Chapter 721 Under My Authority
Bella stirred as she slowly opened her eyes. Blinking, she instantly got up the moment she realized that she was inside a tent to look around.
"Osman!" she gasped out before she immediately went out of the tent. The moment she was outside, she paused as she stared at the man who was currently sitting near her tent.
"You're finally awake," he greeted her with a slight nod. "Wait here. I'll ask someone to bring you food."
He then promptly stood up to leave. But just as he was about to do so, Bella quickly grabbed him by the arm. She couldn't help the tears welling up in her eyes as she sobbed. "I knew that you're still alive," she weakly murmured. "That you wouldn't die that easily on that fall…"
"My lady… I-"
"It's me, Bella…" she interrupted him.
"Lady Bella, I really don't know what you're talking about," he coldly stated. "I'm King Amon of Helion. How many times do I have to repeat myself?"
Bella bit her lower lip in confusion. Standing in front of her was a man that looked exactly like Osman, but why was he being cold to her? King Amon? Something wasn't right. He probably lost his memories or something, and clearly, the Kingdom of Helion was behind this…
[He doesn't smell like Osman, but he's absolutely our mate,] Poona informed her. [My head is spinning right now. I'm utterly confused by this situation!]
Bella pressed her lips together and sternly stated, "I can't be wrong… You're Osman Sulivan from the Kingdom of Cordon. One year ago, the two of us had an encounter with Devon and he… he tried to kill us…"
She took a deep breath before continuing, "You did your best to save me, but in return, it was you who fell down the cliff to the River of Misery. If you truly lost your memories, then this may sound a bit confusing to you, but I'll tell you everything you need to know if it means helping you remember."
There was a moment of silence as the two of them stared into each other's eyes, both of them seemingly waiting on who would blink first.
"Eat first, then I'll listen to everything you have to say," he authoritatively stated even as he stared at the hand currently holding onto his arm. "Also, please address me accordingly. My name is Amon Black. You will cause misunderstandings and gossip if you keep calling me by another's man name."
Bella gulped at his imposing presence, but she nodded in understanding. Besides, he was right.
"Also, please release my arm," he added. "It's inappropriate for a lady to hold onto a stranger's arm like this."
Bella pouted. She didn't want to do so, but she released his arm anyway.
[Say, do you really think he's Osman?] Poona hesitantly asked. [I mean, aside from his face, I really can't smell a single trace of him in this man.]
Bella hissed at her wolf even suggesting such a thing. Poona wasn't helping the situation at all! In her mind and heart, this man before her was Osman, and she would prove she was right no matter what.
"Come with me," he said as he turned around and started walking ahead.
Left without a choice, Bella simply followed. Looking around, it was dark out, and some of his companions were probably already sleeping aside from a few soldiers that were still up.
Keeping pace, they both headed to a much bigger tent. Inside was a table and a few chairs. A few servants then began serving food, and Bella watched him as he promptly dismissed the servants as soon as they were done with their tasks.
"Please sit," he said, so she did as she was told. "Eat."
Shrugging, Bella began eating. She was a bit hungry anyway since she didn't eat anything during her journey alone. Despite her current actions, however, she was aware that his eyes were currently glued to her. He waited patiently until she was finished eating, to which she also ate in haste so that they could finally talk.
After drinking a bit of water, Bella sat up straight and faced him. "I am Bella Hindman, the Lady of House Hindman of the Lock Heart Pack, one of the major packs in the Kingdom of Cordon to which my brother is the Alpha," she formally stated, not breaking eye contact with him. "Also, my father is the Chancellor of the same Kingdom. I'm saying all this so you can check my credibility and my identity and avoid any suspicion."
"And why are you here in the forest alone?" he asked with a frown.
"I'm with the King of Cordon's entourage that will attend the Global Summit. We did a reroute, and I thought I should shift and run ahead since it's been a long time since I've done such a thing," she informed him, her eyes still staring straight at him.
"I long wanted to go to this place. And knowing that it's already safe to go here… I journeyed ahead from the group in my wolf form. I was supposed to meet with them at Zion's southern border tomorrow." She then swiftly asked, "Did you somehow lose your memory?"
He creased his forehead. "You're not allowed to ask me any questions here, Lady Bella," he stated with a serious tone. "You're under my authority right now, which means I'm the only one allowed to ask questions. You will travel with us and see if what you're saying about your identity is true once we arrive at the venue of the Global Summit. Your meeting place with your entourage is out of our way, so you'll have to make do with simply accompanying us for now…"
Bella blinked at him. She would've liked to actually tell her group that she was alright herself, but then again, it would be better for her if she stayed with him. "Alright," she nodded in understanding. "I accept, Your Majesty."
Besides, she needed to know what exactly was going on anyway. For now, she would behave and observe him and all the people around him. She would uncover the truth about this situation. That, she was sure.
Also, there was a possibility that Osman was currently under a spell. She should make sure before she tried asking for help if she needed it. Speaking of which…
"Wait… I will need to send word to Cordon's convoy," she insisted. "They will worry if I didn't show up tomorrow. How about you just let me go so I can meet with them tomorrow? I promise I'll come back and-"
"No. Just send word through a wolf," he promptly denied her. "There are many of them here that would suit your purposes… Besides, it would be careless of us if we let you loose so easily since we're still not sure of your credibility."
Bella shrugged as she went with the flow… Clearly, he was no longer the sweet and warm Osman she knew. Somehow, something in him had changed. Or perhaps she was truly mistaken…
[Who was this man, exactly?] Poona snorted at her.
[You said it yourself that he's our mate… But I have this strong feeling that he is Osman!]
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