CHAPTER 285: _WHAT ARE YOU EXACTLY?

Caroline’s POV

*****

The next day came quickly... Fortunately.

And with it came Alpha King Kaelos’ speech to the world addressing the video of him killing his father.

Although Caroline observed the Alpha King and the way he handled a man who was subtly against his rule for a while... Her main focus was on Marcellus and Layla.

She stood on Odessa’s balcony, squinting her eyes keenly. She noticed the way the two of them stood close to each other behind Odessa and Kaelos.

"That’s... Odd." Caroline whispered, placing her hands on the railing of the balcony.

Neither of them said anything to each other or had any form of interaction. Not even a side glance.

Yet, Caroline couldn’t shake off this ominous feeling that something was off.

’Do you think Marcellus got to her somehow?’ Vilda asked her mentally, causing her mind to reel.

Got to her?

"Wait a minute..." Caroline’s face paled as her lips parted. "He couldn’t have possibly cast a mind manipulation spell on her. Right?"

’You underestimate the depravity of that man.’ Vilda echoed in her mind. ’Which is why I’m confused why we haven’t either taken him down or turned him into Odessa and Kaelos.’

Caroline bit her bottom lip, sighing with frustration. "You’re suggesting we try taking down an artificial hybrid who’s been manipulating things long before Odessa’s arrival and has bested Elder Davina in battle?"

’Elder Davina was old.’

’That doesn’t change the fact that he’s dangerous.’ Caroline snapped mentally this time, her eyes fleeting to the compound grounds below where she noticed a few guards glancing up.

They had probably heard her argumentative voice.

She flashed them a smile before continuing. ’Also, we can’t tell Odessa and Alpha King Kaelos either because we don’t have concrete proof, and they already took down a scapegoat who they think was the killer in the pack.’

"Communicating with your wolf must be a hassle when you’re single and lonely." A silvery voice suddenly sniggered behind Caroline, causing her heart to skip a beat.

She swerved around, drawing out the claws of her right hand and staring into Odessa’s room.

It was then that she noticed the small slash mark on her arm pulsing with a black light, sending dread and frustration through her.

"Regina, you slimy bitch." Caroline sneered, stepping into the room even though she couldn’t see her yet. "What do you want from me for the goddess’ sake? Why don’t you just strike me down already or better still, leave me the fuck alone?"

The air in the room stilled the second those words left her mouth. Caroline tensed up, scanning her gaze around the room and trying to pick up any odd scents.

But then...

"Now where’s the fun in that, hon?"

That came from her right side.

Caroline growled, slashing her claws in that direction. But all her claws sliced was air.

"So feisty for what?" Regina’s voice echoed mockingly. "Also, about the question of why I haven’t killed you yet... You know that’s not as easy as you say it is. You aren’t as ’weak’ as you show the outside world."

Caroline grew increasingly nervous, placing her left hand on the black slash mark which still glowed with a faint black light.

"Which brings me to my real reason for keeping my eyes on you... What are you exactly and why are you so fixated on protecting Odessa? Who sent you?"

Caroline snarled. "I owe you no answer!"

’Calm down...’ Vilda whispered in her mental space just then. ’You’re letting your emotions guide you. She’s studied you well enough already and that’s exactly what she wants.’

Caroline’s eyes twitched with frustration as she scanned her gaze around the room again.

Regina was definitely using some kind of cloaking spell that also masked her scent. But she could still follow the sound of her voice.

"It’s fine that you don’t want to tell me. I mean, who knows if maybe you’re an artificial hybrid and you’re scared I’ll rat you out to the lord of the North." Regina remarked.

Caroline raised an eyebrow. "I’m not an artificial hybrid. I don’t have magic."

"Lies!"

Caroline swerved her head to a window at the west wall of the room. The voice had definitely come from there.

"I can see you through that mark on your arm," Regina revealed casually. "I can feel your emotions. Your doubt. Your fears. Your frustration. Your anger. But I was also able to get a glimpse of that ability you used last night."

Caroline’s eyes glowed with a silver light.

She was tired of playing this game.

"Does your master know you’re here flirting with the Luna Queen’s maid?" She asked with sarcasm laced in her voice.

Silence.

The wind blowing into the room through the windows suddenly stopped, causing the curtains to still.

Caroline became weary, her ears perking in preparation.

And then it happened.

Without warning, a force grabbed both her hands and shoved her, hitting her against the wall close to the balcony door.

Things didn’t end there as the invisible force swiftly raised her hands above her head, pinning her to the wall.

"Do you still call THIS flirting?" Regina’s voice echoed coldly as she slowly materialised in front of Caroline.

She was the "invisible force" pinning her against the wall.

But this time, Caroline was done holding back.

The silver glow in her eyes brightened further, pushing her strength past its normal limitations. Before Regina could even register what was happening, Caroline sent a palm strike to her chest, pushing her several feet back.

The strike also sent a pulse of silver energy, visibly stunning Regina. Caroline didn’t end there, running forward and bringing out the claws of both hands.

But just when she was about to land a strike on the she devil... She saw a smirk on her face.

The next second, Regina disappeared into a cloud of thick black smoke. Caroline struck thin air but was quick to straighten her spine, scanning her gaze around.

Regina was gone once again.

"Fuck!" Caroline grunted, brushing her right hand through her ginger curls.

What had she gotten herself into?