CHAPTER 41: MISTAKE

"Alayne..." Eren sighed as he moved through the circle of tents.

The camp was vast—far larger than he had imagined. Rows upon rows stretched before him, hundreds, perhaps thousands, too many to count. Some tents gaped open, flaps left untied, revealing soldiers sprawled in sleep, while others stood empty.

He kept walking, the dusty soil crunching under his boots, colors flashing past—red, blue, green—each hue marked with a meaning he did not know, as he finally neared the camp’s outer rim.

At the far edge where Bavrik had told him to go, only one white tent should stand alone—marked with a cross.

Eren moved through the rows, eyes darting from soldier to soldier, though his mind held only one name. Alayne. His breath hitched—he knew she was here somewhere, but where?

"Here...?" he murmured, scanning the blur of tents and bodies, seeing nothing clearly, every thought narrowed to finding her—what came after, he didn’t know yet.

And, In that blur— "Eep!" a sharp voice cut the air before him.

"Eh?" Eren blinked, realizing his wandering hand had found an unintended target. His fingers suddenly pressed firmly against something—soft. His eyes dropped—

And there she was—a woman, smaller than him, her eyes wide, lips parted in shock. Eren’s palm pressing tight against her bust.

"F... cup?" Eren blurted out—the first thing to escape his mouth as his gaze dragged higher, from the softness beneath his palm, to the woman who carried it.

Her eyes lifted, slowly, locking with his.

Realization struck, as Eren jerked back, bowing in a rush, words tumbling out. "I—I’m sorry!" His voice cracked, but the humility in it was clear.

The woman’s eyes, wide at first, softened as her breath steadied. One hand rested against her chest to calm.

And then, to Eren’s surprise, she bowed too, blurting, "No... it’s my fault. I should’ve been the one watching."

Eren shook his head. "No. It’s mine."

"No—it’s mine."

The back-and-forth of apologies dragged on until both gave up, sighing, neither claiming victory. Eren scratched the back of his head, glancing at the woman.

She stood taller than most, her bust generous—larger than Alayne’s. Her shoulders balanced her frame, keeping her figure from being just her chest, though his eyes couldn’t help drifting lower. A narrow waist dipped into curved hips—wide enough to catch the eye, though not quite Mira’s level. Still... more than enough.

Enough to make it clap—

Eren caught himself, jaw tightening as he shook his head. What the hell are you even thinking, Eren?

Forcing his gaze up, he met her eyes. A beat of silence lingered before he cleared his throat and stepped forward, hand outstretched.

"Hello," he offered, voice stiff but steady. "I’m Eren. I was looking for Medic Alayne when, uh..." He faltered, leaving the rest unsaid.

The woman hesitated, then placed her hand in his, returning the shake with a faint, careful smile.

"I’m Shaula. Nice to meet you, Eren."

Her hand lingered in his for a moment before slipping free, a calm smile touching her lips as she stepped a little closer.

"And... if you’re looking for Miss Alayne..." Shaula’s gaze drifted past him, toward the line of trees where the forest swallowed the view beyond. "She should be near the fountain." She hesitated, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. "We haven’t seen her since breakfast. She didn’t allow anyone to follow."

The calm smile faltered, a flicker of disappointment crossing her face at the mention of Alayne.

Eren lifted a hand, gesturing toward the trees. "Then shall we go, find her?"

"But..." Shaula began, her eyes flicking up toward him.

"No need," Eren cut in gently. "I think I know why she’s angry—at least to some extent."

He smiled, and that was enough. Shaula’s expression brightened, as she nodded. "Alright."

They moved together into the forest, the path narrowing beneath twisted vines and overgrowth. Eren kept his hand out for her—incase, steadying her whenever the ground turned uneven.

At last the trees thinned, and the fountain appeared, a pool of clear water spilling over mossy stone. Shaula pointed ahead. "There."

And there she was—Alayne. Perched on a rock at the water’s edge, tossing stones that rippled across the surface.

Eren called out. "Alayne!"

Her head snapped up, eyes flashing with sudden light—only to dim just as quickly when she saw him... and the woman clinging to his hand. Her gaze dropped back to the water. Another stone fell from her fingers, sending fresh ripples racing outward.

Eren stepped up beside her, following the trail of scattered stones that led to the fountain. He reached out and gave her shoulder a light tap."Alayne."

