Chapter 403: The Wolf Beneath the Crown
Sophia stared.
Where Orion had stood only seconds ago, a massive wolf now occupied the snow-dusted clearing — silver and black fur rippling with quiet power, shoulders broad and imposing, eyes bright with sharp intelligence. A crescent-shaped marking glinted faintly against his forehead, catching the pale winter light like a fragment of moonlight carved into flesh.
For a heartbeat, Sophia forgot how to breathe.
"So… I'm finally meeting you, officially," she murmured softly, awe slipping into her voice before she could stop it.
Noctis's ears twitched.
Then, slowly, he lowered his massive head in a formal bow.
Sophia's lips curved into a small, genuine smile.
She took a careful step forward, boots crunching against the snow. The cold air bit at her cheeks, but the warmth radiating from Noctis's body was unmistakable, steady and grounding, like standing beside a living hearth.
