~Emeric~

　　I was consumed with worry and every other emotion under that umbrella. Aurora has gone out to that treacherous forest, just because she needed to prove her strength to the elders of her own pack! I would understand the kind of pressure she must have been facing since the beginning of time if these people were the ones fostered her development. Total failures.

　　After cursing them out in my head, I turned to look at the woman walking down the stairs. She's wearing nothing much, but she doesn't know the rules either. When explained, she remained nonchalant and didn't think of wearing something warm either! It was as if she had sufficed with a leather jacket and…boots.

　　"Aurora!" Out of the blue, a man's familiar voice interrupted us as Aurora stopped in her tracks. Leif and Beta Roman had left the scene, knowing the friends needed a bit of space to talk. I wasn't one to budge, especially after Odin and I have held each other's collars and challenged each other to win the woman over.

　　From their interaction, I get that Aurora hadn't introduced me to her friend yet. I felt a little disappointed. But I knew I was winning, because Aurora has eyes for me, and only me. We've even shared an intimate night together in my chamber!

　　"No, you can't accompany me, Odin. This is MY challenge. I don't want any assistance to prove my worth. I'm not meaning this in any utter sense of it, nor am I disregarding your concern for me, but it has to be just me. I hope you understand." She spoke these words, or something along the lines. Then, she turned to look at my expression.

　　…seems like I've been a little too transparent with my reaction, overtly!

　　Well, we all waved goodbye to her. She even turned to Odin to wish him the same, however with more emotions laced within. I didn't want to question her at the moment. It is a very crucial day for her, for the next 24 hours, she's going to be all by herself.

　　Sighing, I stepped back after the car had left.

　　"Hey," It was Roman, by the scent and by the way he put his hand on my shoulder, "She's a brave little girl. She'll emerge as the greatest victor of all time. Do put some trust in her. I know you're worried." The last two sentences were spoken through our mind link. I looked over my shoulder and nodded.

　　With one last look of the car that was diminishing down the road, I decided to walk back to the palace. I should be seated and ready to monitor Aurora through the witch's globe. I hope they've been prepared by the time we alphas and elders reach there.

　　"Prince Emeric," as I was walking up the stairs, the voice spoke again. Turning around, I knew we both needed to put our personal conflicts aside. For the sake of her.

　　"May I please be allowed to monitor…my friend?"

　　"You ought to say no, Emeric. He's not an alpha yet." Beta Roman whispered to me. I knew why he whispered to me instead of using our mind link.

　　"You are allowed inside. But not for the night. You may come back tomorrow early in the morning." Giving me a curt nod after my instructions, Odin Blackwood beat his chest with his fist and bowed in honor.

　　"I appreciate your consideration, your majesty."

　　If it was any other scenario, I would have scoffed at him in my head. But this time, I was nonchalant and walked away subtly. I know Roman was throwing me looks of confusion, but his doubts are to be cleared for another day. Today and tonight, my entire focus will be on Aurora.

　　Walking after me, Odin seemed like my shadow as the guards looked at me. I nodded at them, entering the room and turning around,

　　"It's alright. I'm allowing him to watch his friend."

　　I didn't know why, but I was keen on emphasizing that she was only and only, his friend. The guards nodded.

　　The witches have been preparing. Their ritual was completed and a globe as big as a boulder was in front of us all. The room was as dark as midnight sky, the glove was the moon as it slowly cleared the cloudy image into a proper representation.

　　"She will reach in a few hours. Ice Glaciers." I said, Odin gasped. I expected such a reaction from him. Having stood for a while, I was beginning to lose myself in thoughts. I was the first one to sit down, while other alphas and elders talked each other's ears off. I really couldn't tell why they wanted to waste their energy so quickly into monitoring her.

　　"Roman, I'm sitting down."

　　"You should, your Highness." Saying, Roman and I walked to the seating arrangement. There were ample amounts of luxurious swivels. However, Odin silently occupied the seat, two chairs away from me. I was staring at him, confused and trying to communicate wordlessly that, 'I don't want you so close to me.'

　　But at the same time, there's a woman he cares for, just like me. Or maybe more than me. I'm jealous that she gets to spend ample time with him while I'm stuck with my duties. What if I was in his position? What if I had a woman who was going through such a challenge as well?

　　I'm overthinking it.

　　Few hours have passed since she entered the Ice Glacier terrain.

　　Roman watched as I gripped the armrest of my chair to the point of snapping it in half. She was being chased by a sabertooth leopard! She was even attacked by a pack of wolves, wild and feral wolves of that area!

　　Despite those challenges, she emerged as the victor. However, I felt bad for the yeti because she trapped that poor animal in a pitfall.

　　After that, she faced many, many other such animals before it was even midnight! She kept walking, changing her course, but was determined to reach the valley of doom. After that, she will start climbing the treacherous mountain. Her end point.

　　It was so, so hard to contain my feelings and just jump out there to be with her! She was struggling, and I was forced to watch her struggle.

　　Is this why Odin - who's never stopped shaking his leg in anxiousness - proposed to accompany her in her challenge?

　　If I were in his position, I think I might have done the same thing…