King Philip thought deeply, the weight of his decision clear on his face. After what felt like forever, he finally spoke. "Release Rod from his chains and remove the steel spike collar."
A collective gasp echoed through the hall. General James immediately stepped forward, looking worried and upset.
"Your Majesty, I must object. It is hard to trust Eli with such a dangerous creature. He is just a guest here and we don't even know the place where he comes from." He then turned to Eli, his eyes full of doubt. "How can we trust someone we barely know, especially with someone as dangerous as Rod?"
Eli stood firm, looking General James in the eyes with confidence. "I understand your concerns, General. But Rod didn't choose to be infected. He has shown nothing but determination to control himself and serve the kingdom."
Eli then turned to the king, his voice calm but confident. "Your Majesty, Rod has the potential to be a powerful ally. By giving him this chance, we not only gain his loyalty but also demonstrate our strength and wisdom as leaders. If we cannot trust those who seek to prove themselves, how can we expect loyalty from anyone?"
The room fell silent as Eli's words sank in. General James's face flushed with annoyance, unable to hide his discomfort. King Philip's eyes moved between Eli and General James, the tension in the room thick. The fate of Rod—and the trust in Eli—hung in the balance. While Princess Denise eyes shining with admiration for Eli's courage.
King Philip nodded slowly, then raised his hand, signaling the guards. "Release him."
The guards moved quickly, unlocking the heavy chains that bound Rod's wrists and ankles. The steel spike collar around his neck was the last to be removed, clattering to the floor with a resounding thud. Rod rubbed his wrists, the marks from the chains still visible on his skin.
Rod, though still weak from being shackled, knelt before King Philip, his eyes filled with gratitude and determination. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I promise, You won't regret it."
King Philip looked down at Rod, his expression softening. "Your loyalty will be tested, Rod. Do not fail us."
Rod bowed his head deeply. "I will not, Your Majesty. You have my word."
The sun was setting, casting a warm, golden glow over the castle. After that meeting, Eli was in his quarters, carefully packing supplies for the night ahead. The room was quiet, save for the soft rustling of fabric and the clinking of metal as he placed various items into a leather satchel: foods, bandages, a small dagger, and a flask of water.
As he worked, the door to his chamber was slightly ajar. Princess Denise, passing by, noticed the open door and glanced inside out of curiosity. She saw Eli, deep in thought, meticulously organizing his supplies.
"Planning to run away, Eli?" she asked, stepping into the room with a playful smile.
Startled, Eli turned quickly, almost dropping the flask. He let out a small laugh, shaking his head. "Princess Denise, you surprised me. No, I'm not running away. Just preparing for tonight."
"And what exactly are you preparing for? An adventure without telling me?" she teased.
Eli smiled, appreciating her lightheartedness. "I'm taking Rod into the forest tonight, far from the townspeople. We need to train and see if he can control himself under the full moon. It's crucial for his progress."
"That sounds dangerous. How long will you be gone?"
"As long as it takes. We won't return until Rod can control his urges. It's the only way to ensure he won't be a threat to the kingdom."
Then she noticed the hint of sadness in his eyes. "Don't burden yourself too much, Eli. You're our guest. It's not right for you to be involved in such dangerous situations. I'm sorry for that."
"Nah, it's nothing, Princess. It's just that… spending days without seeing you feels heavy on my heart." Eli fell silent, realizing what he had just said. 'What did I just say?' he thought inwardly. Quickly, he tried to cover up his slip. "I mean, maybe there's a reason I ended up here. This might be part of it."
Princess Denise's eyes widened slightly at his words, but she quickly composed herself, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh? And what about where you came from? Didn't you leave anyone behind who also weighs on your heart?"
Eli paused, caught off guard by her question. He looked at her, a mix of emotions crossing his face. "No, Princess. There's no one waiting for me back home. My heart… it feels lighter here."
Princess Denise's playful smile softened. "Well, then, I suppose we're lucky to have you here. Just be careful out there, Eli."
Eli nodded, giving her a reassuring smile. "I will, Princess. And I promise to come back safe."
As Denise turned to leave, she couldn't help but feel a flutter in her chest. 'Why does he have to make it so difficult to keep my feelings in check?' she thought, shaking her head seemed confused.
————-
Eli and Rod rode their horses through the dense forest, the sun setting behind them and casting long shadows on the path ahead. The air was cool, and the sounds of the forest surrounded them—rustling leaves, distant animal calls, and the steady clop of their horses' hooves.
Eli glanced at Rod, who seemed deep in thought. "How are you holding up, Rod?"
Rod looked up, his expression serious. "I'm ready, Eli. I need to prove I can control this."
Eli nodded, understanding the weight of Rod's words. "We're almost there. I found a clearing deep in the forest. It's far enough from any villages, and it's open enough for you to move freely."
They continued their journey, the forest growing darker as night approached. Finally, they reached the clearing—a wide, open space surrounded by tall trees. The moon was beginning to rise, casting a pale light over the area.
Eli dismounted and tied his horse to a tree, then helped Rod do the same. "This is it. Are you ready?"
Rod took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the rising moon. "Yes. Let's do this."
Before Rod began his transformation, Eli asked, "Rod, how does it feel when you're in lycan form? Can you control your mind?"
Rod hesitated, then spoke quietly. "I've only transformed once. After the shapeshift, I didn't know what happened until I woke up the next morning, naked and covered in blood. I don't remember anything. All I recall is hearing a voice, like someone was commanding me to do something."
Eli's expression grew serious. "A voice? That's concerning. We need to figure out what that means and how to help you control it."
Rod nodded, determination in his eyes. "That's why we're here. I need to understand and control this."
Eli prepared the area, setting up a small campfire and laying out the supplies he had brought.
As the moon climbed higher in the sky, Eli approached Rod with a length of sturdy rope, a playful grin on his face. "Alright, Rod. Time for some precautions. I'm going to tie you up. Don't worry, it's not because I don't trust you—it's just that I'd rather not end up as your midnight snack."
Rod chuckled, appreciating Eli's attempt to lighten the mood. "Fair enough, Eli. Do what you have to do."
Eli tied Rod securely to a large tree, ensuring the knots were tight but not painful. "This should hold you. Remember, focus on staying in control."
Rod's muscles tensed as he felt the familiar pull of the transformation. Eli watched closely, ready to intervene if necessary.