At Fenwold

I was shocked. I didn’t say anything, I just carried Elias inside and quickly called for Liora. She

noticed how badly Elias was crying and immediately asked what happened. I explained

everything to her, and she whispered urgently,

“We have to leave Fenwold at all cost, or else

we’ll be doomed.

”

I was scared, but I told her quietly,

“I think I know where we can go.

”

Without wasting time, Liora and I packed our things along with the children. We weren’t ready to

face the commotion that was coming.

Minutes later, the people of Fenwold, the Ironclaw wolves, used sticks to surround our house.

Liora’s face went pale.

“This means danger. By morning they’ll take us to the Master’s house for

questioning.

”

Fear filled my children’s eyes, and I tried to comfort them.

have to escape.

”

“By midnight, we’ll leave. We’ll just

When the clock struck midnight, I woke Liora. She carried Elara, while I held Elias. Both of us

balanced what little belongings we could take. We kept our eyes sharp. Everywhere was lonely

and quiet until we slipped out of Fenwold and reached the forest.

But instead of continuing, we stopped, Elias and Elara were too tired and wanted to sleep. I

cleared a small space near a tree so they could rest their heads. Soon Liora dozed off as well,

but I stayed awake, keeping watch.

Deep down, I longed to see my father. Though we were never close, I had serious questions for

him. And Damien… leaving him only made me realize how much more I loved him. I missed him

so much it hurt.

By morning, everyone was awake again, and we resumed our journey. Liora had forgotten the

way to Lupinia, but I hadn’t. My focus was on keeping Elias and Elara safe.

At Lupinia

Damien had been in the old house for two days. Finally, he knew he had to go out, find work,

and figure out how to survive. Before leaving, he pressed the button on the necklace and

whispered:

“Mama, I’m in Lupinia. I’m safe. Just wanted to tell you… take care, Mama. Bye.

”

Stepping outside, Damien wasn’t afraid. That’s when he met Victoria. The moment she laid eyes

on him, she fell in love. She stared at him with so much affection that she didn’t even hear a

word he said.

“

…Hey? Hey, um, can you hear me?” Damien asked.

Victoria blinked and shook her head, realizing he had been talking.

“Yeah, yeah. Um, I have fish

and berries. What exactly do you want?” She kept staring at him like she was lost in a dream.

Damien frowned slightly.

“Umm, I’m good. I was asking if there was a job I could find.

”

Victoria sighed.

“Sir Fenris has been arrested for over three years now. You can’t really join the

warrior team, their leader has no heart, so I wouldn’t advise it. Mrs. Jennifer only hires young

girls, so that’s out too. You’re a… well, a handsome wolf, but as a man, yeah, you’ll have to

pass. I suggest you go to the Alpha’s house and apply as a guard. I hope you pass.

”

Damien thanked her, but as he walked away he muttered to himself,

a guard? Are these the only jobs here? Vulfen was way better.

”

“Should I really apply to be

At Vulfen

Clara came home earlier than usual, feeling weak. She saw Damien’s message through the

necklace and listened closely. With a faint smile, she pressed the button and replied:

“Damien, it seems like you’re doing fine. But remember, press that button if you need me,

alright? Love you.

”

Back at Lupinia

Two days later, Damien made up his mind. He went to the Alpha’s house to apply for the job.

That’s where he met Dora, who surprisingly guided him through the process.

“I don’t know why, but I feel like I’ll get along with you,

” she said.

“I have a gift. Even if you wear

lenses, I know you’re not a Bloodmoon wolf. But don’t worry. I’ll help you get the job. We can

even be friends. No one needs to know you’re Darkpine.

”

Damien froze.

“How did she find out? Didn’t I put the lens in properly?” he thought.

As if she heard him, Dora smiled.

“Don’t worry, you placed it well. Now go on. You can leave.

”

Still shocked, Damien left the Alpha’s house, whispering to himself,

“I hope she’s the only one

who knows.

”

Later, he pressed his button and told his mother about the strange girl he had met.

Meanwhile, Victoria ran to Dora, gushing about Damien.

“He’s everything I want in a man. You

should’ve seen him, so tall, so dark. I wish the goddess would make him my mate this year.

”

Dora shook her head.

“Keep dreaming, Victoria. Remember, he might even be taken.

”

“He doesn’t look taken to me,

” Victoria insisted.

Dora sighed.

“Well, whatever happens, the Goddess decides. Not us.

”

Selena’s Return to Lupinia

We finally arrived at Lupinia. My feelings were mixed, relief, fear, and hope all at once. At least I

would see my father again, and maybe finally get answers.

Liora glanced around.

arranged, prettier.

”

“Nothing has really changed. But… the buildings look newer, more

I smiled faintly.

“Come on, kids. Let’s go see Papa. Like… my dad,

” I added jokingly.

They laughed, and I felt joy bloom in my chest at the sight of their happiness.

But Elara soon frowned.

anything bad.

”

“Mommy, why are we hiding to see your papa? You’re not doing

I hesitated.

“Umm, no. We just have to be safe, that’s all.

”

Elara and Elias exchanged a knowing look, the kind that said we know Mom’s lying.

I stayed silent as we finally reached my father’s house. The door was wide open. The rooms

were empty. On Thursdays, my father never went out.

A chill spread through me.

And then, I saw something.

Something that made my blood run cold.