Kaia stood at the edge of Moonlight Pack’s boundary, her heart was pounding in her chest.“Who goes there?” a sentry wolf asked from a distance, as he shifted back into human form and approached her cautiously.“I’m Kaia,” she said, trying to steady her voice. “My mother is Meridia, the witch. She told me to come here and look for Evena.”The guard looked surprised but didn’t hesitate. “Follow me, I will take you to the Alpha.”Kaia nodded and followed him into the pack. Soon, they reached the pack house. Rina opened the door, she looked curiosly at the girl in front of her. She listened to the sentry's explanation in silence, “I’m Rina, Luna of Moonlight Pack. You said Meridia sent you?”Kaia nodded, too tired to repeat her full story. “Yes. She told me to find Evena.”Rina looked her over and gently touched her shoulder. “You look like you’ve been through a lot. Come inside, let's get you cleaned up.”Kaia followed her through the pack house.The scent of breakfast filled the a
Rina heard a knock on the door. She wasn’t expecting anyone, she wondered who it was, When she opened the door and saw Rain standing there, a wide smile broke across her face.“Rain!” she exclaimed, flinging her arms around him before he could even say hello. “You didn’t even send word you were coming!”“I missed you,” he said softly, hugging her back. “And I needed to breathe. Things… got heavy back home.”Rina pulled him inside quickly, chattering as she led him into the kitchen. “You’re just in time. I made sandwiches. Sit down, you must be hungry.”“I am,” he admitted, taking a seat and relaxing for the first time in days. Rina placed a plate of sandwiches in front of him, then sat across from him, watching him. They had just started eating when Kaia appeared, barefoot and sleepy eyed, wearing one of the oversized t-shirts Rina had given her. Her hair was a mess, and she looked like she’d just rolled out of bed.“I was looking for something to eat,” Kaia mumbled, blinking at the
Stefan carried Kaia back to the same hidden underground room where he had kept her before. He laid her gently on the small cot and waited, his eyes watching her closely for any signs of movement. The potion’s effects had been powerful, and for a brief moment, he wondered if she’d truly wake.But then, after what felt like forever, her fingers twitched.Kaia groaned softly and blinked, her gaze unfocused as she stirred awake. She looked around, confused, then finally settled her eyes on him.“It worked,” she whispered.Stefan gave a rare, small smile. “Yes. You’re safe now, your mother played her part well. The king believes you are dead.”Kaia nodded slowly, rubbing her eyes. “She must have been scared.”“She was,” Stefan said gently. “But she didn’t let it show.”Kaia looked away, her face solemn. “What happens now?”“You rest,” Stefan said, standing up. “Stay here. I will be back soon.”With that, he left the room and made his way back to the palace. She looked up when he entere
The door opened and Stefan stepped into the room. Rita stood near the fireplace, clutching a small glass vial in her hand, she rushed to him when she saw him.“You’re back,” she said softly, her voice unsure.He nodded stiffly, his expression was unreadable. She couldn't tell what he was thinking. She placed the potion in his hand carefully, avoiding direct eye contact.“This will make her appear dead,” she said quietly. “Meridia gave it to me herself. It carries her magic, Kaia will look lifeless, there will be no heartbeat or pulse. But she’ll be fine, after a few hours.”Stefan turned the vial slowly between his fingers, the contents within glowed with a soft green shimmer. He stared at it in silence, clearly torn.Rita looked at him, brow furrowed. “You are hesitating,” she said. “Why are you hesitating?”He clenched his jaw. “Because I hate that this is even necessary.”“But at least Kaia lives,” Rita said gently. “That’s better than letting the king get his hands on her, or wo
Rita slowly approached a house and knocked on the door. She had to be cautious not to attract attention.The door opened and a a woman with white long hair peered at her suspiciously.From her eyes, Rita could see she had been crying, her heart went out to her."Who are you?" she asked."Are you Meridia?" Rita asked."Yes, I am Meridia. Who are you?""Please I need to talk to you, it's really urgent" Rita told her.She looked even more suspicious, "who are you?""Please let me in and I will explain."Meridia contemplated for some minutes before letting Rita in.Rita entered the house, "can you put on a silencing spell around the house so no one can hear our conversation.""Why? What do you want? Did the king send you to kill me? I will do what he wants, I just want him to spare my daughter." she pleaded with Rita.Rita removed her cloak covering her face."the king didn't send me but someone else did.""Who?""Stefan"Her eyes got even bigger and she stepped back."The hunting dog? He
"You have a plan?" Stefan asked."Yes, but it depends on how good a actress her mother is?"Stefan frowned curiously."What do you mean, 'how good an actor?' how does the plan work?""We are going to do the exact same thing I did, fake a death.""But how, the king will know""Isn't she a powerful witch? Plus there is one thing you aren't considering""what's that?""Your loyalty, have you eve gone against the king?" she asked."No, I have never done that""So he wouldn't suspect a thing"Stefan was conflicted, he had never gone against the king before. But then he remembered how Kaia had looked at him and that was all the motivation he needed."I will do it" he immediately agreed. "But she hates me, she knows I was the one in charge of kidnapping her child, why would she believe me?" Stefan asked. "That's true, then, I will talk to her" Rita said. "How are you going to get there unnoticed?" Stefan wondered. "I and Teresa will have to go shopping.""But what if the king suspects yo