Chapter 20

Keira’s POV

“Move it!” The guard shoved me forward into the dark forest. I stumbled, nearly tripping over a root as tears burned behind my eyes.

“Please… please don’t leave me here…” I whispered shakily.

He sneered. “Survive or die. Either way, it’s none of my business, omega.”

Then he turned and walked away, his armour clinking until his figure disappeared among the trees. Silence wrapped around me like cold water. My knees felt weak. This was the second phase of the trial, surviving in the forest for a night. 

“Great. Just great,” I muttered, hugging myself tightly. “Alone, again.”

I forced myself to keep walking. The forest was dark, shadows swallowing every flicker of moonlight. My stomach growled loudly, echoing in the silent night.

“Shut up,” I hissed at it. “You’re not helping.”

Then I heard it a sneeze.

I froze. “What…?”

Another sneeze, small and squeaky, like a mouse with allergies. Slowly, I turned towards the sound, pushing aside the tall grass. My eyes widened.

There, under a bush, was a tiny creature with fluffy silver fur and faint blue stripes across its back. Its big round ears twitched as it sniffled again, rubbing its nose with a tiny paw.

“Oh my moon…” I whispered softly, crouching down. “What… what are you…?”

It looked up at me with glowing aqua eyes and sneezed again, so hard it fell onto its back with a little squeak. I clamped my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing. It flailed its paws dramatically before managing to roll upright again.

“Are you… are you okay?” I asked, my lips twitching.

“No thanks to you,” it grumbled in a surprisingly deep voice for something so tiny. “You scared me, stomping around like a bear.”

My jaw dropped. “You… you can talk?!”

“Of course I can talk.” It puffed out its chest proudly, its wings fluttering behind it. Wait—wings?

“You have wings…” I whispered in awe.

It rolled its eyes. “Obviously. I’m a Nyri. Half wolf, half sky spirit.”

I blinked. “That… that’s a thing?”

“Well, duh.” It sneezed again, then sniffled dramatically. “Ugh. I told Mother this forest was dusty. But nooo, she said, ‘Go find your fated partner.’ Look where that got me.”

“Fated partner…?” My voice came out small.

It huffed, blowing its fluffy fringe out of its eyes. “Yes, you. Apparently.”

I couldn’t help it. I let out a small laugh, pressing my hand over my mouth. For the first time in days, my chest felt light.

“What’s so funny?” it demanded, its big ears flicking with annoyance.

“You’re just… you’re so small and dramatic,” I giggled softly.

It sniffed, turning its nose up. “I am fierce and majestic. But I suppose I can forgive your ignorance, since you’re my partner and all.”

My smile faded a little. “Partner… what does that mean…?”

It sighed, rolling its eyes again. “It means I’m here to help you not die. Now, pick me up. The ground is cold.”

I hesitated, then gently scooped it into my hands. Its fur was unbelievably soft and warm, like holding a tiny living pillow. It wriggled around until it found a comfortable spot in the crook of my arm.

“That’s better,” it mumbled, closing its eyes with a little sigh. “You smell awful, by the way.”

“Hey!” I said, offended. “I’ve been in a forest all day with no food or water, okay?”

“Excuses,” it yawned, its tiny fangs poking out adorably. “Anyway… what’s your name, human?”

“Keira,” I said quietly, brushing my thumb over its feathery ear. “What’s yours?”

It cracked one eye open. “Hm. Good question. I’ve never needed a name before. But since you insist… call me Nylo.”

“Nylo…” I repeated softly. “That’s… cute.”

Its eyes snapped open, glaring at me. “I am not cute. I am ferocious and terrifying.”

“Of course you are,” I giggled, hugging it closer.

Silence fell for a while, but it wasn’t a sad silence. Nylo yawned again, curling into a fluffy ball in my arms.

“Don’t worry,” it mumbled sleepily. “I’ll keep you safe from wolves tonight.”

“You… you promise?” I asked softly, my voice trembling despite my smile.

Nylo peeked up at me with glowing blue eyes. “I promise. And tomorrow, you’re going to find me some fruit, because I hate starving.”

I laughed softly, tears prickling my eyes again, but they weren’t sad tears this time. “Okay… it’s a deal.”

“Good,” it murmured, already half asleep. “Now hush. You humans talk too much.”

I sat there under the silent moon, holding Nylo to my chest as the wind rustled the trees. For the first time in years, my heart felt… warm.

“Wake up.”

I jolted awake to a rough voice. Nylo was gone, only a faint warmth left in my arms. My blurry eyes focused to see Kai standing over me, his cold green eyes narrowed with disgust.

“Get up,” he snapped.

I tried to stand but my legs gave out beneath me, and I collapsed to my knees, gasping softly.

“Pathetic,” he muttered. “Can’t even stand on your own.”

“Alpha…” I whispered shakily, my voice hoarse. “Please…”

“Please?” His lips curled in disdain. “Do you think your pathetic begging will save you here?”

My tears fell silently down my dirt-streaked cheeks as I stared at the ground.

“Look at me,” he ordered sharply.

I didn’t move.

“Look at me!” he roared, grabbing my chin roughly. Pain shot through my jaw as he forced me to meet his gaze.

His black eyes flickered with something softer for a fleeting moment before they hardened again. “Don’t embarrass me like this again,” he hissed. “If you can’t survive a single night in the forest, how the hell do you expect to survive the Trials?”

“I… I don’t know…” I whispered brokenly.

He scoffed, releasing my chin so suddenly I almost fell forward. “Guard!” he barked.

A guard appeared instantly.

“Carry her back to camp,” Kai ordered coldly.

“Yes, Alpha.”

The guard lifted me like a sack of rice. My head lolled against his shoulder, exhaustion making my vision blur. As Kai turned away, his gaze flicked to mine once more. For a second, there was something in his eyes – something dark and desperate – before he walked away without another word.

But as I was carried through the forest, a small voice echoed in my mind.

“I’m still here, Keira.”

My heart fluttered weakly as I smiled through my tears.

“Thank you, Nylo…”