The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 700

Chapter 700

After a few steps, the Prince still in the woods came to mind, and a sudden pang of regret washed over her.

‘What if he runs into a wolf pack?‘ Natasha thought anxiously.

Natasha smacked her forehead in frustration. “Jeez, I just wanted to give the Prince a hard time—not get him killed.”

At this thought, Natasha promptly in her tracks and turned back.

“Your Highness. Your Highness.” Natasha called out anxiously as she walked, her voice echoing through the dark woods.

There was no response from the woods, and Natasha’s heart pounded with growing panic.

Gritting her teeth, she pushed deeper into the woods, dry branches crunching underfoot.

A cold wind whipped up a few withered leaves, only to have them abruptly freeze, suspended in mid–air.

Waves of wolf howls shattered the silence. A dozen pairs of glowing green eyes materialized from the shadows between the trees, and a chilling, ominous aura washed over her.

A shiver ran down Natasha’s spine as her hand slowly crept toward the dagger hidden in her boot.

Natasha cursed under her breath, “Damn it all. Could I be any unluckier? A wolf pack, seriously?”

‘Just my luck,‘ Natasha thought with a bitter smile.

The sinister glowing eyes drew nearer, clearly forming a tightening encirclement around her.

It was clear as day–the wolf pack had already marked Natasha as their prey.

Her back went rigid in an instant, cold sweat drenching her clothes.

The wolves fanned out in a deadly semicircle, closing in. Low, guttural growls rumbled from their throats, and their razor–sharp fangs gleamed in the darkness.

Natasha tightened her grip on the dagger at her waist, slowly backing against a tree as she took up a defensive stance.

Three massive wolves lunged at her.

Three wolves, three angles.

She could only shield her vitals with one arm while slashing her dagger with the other. With a powerful kick of her long leg, she sent one massive wolf flying.

And her dagger found its mark, plunging straight into the throat of a large wolf.

Within seconds, she took down two wolves in quick succession.

Natasha thrust her arm out to block the wolf, certain it would be torn apart–when suddenly, a dark figure streaked overhead like an arrow splitting the

wind.

The Prince’s jet–black cloak sliced through the air in a razor–sharp arc.

With a fierce gust of wind, he landed before Natasha. The sharp shing of his soft sword unsheathing collided with the wolves‘ agonized howls.

“Close your eyes.” The Prince’s voice was as cold as forged steel. Before Natasha could even react, his warm palm had already covered her eyes.

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Chapter 700

Aug

The sound of claws shredding fabric pierced Natasha’s ears as warm droplets suddenly splattered across her lace and neck-

Through the gaps between her fingers, she saw the Prince standing on one knee, propping himself up with his sword.

But his back was slashed by wolf claws, three bone–deep gashes.

And she, shielded in his embrac

The two swiftly slew three large wolves in

ly unscathed.

sion, enraging the entire pack.

Even more wolves came charging at them, snarling with bared fangs.

In the blink of an eye, Natasha leapt up into the tree, hooked her legs over a branch, and hung upside down, Reaching out to the Prince, she shouted, “Grab my hand.”

With lightning reflexes, the Prince immediately reached up to grasp Natasha’s hand.

Their hands locked tight as Natasha leveraged her core, heaving the Prince onto the tree trunk in one fluid motion.

Almost simultaneously, the wolves lunged but found only empty air, then began circling restlessly beneath the tree, snarling in frustration.

Both of them were utterly disheveled–their hair in wild tangles and their robes streaked with wolf blood.

In that instant when their eyes met, they both burst into laughter.

Natasha glanced at him, a little embarrassed. “How

yon earth did you find me?” she asked, her voice tinged with guilt.

“Me?” The Prince leaned against the tree trunk, a roguish grin playing on his lips. “I’ve been tailing you the whole time.”

Natasha’s jaw dropped. “Wait, you knew I was setting you up, yet you still followed?”

The Prince smiled nonchalantly and said, “I only meant to give you a little scare–never thought I’d actually summon a wolf pack.”

Natasha was so furious she could have wrung his neck. “You jerk. That wolf howl was you all along?”

The Prince looked around sheepishly, keeping his mouth shut.

The Prince muttered under his breath, “Next time you play tricks on me, pick a safer spot.”