SAVANNAH
I glance to the side and notice the Alpha's daughter stepping outside.
"Well, Your Majesty takes his responsibility to the pack very seriously," I respond in my most loyal, diplomatic tone.
She began speaking to me casually, her youthful energy and carefree demeanor shining through. She excitedly told me about a nighttime fair held in the town center, where they sold their local specialties.
The fact that she didn't look at me strangely or treated me differently because of my scars earned her a point in my favor.
"It sounds like there are many interesting things. I'd love to go, but I can't leave Your Highness's side. I'm sorry…"
"Go with her if you want," Fenrir's voice came from behind me.
"I'll be here for a while. Enjoy the fair, but don't wander too far. I'll join you later," he added.
I turned to see him rummaging in his pocket, and I could already guess what he would do next.
"Thank you, my lord," I said quickly, almost pulling the girl along to escape.
"Wait, Savannah," he grabbed my arm, not letting me go, and forced me to face him. "Take this money, buy whatever you want. It doesn't matter if you spend it all; I brought more."
He tried to put the heavy pouch in my hand, but I pulled back and pressed it against my body. "I have my own money, Your Majesty, my salary. I'll pay for my personal things. If you want something for yourself…"
"No, it's for you. Buy dresses, makeup, I don't know, whatever you like," He insisted, stepping closer, the money still extended toward me.
"It's not necessary, King Lycan. I've already been paid for this month's services as a maid," I replied firmly, dismissing his offer.
Before he could react, I turned and left him standing on the porch. I could feel his eyes burning into my back, but I held my head high with pride.
'I'm just your servant, King Fenrir. Don't confuse me with ambiguous gestures,' I muttered defiantly to myself.
"Will all this defiance get me through to tomorrow with my head still on my shoulders?" I wondered, half-joking, unaware of the stormy night and dangers ahead.
***
"Look, Savannah, how beautiful these bracelets are!" Maria was dragging me around all the little stalls at the edge of the square.
At last, I could sense some life in this rather dull pack.
Lanterns hang above us, lighting up the night with a warm glow.
I entertained myself by observing some medicinal creams, not losing hope of finding a miracle to speed up my healing.
But when I turned around, Maria was nowhere to be found.
I walked around searching for her, and at the end of the square, I saw her in the distance, talking in a dark alley with what seemed like a man.
As soon as she noticed I was watching them, the man slipped away into the shadows, and Maria returned.
Her face was different; even though she tried to smile, she was visibly affected by something. "I'm sorry, Savannah, but I had a problem with my partner. My parents don't quite approve of him."
"I need to leave you for a while, okay?" Her eyes looked distressed, and of course, I told her it was no problem.
It seemed she used me as an excuse to leave her house and meet up with him secretly.
I saw her leave through the same dark alley and returned to the fair, but the truth is, I couldn't concentrate.
A crow cawed in the night sky, flying over my head, and I watched it thoughtfully. I didn't know what connection I had with them, but I felt they had saved me more than once.
Now something was calling me from somewhere in this flock; my heart started pounding, and the crow's cawing grew louder as it flew in one direction. I followed it, doing so instinctively, as if driven by a powerful force.
Through winding alleyways and beneath the shadows of houses, I emerged into the wild forest. I ventured deeper, running, as a soft voice echoes in my head, "Come to me, my child, come to me."
I reached a clearings with some much older structures, resembling an abandoned temple, like those dedicated to the Moon Goddess. In the center, beneath a willow tree, was a huge stone altar. Moss grew in the cracks of the rocks, but intricate decorations were still visible on each face of a gigantic cube, with a beautiful crescent Moon on top, featuring the exquisitely carved face of a woman on the inner edge.
It was so mystical, the power emanating from it was palpable, along with an intense and addictive scent that I couldn't identify. Memories of seeing a similar structure tried to surface in my mind. I think it was from this monument where some pieces were stolen.
The crow landed on the stone Moon, and I approached, climbing some worn-out steps. Some decaying lanterns illuminated the surroundings. I reached out, clearing the vines and moss to reveal something mysterious underneath.
Then I could see them clearly—what seemed like mere decorations were actually letters, an embossed engraving. Everything made sense to me now; the content was confusing, and I leaned in closer, desperate to uncover the rest of the message...
"Can you read what's there?!" an enthusiastic voice asked from behind me, startling me.
It was Maria, who appeared out of nowhere and looked at me with doubtful and expectant eyes, too interested in whether I understood those strange writings.
Doesn't she read them too?
The crow cawed, taking flight, and something about the whole situation didn't sit right with me.
"I don't know what you're talking about; all I see are some strange decorations," I lied, as my instinct told me that my survival depended on it. Now I just needed her to believe it.