The journey back to the Southern Ridge wolf territory was tense. Renard walked ahead, carrying the girl with the red hair carefully in his arms. She was light, almost worryingly so, her head lolling against his shoulder. The Alpha of the Southern Ridge, still regaining his full strength after Anna's earlier intervention, followed close behind. His golden eyes flicked to Anna, who trailed at a distance, her shoulders slumped and her steps dragging.
"Keep up," the Alpha growled, his voice sharp and commanding.
Anna flinched but didn't respond, nodding slightly as she quickened her pace despite her obvious exhaustion. She pressed a hand to her side, where the phantom wounds still burned beneath her shirt, her other hand clutching the makeshift pack of supplies she had been tasked to carry.
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As they entered the Southern Ridge camp, wolves gathered to see what was happening. Their eyes filled with curiosity, then awe, as they noticed the girl in Renard's arms. Whispers rippled through the crowd, and Renard moved quickly toward the Alpha's hut, ignoring the murmurs.
"Bring her in," the Southern Ridge Alpha said, pushing open the wooden door to his home.
Anna hesitated, her hand hovering over the doorway. Before she could step inside, the Alpha turned to her, his voice like steel.
"You stay out here," he said coldly.
The words were a slap, but Anna simply nodded, stepping back and finding a tree nearby to sit against. She lowered herself carefully, every movement sending a fresh wave of pain through her body. Despite everything, she smiled faintly to herself. Renard was taking care of someone important—someone who truly needed him.
She tilted her head back against the tree, watching the moonlight filter through the leaves as she tried to catch her breath.
Inside the Hut
Renard knelt beside the girl on the soft furs, her breaths shallow but steady. The little wolf cub nuzzled her hand, whining softly, its round eyes filled with concern. The Southern Ridge Alpha stood nearby, his towering presence commanding the room, though his usually stern expression was softened by curiosity.
Renard brushed a strand of fiery red hair from the girl's pale face and sighed, guilt gnawing at his chest. How could I have been so blind? All this time… all these weeks… I thought I had found her.
Her eyelids fluttered, and her green eyes met his for a brief moment before looking away. "I… didn't mean for anyone to find me," she whispered, her voice hoarse but steady.
The Alpha snorted softly, his deep voice filling the hut. "You didn't think your actions would draw attention? The forest has been singing about you for years."
Her gaze flickered up at him, confusion flashing in her tired eyes. "The forest… sings?"
Renard gave a small, rueful smile. "Not in the way you might think. But word travels. Every wolf pack, every bird, every creature that calls this forest home—they all speak of the girl who heals the broken."
The cub barked, wagging its tail enthusiastically.
"He says you saved him," Renard translated, nodding toward the little wolf. "And it's not the first time you've done something like that, is it?"
She hesitated, her fingers twitching against the fur she lay on. "It's not… I just help when I can," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Renard's brows knitted together, a pang of regret stabbing through him. Help when she can? That's all she's been doing. And I spent weeks letting someone else shoulder her pain while chasing a ghost.
"You've done more than help," he said quietly, his voice a mixture of awe and guilt. "You've saved lives—so many lives. Do you even know how much that means?"
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The Alpha stepped forward, his golden eyes narrowing slightly. "The forest owes you more than anyone can say," he rumbled, his deep voice commanding attention. "And yet, you've been left to do this alone. Why?"
Her lips parted as though she wanted to answer, but no words came out. Renard watched her struggle, his heart sinking further. His thoughts were a chaotic mess: I let Anna take this burden instead. I thought… I thought she was the one. And now I see how much she's suffered because I was wrong.
She finally found her voice, soft and resigned. "Because someone has to," she said simply. "If I don't, who will?" Renard's stomach twisted painfully.
"It shouldn't have been you," he muttered aloud, the words slipping out before he could stop them.
The girl turned her head slightly, confusion flickering across her pale features. "What do you mean?"
Renard shook his head, forcing himself to focus. "Nothing. Forget I said anything."
The Alpha raised a brow but didn't press.
The girl closed her eyes briefly, her hands trembling slightly. "It's not about what should be," she said, her voice steady despite her exhaustion. "It's about what is. And what needs to be done."
The little cub barked again, its voice high and insistent.
"She deserves to rest," Renard translated, his voice cracking slightly. "You shouldn't have to keep doing this alone."
The girl chuckled softly, though the sound was weak. "If only it were that easy," she murmured.
The Southern Ridge Alpha cleared his throat, his deep voice cutting through the tension. "You've carried this burden long enough," he said, his tone a mixture of respect and concern. "You have allies now. Whether you want them or not."
Renard flinched slightly at the word allies.
