Chapter 4: The Road between Us

~Eira

“We can’t stay here for long,” Caelum said, tightening the cloth around his shoulder pack. His voice was steady but low, like the cave walls might eavesdrop. “We’ll need food. Water. If you’re feeling up to it, we can walk around a bit and see what we can find.”

I rolled my eyes and shifted on the rock. “I told you I was fine.”

He arched a brow then carried his cloak and used it to cover my crescent birthmark which was no longer glowing as brightly as it was before.

“Where’s Eve?” I asked.

“Who’s that?”

“My horse,” I said dryly. “The only friend I have left in this godforsaken world.”

“Oh. Your horse.” He scratched the back of his neck. “She’s just outside.”

“That’s nice.” I stood and stretched, grimacing as my shoulder tugged under the bandage. “Let me go and check on the only person in this world that actually cares about me.”

I gave him a cold glare before walking out into the light. He sighed—deep and exasperated—but didn’t say a word.

The morning air was crisp. Eve whinnied softly when she saw me, nudging her head into my chest. Her flanks were still dust-caked from the cave, her legs trembling faintly from exhaustion, but her eyes were alert.

“There you are,” I whispered, pressing my forehead to hers. “Don’t worry, girl. I’ve got you. You’ve got me. That’s all we need.”

Moments later, Caelum emerged with the packs. He tossed a twig into the air. It spun like a coin and landed with its broken end pointing north.

“We head that way,” he said.

“Seriously? That’s your method?”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“Nothing much—just that our lives now depends on the direction of a twig.” I said with a scoff.

“Would you rather go that way?” Caelum asked, pointing to the left.

I stared there and saw different creatures attacking themselves and heavy winds that carried their battle to the air.

“What are you waiting for? We’re heading north.” I said as I climbed on Eve.

Caelum smiled as he climbed on his horse too leading the way.

The world stretched quiet around us as we rode. The hills rolled like sleeping beasts beneath the blanket of dawn, and the sky bled soft gold into the east.

For a while, there was nothing but the sound of hooves crunching gravel.

“This ride reminds me of summer when we were kids,” Caelum said eventually, a small smile tugging at his lips.

“Which one?”

“The one where you, me, and Aeron snuck out to the stables. We stole horses just to see what it felt like to be grownups.”

I smiled—small and bitter. “I remember getting injured and having to hide from the Alpha.”

“Those were the days, huh?” he said. “When playing was our biggest worry.”

“I miss those days.” I said with a smile, overwhelmed with a feeling of nostalgia.

“You know Aeron got into serious trouble because of that” Caelum said, looking at me momentarily before looking back at the path we were on.

“Are you serious? I don’t remember getting caught.” I stroked my chin, trying to remember. “We didn’t get caught, did we?”

“No. Because Aeron covered for us,” Caelum said, eyes flicking toward the horizon. “His father asked who he snuck out with. But he didn’t tell.”

I laughed softly. “On three horses? Alpha Marius believed his son rode three horses by himself? He could barely stay on one.”

“Not sure what the Alpha believed,” Caelum chuckled. “But even though he knew Aeron had only two friends, he didn’t send for us.”

There was a long pause.

Then I asked the question that had been chewing at my insides like acid.

“Where did it all go wrong?”

Caelum didn’t answer.

“Did I do something wrong?” I pressed.

“Of course not. Why would you ask that?”

“Then why did he betray me?” I snapped, voice cracking. “Why would he cast me away like I was nothing?”

He exhaled slowly. “Let’s not brand him with betrayal just yet. He might not have had a choice.”

I scoffed. “Why are you defending him? You’re supposed to be on my side.”

“I am on your side, Eira,” Caelum said firmly. “But I’m trying to understand. Aeron doesn’t just throw people away. Especially not you.”

“So now he’s Luna-less,” I muttered. “How’s he going to become Alpha?”

Caelum hesitated. “There are ways.”

“What ways?” I asked, but he didn’t answer.

By the time the sun hit its peak, the hills had begun to shift—less harsh rock, more clustered trees. A strange stillness settled over the terrain, broken only by the low hum of wind threading through the leaves.

That’s when we saw it.

A cluster of huts hidden in the valley below—low, circular structures made of stone and clay, their thatched roofs golden under the sunlight. Crude wooden stalls stood in crooked lines along what seemed to be a central path, though they were long abandoned. Some were still stocked with shriveled fruit and half-shattered baskets. A brittle well stood near the center of the village like a forgotten relic.

It looked like a place built by people who had once lived well—and then left in a hurry.

We hit our horses’ flanks gently, urging them forward. They galloped down the slope and into the village clearing. We dismounted quickly, hands on our weapons, eyes scanning.

There wasn’t a single soul in sight.

The air was dry. Dust coated the ground like ash. Doors hung half-open. Curtains fluttered behind windows. But no voices. No footsteps. Not even birdsong.

We walked the horse slowly through the main path.

“Hello?” Caelum called out. “Is anyone here?”

Silence.

We circled a hut. I knocked on its door. Nothing.

We stepped past the well, past a broken cart with splintered wheels and an overturned barrel.

Still nothing.

Then, just as we turned toward a narrow alley between two huts—

They appeared.

A blur of motion. A shift in the air.

Suddenly we were surrounded.

Figures in black emerged like smoke, slipping from behind huts, from rooftops, from shadows. They circled us with terrifying coordination. Each held a long wooden spear, the tips etched with glowing white runes. Their faces were masked—smooth black plates that gave no hint of expression.

In seconds, there were a dozen. Maybe more.

Spears leveled at our throats.

Eve neighed in panic, rearing slightly. I held her steady, heart hammering, breath locked in my chest.

“Just when I thought things were starting to look up.” I muttered— right as the cold tip of a spear touched my throat.