9. The Mentor

Radella stopped in front of the two. Anais appeared composed, just as she had seen her at the banquet.

Khalien studied Radella's body, up and down. Since the event at the banquet, eyes had been on him, and he hadn't dared visit her in the dungeon.

Not only that, he had to travel away from the pack. He didn't know how she was doing after his father's strike on her.

It seemed she was fine now. Then Khalien mind-linked Radella. "We need to talk, Nala."

Radella gave him a brief glance as she had no idea how that mind link worked.

“Hello, Nalath,” Anais greeted her politely and held out a hand. "You remember me?"

Radella accepted Anais's hand. “I know you. Beta’s son's fiancée.”

Khalien narrowed his eyes at her. She didn't have to choose those words.

“Why are you here?” Khalien asked.

Radella turned to him. “Can you lend me some money?”

What? It wasn't about him and Anais. Was she fine seeing him as that?

“What do you need it for?”

“Don't be like that,” Anais said gently. Then she took out her purse filled with coins and handed it to her. “Is that enough?”

Radella studied Anais for a moment before accepting it. “Of course.”

Khalien retrieved a small purse from his pocket and added it to hers.

Radella's brow rose.

“Forget about paying me back.”

He wanted to leave, but Anais grabbed his arm, stopping him. “We could let her join us.”

Radella almost scoffed aloud. This Anais...

“No need, Miss Anais,” Khalien immediately denied. “I wouldn't like to ruin your fun.”

“Who said this is ruining my fun?”

Radella started walking away.

Khalien glanced at her. She had become so rude.

Not long after, Radella returned to the weapons store.

“Give me that... this, and this one. And those two.”

The seller gave a wide grin as he handed her everything she asked for.

“Miss, I'm Andre. May I know your name?”

She took the spear, bow, saber, and two daggers, carrying them in both hands. She stared at him as her mind struggled.

Who was she?

Was she still Radella?

Andre cleared his throat. For such a beautiful face to stare at him like that, it was indeed difficult.

“I'm Nalath,” Radella finally said.

Andre blinked. No way. There were many people with the same name. It couldn't be that she was that loser of the pack.

Radella left, but every step felt heavy. Admitting that name made her chest tighten, as if she had accepted her soul leaving.

Then she went to buy many other things she would need, like clothes, food, and other necessities for her room.

With the little money left, she bought a horse.

A moment later, she was back in Nala's room. She got to work, cleaning and rearranging the place.

Soon, her tiny room became presentable. No more webs or dust. Where there had once been musical tools, there was now a rack for weapons.

After she finished everything, it was already late, and she dropped onto the bed.

“Find Khalien,” Zaphyra told her, but she didn't seem eager for Radella to go either.

It seemed seeing Khalien still with Anais drained Zaphyra. With nothing to help it, Radella closed her eyes.

The next day, early in the morning, after eating her breakfast of two boiled eggs—the only thing she knew how to make—she made her way outside. In her hand was a spear.

She arrived in front of a mansion. Outside, in the courtyard, a silhouette watered flowers while whistling.

That guy was so relaxed no one would think he was the leader of the warriors there.

Eldric halted and gazed at her. His eyes widened slightly at the unexpected visit.

“Luna... What...”

She lifted her spear and swirled it in her hand. It moved smoothly, as if it were only a small stick. Then, when he didn't expect it, she slashed at Eldric.

Eldric sidestepped, and the spear missed him. The slash was fast but not enough to get him. She knew how to use weapons?

Eldric asked, “Why did you attack me?”

“Like that,” Radella said. “I can fight. But not enough for a werewolf.”

Eldric straightened. “Luna, I take it your target is a werewolf.”

Radella went silent for a moment. Maintaining her seriousness, she said, “I already told you who my targets were. You can use this to make the Luna you wished for.”

When she added the last sentence, his eyes narrowed. His expression, which usually seemed playful, shifted to seriousness.

He had never truly known her.

At that moment, footsteps sounded behind her.

Radella turned to see Khalien approaching them with a questioning look. Right, it was known that Eldric and Khalien were friends.

“What are you doing here?” Khalien asked, not hiding his suspicion. Weren't those two suspected to be mates? There must be a reason.

Eldric was a fine man, and he didn't even have a mate. Thinking about that made Khalien's expression harden as he stepped closer.

“Eldric. What's going on?”

Eldric's gaze fixed on Radella as he said, “She wants to learn how to protect herself.”

Khalien's eyes widened, and he glanced at Radella.

She didn't deny it.

That girl who had dedicated her life to music... wanted to... what?

“Nala said that?”

She even had a spear.

What happened to her when she was kidnapped by those witches?

And why had she asked Eldric instead of him? He was even stronger. He couldn't do that openly, but he would... He sighed at his own thoughts.

“Good,” Khalien said. “That's a good decision. I'll join you then.”

Radella studied Khalien, her brow rising in genuine surprise. Having powerful werewolves beside her was exactly what she would have wanted from the start.

“As long as Eldric agrees with it, I'm fine.” Radella said.

Khalien frowned. “Eldric? Who is he to—”

“It's good to have a more powerful mentor,” Eldric said. “You have to call us mentors then. No... master sounds better.”

'Zaphy, did you hear that? He agreed.' Radella's lips stretched faintly.

Zaphyra could only remain silent. She never agreed with that witch's goals, but there was one thing she also wanted: to be stronger. Only then would she be able to shift.

Radella remained silent, staring at Khalien. It was obvious that this guy cared for Nalath.

But with the way Beta Ghilas had acted at the banquet, it was clear that Khalien was his pride. What better way was there to get back at Beta Ghilas than through his son?