Caitlyn's POV
For a moment, I felt a bit overwhelmed, especially with the loud cheers that suddenly erupted all around me.
Their faces were concealed behind exaggerated masks, momentarily casting a nightmarish feeling upon me.
However, I quickly composed myself; after all, this ball was to celebrate the hunting competition. As the winner, I was naturally qualified to be the main character of this ball.
"Ms. Caitlyn, regarding your request, have you thought about it now?" The king sat on the elevated platform, wearing a kind smile, condescendingly awaiting my response.
The people around me swiftly directed their envious gazes at me upon hearing the king's words.
After all, it was a wish the king could fulfill, even if it meant becoming the Alpha of a pack; it wasn't impossible.
I felt my breathing become sluggish, and a million thoughts flashed through my mind suddenly. I didn't know why, but at this moment, I was especially flustered, particularly since Talon had earlier explained with a serious face that I should be careful.
My heart vaguely felt that something would happen.
"What's wrong? Is it difficult to give you some more time to think about it? You know many people want my promise, but they haven't had the chance yet." The king tightened his smile, making it evident that he was displeased at the moment.
A cacophony of voices erupted around them as well, and the murmurs grew louder and louder.
"Your Majesty, I was just a little excited for a moment. After all, it would be a great honor for me to be given such an opportunity." I bowed and placed my hand on my chest in a salute towards the king.
However, my eyes scanned the crowd, attempting to find any sign of Talon.
"So have you thought about what your request is now?" The king narrowed his eyes, clearly pleased with my flattery. At his inquiry, almost everyone in the room held their breath, waiting curiously for my answer.
"Uh... yes." I let out a deep breath and nodded softly.
"If I'm not mistaken, it would be about Alpha Talon, right?"
The king said with a small smirk on his face, but soon it disappeared.
"Strange? Wasn't Alpha Talon just with you?"
The king's fake relaxed tone was laced with a hint of caution, instantly raising my heart as well.
"Well... Talon just said he had something to deal with."
Just before my words fell, Talon pushed his way out of the crowd, first greeting me and then saluting the king.
"Alright then, since everyone is here, Caitlyn, you may state your request."
The king nodded toward Talon before leaning back in his seat with his entire body and waving his hand toward me.
I stared intently at the Talon in front of me, my insides filled with unease. What I could be sure of was that the person in front of me, wearing the exact same clothes as Talon, wasn't Talon at all.
He stood before me without the slightest fluctuation in my heart, and I couldn't sense the wolf within him. This meant that Talon was hiding in the shadows, preparing something at this moment.
Perhaps sensing my uneasiness, "Talon" came over to me and gently took my hand. His action caused everyone in the room to cheer, even the king's eyes smiled more and more. However, when I felt Talon's cold palm, my heart sank.
"Come on, Caitlyn!" shouted Leona from the crowd at the top of her lungs.
"Your Majesty, I hope you will be content to let me and Talon..."
Boom!
Just as I was about to say it, the lights on the dance floor suddenly turned off, and the entire venue was instantly plunged into darkness. The resulting commotion spread through the venue like a plague.
"Ah!"
Immediately followed by a pained cry, it plunged the entire venue into uncontrollable chaos. That voice seemed to be coming right from the king on the high platform.
"The king has been assassinated! Protect the king!"
In the darkness, I heard Fandom's anxious voice, followed by the sound of a struggle above the stage.
Intimidating wolf howls rose and fell, and no one knew what was going on.
"Ms. Caitlyn, get out of here!"
The "Talon" standing next to me pulled off his mask, revealing the face of Bard's brother, Braum.
"What the hell are you guys planning, and where is Talon?"
It was too late for me to be shocked; all I could think about was Talon's safety.
"Alpha told us to rendezvous at the back door; he'll explain it all to you when it's over. Now, please leave quickly before it's too late!"
Braum instructed me before surging towards the crowd with an anxious expression to fulfill what was already his own task.
Hearing Braum's words, I was beyond shocked.
Sure enough, today's ball was Talon's planned operation, and the king's earlier assassination was largely related to him.
"Seal off the scene! No one is allowed to go out!" In a cacophony of noise, Fandom's voice was filled with shock.
But soon, people who resisted surged towards the exit, and the screams and sounds of fighting were endless.
Since Talon's safety was on my mind, I headed towards the center of the melee.
The uniformed guards were holding weapons to drive away the people in their gowns, and if anyone was displeased, they quickly attacked.
After all, violence was the best way to solve problems at this time.
"Here's another one, take it down!"
Suddenly, a dull voice came from behind me, and just as I turned around, I realized that a soldier was eyeing me intently, and the sword blade in his hand was about to attack me.
Boom!
Before I could dodge, the soldier's raised hand quickly lowered, a hint of panic passing through his eyes, followed by his entire body flying backward and smashing into the crowd, causing another murmur of noise.
"This way, quick!" Just as I was confused, Zed grabbed my hand and headed in one direction.
"No, Talon's still in there!" I struggled and was about to break inside.
"Talon's the one who told me to get you out; he'll take care of it from here!"
Zed's words brought me to a quick calm, and before I had time to react, I was rushing towards the exit with Zed in tow.