EPISODE 10%
Valor’s pack wasn’t exactly far from Ronan’s, but it wasn’t close either. We had to cross two mountain ranges and a wide, fast–moving river just to get here, and because we weren’t moving very fast, it had taken us three full days of travel by foot.
My body ached in places I didn’t know could ache, and my boots were stained with dried mud, but the moment I saw the gates of the pack grounds, I felt something close to relief settling in my chest.\
It was already midday when we arrived. The sun hung high above us, its heat softened by the forest breeze, and the pack was already bustling with life.
Children ran barefoot on the grass, chasing each other with shrieks of laughter, while adults carried baskets of food, cleaned weapons, and shouted out friendly greetings to one another.
As we entered the heart of the pack, a tall, elderly man stepped forward to meet us. His hair was completely white, but he held himself with strength that reminded me instantly of Valor. Their resemblance was unmistakable. He must be family.
“Did you find the cub?” The man asked immediately, not even sparing me a glance at first. His voice was rough, full of worry, and his eyes searched Valor’s face like he was afraid of the answer.
Just then, a small bark broke through the air.
I was walking a few steps behind Valor, holding the young wolf pup carefully in my arms, and the moment it heard that familiar voice, it let out a happy yelp and began wriggling against my chest.
Valor turned his head just as the old man did. Their gazes fell on me and more importantly, on the squirming pup in my arms. I suddenly felt very self–conscious under the weight of their attention. The pup didn’t wait. With a little huff, it twisted out of my grip, landed on the ground, and bolted toward the old man, tail wagging.§
“Little rascal!” The old man dropped to his knees and caught the pup mid–leap, hugging it tight. His entire expression softened with joy and relief. “You scared us, you know that? Running off like that without telling anyone. Look at you, covered in dirt…”
The surrounding crowd erupted into murmurs and laughter. Some of the adults scolded the pup gently for running off, others cooed at it like it was the pack’s most prized possession.
It was… a little overwhelming.
Valor walked back to my side, his face unreadable for a moment. Then he glanced at me and said, “You’re probably wondering why everyone’s acting like this over a single cub.“}
I hadn’t been, honestly. But now that he brought it up, I tilted my head and gave him a curious look.
“Yeah, actually. Who is that pup? Why is everyone acting like he’s royalty?”
“Because he is,” Valor said simply, hands behind his back as he watched the reunion continue. “That cub is the son of the Great Wolf.“> The name didn’t ring a bell. I frowned slightly, and Valor seemed to notice the confusion on my face. He chuckled quietly, like he’d expected that reaction.
“What?” I asked, a little defensive. “You’re laughing at me?“>
“Not at you,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s just… I forget how little you know of how the council works. The Great Wolf is the guardian of the council. He’s not like us. He can’t shift into human form. He was born a wolf and remains one. Some say he was blessed directly by the Moon Goddess herself.“{\
My lips parted slightly in surprise. “So… he’s like a divine protector?”
“Exactly,” Valor said. “And he only serves the Council. Our pack is responsible for helping the guardians when needed. So, having his son gɔ missing… It wasn’t just a crisis. It was almost a declaration of war.”
That hit harder than I expected. I stared at the little cub, who was now happily getting licked by several adult wolves, completely unaware of how close he had brought everyone to disaster. And I’d just stumbled across him by accident in the woods.
“I didn’t know he was that important,” I murmured.
Valor turned his head slightly. “Do you remember finding him?“}
“I do,” I said after a pause. “I remember seeing him in the forest, all alone. I picked him up because I was worried… but I don’t remember what I was doing there in the first place.”
I scratched my head in frustration. “It’s all just… blank.“}]
Valor let out a light laugh, though it wasn’t mocking. “We should have the shaman look at your memory. Maybe he can help you unlock what’s missing.“%
Before I could respond, the old man who had first greeted us stepped forward again. This time, he was looking directly at me, and something about the way his eyes studied my face made me straighten my back. There was a silence between us, thick and questioning. “Is she your fated mate?” he asked Valor suddenly.
I blinked. “What?”
My mouth opened, then closed, then opened again. “Oh–nol I’m not… I’m not Valor’s mate. He just found me out there in the woods. He saved me.“T
Valor sighed dramatically beside me. “She’s telling the truth. She’s not my mate, Father. Don’t start this again.”
The old man frowned, clearly not convinced. “I’m only asking. You bring a young woman into the heart of our pack, and the moment I see
her-
Tm not interested in being set up,” Valor cut in, his tone firm but respectful. “There’s a complicated case involving Bella. She can’t return
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to her pack for now. I offered her safety here.”
His father nodded slowly, though the lines on his face suggested that his thoughts weren’t settled. “If you say so.”
Valor rolled his eyes and leaned toward me, whispering just loud enough for me to hear, “Don’t mind him. He tries to match me with every female that crosses into this pack.”
“I heard that,” the old man muttered, crossing his arms. “I’m just worried. You’re not getting any younger, you know. Most men your age are already expecting their second child.“N
“I’ve got a pack to run,” Valor replied dryly. “I don’t have time to chase love.”
The old man scoffed and turned to me again, but this time, his gaze had softened. “Well, I’m not as worried anymore,” he said gently. “Now that I’ve seen her.“N
Valor narrowed his eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
The old man didn’t answer right away. Instead, he pointed between us, his finger steady and sure.
“I can see it,” he said in a low voice. “The red string of fate. It’s there. Whether you two see it yet or not… it’s already tied.“}]
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Red string of fate?%
