Marked By The Mad King Alpha (Phoebe and Perry) novel Chapter 217

**Title: His Mercy Tastes Like Hunger**
**Chapter 217: Silver Bracelets**

**Chapter 217: Silver Bracelets**

*Phoebe’s POV*

As I meandered through the familiar spaces of the house, I could sense Justin’s presence just behind me, like a shadow, always there yet maintaining a respectful distance. I craved solitude, a rare moment to gather my thoughts and reflect.

We had just shared a meal, and as was customary, Wade had filled the air with his vibrant chatter, making our dinner feel like a lively celebration. Now, however, my stomach felt uncomfortably full, and the thought of a quiet walk before bed beckoned me.

“My queen, please steer clear of the forest. It’s not safe,” Justin cautioned, his voice laced with concern as I contemplated heading towards the darkened trees.

I paused, curiosity piquing my interest. “Why is that?”

His hesitation was palpable. “It’s… well, the wild wolves inhabit that area.”

My eyebrows lifted in surprise and intrigue. It had been ages since I had last encountered the wild wolves, and I could feel a surge of excitement bubbling within me. Justin must have noticed the spark in my eyes, for he continued, albeit reluctantly.

“I know you used to feed the wild wolves, but I can’t jeopardize your safety. Please, you must understand—this is for your protection.”

I felt the urge to argue, to push back against his protective instincts, but I didn’t want to complicate matters for him. Besides, I had no way of knowing how close I was to the wolf pack’s territory. The forest could be home to other dangerous creatures, and the last thing I wanted was to place myself in harm’s way.

Reluctantly, I turned away from the forest, yet something caught my attention. A sound emerged from behind the bushes, a faint rustling that piqued my curiosity.

“My queen?” Justin noticed my sudden interest, and as he moved closer, the sound became clearer. “Stay here; I’ll check it out.”

With that, he ventured towards the noise, and soon enough, he emerged with a wolf pup in his arms. I could see that its hind leg was stained with blood, a sight that tugged at my heartstrings.

“This is…” I trailed off, stepping closer to get a better look. The pup squirmed in my hands, its tiny body trembling with fear as it sensed our intentions.

With gentle hands, I cradled the pup, soothing it with soft strokes across its head and a playful tickle on its belly. The wound on its leg was evident, and my heart ached for the little creature.

“I’m taking it with me,” I declared firmly.

“But…” Justin’s voice was hesitant, filled with worry. “What if the wolf pack comes looking for it? We can’t risk their wrath.” He looked at me with concern, but I shot him a look that could silence a storm. How could he be so heartless?

The pup whimpered softly, its distress evident, but as I held it close, it began to calm, snuggling against me as if it had found a safe haven.

“I still think this is unwise,” Justin murmured, but I could sense his resolve weakening. He knew, as I did, that he couldn’t argue with me when I was determined.

Once inside the warmth of the house, I carefully tended to the pup’s wound, applying a clean bandage and preparing a bowl of warm milk. Just then, Wade wandered over, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the wild wolf pup. “How adorable!” he exclaimed, clearly enchanted. “I’ve heard tales about the wild wolves that the king looks after, but I’ve never had the chance to get close.”

“Why would you want to get close? You want to be wolf food?” Orion chimed in, his voice teasing as he gently stroked the pup’s head.

It never ceased to amaze me how gentle Orion was, despite his imposing size. A true giant with the heart of a kitten.

An hour passed, and the pup had settled on my lap, its wound bandaged and its belly full from the milk. The rain began to fall heavily outside, the sky darkening as the atmosphere shifted, casting an ominous shadow over the night.

Reluctant to return to my bedroom, I opted to stay with my three warriors as we engaged in a board game, laughter and camaraderie filling the room.

Yet, in the distance, a haunting howling echoed through the air.

Wild wolves and shifters shared a common spirit, despite their differences, allowing them to understand one another to some extent. The distress in the wolf pack’s howls was unmistakable.

“I think they’ve come for this little guy,” Wade said, glancing at the pup with affection, his hand gently patting its back.

I stood up, holding the sleeping pup carefully in my arms. I had grown fond of it, but I understood that a wolf was not a pet. It was clear that returning it to its family was the right choice.

“My queen, let me take it back outside,” Justin suggested, still visibly anxious about the situation.

It reeked of rotting food, and the stench emanated from the approaching crowd. She glanced around, noticing the discomfort etched on the faces of the warriors accompanying her. They too were affected by the noxious smell, save for Reginald and Allen, who seemed unfazed.

Royal beta Allen approached the border warriors, who greeted him with respectful nods. It was reassuring that they recognized him, but Fiona couldn’t shake the gnawing unease that settled in her stomach.

Her skin prickled with discomfort, and all she wanted was to retreat back to the boat, back to the Mya Kingdom. Even if it meant facing death, she would prefer to do so on her own land, rather than in a foreign place.

“Reginald, we can still leave,” Fiona whispered urgently, tugging at his arm. “I don’t think this is a wise decision.”

Fear coursed through her veins. The shifters’ hungry stares felt like they were piercing through her, as if they were contemplating how to devour her alive.

“And what then? What would you do if we turned back?” Reginald asked bluntly, and Fiona found herself at a loss for words.

“What are they discussing?” she frowned, noticing the hushed tones of the warriors as they glanced in her direction.

“Something feels off,” Alpha Sterling remarked, his instincts sharp. “Why is this taking so long?”

They remained on the beach, waiting for permission to enter Valerium territory, but Allen had been conversing with the border warriors for what felt like an eternity.

“This shouldn’t take this long,” he muttered, his brow furrowing in concern.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Allen returned with a smile that sent shivers down Fiona’s spine.

“You may enter Valerium territory, but there’s one condition,” he announced, his tone deceptively sweet.

“What is it?” Fiona asked, her heart racing.

“Put on the silver bracelets.”