Valex watched Odesse as she danced, smirking at the sight of her graceful smile. Suddenly, a man approached from behind Valex's seat; it was Kael, who leaned in to whisper something. Valex nodded and stood up gracefully. While the crowd was distracted by the dancers, Valex turned to a soldier nearby and instructed him, "Watch over Odesse. Do not let her out of your sight." The soldier nodded in response, saying, "Yes, sir."
Valex returned his gaze to Odesse, who was still dancing, and smiled. Kael noticed this and Valex turned to him with a malicious smirk. "Let's go," he said, walking ahead while Kael followed closely behind. They ventured into the darkening forest, where the moon began to rise.
In the shadows, they found a man, beaten and tied up, looking as though he were on the verge of death, surrounded by four soldiers. Valex approached him, kneeling to examine his face. "So, you are the spy who has been infiltrating my kingdom without fear these past few days," Valex remarked. He took a glove from Kael and wore it on his right hand, then lifted the man's chin to inspect the damage. "You guys really beat him to a pulp," he chastised his soldiers. "I don't think he looks human anymore, but I am disappointed" The soldiers appeared surprised, and Valex added, "You didn't break any of his fingers." Their eyes widened in fear.
Standing up straight, Valex asked, "Has he said anything?" Kael responded, "No, sir. He has refused to talk. We don't know which kingdom sent him." Valex sighed in frustration. "He hasn't spoken, but we did find a claw badge on his vest." Kael handed the badge to Valex, who smiled as he looked up at the moon. "Brother..." he whispered, then returned his attention to the spy. "Now, tell me why my brother sent you to spy on my pack. Is it the girl he wants?" He tilted his head menacingly.
The spy remained silent, looking down and saying nothing. Valex's unsettling smile widened as he continued, "Okay, you won't talk. Get me the knife, Kael." Kael reached into his pocket and retrieved a knife from a black leather bag—a blade sharp enough to glint in the moonlight. Valex took the knife and rubbed his finger along the blade, cutting himself. As blood gushed from his finger, he looked at the man and said, "See how sharp it is? Last chance: tell me what my brother is planning, or your fingers won't be here with you anymore."
The man looked up defiantly. "Over my dead body will I betray my pack." Valex smiled, leaning closer. "You have three children—a boy and two girls, right? Your daughters are ripe for marriage, are they not? Old men to whom you owe money are coming for their hands in marriage, so you can settle your debts. Your wife is sick, and your son is useless; he only drinks and rapes girls. You are in deep debt." The man was in shock upon hearing all this.
Valex bent down again and tightened his grip on the man's jaw. "If you do not want your entire family to die tonight..." he warned, "you will tell me what Malrik is planning this instant. You are a filthy human who doesn't deserve my presence. How dare you enter my pack?" The man begged, "Please, do not hurt my family. I beg you. You call me a filthy human, but aren't you a king over humans?"
Valex replied, "My people live in good conditions; they do not need to resort to such useless acts like this. I do not hate my people; I hate people like you who do not know their place and aspire to things beyond their power—filthy."
He raised the knife close to the man's face, blood continuing to flow from his own cut. "Talk now," Valex commanded. The man, trembling, finally relented. "Okay, I'll talk." Valex released him and stood tall. "Now, begin."
The man hesitantly confessed, "King Malrik sent me here to spy on the human girl. I have been living amongst you for a week, collecting orders from the palace. But today, I received an order to return tomorrow; there was no need for further spying because a new plan had been prepared."
Valex prompted, "What plan?" The spy responded, "King Malrik is planning to inform the high chief about the human girl and also the council of elders in the top chair. He knows that once they receive this information, your power will be stripped from you."
Kael looked at Valex and said, "Sire, what shall we do?" Valex replied, "Has he told them about it?" The spy answered, "I'm sure he has." Valex looked up at the moon and sighed, "What a time to be alive." He turned to Kael and stretched out his hands. Kael handed Valex a sword as he moved closer to the spy.
The spy, trembling with fear, asked, "Now will you let me go?" Valex smiled and said, "I won't hurt your family, but you see, your life is already worthless and not needed. Your family is a waste of care, so why live in a world like this?" The man replied, "What… no, no, please!"
Valex tilted his head and bent down. "What would you have done if you had gotten hold of Odesse?" The spy's voice shook as he stammered, "I…I was ordered to kill her and send her head to your palace." Valex straightened up, tightening his jaw, his eyes looking menacing. He turned his back on the man as he pleaded, "Please, let me—"
In a swift motion, Valex turned sharply and sliced the man's head off. The body fell, the head rolling away, blood spilling. Valex commanded, "Send his head to the Silverclaw Palace immediately." The soldiers packed the body, buried it in the forest, and tied the head in a bag.
Kael then asked Valex, "Sire, what are we going to do about this? They could arrive at any time if the news reaches them." Valex smirked, looking at the moon as tears rolled down his cheeks. He smiled maniacally and said, "Oh Kael, things are finally getting interesting," whispering Odesse's name several times.
Kael stared at him in fear, thinking about how this man had gone absolutely mad over a human, even putting his role on the line.
Kael looks at Valex and says, "Sire, how did you find out about the spy family?" Valex looks at Kael and replies, "Let's just say it was a good guess," smirking with an evil glint in his eyes. Kael stood there, watching Valex, who was still gazing at the moon.
Meanwhile, at a party that seemed to have ended, as people were going home, Odesse was asking a soldier, "Where is Master Valex, and why won't you let me look for him?" The soldier remained silent, only saying, "Please do not leave; it was an order." Odesse looked sad, pouting and looking down.
Just then, a hand wrapped around her waist. She turned in shock to see Valex smiling and saying, "I told you not to make that expression for anyone else." Odesse replied, "Master Valex!" and hugged him tightly.
"I was looking for you," she said. He responded, "Oh, I'm sorry I troubled you and kept you waiting. Shall we go back to the palace now?" Odesse nodded.
Kael, who stood beside Valex, thought to himself, He looks so different now all because of a human girl.
A carriage was brought for them. As they entered, Odesse sat beside Valex, who placed his hands on her lap. She blushed, but suddenly, black blood began to stream down her face. She touched her face and quickly wiped it away, looking scared as she glanced at Valex, who seemed to be gazing outside. She smiled, but it flickered uncertainly.