She didn’t look at him. Another pebble slipped from her fingers, breaking the water’s calm, as it fell on the side-puddle with a ripple."What is it?" Her voice was low, etched with displeasure.

Eren hesitated, scratching at his chin, searching for words.

But—before he could find them—Shaula’s voice broke in."This boy was looking for you, Miss Alayne. I brought him here."

Shaula kept her smile steady, expecting Alayne to return it. Instead, Alayne turned, eyes narrowing into a glare."Alright. You can go now." Her voice dropped low, firm.

Both Eren and Shaula froze, caught off guard by the sudden bite in her tone. Shaula’s smile faltered for only a heartbeat before she forced it back into place."...Alright."

She slipped her hand free of Eren’s, the warmth of her touch fading as she stepped away.

Alayne watched her go in silence, eyes lingering, until Shaula’s figure disappeared down the path—her voice trailing behind in a faint hum of song as she made her way back to camp.

Eren’s mouth clamped shut, silenced by Alayne’s earlier tone. He stayed rooted where he was, unsure of what to say.

Alayne’s eyes followed Shaula until the woman disappeared from sight. Only then did she turn—her gaze snapping to Eren.

Eren’s breath hitched. Alayne rose to her feet, eyes locking onto his with a glare that pinned him in place. He felt his chest tighten, his mind scrambling for something—anything—to say.

Oh Goddess... save me, just this once. I’ll—I’ll—

His thoughts broke apart, reeling, scattering—until no offer he could make kicked his mind.

I’ll fuck you.

"Fuck you." Yes—that was the only thing that came into Eren’s mind. And, guess what? it worked.

Just a heartbeat ago—Alayne, who had been glaring at him like she’d rip him apart—without a word, dropped down, to her knees.

Eren flinched, startled by her reaction, as she, yanked down on his trousers in a single, fluid motion. His cock, still tucked tight against his thigh, sprang loose—already swelling with each breath she took.

"Oh, how much I’ve missed you," she gasped, rubbing her face along the sweaty, long girth, breath hot against his skin.

Her hand closed around it—barely. The thickness—now stretching beyond her control.

Her eyes went wide, lips parting, saliva gathering at the corner of her mouth.

"The thickness..." she tried to say, but the words broke apart into a moan.

She’d already opened her mouth—wider and bigger—swallowing him whole, lips sealing, throat gurgling as her tongue worked in relentless pleasure.

Meanwhile, Shaula pushed past the overgrowth, leaving the forest behind and stepping back into camp.

The air inside the camp was restless. Soldiers hurried through the rows of tents, colliding and weaving around one another, their movements sharp, frantic—like ants disturbed from their hill.

"Huh?" Shaula slowed, watching them scatter, confusion tightening her chest.

"What’s happening here?" she called out, grabbing the sleeve of a soldier as he rushed past.

But he only shook her off, too intent on his task to answer, boots pounding as he disappeared into the frenzy.

Shaula, still lost in her confusion, moved through the rushing bodies, searching for anyone who might explain the frenzy. Then she caught sight of Bavrik. Velira and Mira flanked him, both wearing the same anxious look.

Bavrik pushed toward her, hands outstretched, urgency written across his face."Have you seen Alayne?" His breath came ragged, as though the thought had just struck him in a sudden.

Shaula blinked, snapping out of her daze."Yes... I do."

Only after her answer did Bavrik exhale, a long breath of relief."Haa... alright."

He slowed his steps, straightening his back as he tugged a folded piece of paper from his pocket."She’s fine, then?" he asked.

Shaula nodded.

"Mmm... good." Bavrik’s hum carried both relief and fatigue. "She’s always had that habit—wandering off, keeping to herself." He held the paper out toward Shaula with a small gesture. "In that case, could you give this to her for me?"

Shaula, after a brief pause of thought, gave a nod. "Alright."

She turned— about to leave, but before she could even take a step forth, another voice rose from behind the commander. Mira, a hand pressed to her chest, called out, her tone edged with worry.

"Wait—umm, Miss?"

"Shaula," Velira supplied quickly.

"Yes, Miss Shaula. Have you seen Eren too?" Mira asked.

Shaula hesitated, thoughts flickering, before answering. "Yes. He should be with Miss Alayne by now."

"Alright." Mira’s gaze lingered, but she said no more.

Without another word, Shaula turned and hurried back toward the fountain—unaware of what she was about to walk into.