Later that day, towards the evening, Odesse wandered through the palace compound, her steps leading her to the stables. As she approached, she saw Eryx seated, his gaze fixed downward.
"Eryx," she called softly.
He looked up, and the moment their eyes met, he sprang to his feet and pulled her into a tight hug. Odesse's eyes widened in surprise, but a smile quickly spread across her face.
"I was worried, Odesse," he said, his voice laced with concern. "What is up with you and fainting like that?"
Odesse shook her head lightly. "It wasn't my intention," she said, brushing off the worry.
"Are you okay now?" Eryx asked, his brow furrowing slightly.
She nodded, smiling reassuringly. "Yes, I am." Then, leaning closer, she teased, "Did you miss me?"
Eryx's face stiffened. "No, I didn't. I was just… worried," he said, trying to keep his tone casual.
Odesse smirked, stepping closer to him. "You liar. You love me."
Eryx coughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck. "What…? Are you crazy? Me? Love you? Never."
"Okay, okay, sheesh," Odesse said, waving her hand playfully. "I was joking."
Eryx let out a relieved, albeit slightly embarrassed chuckle. Odesse wandered over to touch one of the horses, her fingers gliding over its soft mane.
"Um… Odesse?" Eryx called softly.
She turned to look at him. "Yeah?"
He scratched his neck, looking a little sheepish. "We could… go check out the city tomorrow… together?"
Odesse's smile faltered slightly, sadness flickering in her eyes. "Oh… Master Valex already said he was going to take me tomorrow."
Eryx's shoulders slumped slightly, and a shadow of disappointment crossed his face. "Oh… okay then," he said softly.
She stepped closer and gently touched his arm. "Don't be sad," she said, her tone teasing but warm.
He straightened immediately, trying to hide his disappointment. "I'm not sad. I have other things to do tomorrow," he said defensively. "I just… wanted to say that so you'd get off my back."
Odesse smirked and ruffled his hair playfully. "Okay… Mr. Don't-Care." She turned to leave the stables.
"Where are you going?" Eryx called after her.
"I'm just walking around," she said over her shoulder. "My head feels a bit heavy, so I need some cool breeze to feel light. You can walk with me if you want... I think you need it too."
Eryx hesitated, then nodded. "Okay then… I'm coming."
As they walked side by side through the palace gardens, Odesse glanced at him with a teasing smile. "You are really dramatic, Eryx."
He met her gaze, his eyes soft and warm, filled with an intensity reserved only for someone he truly cared for. A gentle smile tugged at his lips, and the two continued walking.
In the Silverclaw Pack, Malrik rode through the dense forest on his horse, the hooves pounding against the cold ground. The air was sharp, the trees towering above like silent judges. He eventually reached a small, crooked hut hidden between two ancient oaks.
Malrik dismounted, scanned the surroundings, and marched toward the hut. He knocked twice. The door creaked open on its own, slow and eerie, and he stepped inside.
"Elder Elias," Malrik called.
From the back room, an old man appeared. His skin was pale and wrinkled with age, folding over itself like old parchment. He held a steaming cup in one hand.
"Oh, King Malrik," the elder said, settling himself onto a wooden chair. "To what do I owe your visit?"
He gestured to the opposite seat. "Take a seat."
Malrik sat, restless and irritated. "Elder, there is a problem. A big one."
The elder took a sip of tea. "Do you want some tea?"
"No," Malrik snapped. "Did you not hear me? I said there is a problem."
Elias smiled, calm, almost annoyingly so. "And what might that be?"
Malrik leaned forward. "This girl… Odesse. She is the problem."
The elder repeated the name slowly. "Odesse… Odesse…" His eyes drifted shut as he began muttering under his breath. "Odesse of pale skin… hair like silver lining… eyes like sharp frost… heart like an old dagger… Odesse."
Malrik stared at him, confusion growing. "What are you saying?"
Elias kept smiling, eyes still closed. When he finally opened them, his voice was soft. "I warned you about this, your highness. There is not much more that I can do."
Malrik shot up from his chair, anger flaring. "What? How dare you say that? Might I remind you that I am your king? If I sever your head right now, no wolf would ever know."
The elder's smile changed, turning dry and sharp, almost taunting. "You are aware that if you kill me, you would die by your own sword, your highness."
Malrik's anger faltered into frustration. "What do I do now? That girl will ruin everything. Who is she, and why does she have the mark?"
Elias stood, slowly and deliberately. He placed his cup on the table and walked to a tall shelf lined with ancient books. After searching for a moment, he pulled out a thick, dusty tome.
He handed it to Malrik.
"What is this?" Malrik asked.
"Everything you need to know about the Moon Goddess," Elias replied.
Malrik scoffed. "I do not want to know about the Moon Goddess. I want that girl gone. Killed. Removed once and for all."
The elder returned to his chair. "That book will clear your doubt."
Malrik tightened his grip on the book. "I came here for solutions, not more complications."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and stomped out of the hut, slamming the door behind him.
Elder Elias leaned back and looked up at the ceiling. His lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. He closed his eyes.
"Things are about to get more interesting," he whispered.
Malrik swung himself onto his horse with a sharp, angry motion. His jaw tightened as he looked down at the book resting in his hands. The cover was a deep marine blue, almost shimmering under the faint light filtering through the trees.
At the center was the image of a woman. She looked almost alive. Silver hair flowed down her back like strands of moonlight. Her skin was pale, smooth, untouched by age. Her eyes were carved in a cold, piercing frost-blue that seemed to stare straight through him. On her chest, a dagger was tattooed, flames coiling around the blade like living fire.
Malrik froze. His anger quieted just enough for something else to slip in.
Recognition.
"This woman…" he murmured. He reached out and brushed his thumb across the illustration as if confirming the shape of her face. "She looks familiar."
The horse beneath him shifted, but Malrik barely noticed. His eyes stayed locked on the woman on the cover.