Chapter 180: Chapter 180 He Carried Her Burden
Phoebe’s POV
"We can’t evacuate that quickly. The people won’t abandon their homes. You don’t understand these folks—they’d rather stand and fight with us than run. They’re warriors at heart."
Abner laid out the reality of the local population. As one of the senior fighters stationed here, he knew what we were dealing with. His bald head gleamed under the lamplight, though he wasn’t particularly old. Those dark eyes of his held constant doubt, like he questioned every single thing he witnessed.
"They’re loyal to the crown. They’ll do anything to protect this land."
"Right, I overlooked that," Joric admitted. He’d only been assigned here recently, while Abner had spent years understanding the locals.
Without thinking, everyone’s gaze shifted toward me, silently asking for my input on this obstacle. I gripped my dress tighter, the fabric bunching in my fists as I searched for an answer. Then I grabbed my writing materials, scribbling quickly while the others leaned forward, desperate to see what I’d come up with.
*What about a royal decree?* I turned the note so they could read it.
"What do you mean by that?"
Austen caught on first. "She’s the queen—she can issue an evacuation order. If they’re truly loyal to the king, they’ll follow commands from the palace."
Only the king and queen held that authority.
I nodded, relieved I didn’t have to write out the whole explanation. My wrist ached from all the writing, and my notepad was nearly full.
"That could work," Abner agreed. "They won’t defy a direct royal command. The queen has equal authority to the king, especially when he’s away."
I felt satisfied seeing the plan take shape. Apparently, the kingdom’s political structure wasn’t completely broken. It was those elders causing all the complications.
They always had to offer different suggestions just to be contrary. What a headache. Now I understood why Perry wanted them gone. Smart move, actually.
Those old troublemakers created more problems than solutions. We had enough on our plates without their interference.
"I think you should draft that decree now, my queen," Austen said respectfully.
——
Fiona couldn’t take another step. Her legs gave out completely. She’d shifted back to human form because her wolf couldn’t handle the pace anymore. Every muscle screamed, and her feet were torn up from the rough ground.
Cuts covered her body—thank god for her healing abilities, or she’d be scarred head to toe from all the sharp branches and rocks she’d stumbled over.
"I’m done. I can’t go on. Just leave me here," she told Darius as he approached, trying to get her moving again.
"You have to keep going." Darius shifted to human form too. He was older but built like a warrior—this kind of punishment was nothing to him. Same went for Reginald and Allen.
Just the four of them now. The other warriors had split off on different routes, but they’d all meet at the rendezvous point by sunrise tomorrow.
They had time, but they still believed the royal warriors were hunting them. They couldn’t stop moving.
They’d be lucky to face warriors instead of the king himself. That would mean certain death.
"I can’t. Leave me, Darius. I’ll catch up later."
"Not happening, Fiona."
Reginald shifted back to human form and came over. He dropped to his knees in front of her, offering his back.
"Get on."
"What?" She stared at him in disbelief. "No."
"Get on. Now. We’re out of time."
Allen remained in wolf form in the distance, letting out a warning growl. He didn’t want them sitting here like targets, waiting for enemies to find and slaughter them.
"Hurry up," Reginald urged.
Darius stepped in and lifted her onto Reginald’s back before she could protest. "We’ll take turns," he said.
At first, Darius had questioned Reginald’s motives, wondering if he was somehow responsible for how she’d turned out. But now he could see Reginald genuinely cared about her.
He was acting like a real mate. He wouldn’t abandon her.
If Reginald was putting on an act, it was flawless.
"Why are you doing this?" she whispered, so only he could hear her.
Darius had shifted back to wolf form, covering their rear while Allen led the way, also in beast form.
"Because you’re my mate."
Those words hit her like a physical blow. She started crying silently, guilt crushing her chest. She didn’t know how to handle it. She tried to stop the tears, but they wouldn’t quit.
She’d cheated on him. She’d wronged such an incredible mate. How could she have done that to him? She swore to herself she’d make it right. She’d do whatever it took for him.
Even if she had to sell her soul, she’d do it for him.
He was the perfect mate she’d always dreamed of.
