NOVEL NEXT Chapter 296 Holding The Grudge For Her
"Alright, Princess," Elric finally said, his voice steady though his expression was grave. "I know that once you've made up your mind, nothing I say will change it. So instead of wasting time trying to stop you, I'll focus on making sure you succeed."
"But hear me out, if you're going in, I'm coming with you. I need to be there to open and close the barrier at the right moment. If I stay outside, the timing won't be guaranteed… and one mistake could doom us all. It's safer if I go with you."
It seemed that no matter what Addison said, Elric would never be convinced to stay behind. Not only was he worried for her safety, but he also believed that accompanying her would give him a clearer understanding of her current situation.
By staying close, he could protect her with his barrier, boosting her defenses and survival chances inside. More than that, being with her would allow him to calculate precisely when to open and close the barrier, ensuring Addison's safety without letting a single locust slip out.
Thinking through all the possibilities, Addison finally understood what Elric meant and nodded in agreement. But if Elric was coming along, he would need someone to carry him up.
Naturally, his gaze shifted toward Maxwell. Maxwell's nostrils flared as he shot back stubbornly, "If you want me to carry you, then forget it, unless you're fine being carried the same way I did in the forest. My back is reserved only for my mate."
It was rare to see Maxwell this unyielding, to the point that even Addison couldn't talk him around it. Levi, on the other hand, pretended not to hear a thing, keeping his eyes elsewhere, until a mischievous glint sparked to life in them.
"Ehem…" Levi cleared his throat, his gaze sliding toward Zion before he continued, "Since Alpha Maxwell and I share the same opinion, why don't we leave this to Alpha Zion? After all, thinking it through, bringing Archmage Elric really is the best course of action. Besides—" his lips curved into a sly smile, "—for your information, I'm coming too but on the same thought as Alpha Maxwell."
Just that look was enough to make Zion's temple throb violently, as though a splitting headache was about to strike him.
"And what makes you think I'll agree to this?" Zion snapped, his voice edged with exasperation. "You both know a werewolf's back is reserved for their mate. Why in the world would I let anyone ride mine while I'm in wolf form?"
Levi let out an exaggerated snort. "Well, Alpha Zion, let's be honest, among all of us, only you have ever allowed someone on your back before your mate. So naturally, I believe you have a much higher tolerance for bending that rule compared to me or Alpha Maxwell. If it were me, I don't know… my wolf might just snap and go berserk."
The moment the words left his mouth, Levi's wolf rolled its eyes inside his mind.
'Nice try, annoying someone, kid…' it muttered, flopping down onto the ground and resting its massive head on its paws. Still, despite its aloof act, its tail betrayed it by wagging lazily, it was a proof that it was entertained by Levi's mischief.
Perhaps this was Levi's subtle way of standing up for Addison while teaching Zion a lesson. After all, regardless of his reasons, Zion had once let Claire ride on his back, and that fact couldn't simply be erased.
Zion nearly choked on his own saliva from sheer anger, his face flushing red as the veins on his forehead threatened to burst. Maxwell, of course, wasn't helping; he turned his head away, shoulders trembling as he struggled to hold back his laughter. It was painfully obvious that both Maxwell and Levi were ganging up on him.
And the worst part? Zion couldn't even deny it. What Levi said was true, and deep down he knew it. This was Levi's way of standing up for Addison, late as it was. Still, there's a saying that a gentleman's revenge is never too late, even if it takes ten years.
It was almost as if Levi was implying that, since Zion was so fond of letting just anyone ride on his back, then carrying Elric shouldn't be a problem. The truth was, they all knew Elric couldn't be carried the same way Maxwell had once carried him in the forest.
This time, Elric had a crucial task, and that was protecting Addison and keeping the locust swarm contained within the barrier. For that, he needed a stable position and a clear vantage point to cast his incantations, which meant riding securely on someone's back.
But with both Maxwell and Levi refusing to make concessions, the choices were limited. Either they brought along an extra warrior solely to carry Elric, which would end up risking having a larger team that might draw the locust swarm's attention, or one of them would have to swallow their pride and do it.
Keeping the group small was critical. If the swarm detected them inside, the frenzied locusts hammering the barrier could instantly turn their aggression on the intruders. And if that happened, the consequences would be catastrophic; the creatures wouldn't just attack, they might even devour the people who came inside.
That was why only those at least of Beta-level bloodline could be considered. They needed the speed to outpace danger, and even then, carrying another person would inevitably slow them down.
Zion clenched his jaw, his gaze shifting to Addison. The moment their eyes met, Addison's chest tightened. She had almost forgotten, but now that memory came crashing back. A pained expression crossed her face as the image replayed vividly in her mind, each detail cutting into her like a blade.
The heartbreak she felt back then was unbearable, a humiliation that struck like a slap across the face. She hadn't voiced it aloud, but Levi, ever the attentive Gamma, had clearly noticed. And now, it seemed, he was carrying that grudge on her behalf.
Addison lifted her eyes toward Zion again. He had claimed his only condition for letting her enter the barrier was that he would come with her and that she would be the one he carried.
As if catching on as well, Maxwell turned his gaze toward Zion. "If you're worried about who should carry Addie, I'll do it. I'm an Alpha bloodline too, so it's not like I'd fall short of you in speed or strength, right?" he said evenly.
By now, he had pieced together what Levi was doing. Mischievous or not, Levi's jab was meant to teach Zion a lesson, and since it was all for Addison's sake, Maxwell had no intention of letting the opportunity slip by either.
Defeated, Zion could only release a heavy sigh as his gaze settled on Addison. She hadn't spoken a word, but he caught the fleeting shadow of pain in her eyes before it vanished. He knew he had reasons for letting Claire ride on his back back then, but that didn't erase the fact that he had hurt Addison.
Some of that pain, he had inflicted knowingly, lashing out because he wanted her to hurt. Compared to that, letting another man ride his wolf's back now felt like nothing.