The Forsaken Heir's Ascension-Chapter 153- A Glimpse of Fear

He flipped each steak quickly, then drizzled oil from a small bottle, followed by a dash of salt and pepper. Finally, he covered the pan with the steel bowl and pushed it into the glowing red coals, letting the meat cook slowly.

With everything set, Alex returned to where Selene was sitting under the overhang of the small hill. He sat beside her in silence, the two of them watching the calm sky, its pastel hues bleeding into the snowy landscape.

Hans and Hook were squirming impatiently near the fire, their eyes flicking constantly toward the coals.

But Alex and Selene sat in peaceful quiet, with Hati lying comfortably beside them.Alex leaned back, resting his hand on the rocky ground behind him.It brushed against Selene’s.She didn’t pull away.

A light blush colored her cheeks as she stared up at the rocky hilltop above, pretending to be completely unaware.We’re holding hands again... What do I do? Should I take it back?Her heart fluttered, and her mind spun in circles.

Meanwhile, Alex wasn’t doing much better.

Inside his head:White Alex was practically dancing. "Yes! Yes! We’re finally getting somewhere! Progress!"Black Alex, arms crossed, allowed a small smile.

Back in reality:Half an hour passed quietly.Alex stood up, brushing off some snow from his cloak.He stepped toward the fire and carefully pulled the iron pan from the glowing coals.He lifted the steel bowl covering it—

A rich, mouthwatering aroma instantly filled the air.Hati perked up, ears twitching. He sprang to his feet, tail wagging enthusiastically.Hans and Hook followed right behind him, eyes wide, mouths already watering.

Alex took out two paper plates from his spatial ring—his last ones.With a fork, he carefully slid one juicy steak onto each plate. Steam rose in lazy curls, carrying the scent of perfectly marinated meat.

He stood and handed one of the plates to Selene along with a fork.The second? He bent down and offered it to Hati, who barked once in glee and began devouring it.

Hans and Hook stared in horror.Then together, they cried, "What about us?!" freёwebnoѵel.com

Alex grinned and gestured with a hand. "Come on, sit here. I don’t have more plates—we’re eating from the pan."

Without hesitation, the two dropped beside him like children told they’d get candy, forks already in hand.

The meat was perfectly seared—soft and juicy, with just enough resistance to chew without being tough.Alex lifted a bite to his mouth. The rich, beefy flavor spread across his tongue, tender and smoky.

Then came a tangy, acidic umami finish that lingered pleasantly.He closed his eyes, savoring it."Mmm," he whispered. "Aunty Chef really outdid herself."

He opened his eyes to see Selene beside him, eyes closed, chewing slowly—relishing each bite like it was divine.Hati, Hans, and Hook, on the other hand, were attacking their food like they hadn’t eaten in days.

Once they’d licked the pan clean, the group collapsed lazily onto the rocks, warmed by the fire and full from the meal.

Alex stood and stretched. Then he pulled a fresh black T-shirt from his spatial ring.Without much thought, he stripped off his black overcoat, then peeled away his torn, claw-slashed shirt.

The morning light hit his pale skin, highlighting lean muscle and the faint scars across his back and ribs.

Selene, mid-sip from a water flask, froze.A blush flared up her cheeks.Is he trying to kill me? Is this on purpose?!

Alex—completely oblivious to her wide eyes or the smirking glances from Hans and Hook—slipped on the new shirt, then shrugged his torn coat over it, the claw marks across the back still visible.

After breakfast, the group resumed their journey, moving in silence. Their steps were light and careful as they approached the base of the mountain.

Jagged rocks jutted out like frozen knives, their edges made even sharper by the snow that coated them like icy spikes.

Hans and Hook raised their hands, signalling for Alex and Selene to halt.Hati, mid-step, froze instantly.

Hans crouched near a rock, brushing away the layer of snow and ice. A foul stench rose as he uncovered something: a lump of black, frozen excrement.A few steps ahead, Hook stood near a tree, his eyes narrowing. He pointed to a long, deep claw mark etched into the bark.

The two scouts reconvened, sharing a quick glance.Hans spoke first. "It’s fresh. One day old. B-rank—probably a Frost Bear."Hook nodded. "This mark here? Yeti claws. About two days old. Heading toward the mountain’s backside."

Their expressions turned serious. They looked to Alex and Selene.Hook turned to the princess. "Princess, would you follow me? I’d like to show you something."Selene gave a calm nod and followed him toward the tree.

Meanwhile, Hans gave Alex a crooked grin. "Eh, Alex, can you come here for a second?"

Alex walked over, kneeling beside him. The moment he leaned in, a horrible stench hit his nose. He gagged slightly, scrunching his face as he stood up."It’s... definitely bear-type," Alex said. "But I’m not very familiar with the monsters around this terrain."

Hans chuckled. "Your guess is right. Now—how old would you say this is?"Alex glanced back down, his expression twisted in discomfort. "Hard to say... there’s too much snow to tell for sure."Hans nodded approvingly. "Good. Better to admit when you don’t know. It’s one day old."

Alex nodded again just as Selene returned, her fist clenched and a frown shadowing her normally calm features.Hook walked up beside Hans and raised an eyebrow. "So? How’d he do?"Hans shrugged. "Eh, he did alright."Hook gave a short sigh. "Princess didn’t do so well."

Hans looked between them and nodded gravely. "Let’s move up the mountain. And keep your eyes open. Something’s off. Frost Bears don’t usually enter Yeti territory."

Alex and Selene exchanged glances, then followed Hans and Hook up the jagged slope, the crunch of their boots muffled by the snow.

Selene climbed just ahead of Alex. The narrow path snaked up the mountain, slick with frost and lined with jagged rocks that gleamed like blades under the light.Every step crunched—ice grinding beneath boots, loose stones clicking and shifting underfoot.

Suddenly—Her foot slipped.

She let out a soft gasp as her body tilted backward, sliding down the icy slope—

But Alex’s hand shot out, catching her wrist just in time.With his other hand braced against a sharp outcropping, he held on tight, the rock digging into his fingers.

Slowly, with gritted teeth, he pulled her up, muscles straining, boots scraping for balance.

Hans and Hook paused above, looking back as Alex dragged her up to the narrow ledge he was standing on.

Selene collapsed into him, hugging him tightly—shaken, breathless.

Alex’s back pressed into the jagged stone wall behind him. He grimaced at the pain but didn’t move.Her heart was pounding—fast, frantic,—he could hear it against his chest like a drum.

He gently placed his hand on her head, caressing her hair."You’re okay," he whispered softly. "Don’t worry. I’ve got you."

Her ears turned red instantly, and her cheeks flushed deep crimson.She didn’t lift her face from his chest.

Concerned, Alex asked, "Are you hurt? Are you alright?"

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