues came lunging out the bushes.

Fortunately, I avoided them.

I ran to the opposite direction and they started chasing after me.

Oh ghad.

I need to let someone know.

As I ran, I shifted into my wolf and then linked with the person I knew would be able to handle this well.

"Uncle Rainer, rogues are inside the territory" I mind linked uncle Rainer.

"Ali? Where are you right now?" he replied.

I ran even faster with the rogues on my tail.

"West in the woods heading East. They're on my tail and I don't know how many they are but I know they came in a group" I replied as I ran.

I finally spotted a clearing meaning I could stop running from there.

"Run, Alissa and keep running. We'll come to your aid soon" he replied and our link was cut off as I reached the clearing.

I stayed in the center as the rogues rushed in my direction.

They immediately took the opportunity and circled me like I was their prey.

Well, not today, I won't be.

I counted the rogues and there were 7 of them.

7...I haven't fought with 7 wolves at the same time before.

I've only done 5 yesterday.

A pair of rogues lunged at me on opposite sides so I jumped up and landed behind one rogue as I bit on its tail and pulled hard on it using its own body to hit the other wolf causing both wolves to crash to each other and came tumbling on the ground. The other rogues growled aggressively at me for what I did.

I kept alert and focused on defense rather than offense.

They all started attacking me together and I avoided their attacks while also wounding them here and there.

Not enough to kill them but enough to weaken them.

I scratched, bit and threw them to the trees to cause them damage.

One by one they fell weakly as their healing process became slower from all of the injuries.

I was already tired and panting as I backed away after the last rogue fell to the the ground with a whimper.

Just then, warrior wolves came and saw the whole scene.

Then, they all turned to look in my direction and I met eyes with.... Luke of all people.

Shock was evident on their faces but I was too exhausted to care.

I just wanted to get all this over with.

End of Flashback...

"Stop being humble, Ali and let's just go inside" Lucas said and pulled me inside.

As soon as Lucas' presence was known, everyone stopped to pay their respects for him.

And then some of the people I know saw me and their eyes widened in shock and confusion.

Lucas gave me an encouraging pat on the back and then lightly grabbed my hand to place it on his arm as we made our way through.

We went to where uncle Connor, uncle Rainer, Kalil and Axel were.

Uncle Connor and uncle Rainer seemed a bit surprised to see me while Kalil and Axel were already well aware of my presence.

"Ali, hey" Kalil greeted me as he approached to give me a hug.

"Hands off unless you want to be 6ft under by sunset courtesy of my dear brother" Lucas said and Kalil stopped at his tracks.

I looked at Kalil and gave him an apologetic look.

Kalil gave me an assuring smile before backing away.

"Wow, Ali. You're really here" uncle Connor said as he came to me.

Lucas blocked him from getting to me but he dramatically pushed his face aside then hugged me.

I hugged him back with a chuckle.

"You've grown and matured so much. I'm so proud of you" he muttered.

I smiled.

Then, uncle Connor was pulled away from me and uncle Rainer hugged me.

"Welcome back, kid" he said as we hugged.

"I've heard all about your personal achievements for the past 3 years outside the palace territory. You're as incredible as ever" he said then ruffled my hair.

I felt overwhelmed with joy with their words.

They welcomed me back so warmly as if I didn't actually run away from here without telling anyone.

Uncle Rainer and I pulled away and I glanced at both him and uncle Connor.

"Thank you" I said and they both gave me a smile.

Uncle Rainer gave me a pat on the back.

"Do you want to spar with the others?" uncle Connor suddenly asked.

"Oh uhm I haven't really trained properly for the past 3 years so I'm not sure if I can still keep up with everyone" I said.

"Well, do you want to prove that theory of yours wrong?" uncle Connor said.

I looked at him confused.

What does he mean?

"There's training clothes in the back. It's Liviana's if you want to use them" uncle Rainer said with an encouraging smile.

I looked at Lucas.

"It's your choice" he said with a shrug.

I thought about it.

"I can probably only do 1 vs 1 or 2 vs 1" I said.

Uncle Rainer, uncle Connor and Lucas looked at each other and chuckled before nodding.

"I'll show you where Liviana's training clothes are" uncle Rainer said motioned for me to follow him so I did.

We went to the back and uncle Rainer got aunt Livi's training clothes and gave it to me.

"Give it all you've got, kid" he said and gave me a pat on the back before leaving.

I took a deep breath and calmed my nervous heart.

I've got nothing to lose at the moment.

But I do have something to earn so I guess I'm working my way through that with this.

I can do this.

I think.

I got changed into the training clothes and then went back to the training hall.

The other wolves were already preparing for their sparring session and the center was empty.

I took deep calming breaths as I made my way to where Lucas and everybody else was.

Then, I suddenly saw aunt Livi with them and she turned to look in my direction.

"Hey, sweetheart. You look good" she said with a smile.

"Here. Use this to tie your hair" Lucas said and gave me a hair tie.

"Thanks" I said and put my hair up in a ponytail.

"Ready, tough nut?" uncle Connor asked.

I nodded and he motioned me to go to the center where the circle was.

Now, everybody's attention was on me.

Then, a guy stepped in the circle as well.

He looked like he was about my age but it was a first for me to see him.

Must be a recruit when I first left.

"Ready when you guys are" uncle Connor said.

The guy and I both nodded as we took our stances.

Of course, he was on offense and I was on defense as he attacked first and I defended myself from his attacks.

He was fast and brawny but I immediately saw his weak spot with his every move.

I targeted that.

It was even a few minutes when the fight ended with me pinning the guy down on the floor.

Everyone clapped and cheered and I got up and helped the guy up as well.

"2 vs 1, what do you say, kid?" uncle Connor asked.

I nodded and he smirked proudly as he motioned to 2 more guys to up against me.

They both look younger than me by about a year or two and I think they seemed familiar to me but I couldn't remember their names but I've definitely saw them before.

The pair started to circle me and I stood my ground as I studied their movements.

Then, they jumped at me at the same time and I dodged, went low and used my leg to swift them off their feet.

The others cheered again as they fell to the ground.

The sparring round continued and I ended kicking both guys out of the circle to finish it.

Everyone clapped again.

"And you said you wouldn't be able to keep up" uncle Connor teased.

I chuckled

"You've still got it, kid" uncle Rainer said.

I smiled shyly.

"Good job" aunt Livi said and lightly pinched my cheeks making me chuckle.

It was all good until...

"What's going on here?" a familiar authoritative voice said.

We all turned to look at his direction and there I saw him with a frown on his face as he looked at our direction.

Uh-oh