?Chapter 299:


    We lined up in an orderly fashion, awaiting the king’s address.


    “It is an honor for you to participate in this kind of revered ancestor worship. It’s crucial for the prosperity of our Lycan lineage and the well-being of future generations.”


    Leonardo’s voice, unwavering and resonant, carried an air of authority thatmanded respect, even though his tone was far from wrathful. “I trust you will approach this hunt with the utmost sincerity. This is not merely about pursuing prey but about honoring our ancestors and securing the future of our Lycan lineage. It is about ensuring that our family’s legacy endures and flourishes.”


    As Leonardo delivered his address, the princes stood by his side, each embodying their own distinct aura of solemnity.


    My gaze inevitably fell upon yton. He stood apart from the rest.


    Despite the gravity of the asion, he maintained a serene and gentle demeanor.


    It seemed he had sensed my attention. He rewarded me with a soft smile, his eyes lingering on mine for a moment longer.


    A surge of joy and warmth raced through me, and I returned his smile with equal tenderness.


    However, in an instant, my smile faltered, frozen by the weight of two piercing gazes that made my spine tingle with unease.


    Turning my head, I saw that my instincts were correct. One of the intense stares came from Bryan. His eyes, sharp as daggers, bored into me with a fierce intensity. The other gaze belonged to Dominic. His eyes were framed by deep shadows, suggesting a restless night. I quickly averted my gaze, trying to act as though nothing had urred, though I was deeply unsettled.


    Would these two create trouble for meter?


    I stood there, a bundle of nerves, until Leonardo’s speech concluded.


    At his signal, Leonardo and the princes ventured deeper into the forest, nked by a regiment of soldiers.


    We followed Hayley and the remaining soldiers into a different part of the forest.


    “Why can’t we join the king and the princes?” someone from our group inquired, puzzled.


    Hayley’s response wasced with a hint of derision. “The king is heading to the royal hunting grounds, where the game is both fierce and formidable. Only members of the Lycan n can handle such creatures. We are not equipped to hunt there unless you fancy bing their next meal.”


    Just as Hayley finished, a woman’s voice dripped with mockery. “If Makenna is so skilled with brown bears, she should volunteer to apany the king and his entourage.”


    The other women joined in, their voices a chorus of disdain.


    “Indeed. It seems a waste to confine someone as capable as Makenna to our ranks.”


    “Perhaps she thinks too highly of herself to be seen with us.”


    I shot them a cold, disdainful nce and retorted, “Aren’t you worried about being shredded to bits by me when the hunt starts?”


    My words hung in the air like a sudden frost, silencing the murmurs.


    With a sneer, I added, “Given my prowess with brown bears, eliminating you would be child’s y.”


    The women exchanged uneasy looks, their bravado faltering under my intimidating demeanor. They quickly averted their eyes and ceased their mockery.


    Seeing the shift in mood, Hayley narrowed her eyes, regaining her usualposure. She pped her hands gently, signaling for quiet.


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