The Hidden King's Stolen Wife
Chapter 127: Galeborn Howlers II

Chapter 127: Galeborn Howlers II

"Reitan... Reitan..." Soleia whispered frantically as she raced forward, trying to catch a glimpse of her younger brother through the foliage. She cursed herself for being too late to send him off― now, she didn’t even have a clue what Reitan was wearing when he made his way into the forest.

Did he pick a green and brown tunic to blend in with the trees, or did he pick a brighter color so that he could be spotted and rescued more easily?

Soleia had no way to tell. She could only keep her eyes peeled for any strange creatures. There was a smell of blood in the air that only thickened the closer she got to the source of the flare. A sense of foreboding rose inside her.

A weak scream echoed through the forest, along with the sound of something― no, someone, scrambling. Leaves rustled noisily, but it couldn’t hide the sound of desperate panting, nor the plaintive cries for help.

"No! Go away! Don’t come any closer!" A childish voice screamed.

Soleia hastened her footsteps. That was Reitan’s voice!

"Reitan! I’m here!" Soleia exclaimed as she finally found herself in a clearing, where a troop of galeborn howlers was surrounding the biggest tree, frantically scratching against the bark as though they were digging for fruit inside it.

Crap. Soleia’s face paled, as the creatures whirled around in unison at her presence. Her voice had alerted them, and now Soleia was greeted with ten pairs of golden eyes that stared at her without blinking.

"Sister! Run!" Reitan’s weak voice came from inside the tree. "If not, they’ll eat you!"

That was all the warning she got before the howlers descended, screeching loud enough to make her ears ache. Galeborn howlers were aptly named that because of the noise they made when hunting― their cries were like howls that were easily carried by the wind. To make matters worse, galeborn howlers were agile creatures, and the trees that surrounded her were a perfect playground

for them.

Soleia stumbled back, before dashing towards the nearest shelter― the very same big tree that Reitan was hiding in. However, there was no way she could have hidden inside. The tiny gap could only fit a child. Reitan’s terrified eyes were wet with tears, and he clutched a tiny dagger in his hands.

"Sister... You came to save me... Behind you!" Reitan shrieked, and Soleia barely managed to escape having her dress torn to pieces by the howler’s sharp claws by ducking and rolling out of the way.

She held out a shaky arm and her eyes darted around the clearing.

There were simply too many of them. While she had absorbed Celestina’s abilities, she couldn’t freeze this entire clearing.

She had to gather them in one place. With that thought in mind, Soleia gritted her teeth and clambered up the tree as fast as she could. The coarse bark of the tree dug into her skin, leaving painful bruises, but she gritted her teeth and pulled herself on one of the thickest branches, standing precariously on the thickest part. A soft wind blew on her face, but she could not enjoy its gentle caress.

It was now or never. Soleia sucked in a deep breath and let out the most blood-curdling scream known to mankind, attracting the attention of all the howlers, who screamed in response and began to storm up the tree to tug her down. With one hand clutching her necklace, Soleia raised her other hand.

One, two, three... Soleia shifted, dodging the claws. Three howlers were approaching her.

Five... Six... She was now surrounded, with no place to retreat. This close, the stench of blood grew stronger, and she tried not to shudder at their fangs stained red with blood. But she couldn’t act yet.

Seven... Eight... Seeing that she couldn’t escape, the howlers moved closer, making noises of delight as they crowded closer, their bodies nearly pressing down on her, blocking out the light.

Nine...

Ten!

All the howlers were in her immediate area!

With one last desperate prayer, Soleia summoned every inch of Celestina’s ice powers and flung it around her, causing her surroundings to freeze. The howlers panicked and screamed in pain at the sudden cold, falling from the tree as their limbs froze without warning, causing them to be unable to grip the tree.

Their bodies fell to the ground with a harsh thud, and Soleia could only watch with bated breath as some of them didn’t get up. Those that could shake off the sudden fall narrowed their beady golden eyes at her, and Soleia gulped. But she pulled herself up to her full height despite the trembling in her legs and waved a threatening hand.

Those howlers didn’t know she only had one blast of magic. She had to pretend to be powerful to scare them away!

With that in mind, she screamed again, putting all her strength behind it.

This time, the howlers dared not approach. They gave her one last resentful glare before they fled into the treetops far away from the tree.

She was finally safe. Reitan was safe. The relief that coursed through her was overwhelming, and she wanted to weep in happiness.

"Sister?" Reitan called out hesitantly. "Are they gone now?"

"Yes, yes they are. But wait inside, I’m coming to fetch you―" Soleia said. But the moment she moved, her vision blurred, and her legs buckled. In one swift motion, she slipped off the branch.

"Sister!" Reitan shrieked.

Soleia winced and braced herself for a painful landing.

Only for it to never come. To her utmost surprise, a pair of strong arms caught her before her head could smash against the ground. Through the tiny gap of her falling eyelids, she caught a glimpse of emerald eyes.

"Sir Ralph, you’re here!" Soleia gasped out.

"Not quite," her savior said, sounding mildly amused. "Take a closer look."

Soleia pried her eyes widened and froze.

The man who caught her was none other than Prince Raziel!