Rya shook her head as she heard the pouting Wolfkin from behind her. Once she reached the corner of the hallway, Rya could hear Dalia rushing to catch up to her.

"Hey! Wait up Alpha!"

The dark elf then turned to see the wolfkin running out of the room to catch up to her.

'Oh thank, God... She's wearing clothes... But why is she worried? She's acting like I'm going to leave her behind or something.' Rya thought to herself as she looked at Dalia.

"I'm not leaving you behind, Dalia. I just want to meet up with Quin and see when we're departing?"

Dalia smiled and nodded when she walked alongside Rya. "I understand, Alpha. Don't worry about me. But I couldn't help but notice that you seemed... Angry? Mad? Was there something that happened?"

'Huh? She notice that? I thought she was so smug about having sex with Percy to notice that I was angry... Damn, Dalia's sharper than she looks... Not only is she a good fighter but she's smart as well.' Rya thought as the two continued their walk through the hallways.

"Haah! Yeah, I had a visit from the Goddesses that brought me to Tertius. And let's just say that they're on my shit list right now." Rya said with a frown.

Dalia tilted her head and crossed her arms over her chest. "What did they do?"

"I don't want to talk about it. Let's just say that I'm not a fan of their methods." Rya said with a grimace.

Dalia furrowed her brow. "Fine but I'm curious. So, tell me if you need to talk."

"Thanks, Dalia. I'm glad I saved you. You're turning into someone I can rely on," Rya said with a smile.

Dalia smiled back and nodded. "Me too. So, do you know where Beta is?"

Rya stopped walking down the hall because she realized she had no clue where she was going. As she looked around, Rya noticed a few of the servants staring at them with a concerned look in their eyes. Or was it fear? It seems most of the humans wanted to keep their distance from the Dark Elf and Wolfkin.

'Damn... It feels awkward walking around with people avoiding me like this...' Rya thought to herself as she stood motionless.

Rya noticed Dalia looking at the servants as well but she had a grin on her face. It was like she enjoyed the fearful stares she was receiving.

'That's strange... Does she get a kick out of this or something?... She seems happy but, I can't figure out why.'

"Why are you grinning like an idiot, Dalia?" Rya asked curiously.

"Well, I can't help it, Alpha. It's not every day you get the respect of everyone around you," Dalia answered proudly.

"Hmph! Respect!? I don't know about you, Dalia, but these people are terrified of us," Rya retorted while rolling her eyes.

"Isn't that the same thing?" Dalia asked as she tilted her head to the side.

"Uhh... No, it's not the same. There's a huge difference between respect and fear. But I have no clue where I am going... I guess I'll ask one of them for directions," Rya replied while pointing toward the servant who flinched when the dark elf zeroed in on her.

The rest of the servants in the hallway quickly got out of there before the dark elf decided to ask any of them for directions. That only left the servant woman in a pink dress and an apron whom Rya pointed at.

"Alright, go ahead, Alpha. I'm sure they'll be more than happy to help," Dalia replied as she smiled again.

Rya sighed and walked towards the servant, "Hey... Sorry to bother you, but do you know where Prince Quinus is?"

The servant woman was surprised when the dark elf approached her. She tried to keep a brave face but when Rya finished her question, the servant's courage faltered and she ran away in fright.

"Goddess save me!" the servant cried out as she ran.

Rya was dumbfounded as she watched the servant clumsily run away, bumping into things along the way.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

"I think we scared her?... Should I go after her and bring her back?" Dalia asks Rya.

Rya shakes her head. "No, it's not worth it... Hey Dalia, can you find Quin's scent?"

Dalia nodded then closed her eyes. The wolfkin started sniffing the air as she tried to pick up the faint traces of the prince.

After a few minutes, Dalia opened her eyes and then turned to Rya. "Picked up his scent. He's this way, follow me," Dalia says with a smile.

Rya smiled. "Thanks, Dalia. I owe you one."

Dalia nodded and then closed her eyes again while sniffing the air. The wolfkin started walking down the hallway with Rya following behind her.

***

It took several minutes for the two women to reach the living room where Quinus was with Sir George.

When the two women enter the room Quinus and Sir George both turn to look at Rya and Dalia with a surprised look. They thought the two ladies would have wanted to sleep in after their long travel.

"Well, you're up early? How was your sleep?" Quinus asked.

