Chapter 4. Meeting the Inner Wolf

"Who are you?" Enne immediately asked when the familiar voice sounded again.

"Do you like him too?" Instead of answering Enne's question, the voice returned with a question of its own.

"Who?" Enne asked again.

"The white wolf, at first, he was very scary, he had a strong intimidation, but if you look closely, he's also sweet."

Enne frowned as the voice from within her mind resurfaced.

"The white wolf?" Enne muttered. Her head throbbed in pain. "I'm not crazy, right?" Enne monologued, thinking she was already accustomed to the strangeness within her, like when she could read other people's minds, but this was the first time she experienced something as odd as now, talking to someone who she felt was inside her own body.

"I am you," the voice said again.

Enne shook her head gently, feeling that she was hallucinating.

"You're not hallucinating," the voice said as if it could read Enne's thoughts.

"I'm going crazy," Enne murmured softly, feeling her soul shaken a little after meeting the white wolf and the corpses on her first day to Amethyst Village.

"Enne." Mrs. Lyra's voice calling Enne brought her attention back.

Mrs. Lyra had arrived at the doorstep of her room again, she had finished with her guest.

"Hurry up with your breakfast, we have to evacuate," Mrs. Lyra said.

"Evacuate?" Enne furrowed her brow in confusion.

"You said it's not safe to stay in such an isolated environment like this. We're going to the Southern region," Mrs. Lyra explained.

Honestly, Enne didn't mind if they had to move to a more densely populated area, but the girl sensed that something was not right. Initially, her grandmother had no problem with their place of residence, so why did she change her mind? Second, evacuate? Evacuate from what?

"Has something happened?" Enne's curiosity prompted her to dare ask.

Instead of answering, Mrs. Lyra's wrinkled hand stroked her granddaughter's head. "Be prepared." That's all Mrs. Lyra said, leaving Enne even more curious.

**

Enne stared at the larger building compared to the others, the tallest raised house with a very spacious structure, and two large-bodied men could be seen standing guard in front of its door.

"You're just staying temporarily, not much stuff to bring, come in," Mrs. Lyra ordered Enne.

Enne became even more confused. "And you? Aren't you staying here too?" True, Enne should have suspected from the beginning, why was she the only one packing? Why didn't her grandmother bring anything?

"There are things I must do," Mrs. Lyra replied.

Enne immediately shook her head. "I'll go with you." Even after thinking it over, Enne became more suspicious. If something bad was happening, at least her grandmother should stay with her. Why did her grandmother have to leave in such dire circumstances?

"You'll be safe inside," Mrs. Lyra said.

Enne was about to argue again when a voice suddenly interrupted.

"Lyara."

Enne recognized that voice. And indeed, when she turned, Enne could see Altair with his captivating brown eyes.

"I entrust my granddaughter to you." Mrs. Lyra immediately entrusted Altair.

"I will protect her," Altair answered without hesitation.

After hearing Altair's response, Mrs. Lyra smiled faintly, and the next moment she left the place using the parked horse carriage.

"No, what happened?" Enne, in a panic, watched her grandmother's departure and immediately looked at Altair with questioning eyes.

"Your grandmother will be fine," Altair said, as if understanding Enne's concern.

Enne didn't say anything further until Altair suddenly took over the bag he was carrying. "Come in, this is my house," Altair explained as he led Enne into the large building.

Enne had no choice but to comply. The girl walked past two guards standing at the entrance while Altair casually walked beside her.

"You said you would stay away from her, why did you invite her here? Are you trying to make me lose control?" Cygnus protested, and Altair could clearly hear him. However, to avoid arousing Enne's suspicion, Altair maintained an expression as if nothing was happening.

"You already know that rogues managed to infiltrate the pack and disguise their scent. The residents are in danger," Altair communicated through his mind.

"We could have entrusted her to the women's dormitory. That area is very safe because it's protected by the Warriors," Cygnus continued his protest.

"Yes, but what if what Lyra said is true? What if the Rogue is targeting Enne? We don't know their origins, but what we do know is that they are related to Lyra's Watcher. If we casually place her in the women's dormitory, the Rogues might attack the dormitory directly."

"In that case, don't blame me if I 'attack' that girl first," Cygnus threatened.

Altair sighed softly. Arguing with Cygnus only gave him a headache. Despite being in the same body, they often disagreed with each other. So far, Altair had managed to maintain control over Cygnus, but considering what happened last night when Cygnus tried to take over his body because of Enne, Altair had to be more cautious.

"Altair?" Enne's soft voice politely entered Atair's ears.

"Yes?" Altair turned to face the girl.

"What are you thinking about?" Enne asked, confused after hearing Altair's sigh.

"Thinking about you." It was Cygnus's voice, but of course, Enne couldn't hear it.

Altair let out a soft growl before shaking his head. "Your room is at the end of the hallway. Get ready, I heard you didn't have time for breakfast," Altair said, pointing to the corridor opposite his room.

Enne's blue eyes focused on the hallway Altair pointed to. Not wanting to prolong the topic, the girl nodded. "Thank you," Enne said as she walked in the previously indicated direction. Enne had to pack her things, although not as much as when she first arrived at Lyra's house.

**

The dining room in Altair's house was truly luxurious. Enne should have guessed it after finding out that Altair was not an ordinary person in that area.

"Please," a servant said, serving food in front of Enne.

"Thank you." That's all Enne said as her eyes turned to Altair, who was sitting across from her.

"Eat," Altair commanded after seeing the servants leave them.

Enne obeyed, putting a piece of grilled meat into her mouth. As she ate, Enne began to enjoy her meal, and Altair started eating his as well.

"Do you know where my grandmother is going?" Enne started the conversation after swallowing her food.

For a moment, Enne felt her heart stop as Altair's sharp gaze focused directly on her.

"I don't know," Altair answered after a brief pause. "What I know is that she will be fine," Altair continued.

Enne fell silent. Although not satisfied with Altair's answer, she felt somewhat relieved upon hearing his last statement.

"Besides moving because your friends shunned you, is there any other reason why you moved here?" Altair asked.

"To be honest, I don't mind if my friends distance themselves from me. I've grown accustomed to being alone. Moving to this village was my mother's idea, and I had no reason to refuse since I also missed my grandmother," Enne explained.

"What about your father?" Altair asked again.

Enne stopped moving her fork to her mouth. The girl smiled sadly. "I've never met my father. Since I was a child, I've only been raised by my mother and grandmother," Enne honestly replied.

"I'm sorry," Altair immediately felt guilty. His intention was to uncover Enne's background because, even though Lyra was a Watcher who had held the position since his father was alive, she never revealed her origins. If the Rogues were really targeting a child from that family, it meant that Lyra was not an ordinary person. Previously, Lyra had only instructed them to hide the identity of any family members who came to the village as werewolves.

"It's okay, I'm fine," Enne said, forming a smile on her face, as if reassuring him that she was indeed fine. "What about you? I haven't seen your parents since earlier. All I saw were a few servants and guards," Enne asked, looking at Altair.