Harold scoffed in disbelief as he watched them. He had given strict instructions for no one to eat anything. Not only had these fools disobeyed him, their hiding spot just happened to be outside the window of his chamber!

He could understand why they thought it was safe. The place was like a deserted spot. Even though Prince Harold's chamber was on the second floor of the building, no one wanted to ever pass by that direction for fear that he would look down and find them.

Thankfully he had been looking for someone to take out his anger on, and the fools had offered themselves to him on a platter. He couldn't let go of the opportunity.

If there was one thing Alphas hated in general, it was to be disobeyed or for their authority to be challenged.

Harold's eyes flashed a bright red as his wolf awakened once again. "Stay," he ordered calmly as he continued to look at the boys.

The two seemed to have felt the scary energy around them and paused to look around, searching for where it was coming from, until one looked up and gasped in horror, even falling to the ground as soon as he saw Harold.

The other followed his gaze, and he looked like he was going to pass out soon. Things became even more difficult for him when he began to choke on the wild fruit.

Harold smirked before he turned around and left his chamber. He could have easily used the window, but they were not worth that much effort. Harold took his time to gracefully walk out of the empty palace to meet them, knowing that they wouldn't dare move from that spot.

Alvin, who had been on his way to Harold's chamber to inform him that he had set up the meeting with Sir Rager, followed Harold immediately he saw him, wondering what was happening this time.

Alvin didn't have to wonder for too long as Harold led him directly to the two boys, who were trembling as they waited for him. It was as though they were rooted to the spots where he had left them.

Even if they wanted to disobey him, why didn't they just hide in their chambers? He guessed they were being stingy and didn't want to share with others inside.

"I believe my instruction was clear enough?" Harold said calmly as he stood in front of them. The one who had fallen to the ground immediately went on his knees while the one who had been standing did the same and fell on his knees with their heads down, too scared to look at him.

"My... Pr-- your highness. Have... have mercy on us."

Harold ignored that one and looked at the other boy, who was shaking so much and finding it hard to say a word.

"I hear your father was eager to have Princess Amber executed--"

"Y-Your highness... I... my... my father would never do such an impudent thing!" He cried and placed his forehead on the ground in fear while Alvin watched from the side.

"Ah!" Harold said, nodding slowly as he took a step forward. "I guess I'm lying then--"

"How... can I dare think that your highness is ly--?" Before he could complete his sentence, Harold grabbed him in a chokehold, lifting him from the group effortlessly.

The other boy cried in fear while the one currently being strangled found it difficult to breathe and struggled as he was faced with Harold's red eyes.

Harold didn't put much pressure on his hold, but instead, he just kept staring at the boy whose life was slowly seeping out of him.

"Your highness!" Alvin called in alarm, making Harold snap his head to the side to look at him angrily.

Alvin's eyes went to the window on the second floor behind Harold, and curiously, Harold followed his gaze.

His heart stopped instantly when he saw her.

She was awake.

Alicia was looking down at them with a groggy and confused expression on her face. How was she even standing?

Immediately Harold registered it, he looked away from Alicia, and out of impulse, he tossed the poor boy to the side and shut his eyes.

"Stop crying and run away with him," Harold ordered with his eyes closed.

The other boy didn't need to be told twice. He looked up at the window and back at Harold before he hurried to where his friend was and helped him up, even as he tried to catch his breath. But there was no time for that.

They were about to stupidly run past the window direction when Alvin glared at them, and they took the other route immediately, crying and running for their lives.

? Harold turned to Alvin, and even Alvin could tell how anxious Harold was because he could hear his heart beating very fast as he looked at him.

"How are my eyes?" Harold asked.

"Very red," Alvin said apologetically as his eyes travelled back to the window.

Harold shut his eyes in frustration as he warned his wolf, "Get lost before I get angry."

'No. I want to see her too.' His wolf said stubbornly, making him wish he could get a hold of him and strangle him. His life was always so difficult whenever he was around.

Alicia's grogginess seemed to clear up, and after adjusting to the brightness, she called softly, as though scared that she was hallucinating and his image would disappear.

"Harold?"

Harold wanted to look. He wanted to go up there at that moment. But he could not.

'You're going to scare her. GET LOST!' Harold warned one last time.

'You annoy me so much,' his wolf hissed in disappointment before disappearing.

Harold could not even believe it. But his annoying wolf was the last thing on his mind now.

He looked at Alvin for confirmation, who nodded to let him know he was good now before he turned around to look at the window with his clear eyes and clear mind.

As soon as Alicia's gaze settled on his face, she blinked a few times to be sure she wasn't seeing things. When he smiled at her in relief, her hand flew to cover her mouth and she cried in relief that he was truly there.

It hadn't been a dream.