chapter 10: It's Not Working

Adrian's POV

I never thought I'd be sneaking through the heart of a pack's territory with a princess and a witch at my side, but here I was dodging guards, hiding in branches and corners, and nearly getting caught every five minutes.

"This is insane," I muttered as I crouched behind a thick bush. "Completely, utterly insane."

Eva, crouched beside me, smirked. "Insane? This is brilliant."

Alana peeked over the edge of a tree trunk, eyes scanning the area. "Shh. There's another patrol coming. Get ready."

I sighed. I had no choice but to trust them. My memory was still foggy, and the only thing I knew for certain was that I had nowhere else to go. Hiding was my only option.

We had set out just before sunrise, hoping to find an abandoned cottage deep in the woods. The plan was simple, find shelter, have Eva cast her spell, and keep me hidden until I figured out who I was.

The execution? Not so simple.

The guilds of guards patrolling the land were everywhere, making our search feel like a death wish.

And to make matters worse, Alana and Eva were having fun.

"Alright, if we make it past this group, that's five successful dodges in a row," Eva whispered. "Think we can beat our record?"

"This isn't a game," I grumbled.

Alana smirked. "Of course it is."

I was about to protest when she suddenly straightened. "Incoming. Follow my lead."

A group of four guards strode toward us, their eyes sharp and alert. I tensed, ready to bolt, but Alana turned to me with a wicked grin.

"Get down and stay quiet," she whispered before stepping out into the open.

I barely had time to react before Eva yanked me down, pressing me against the tree trunk.

I could only watch as Alana walked straight up to the guards, arms crossed over her chest.

"Finally!" she groaned dramatically, stomping her foot. "Do you know how long I've been waiting? My father sent me to check the western border, and you lazy wolves are taking your sweet time!"

The guards immediately straightened, looking panicked. "P-Princess?"

"That's Princess Alana to you," she snapped. "And you know what else? You're slowing me down. Again! What do you have to say for yourselves?"

The tallest of the guards looked flustered. "I…we weren't informed.."

"Of course, you weren't!" Alana threw her hands in the air. "Because I was testing you. And guess what? You failed."

The guards swallowed hard.

Eva nudged me and whispered, "This is getting good."

I just shook my head in disbelief.

"Now," Alana continued, tapping her foot impatiently, "unless you want to be reassigned to stable duty for the next month, I suggest you move and let me through."

The guards didn't even hesitate. "Yes, Princess Alana! Of course, Princess Alana!"

I watched in complete shock as they scurried away, practically tripping over themselves.

Once they were out of sight, Alana turned back to us with a smug grin.

Eva beamed. "That was a thing of beauty."

Alana dusted off her hands. "Easy."

I stared at her. "Are you serious?"

She winked. "A sharp tongue is just as deadly as a sword."

I shook my head. "I can't believe that worked."

Eva clapped me on the shoulder. "Oh, stick around, 'Pack,' and you'll see just how crafty our princess can be."

I wasn't sure whether to be impressed or terrified.

We continued moving, weaving deeper into the woods. Every few minutes, we encountered another group of guards.

Eva handled some of them by whispering incantations under her breath, causing them to turn the other way or suddenly remember something urgent.

Alana sweet-talked her way past others, using her royal title and an air of authority to make them believe they were the ones in the way.

And when all else failed? We tricked them.

One particularly sharp-eyed guard had almost spotted me, but Eva had thrown a handful of glowing powder into the air, making it look like fireflies were swarming. The poor wolf was too distracted swatting at imaginary insects to notice us slipping past.

Each time we succeeded, we exchanged triumphant grins.

"That's six times now," Eva whispered as we ducked behind an old fence.

Alana gave me a teasing look. "Still think this isn't a game?"

I huffed. "I think you two are insane."

They both just laughed.

After what felt like hours, we finally reached an old, crumbling cottage hidden beneath thick vines and overgrown trees.

Alana stepped forward, brushing her fingers against the worn wooden door. "This… this might work."

Eva grinned. "Leave the magic to me."

I exhaled, shaking my head as I glanced at them.

These two might be crazy, but I had to admit… I wouldn't have made it this far without them.

*

I didn't know how long we had been searching, but it felt like forever. My legs ached, my head throbbed, and I was pretty sure a tree branch had smacked me at least five times.

"This is ridiculous," I muttered, stepping over another fallen log. "Are we even sure a cottage exists out here?"

"Patience, Pack," Alana teased. "Good things take time."

I shot her a look. "Easy for you to say. You're not the one being hunted like a wild animal."

Eva groaned, brushing dirt off her dress. "Ugh. If I knew we'd be playing treasure hunt, I would have brought a map or a.." She suddenly froze. "Wait."

Alana and I turned to her.

"What?" Alana asked.

Eva squinted at a cluster of trees ahead, then pointed. "Look at those vines. They're too thick, almost like.." She gasped. "Like they're hiding something!"

Alana's eyes lit up. "Come on!"

We pushed through the overgrown branches and thick vines, cutting through the dense foliage until we saw an old, crumbling stone cottage, partially hidden under the greenery.

It was small, with a slanted roof that had definitely seen better days. The wooden door was barely hanging on its hinges, and the windows were clouded with dust.

"Finally!" Eva threw her hands in the air. "Our new secret hideout!"

I gave her a skeptical look. "Are you sure this place won't collapse on us?"

Alana grinned. "It's perfect."

Eva wasted no time. She stepped forward, rolling up her sleeves. "Alright. Time for some magic."

She extended her hands, muttering under her breath as her fingers glowed faintly with a soft purple light.

The air around us crackled with energy, and I watched as the glow surrounded the cottage.

Then….

POOF!

A puff of purple smoke exploded in her face.

Eva coughed, waving her hands frantically. "Ugh! Gross! That was NOT supposed to happen!"

Alana and I just stared at her.

"Did… did it work?" Alana asked hesitantly.

Eva scowled. "Do you see the cottage disappearing?"

I glanced around. The cottage was still there. The only difference was that Eva's hair was now sticking up in every direction.

I bit my lip to keep from laughing.

Eva groaned. "Okay. No big deal. Just a minor setback."

She dusted herself off and tried again.

This time, she took a deep breath, focused harder, and whispered another spell.

The glow returned, wrapping around the walls of the cottage.

I held my breath.

Alana crossed her fingers.

And then…

POOF!

Another burst of smoke, this time making Eva stumble back.

"SERIOUSLY?!" she yelled, coughing and fanning the air.

Alana sighed. "Maybe the spell is…"

"Don't even say it," Eva cut her off. "I got this."

I looked at Alana. She looked at me.

Neither of us believed her.

But Eva, being Eva, was determined.

She adjusted her stance, muttered something about "third time's the charm," and waved her hands again.

The glow returned.

It grew stronger.

For a split second, I thought it might actually work.

And then…

BOOM!

A tiny explosion knocked Eva flat on her back.

I rushed to her side. "Are you okay?"

She groaned, coughing. "I… hate… magic."

Alana covered her face with her hands. "This is hopeless."

I sat back, exhaling in frustration. "What now?"

For the first time, none of us had an answer.