SAVANNAH
I couldn't smell what they were talking about, but of course, he's a far superior species.
"How clever," the housekeeper mused. "Savannah tested the food—it was clean—but when she covered the tray, that blue powder fell onto it."
"Maybe it activates with heat, mixing with the aroma of the food. It would've been impossible for His Majesty to detect it."
Suddenly, there was a commotion. A cook burst through the back door, crying, as a man dragged her by the arm. He threw her to her knees on the cold tile.
I was taken aback by him—not just his enormous size, but the bulging muscles of his arms, which seemed even bigger than Fenrir's. His dark beard and sharp, electric blue eyes only added to his ferocity, as did his bald head. He was clearly one of the guardians.
"My Lord, I've been your cook for many years! How can you believe the accusations of this bitch who only wanted to get into your bed...?!"
"SHUT UP!" Fenrir roared, and I would swear that even the walls shook.
He walked like a rabid wolf toward that woman and grabbed her by the hair, dragging her outside.
"The fact that you've gotten away with this for so many years is what enrages me! How many maidens have you tricked? Do you think playing with innocent lives is a game?"
His furious roars and the woman's desperate pleas echoed outside the palace, fading into the distance.
No one moved. No one spoke. We all stared at the ground. The two accused maidens clung to each other, sobbing.
I jumped in fright when the deathly silence was suddenly broken by a sharp and chilling female scream that cut through the stormy dawn.
I felt a fixed gaze on me, and my eyes settled on the dark corner where the guardian Reece remained; he was watching me.
I didn't have the chance to thank him for saving me—first from the near assault, then from the fall down the ravine, and for helping to find the evidence.
The King's heavy footsteps grew louder as he returned.
"All of you, leave! Servants, too!" he ordered, pointing to the door. Fresh blood stained his body.
"Let this be a lesson to you all—don't dare interfere with my maiden, or your punishment will be much worse!"
I froze when he mentioned me.
The truth was, in my heart, I felt grateful to him.
King Fenrir never had to pretend or deceive me, unlike Ragnar, who lied to my face for his own convenience.
I walked slowly, following the line, imagining that what awaited me outside was not a pleasant sight.
"Savannah, go back to your room! Goliath, come with me!" Fenrir commanded, and I raised my head at his voice.
"Thank you, Your Ma—"
But he was already gone, the giant Lycan following him out. He hadn't even given me time to finish.
He already left through the same door with the other giant Lycan, without giving me any time. 'Rude as always, this wild man,' I thought, but I didn't dare to show any dissatisfaction on my face.
"Thank you, Ma'am," I thanked the housekeeper lady.
"Don't thank me. You escaped this time, Savannah, but I think you've realized by now that you always need to stay on your guard around the King," she warned seriously.
"I'm sorry this happened in my house. It seems they've been spying on you."
And I shuddered at the thought of the cook's seemingly kind face and that someone had been following me in the shadows while I was leaving the castle.
She was right. I can't afford to be so trusting if I want to keep my head on my shoulders.
As I walked back to my room, I turned a corner and caught a glimpse of Guardian Reece walking away.
"Lord," I dared to call out.
He stopped and turned to face me.
"Thank you very much for your help. If you hadn't arrived at the forest at that moment, those men... well, you saw them," I said, lowering my voice even further while staring at my boots.
"You also saved me from the accident. I don't know how to repay you."
I bowed deeply, bending at the waist, and my dark hair fell over my face.
"It's okay, you don't have to be so formal. Stand up," he said softly. "I just did what was right. I'm sorry I didn't believe you at first."
"No, no, you don't need to apologize. You didn't know me. If you ever need my help, I'd be happy to offer it," I said, daring to look up at him for a moment before mentally scolding myself.
What could a powerful Lycan possibly need from me?
"Do you know how to sew?" he asked, catching me off guard.
"Yes," I replied, confused.
"Then I'll trouble you with some repairs. I have a few tunics I'm fond of, but they're torn, and I don't want to throw them out." He smiled warmly, and I found myself grinning like an idiot in return.
"Of course. I'd be happy to help."
"Great, Savannah. I'll bring them to you later."
"But... to my room, not His Majesty's quarters," I quickly added, a bit nervous.
If that possessive King finds out I'm mending another guardian's clothes, he might strangle me with them.
"It'll be our secret," he said with a playful smirk, putting a finger to his lips before walking away.
I stood there for a moment, watching him leave. Despite being a Lycan, his gentleness was a stark contrast to the fierce wolf I knew too well.
Suddenly, something behind me made all the hairs on my body stand on end.
Could I really have been caught again, by the Goddess!
I turned around slowly, expecting the worst, but found nothing—just an empty, dark hallway. The darkness was my ally, but someone was watching me from the shadows.
I didn't wait to see what it was. This creepy castle gets scarier every day. I hurried to my tiny room, but as I passed one of the windows and looked outside at the castle walls, I covered my mouth in horror.
The metal spikes protruding from the high stone wall were stained with blood. Pierced on one of them was the cook's head, her features distorted from dying in extreme agony. Beside her was the torso of that damned warrior, missing arms and legs, with no genitals, and the thick iron of the spike piercing and violating his body through the rear hole.
It was sickening.
I turned away, disgusted, but then remembered—it could have been my head on display as a warning.
I continued on my way, naïvely believing that things would return to normal. I thought I'd go back to serving King Fenrir in the castle, but about a week later...
"Savannah, pack light—just an extra change of clothes. You're coming with me to inspect a pack," he told me in his brusque manner while eating breakfast one morning.
"And... me?" I asked, confused.
"Is there another Savannah here?" He looked up from the mountain of food on his plate, raising an eyebrow at me.
"No, no, My Lord. I was just wondering why you'd want someone so weak to come along?"
Every day, my courage—and my death wish—grew stronger.
"Because I might be away longer than usual, and I need you to come with me," he said, continuing to eat.
I understood that he probably wanted someone to take care of his personal belongings, clothes, and so on, so I nodded.
I turned and walked to my usual corner to wait for him.
"Besides, I won't be able to concentrate if I know you're here alone with that dangerous jackal lurking around."
I didn't understand at all. Dangerous jackal? Are there jackals in the pack's forest?
But I didn't say anything, as usual, standing silently in my spot.
"I don't want you to miss me, so I'm taking you with me," he added nonchalantly, continuing his breakfast.
My incredulous eyes watched him through my long bangs. 'Who said I was going to miss you, Your Majesty?!'
In the end, I found myself dragged into yet another wild and dangerous adventure, thanks to this possessive, domineering Lycan.