004

I turned to see who it was, and my jaw dropped. "Rita!" I exclaimed.

It was the red-headed wolf I had met by accident in the woods.

She stomped toward me and pulled me into a tight hug.

This time, I didn’t resist. I was genuinely glad to see her.

When she pulled back, her lips curled into a smile. "I knew I’d see you here.

At least now, it won’t be completely boring," she said, and I chuckled.

"How did you know you’d find me here?" I asked, smiling.

"Please," she rolled her eyes playfully.

"Where else would you have ended up?" We giggled together like we weren’t being shipped off to hell.

While we chatted, a tall, blond guy with striking blue eyes and a lean, muscular build walked over and casually sat with us. "Excuse me, ladies. Hope I’m not interrupting?" he asked with a polite smile.

He looked familiar... Oh! He was the one who told everyone to jump onto the train. "Oh hey!" I greeted him with a wave.

"Not at all," Rita replied, smiling at him. He winked at her.

"So, what are you ladies up to?" he asked, clearly focused on Rita.

We both shrugged. "Nothing. Just waiting for our terrible fate," I answered dryly.

He chuckled at that. "Terrible fate indeed. I think we’ll reach our destination tomorrow morning. Just... stay alert tonight," he whispered. Rita and I leaned closer.

"Why? What’s going to happen?" I asked.

"Some Valtors are planning to stir trouble, possibly attacking the Lythari. You know how much hate we’ve been taught for the Lythari and Kyrethi." My head snapped toward Rita, who sat with a blank expression, clearly uncomfortable.

"Not you, love," the blond guy said softly, quickly trying to reassure her.

"And neither do I," I added, smiling at her. She crossed her arms and gave a small nod.

For years, we had been taught to eliminate any wolf from another species. That was the law.

When we boarded the train, I had seen some Lythari curled in the corners, young, frightened.

Their eyes had been wide with terror. So, if the Valtors were planning something against them, I couldn’t say I was surprised.

I looked around the train. Many girls my age were huddled in corners, hugging their knees, their eyes hollow with fear.

I turned back to the guy. "Do you think the Kyrethi will join us soon?" He shook his head.

"Nah. They’ll probably meet us at the camp. And when they do... it’s going to be bloody. I hear they’re already waiting at Blood Moon Boot Camp."

Rita’s eyes lit with curiosity. "I wonder what they look like?" "No one really knows," I answered. "They’re barely seen. There are no real records of them."

"What’s your name?" the blond guy suddenly asked Rita. "Rita. Why?" she replied with a smirk.

"I’m Eric," he said, extending a hand. "Nice to meet you, Eric." She shook his hand, and for a full minute, they just... stared at each other, smiling like idiots.

I cleared my throat, and they both flinched. "Hello? I’m still here." I raised my hand awkwardly. Rita grinned.

"So?" "So, somebody’s obviously in love," I teased, and we all laughed.

Just as things felt a bit lighter, murmurs spread through the train. We stood up quickly, joining the others who were staring in the same direction.

And then I saw him. A towering figure, more beast than man. A long scar ran down his face, his eyes glowing a terrifying red, fangs fully exposed.

He looked like he was stuck in a half-shift—neither wolf nor human. But one thing was clear; He wasn’t a werewolf.

I sniffed the air, confused. No wolf scent. His presence radiated danger... and magic.

"Don’t even think about it," Eric whispered beside me. "He’s a trapped shifter. A hybrid. Magic’s mixed into his blood. I think he’s a messenger... for the Kyrethi."

The entire train went silent as his chilling gaze swept over everyone. He walked slowly through the train, and the crowd parted like the sea, giving him a clear path.

He paced up and down, then stopped. When he spoke, his voice thundered like a storm. "You’ll arrive at your destination tomorrow," he said coldly.

"Respect yourselves. Because if you don’t—" He suddenly swung a knife through the air with lightning speed.

"....this will be going through your throat." A cold shiver raced down my spine. My throat tightened as I swallowed.

Then, without another word, he turned and vanished into the back of the train.

Everyone slowly sat down, murmuring nervously. "Who was that?" I asked, turning to Eric. But he was staring at Rita again. Seriously?

"Eric!" "What?" He blinked, clearly distracted, then ran a hand through his hair and gave me a sheepish grin.

"The shifter," I repeated, irritated. "Oh. Yeah. He’s a messenger for the Kyrethi. Specifically... for the Lycan Kings."

"The Lycan Kings?" Rita and I asked in unison.This was the first I was hearing of them. Kings? Plural?

"Yeah," Eric said. "They’re brothers. After their parents died, they took the throne.

It’s not public knowledge, but they’ve ruled for centuries." "Are they twins?" Rita asked.

"Nope. The older one’s around 900. The younger? Maybe 700." I stared, stunned.

Two brothers. Over 900 years old. Ruling in the shadows.

This wasn’t in any history scrolls I’d ever read. As night fell, I looked up at the sky, the train speeding through tunnels beneath it.

I reached for the necklace my mom had given me when I was born and kissed it gently.

My chest tightened. I missed her already. "Me too," Rita’s soft voice came from behind me.

"I miss my mom too. Honestly? I wanted to run away just to avoid leaving her."

How did she know what I was feeling? I sighed. Life really does have a way of messing with people.

"It’s going to be okay," I told her, giving her shoulder a small nudge. She nodded faintly.

I scanned the train, looking for Eric. "Where’s Eric?" I asked. "He went over to his friends," Rita pointed. I followed her gaze, he was laughing with a group of guys a few feet away.

I turned back to Rita and noticed the dreamy smile on her face as she stared at him.

I smirked. "What?" "Nothing," I said. "Just... someone’s falling in love." She blushed, rolling her eyes. "Shut up." Later, Eric joined us again, and we made a loose plan to stay alert through the night.

He offered to keep watch while we tried to get some rest. I fought it, but sleep eventually won.

My eyelids grew heavy. My body relaxed against the cold train wall. Rita’s head rested softly on my shoulder.

I blinked hard and yawned. Morning light was creeping into the train.

I sat up straighter, rubbing my eyes. And then I froze. Bodies. Lifeless bodies littered the train floor.

Blood stained the metal beneath them, dripping slowly. I gasped and turned to my side, Rita was gone.

I whipped my head around, searching. My heart raced. And then, The train screeched to a halt.

We had arrived. But I wasn’t ready. My head buzzed in confusion. Where is Rita? Where is Eric?