The air was filled with the growls of wolves and the angry roars of a colossal bear. Outside Tristan's hut, a fierce battle was unfolding. The wolves had surrounded the bear, snapping and lunging, trying to keep it at bay. The bear thrashed wildly, swiping its massive claws, throwing wolves aside like ragdolls. Blood stained the snow where one of the wolves had already fallen, injured by the beast.
Inside the hut, the princess heard the commotion and peeked out of the window. Her eyes widened when she saw the injured wolf on the ground, its crimson blood staining the pure white snow. She gasped in horror when she realized it wasn't just any wolf—it was a pup. Ignoring the danger, she grabbed a bandage and some ointment from her dress and hobbled out of the hut toward the injured creature.
As she knelt beside the pup, its small body shivered in the cold. The princess cleaned its wounds with care, applying the ointment and wrapping the bandage tightly around its leg. The pup squealed but nestled into her lap, seeking warmth and comfort. Just as she cradled the injured wolf, the bear let out a furious roar. It flung a tree in her direction, its massive strength sending the trunk hurtling through the air.
The princess barely had time to react. She ducked, narrowly avoiding the tree, but the roots grazed her neck, leaving a deep cut. She winced, holding her hand to the wound as blood trickled down. The bear, noticing her now, began to charge in her direction.
The colossal bear's severed arm fell beside the princess with a heavy thud, startling her awake. She had closed her eyes, bracing for what she thought was her final moment. When she opened them, the sight before her was shocking. Tristan stood over the beast, his dagger buried deep in its throat. A small cut marred his cheek, blood slowly trickling down, but he seemed unfazed. His eyes met hers, and for a moment, the world went still. Her heart pounded wildly as he approached, every step sending her pulse racing.
Tristan knelt beside her, his face close enough that she could feel his breath. "Are you alright?" His voice was soft but carried concern. "You're not hurt, are you?"
The princess, shaken but trying to steady her voice, muttered, "No... not at all."
Tristan gave her a look of disbelief, shaking his head slightly. "You're not very good at lying." Without warning, he gently brushed her hair aside, revealing a thin cut on her neck from the tree that had been flung in the bear's attack.
She pulled away, sitting up quickly. "I'm okay," she insisted, but her eyes betrayed her discomfort.
It was then that Tristan noticed the wolf pup cradled in her arms, whimpering softly from its injuries. "Is this why you risked yourself?" he asked, glancing at the pup.
She nodded, holding it tighter. The Alpha wolf came bounding from its position, inspecting the pup, licking it with concern. The pup whimpered again, curling closer to the princess for protection. Tristan reached out to take it, but it pulled away, snuggling further into her arms.
"It seems the pup's grown fond of you," Tristan remarked, his voice carrying a faint amusement.
"I suppose so," she replied softly.
"Consider it a gift from me and my pack," Tristan said, his tone now more serious. "You can't stay here anymore. The king has ordered a search party like i had said earlier, and if they find out you're here... well, I doubt they'd be kind to anyone harboring you."
"But I don't want to go," she protested, her voice carrying a tone of defiance.
"You have to," Tristan responded firmly. "It's not safe here anymore."
"You can't make me leave!" she snapped, her frustration boiling over. But before she could argue further, Tristan scooped her up effortlessly, carrying her towards the hut.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly, cleaning and bandaging the cut on her neck before setting her down. Exhausted from the encounter, the princess soon drifted into a deep sleep.
When she awoke, she found herself wrapped in the familiar coat from the wrecked carriage, tucked securely in Tristan's arms. They were on the wild horse, galloping through the forest with the Alpha wolf running beside them, a basket in its mouth carrying the injured pup. The steady rhythm of the horse's hooves lulled her, but the speed of the ride soon startled her into alertness.
She tightened her arms around Tristan's neck instinctively. "Could we... slow down?" she whispered, her voice tinged with unease.
Tristan, feeling her grip, nodded. "Of course." He slowed the horse's pace, making the ride more gentle, and the princess relaxed into him, secretly enjoying the closeness.
As they emerged from the forest and neared a small village, curious eyes turned toward them. The sight of the princess, recognized by her distinct cloak, riding with a mysterious man caught everyone's attention.
"Isn't that the princess?"
"Who's that with her?"
"Why would she be with a man like him?"
The whispers followed them all the way to the capital, where the castle gates were already opened in anticipation of their arrival. The horse slowed as they dismounted, but when the princess tried to walk, she winced in pain, her sprained ankle making movement difficult.
"Here," Tristan said, without hesitation. "Let me help." He lifted her effortlessly once more, carrying her up the castle stairs. The Alpha wolf followed closely behind, the basket still strapped to its back, and the pup peeking out curiously.
Inside the throne room, the king had been on the verge of executing the captain of the guard for failing to find his daughter. His sword was poised when Tristan entered, carrying the princess in his arms. The king's expression shifted from fury to shock as he dropped the blade, rushing over to them.
"My daughter!" the king exclaimed, pulling her into his arms. But the princess gently slipped out of his grasp and squatted beside the Alpha wolf. The pup, now free from its basket, darted into her arms, nuzzling her affectionately. The king stared in disbelief.
"Is that... the Alpha wolf?" he asked, recognizing the creature from legends past. His gaze shifted back to Tristan. "Who are you?"
"I am a simple man of the forest, your majesty," Tristan replied, bowing slightly. "My name is Tristan."
"Tristan... you have my deepest thanks for returning my daughter," the king said, though his eyes studied Tristan warily.
Tristan nodded. "I ask only for one thing in return." He reached into his pocket, pulling out a piece of paper. "This crest—can you tell me where it's from?"
The king's face hardened as he recognized the symbol. "That's the crest of the Lutcharin Kingdom. They are powerful neighbors with whom we've recently brokered peace... through a marriage alliance." His gaze flicked to his daughter, but Tristan's expression remained unreadable.
"I see," Tristan replied. "Thank you for the information." With a respectful bow, he turned to leave, the Alpha wolf padding silently at his side.
Later that evening, the castle was alive with celebration. The king had arranged a grand feast for his daughter's safe return. The nobles and royal family gathered, raising their goblets in a toast.
"To my daughter's safety!" the king announced proudly, and the room echoed with cheers. But amidst the laughter and joy, a noble asked, "Your majesty, how exactly did the princess leave the palace?"
The king's face darkened as he recounted the tale. "She was on a tour of the kingdom with an escort from King Orson of Lutcharin... but the escort turned on her. It was Tristan who saved her from certain death."
The princess excused herself from the gathering soon after, her thoughts clouded. She took the wolf pup, now named Rex, to her room and sat by the open window, stroking his fur as he lay content in her lap. Outside, she caught sight of a horse, galloping swiftly through the dark streets, Tristan's figure barely visible in the night. A small smile tugged at her lips as she watched him disappear into the distance.