Rya grunted and then rubbed her temples. "It could have been better."

"Did someone bother you? Is that why you're here so early?" Sir George asked.

Rya shook her head. "No, I just had some bad dreams. I feel like I've been having nightmares every single night. It's getting really annoying."

Quinus frowns and he wraps an arm around her shoulder. "Are you okay?" He whispered in her ear.

'MMmmh? Q-Quin? Agh... I-I know I have the body of a woman. But I'm still a man. I need to get some distance from him?' Rya thought to herself as she summoned her willpower.

Rya backed up and shook her head. "Thanks for worrying about me, Quin. But, I'm fine, really. Just a little tired. The last few days have been pretty rough," she lied.

Quinus has some worry written in his eyes but doesn't question her and gives Rya her space. The dark elf noticed his troubled look and it made her heart sink. She didn't mean to hurt him, but she needed time to clear her head.

'Why did I look into his eyes!? He's like a sad puppy! I can't act like an ungrateful bitch to him.' Rya thought to herself.

"Quin, I need to tell you something in private... If you're free that is?" Rya asked while looking down and to the side. She was not trying to make eye contact.

"Huh? Ah! Yes! We can chat over here. Sir George, Lady Dalia, would you two mind waiting outside for a moment?" Quinus asked.

Sir George nodded and left the room with Dalia.

'God! Okay, you can't tell him everything. Just tell him enough to know that this is not his fault and I still want him around. BUT NOT IN THAT WAY! He's just a very good friend. One of the few I can trust... A friend who's amazing at using his tongue on my~' Rya shakes her head fiercely to try and stop these strange thoughts of Quinus going down on her from entering her head.

"R-Rya? Are you okay?" Quinus asked worriedly.

Rya put her hands over her face. "I don't know anymore!?"

"Hey, hey. Come over here and sit down." Quinus said and then pulled her over to a couch.

"I'm sorry Quin. If I tell you something, will you keep it a secret?" Rya asked while sitting next to him.

Quinus looks at her with a questioning look but nods his head.

"No matter how much it hurts, I'll keep it a secret... I promise," Quinus tells her while placing his hand atop her head.

Rya could feel her whole body relax when she felt his warm touch on her scalp.

'NO! MY KRYPTONITE!' Rya screams in her mind but knows there's no stopping the inevitable but she must resist even though she doesn't want to.

"Q-Quin. T-These bad dreams? These nightmares I've been having, are caused by my Goddesses," Rya struggles to speak with the mighty hand that soothes her soul.

Quinus frowns as he takes his hand off her head. "What do you mean?"

Rya was relieved that Quinus removed his hand but also felt the urge to scream 'MORE PLEASE!'.

"Ugh! They're teasing and tormenting me. And I don't know if what I'm becoming is something of my choosing or theirs," Rya says to him nervously.

Quinus looks at her with an understanding look. "So, you need to find yourself?"

"Y-Yes! I need some time to figure out my new path in life before I can trust myself," Rya says and starts to panic when she realizes what she just said. The possibility of not returning to Earth was always in the back of her mind, but once she said those words, it became more real.

The prince looks at her with a sad gaze before asking, "So, you need to depart from us? That's why you're dressed in your adventure clothing instead of a fine dress?"

"NO! No no! I'm not leaving you guys. No." Rya quickly says and shakes her head.

Quinus smiles at her and then places his hand on hers. "So, you're not leaving us? Then take all the time you need, Rya."

The dark elf was surprised that Quinus was going to give her the space she needed. He was so close to her that she didn't think he would understand, but she was wrong.

"You're not upset with me, Quin?" Rya asks hesitantly.

"I'm not going to hold you hostage, Rya. You have your own dreams and desires, I understand that. And I'm here to help... I'm fond of you and I don't wish to see you leave, but I won't force you to stay," Quinus says softly.

Whatever fear or worry Rya had started melting away with those words. She was beginning to feel at peace with Quin by her side. She thought it was true friendship and nothing more, but deep down inside she had a small flame growing for him, that she was unaware of.

"Thank you, Quin. This means a lot to me." Rya says and blushes.

"It's nothing Rya. Let's get some breakfast before we depart for Ironside." Quinus said and offered a hand to help her up. She looked at his strong hand and hesitated at first.

'Fine. Just this once.' Rya thinks to herself. She grabs his hand and gets up before they leave the room.