In the dead of night, Selena worked meticulously, butchering a cow and selecting the finest cuts to bring to her pet. Her mind was heavy with worry. She feared the keeper might not be feeding him properly, and the pup—if left hungry—could go on a killing spree.
Draped in a cloak as dark as midnight, she traveled through the shadowy forest, her figure merging with the rich blackness of the night. Her movements were deliberate, quiet. She couldn't risk being seen visiting the keeper too often.
Yet, even amidst the silence of the forest, the scent of Red Wolves lingered. They were among them—blending in, elusive, and nearly impossible to find.
Her horse slowed to a halt in front of the keeper's stall. Selena dismounted, her boots crunching softly against the forest floor. She cleared her throat as she approached the door.
Her face was almost entirely hidden, her hair concealed beneath her hood. A fake scar stretched across her face, drawn carefully to mislead anyone who might glimpse her features. She had doused herself in the pungent stench of cow's blood and crushed berries, masking her scent from any prying noses.
The dwarf who greeted her squinted as she stepped inside. "How may I help ye?"
"I've got a wolf in the wild," she said curtly.
The keeper nodded, leading her deeper into the house. From the outside, it looked like a modest stall, but inside, a maze of underground chambers sprawled in every direction—a hallmark of the keepers.
She followed him into a quiet chamber, tossing a pouch heavy with gold onto the table. "Where's my pup?" she asked, her voice edged with impatience.
But as they entered the room, her instincts flared. In one swift motion, she drew her dagger, spinning to face the presence she sensed. Her blade was at the neck of a young man—a boy, really.
He was tall and lanky, his curly white hair brushing his nape. His icy blue eyes, wide with fear, shimmered in the faint light, reflecting innocence. Selena's breath hitched.
"Who are you?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
The boy slipped from her grasp, darting behind the dwarf like a frightened animal. His glowing presence in the moonlight was almost ethereal.
"Stop scaring him," the keeper said, exasperated. He patted the boy's head gently. "That's your werewolf pup."
Selena's eyes widened in disbelief. "He's a teenager! It's barely been two weeks!" she shrieked.
Stumbling back, she dropped into a chair, her hands raking through her hair. "This was such a bad idea," she groaned. "I never should've brought him home. How the hell am I going to hide a full-grown werewolf?"
The boy—her pup—circled her legs like a playful puppy, his demeanor oddly endearing. She sighed, handing him the meat she'd brought. He devoured it greedily, gnawing the flesh straight from her palm.
Despite herself, she reached out, her fingers threading through his curly hair. He was so adorable. But then she met his eyes—those piercing, cruel eyes—and her heart faltered. For a child, his gaze was terrifying.
"What are you going to do with him?" the keeper asked, pouring her a cup of beer.
"What do you mean?" Selena asked, her tone sharp.
"Well, what was your plan when you brought a werewolf pup into Hunter territory?" he pressed, raising a brow.
"Nothing, really," she admitted, taking a swig of beer. "It was guilt... I hate werewolves. If anything, I saved him so he can have his revenge—just like I want mine."
Memories flashed through her mind—of black wolves tearing her family apart, of their cries echoing in the night.
"To relieve yourself of guilt? That's a cruel fate," the keeper said, his voice heavy with disapproval.
Selena drained the rest of her beer and turned to the boy. "Don't forgive me," she said, her voice a cold whisper. "Hate me with everything you have. And when that hatred consumes you... kill me."
She leaned down, gripping his chin lightly but firmly, her gaze locking with his. "Because if you don't kill me, I will kill you," she said, her words slicing through the silence like a blade.
And with that, she disappeared into the night, her cloak blending into the darkness once more.