Chapter 1284
Chapter 1284:
The soldier lowered his head. “We’ve scoured every corner… but there’s no trace of her.”
Bryan seized the sacred artifact, gripping it so tightly his knuckles turned white. “Search every inch of this river!”
For three long days and nights, we tore through the land like madmen. Soldiers took shifts plunging into the icy waters, scouring every bush and thicket along the shore.
“She has to be alive…” I whispered on the third evening, kneeling by the riverbank. The artifact in my hand grew faintly warmer, as if it were listening.
Bryan stood silently beside me, his tangled hair clinging to his pale skin. “I believe that too.”
After a long pause, he wearily placed a hand on my shoulder. “There’s a lot to deal with right now. We have to head back to Marehelm for a while…”
I understood immediately. Our father was in captivity, the Lycan royal family was in disarray, and a mountain of problems awaited us.
I clenched the sacred artifact so tightly it felt like it was carving into my skin. “Let’s return.”
Marehelm’s city walls appeared in the distance, hazy in the fading light.
From a distance, I spotted familiar faces by the gates—Clayton, Alice, Evie…
As we entered, beaten and weary, everyone’s eyes scanned our group nervously.
Alice was the first to notice Makenna’s absence. Tears streamed down her cheeks instantly. “Amon told us everything. Makenna… still nowhere to be found?”
Evie pressed her lips tightly together, her swollen eyes filled with grief as her trembling hands clutched at her shirt.
Suddenly, Clayton lunged forward, seizing my collar, his eyes blazing. “You come back like this?”
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His voice was rough and ragged, barely recognizable. “Why didn’t you keep Makenna safe? Where is she?”
I let him grip me, offering no resistance. The pressure around my neck nearly suffocated me, but it was nothing compared to the agony tearing through my soul.
“Prince Clayton!” Dayton rushed in, pulling Clayton back. “Please, try to keep your cool!”
“Keep my cool?” Clayton shook off Dayton’s grip, his fist rising in fury. “How am I supposed to stay calm?”
“Prince Clayton!” Maia suddenly stepped forward, placing herself between us. “Makenna isn’t someone who falls easily. We have to trust she’s still safe!”
Clayton froze at her words, his raised fist finally dropping, trembling. He turned away, his shoulders quivering softly.
Bryan drew in a deep breath and turned to Amon, who knelt nearby. His tone was sharp. “Amon, keep searching around the base of the cliffs. We need to find her. If she’s… gone, we must confirm it.”
The last words slipped out through his clenched teeth.
Amon bent low in a deep bow. “Your Highness, I promise I will find Makenna!”
“We’re coming too!” Alice cried, grabbing Evie’s hand. Their eyes were red and swollen from crying as they hurried off.
Bryan shifted his gaze to Clayton, trying to ease the tension. “How’s the king holding up?”
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