"Isn't she showing off her body on purpose?" said the curly-haired man sitting around the table with his three friends while staring at the back of the girl in the blue apron who was struggling with her toast."Don't say that, she can hear you," said the blond-haired man."She's just a weird, arrogant girl." The stocky man chimed in."You're just mad because she wouldn't fight you yesterday," the tall man said to the curly-haired man.Enne could hear the whispers clearly, a bunch of boys her age had deliberately come to her mother's bakery and gossiped there, yes... gossiped about her.Without saying anything, Enne had already walked over to serve four cups of toast to the four boys and intended to return to the kitchen."Hey Aquila." The curly-haired man said Enne's first name.Enne turned her head, she didn't say anything but looked back at the man.The curly-haired man smiled mockingly. "What's the rush? You can stay with us for a while," the man said with a chuckle.His voice was
"I'm not allowed to leave until you eat your food," Jessica explained when she saw Enne just burying herself in the blanket with her back to her."Why are you so obedient to that pale guy? Go away and leave me alone here," Enne said without removing the blanket from her body."You know that a Gamma like me has no right to defy an Alpha."Enne, who was annoyed by Jessica's answer, poked her head out and turned to the butler."I hope this is just a bad dream. My purpose for coming here is not to become a werewolf, I want to live a normal life like everyone else, sometimes I also want to ignore my mind reading ability, but their words can always be heard and are so honest, I can't pretend not to hear them. I'm a freak, and now that pale one is making me even weirder." Unconsciously, Enne poured out her grievances.Jessica could see the look of sadness in Enne, she had already walked over and placed her food tray on the nightstand beside Enne's bed. "I know your sadness, but facing things
Enne was really desperate to smuggle herself into the trunk of the horse-drawn carriage. Yes, after Jessica left the Enne's room, Enne headed straight for the horse-drawn carriage that would transport Aaron and Stella to town. The two people left immediately after Devota went home and took over Aaron's duties in the village.There wasn't much conversation that Enne could catch, her body occasionally jolted as the horse-drawn carriage she was riding in hit the gravel or uneven road. Enne didn't know how long she had stayed in that position, an hour or more? But Enne immediately breathed a sigh of relief when the horse-drawn carriage stopped moving.Enne could hear the sound of Altair and Stella's feet getting off the horse-drawn carriage. After the situation was deemed safe, Enne immediately came out of her hiding place very carefully.Enne's body felt very cramped, curling up in a cramped place like a trunk for a long time made her joints need stretching, not to
Altair was about to speak up when he saw Stella suddenly enter the room and interrupt him. "They are ready, those people want to see you in person."Altair nodded slowly. Yes, his goal was to expand his business connections. Although Altair lived in the forest far away from the city, it was not impossible that the outside world would disturb his flock, with Altair establishing relations with the human world, at least they knew that Altair could be a powerful person and would not disturb his area.The proof was that even though Altair lived in the interior of the forest, he had many businesses in the capital city, such as the firearms business, nightclubs, and some famous shops, it was Madame Lyra who was Enne's grandmother who used to take care of Altair's human affairs, considering that Madame Lyra had lived in human civilization for a very long time.However, since Madame Lyra had to go somewhere, Altair was forced to step in, while he left the affairs in the village to Devota."Did
Enne was stunned. A golden brown wolf was approaching her. There was no fear at all, and Enne felt this strangeness.Normally a person would run away out of fear, or inch away in surprise at the arrival of such a beast, but not Enne, she kept staring at the wolf with dense fur approaching her.Enne didn't know if it was just a feeling or not, but the wolf's steps looked graceful. The wolf walked beautifully, leaving a trail in the snow."Finally we meet."That voice. Enne frowned, it was a familiar voice to her ears."Why the surprise? We've talked before. I've said it before; I am you and you are me."Enne didn't want to admit it, but the wolf was talking to her."You're ...." Enne's sentence trailed off. She remembered hearing that voice at Mrs. Lyra's house, the day she moved to her grandmother's village, before she and Altair officially met."Are you going to reject my presence? But seeing that you are not afraid at all, I feel that your curiosity is greater than your fear," the w
"Etienne?"Enne could faintly hear someone's voice calling his name."Are you okay?" the voice asked again.No, Enne knew that voice well, his head felt dizzy, especially when his sense of smell picked up the strong odor of cigarette smoke and alcohol."What hurts?" the person asked again when he saw Enne wincing while holding his head.That's right, there was no mistaking it, it was Altair."I'm fine," Enne finally said in a hoarse voice. The girl tried to remember what happened. Yes, she was still at Altair's club.Enne began to recall the time when she sneaked into Altair's carriage and then when she was about to go to her mother's residence but the unexpected happened. Enne also remembered when Altair came to save her, then they began to open up to each other and forgive each other, oh Enne remembered she had blamed Altair about the possibility of her turning into a werewolf was because of that man, Enne remembered everything, she even remembered when she met Melody and the others
