Elira's hands trembled slightly as she worked the dough, kneading it against the wooden counter in the bustling kitchen. The scents of freshly baked bread and herbs wafted through the air, but her nerves made it hard to focus. Around her, the other kitchen workers moved with practiced ease, barely sparing her a glance.
"Faster," a voice barked behind her. Elira flinched but didn't stop. The head cook, a stocky woman with sharp eyes and no patience, stood over her like a hawk. "We don't have all day, girl. That bread won't bake itself."
"Yes, ma'am," Elira murmured, her fingers quickening their pace.
Her muscles ached from hours of work, but she refused to let herself falter. This wasn't like her aunt and uncle's kitchen, where her work was met with insults and slaps. Here, there was order—a harsh but fair structure she could adapt to.
As the head cook turned away to bark at someone else, a soft voice broke through the chaos. "Don't let her scare you. She's all bark and no bite."
Elira glanced to her left and saw a young woman with auburn hair and kind green eyes. She smiled warmly as she handed Elira a clean bowl.
"I'm Liora," she said, her voice soothing. "Don't worry. You'll get used to the pace here."
"Elira," she replied softly, grateful for the kindness.
Liora leaned closer. "You must be special. The prince rarely brings humans into the heart of the Wolf Kingdom."
Elira stiffened, her hands freezing mid-motion. "Special? I'm just… I was just running. I didn't ask to come here."
Liora tilted her head, her expression curious but understanding. "Even so, he brought you. That means something."
Later that evening, after hours of preparation and cleaning, Elira finally stepped outside for a moment of respite. The sun was setting, painting the sky in hues of orange and violet. She leaned against the cool stone wall, letting the evening breeze soothe her aching muscles.
The village before her was alive with activity. Wolves in both human and animal form walked side by side, their laughter and chatter carrying through the air. Children played near the fountain in the center of the square, their carefree joy a stark contrast to the life Elira had left behind.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
Elira jumped at the voice and turned to find Kaelion standing a few feet away, his arms crossed casually over his chest. He wore no armor now, just simple clothes that made him seem less intimidating—almost human.
"I didn't hear you," she said, her voice wary.
Kaelion smirked. "I didn't mean to startle you. But you seemed lost in thought."
Elira turned back to the square, avoiding his piercing gaze. "It's… different. Not what I expected."
"What did you expect?" he asked, stepping closer.
She hesitated before replying. "I don't know. I didn't think wolves and humans could live like this… together."
Kaelion's smile faded, replaced by a more thoughtful expression. "It's not perfect. There are tensions, unspoken rules. But this is home—for both."
Elira glanced at him, trying to read the emotions in his amber eyes. "And me? What am I supposed to do here?"
"You'll find your place," Kaelion said simply. "If you're willing to work for it."
She wanted to argue, to tell him she didn't belong here, but the words caught in her throat. The truth was, she had nowhere else to go.
Kaelion studied her for a moment before speaking again. "The forest is dangerous, Elira. It would have devoured you if we hadn't found you. Remember that."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving her alone in the fading light.
The days began to blur together as Elira settled into her routine. Though the work was grueling, she found solace in small moments of kindness from Liora and the other workers. The initial tension eased, and she started to feel less like an outsider.
One afternoon, as she scrubbed vegetables at the outdoor basin, a shadow fell across her. She looked up to see a young man with a playful grin and sharp features.
"You must be the infamous human everyone's whispering about," he said, leaning casually against the wall.
Elira frowned, unsure whether he was teasing or mocking her. "I'm just trying to do my work."
The man chuckled. "Relax, I'm not here to cause trouble. I'm Arlen. Liora probably mentioned me."
"She didn't," Elira replied, her tone cautious.
"Well, I'm unforgettable," he said with a wink. "You'll see."
Despite herself, Elira couldn't help but smile at his lightheartedness.
From that day, Arlen became a constant presence, often teasing her but also helping her navigate the unspoken rules of the Wolf Kingdom. Between him and Liora, Elira began to feel a sliver of hope—a sense that maybe she could survive here.
One afternoon, Arlen and Liora invited Elira to explore the nearby forest with them. Excited for a break from her work, she eagerly agreed. The three walked together, the fresh scent of the woods filling the air.
"Elira, have you ever been this deep into a forest before?" Liora asked, skipping ahead playfully.
"Not like this," Elira admitted, her golden-brown eyes sparkling. "It's beautiful here."
They laughed and chatted, weaving through the towering trees. The sunlight filtered through the dense canopy above, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor. Elira felt free for the first time in her life, her laughter echoing through the woods.
Meanwhile, in another part of the forest, Kaelion met his childhood friends, who had arrived at the castle for a visit. Among them was Darion, a strong and adventurous wolf who suggested a hunt.
"Hunting is the best way to reconnect," Darion said with a grin.
Kaelion nodded. "Let's make it quick and fair," he replied.
The group moved silently through the woods, their sharp senses attuned to every sound. Spotting a rabbit, Kaelion drew his bow and released the arrow. It flew true, striking the rabbit cleanly. His companions cheered, congratulating him on the shot.
But their celebration was interrupted when Elira and her friends stumbled upon the scene. Elira froze, her gaze fixed on the lifeless rabbit.
Her laughter faded, replaced by tears that welled up in her eyes. Without a word, she stepped forward, kneeling beside the small creature.
"Why would you do this?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
Kaelion frowned, surprised by her reaction. "It's just a hunt," he said softly.
Elira turned to him, her eyes glistening with emotion. "Killing an innocent life doesn't make you great. It's not strength—it's cruelty."
Her words hung in the air, silencing the group. She gently scooped up the rabbit, holding it close as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Kaelion watched her in silence, his usual confidence shaken. The fire in her eyes, the way she cradled the small creature as if its life mattered more than her own—it was unlike anything he'd ever seen.
Back at the hut, Elira laid the rabbit gently on the ground and tried to clean its wound, whispering, "I'm so sorry, little one. I know how it feels to be helpless."
Despite her efforts, the rabbit didn't survive. Elira buried it in the backyard, her heart heavy. "I hope your next life is kinder to you," she said softly, her hands pressing the soil firmly.
Unbeknownst to her, Kaelion had followed her in his wolf form. Hidden among the trees, he watched as she buried the rabbit, her shoulders trembling with quiet sobs. Guilt and confusion churned in his chest.
That night, Kaelion walked into the castle, the day's events weighing heavily on his mind. The hallways were quiet, save for the faint echoes of his boots against the polished stone floor. Servants bowed as he passed, though their whispers trailed after him.
"She spoke to him like no one else ever has," one murmured.
"She's just a girl! Can you imagine scolding the prince?" another added.
Kaelion's ears caught their words, and instead of anger, a strange satisfaction stirred in him. "She's bold… unafraid." He shook his head, an amused smile curling at his lips.
As Kaelion entered his chambers, he dismissed his guards with a nod, craving solitude. The massive wooden doors shut with a resonant thud, leaving him alone in the dimly lit room.
He sat on the edge of his grand bed, his hands running through his thick hair, golden in the moonlight streaming through the high windows. His mind replayed every detail of the day: Elira's defiance, the fire in her eyes, and the trembling determination in her voice.
"She didn't even falter," he thought. "No one's ever spoken to me like that."
Kaelion leaned back against the plush pillows, staring at the ceiling. He could still see her face—tear-streaked, her eyes brimming with sorrow as she cradled the rabbit.
"Why did she cry so much for a rabbit? What pain has she endured to care so deeply?"
His fists clenched. The thought of someone hurting her filled him with anger and protectiveness he couldn't explain.