LOGINORVAX'S POV The camp stirs before the first signs of sunrise begin to peek out of the clouds. We all speak in hushed tones, no one speaks too loudly, even the horses seem to sense the change in the air.Elira helps Menodora gather what little belongings she has…a folded cloak that one of the kind women in the territory gifted to her, the comb that the other stranger; that I just realized I haven't seen for a while, gave to her. There's also the small carved wolfe that I had once given to her as a gift on one of the nights I visited her…that night feels like a thousand years ago.Picking up the carving, she turns it over in her hands, probably thinking the same thing I am, before slipping it carefully into her satchel, a small unconscious smile playing on her lips. I watch her from my spot from across the clearing, she looks entirely spent, like a battery drained to a critical percentage.The tiredness isn't just physical alone though, beneath all that physical exhaustion is a spirit
ORVAX'S POV Silence, an invisible blanket spun from the fibers of twilight and fading breath, follows Cassian's declaration. It settles over the clearing like fresh snow, heavy and light at the same time.“It's best we leave now, just before dawn starts to take its hold upon us," he says again, his voice calm and collected in such a way that leaves no room for arguments. "Your territory is no longer safe enough to protect her…from herself and probably the enemies after her.”My eyes are locked on him, refusing to blink, with a gaze that feels almost physical. I'm not just looking at him though, I'm studying him, picking apart every micro-expression, anything that would help me better understand what is going on behind those eyes.The wind shifts through the trees, carrying the scent of the ash from the now dying campfire. Somewhere deep in the forest, I can hear wolves answering one another with distant howls, but even their voice is muted in comparison with the storm brewing in my m
ORVAX'S POV Cassian holds my stare for a long time, both of us locked in an unspoken stare off and neither of us ready to back down for the other. A tired wheeze escapes his lips, his eyes glazing over as he breaks eye contact.“We have said a word that is a lie to you…or to her.”A laugh threatens to bubble out of my throat but I force it back down. “While that may be true, it doesn't change the fact that you have indeed hidden a lot of truths from her.”“I don't know what you're talking about."“Oh, but I highly doubt that is true. You know exactly what I am talking about." Cassian's jaw clenches, a sudden frost creeps into his eyes and he is stripped of all traces of warmth that he might have managed to have before.“You’re right, there are some truths that have been kept away from her.”"Why? Don't you think you're doing more damage to her, hiding the truth away from her like this?”"Some truths are better left where they belong, because they don't wait patiently once they'v
ORVAX'S POV The fire was not supposed to burn silver, especially not the type of silver that looks potent enough to destroy any werewolf without leaving any trace of their essence. I know enough about fires and werewolf lore and the wilds to understand this fact. Flames can dance, they can crackle, they can consume wholly and completely, even burn high enough to reach the heavens…but changing colour just because a frightened girl whispered that she remembered a voice only she could hear? Totally unheard of.Yet, right before my very eyes, the flames burned and shimmered in the colour of liquid moonlight mixed with iron…as if taunting me and everything I believed in. No one moves, our limbs locked in place and pulses hammering in our rigid throats. It is as though a sudden invisible frost has swept through the clearing, turning us from living, breathing people into a bunch of terrified stones. Not even the wind seems to have the courage to disturb the clearing.Across the fire, Cassia
MENODORA'S POV My shout bounces off the sides of the mountains, echoing through the forest and I hear the birds bursting out from the trees, startled by my sudden outburst. From the corner of my eyes, I can see Elira's shoulders hitch towards her ears. A sharp inhale dies in her throat as she coils in on herself.“Yes," she manages weakly. That single word hits me harder than if someone had decided to pick me up and slam me hard into the ground."So you really think I'm dangerous right?” I hate how unsure and vulnerable I sound."I don't think you're dangerous Dora, but you're too powerful and it scares me because we don't know just how powerful you are." I see what she's trying to do, she's going round and round the issue, choosing to beat around the bush instead of giving me straightforward answers.“No, no, don't do that! Stop beating around the question. You know that's not what I asked and that's not the answer I want from you!" “And what do you want from me? You want me to ad
MENODORA'S POV “Lupa?” I hear Orvax behind me. He sounds unsure of himself and of what my reaction would be. I almost forgot that he came with me.“I think we should head back, it's already getting too late." I know he's right, but a part of me still stubbornly wants to stay behind.“Can't I get another five minutes?" “No lupa. I know you're hungry for information and you want to consume as much as you can get, but what happens when it gets too much for you to handle?" “I know my…" I start to say but he raises a finger to stop me from speaking any further.“I know what you're going to say and while you may think you know your limits, you don't seem to mind pushing it to see how far you get before you finally break." I hate that he is right…I hate that he can read me so easily…it's just frustrating.“Okay…fine” I make a show of huffing a breath to let him know I'm not happy with his decision but I'd go with it nonetheless.“That's my girl." I can hear the laughter in his voice as
MENODORA'S POV The silence that follows after I take that single step towards Orvax feels even louder than any argument that has ensued here today. It wasn't something I had planned to do beforehand, but somehow watching Orvax stand there, subdued by the words of his father, I found myself standin
MENODORA'S POV “Well…well…well,” he says smoothly, “just look at you, surviving longer than I expected." Every muscle in the room locked in a synchronized, rigid panic. For what it is worth, Orvax's face remains an impassive, unreadable mask."I'm sure you're not so happy to see that.”The older
MENODORA'S POV I'm still grappling with the after effects of the realization that settles heavy between my bones when a horn echoes from somewhere below. It drags slowly and deliberately, not as an alarm but maybe a warning or an announcement of an important arrival.Beside me, Orvax stands rigid
MENODORA'S POV Sleep didn't come easy to any one that night. The territory breathed and moved differently after the intruders’ attack. Orvax ordered for the security to be tightened and he seems more on edge, ready to pounce at any time.And the other wolves within the mountain walls, it felt like