"She's stronger than she looks," the Alpha continued, his golden eyes piercing. "But strength doesn't mean you have to stand alone."
The girl smiled faintly; her eyes drifting closed again. "I'm not used to this," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Having people care."
"You'll have to get used to it," Renard said softly, though his tone was tinged with guilt. "Because you're not alone anymore."
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The cub barked in agreement, wagging its tail furiously.
Renard forced himself to smile back, though inside he felt hollow.
The girl's breathing evened out as she slipped into a deep sleep, her face finally relaxed. Renard watched her for a long moment, the storm in his mind growing louder.
The Alpha placed a hand on his shoulder, his grip firm. "You know what this means, don't you?"
Renard nodded slowly, his jaw tightening. "Yeah," he said softly, his voice laced with guilt. "I know."
As the Alpha walked away, Renard glanced toward the hut's door, his chest aching. Somewhere outside, Anna was sitting alone, likely trying to rest despite her wounds. She wouldn't have heard what was said, wouldn't have seen the realization in his eyes.
But she'll feel it soon enough.
The thought made his stomach churn, but he couldn't deny it. The girl in the red hood was the one they'd been searching for. And Anna… Anna was just a mistake.
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Renard stepped out of the Alpha's hut; the weight of realization heavy on his shoulders. The night air was cool, and the forest was alive with its usual symphony of chirping crickets and rustling leaves. He spotted Anna sitting under a tree nearby, her head tilted back against the rough bark, her eyes half-closed.
She looked exhausted, her face pale and drawn. Her hands were folded tightly in her lap, trying to stifle the tremors of fatigue.
Renard's boots crunched against the dirt as he walked up to her. Anna stirred at the sound, sitting up straighter, her tired eyes brightening slightly as she saw him approach.
"Anna," Renard said, his voice even but distant, "I need you to come inside."
Anna blinked and tilted her head. "Inside?" she asked, her voice quiet and unsure.
"You're going to help take care of the girl," Renard said curtly, his tone almost a command.
Anna hesitated but nodded, pulling herself to her feet. "Of course," she said softly, her usual smile returning to her lips despite the pain radiating from her wounds. "I'd be happy to help."
Renard didn't respond, turning back toward the hut. Anna followed behind, her steps slower, quieter.
Inside the hut, the girl stirred as they entered. She was propped up on a pile of soft furs now, her red hood folded neatly beside her. Her pale face was framed by unruly strands of red hair that gleamed like embers in the firelight.
Renard knelt beside her again, his voice gentle. "You've done so much for others, but we don't even know your name."
The girl blinked at him, her green eyes flickering with surprise. For a moment, she hesitated, as though uncertain whether to share such a personal detail. But then her lips curved into a faint smile.
"Lyra," she said softly.
Renard nodded, the name settling in his mind like a melody. "Lyra," he repeated, the word rolling off his tongue. It felt right—simple, but powerful.
The little wolf cub yipped in agreement, wagging its tail furiously.
The Southern Ridge Alpha leaned against the wall; his golden eyes gleaming in the firelight. "A fitting name for the one the forest sings about," he rumbled.
Lyra's cheeks flushed faintly, and she glanced away, uncomfortable with the praise.
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Renard turned to Anna, his expression unreadable. "You'll help her with anything she needs," he said. "Make sure she has food, water, bandages—whatever she asks for."
Anna nodded immediately; her smile unwavering. "Of course," she said, stepping forward. She carried a basin of water and a cloth, kneeling beside Lyra with a quiet grace.
Lyra watched her carefully, her gaze softening slightly. "You don't have to do this," she murmured.
Anna shook her head, still smiling. "It's no trouble," she said, her voice steady. "I'm glad to help."
As Anna wrung out the cloth and gently dabbed at Lyra's forehead, Renard stepped back, observing the scene. A strange mixture of emotions twisted in his chest—relief that Lyra was here, guilt for what Anna had endured, and a growing unease he couldn't quite place.
The little wolf cub curled up at Lyra's feet, its soft whine breaking the silence. Lyra smiled faintly and rested her hand on its head, her touch gentle and comforting.
Renard glanced toward Anna again. She was working diligently, her movements careful and precise despite the tremors in her hands. For a moment, he felt a pang of something—was it pity? Guilt? He wasn't sure anymore.
The Southern Ridge Alpha's voice broke the silence. "We'll need to prepare for what comes next. If the girl truly is who we believe, the forest will respond soon."
Renard nodded, his gaze lingering on Lyra. "We'll protect her," he said firmly, though the words felt heavier than he expected.
Anna, unnoticed, continued her work, her quiet presence blending into the shadows of the room.