The horse-drawn carriage they were in moved slowly down the path in the forest. Inside, the atmosphere was colder and heavier than their previous journey. Enne sat on one side, his hands clasped tightly together in his lap. His mind kept drifting back to the moment last night, when his mother had curiously asked about their relationship."Nothing, Etienne and I are just friends, nothing more than that." That was what Altair said when asked by Lady Ingrid about their relationship. Those words struck his heart, floating in his mind until there was no room to think about anything else.That statement kept echoing in Enne's head. Although he did not want to admit it, his heart flinched when he heard Altair's words. They were already officially mates-Altair had marked it in the cave back then, a bond that Lynx said should be stronger than just friendship. But now, Enne could not ignore the strange feeling that welled up inside her. A disappointment that he found hard to understand, even ha
That morning, the cold wind pierced the skin, embracing every inch of the village with the scent of frozen snow. Altair's house was located to the south of Enne's previous residence aka Lyra's house, standing firmly among the pine trees that were now wrapped in a white layer of snow. Inside the house, the warmth of the fireplace and the scent of burning wood enveloped the room, but Enne felt she couldn't stay there any longer.She put on the thick cream-colored coat lent to her by Altair, and without thinking, went out to the frozen river at the edge of the village. The sound of snow crunching under her boots accompanied her small steps. The snow this season was heavier than usual, forming a thick layer on the ground and making every gust of wind carry fine crystal flakes that glistened in the morning light.Reaching the riverbank, Enne stopped. The surface of the river was completely frozen, like a large, shimmering mirror. His breath formed a thin mist in the air, his eyes staring f
Night crept in slowly, bringing with it a chill that pierced the skin. Under the full moonlight that bathed the forest in a silvery glow, two wolf figures galloped through the night mist. In front, Altair, a large white wolf with fur that glistened like snow, was traveling at full speed. Behind him, a slightly smaller gray wolf followed with regular breathing-that was Devota.Altair had not said a word since they left his territory. His heavy breathing sounded rhythmic with the long steps that broke the silence of the night. Devota, who usually didn't say much, knew very well that Altair was lost in his own thoughts. He could feel the worry and tension surrounding his leader."Alpha," Devota's voice sounded in his mind through their mental bond. "Are you sure you're leaving the search for Miss Etienne entirely to the warriors? What if they need you?""I have to do this, Devota," Altair replied in a firm tone, despite the slight uncertainty implied. "Etienne is in greater danger than w
Enne blinked her eyes, trying to adjust her vision to the dimly lit room. The pain in her wrists stung, and she soon realized her hands were tied to a cold wooden chair. Her breath caught as her eyes began to focus on who was in front of her.In front of her, stood Andhara with a cold yet meaningful gaze. The man who had always seemed mysterious now stood with a serious expression. However, that was not the thing that made Enne more uneasy. At the side of the room, six people with sharp eyes were watching her. Enne recognized them-they were the rogues who were previously captured and held in the Altair village prison.Enne felt her heart racing. They were the escaped rogues... and they were all here with Andhara, her guess was not off, this was clear evidence that Andhara was one of them.Suddenly, from the shadows in the corner of the room, a person appeared with a dark coat and a hood that covered most of his face. The mysterious figure walked up to Andhara, signaling the other rogu
Enne was still rooted to the spot. The word "Alpha" that came out from Lynx echoed in his mind. Alpha? Andhara was an Alpha? His mind instantly spun, remembering Devota who often called Altair with the same title. Isn't an Alpha the leader of a pack, the strongest and most respected? If so, was Andhara as strong as Altair?However, before Enne sank further into her confusion, Lynx's voice rang out again, softer this time, like a mentor about to explain something."Every wolf pack has an Alpha," Lynx said in her mind, his voice soothing, though Enne could sense a hint of worry behind it. "The Alpha is the leader of the pack, the most dominant and the most powerful. An Alpha can be male or female. Altair is the Alpha of your village, but he's not the only one in that position. His cousin, Stella, is the Alpha of another pack. However, since they have separate packs, there is no conflict between them."Enne tried to understand the explanation, although her mind was still shrouded in conf
"Andhara... do you have any connection to the rogues who attacked the village?"Enne stared at Andhara with sharp eyes, waiting for the man's answer to her question just now. Seconds passed in silence, but Andhara didn't give any reaction. His face remained calm, showing no signs of shock or anger. His silence felt like confirmation to Enne-a wordless answer that confirmed all his suspicions.Andhara stared back, his eyes deep and enigmatic, yet not a word escaped his lips. Enne felt shaky, but not from the cold. From the look in those eyes, a glimpse of a shadow appeared in her mind, and she felt it-a faint hint of a hidden memory or intention behind Andhara's eyes. Something dark and devious. She tried to make sense of the sudden memory, and the conclusion that came to her was horrifying.He is indeed one of them... Enne thought with mixed feelings of fear and anger. Andhara was part of the rogues who attacked her village.The thought disturbed her. It had been a long time since she
In the middle of a shivering snow-covered forest, Altair stood upright, looking towards the northwest. The thickening snow mist covered the tracks on the ground, making every step elusive. Several warriors stood behind him, awaiting orders. Next to him, Devota looked at him attentively, her eyes trying to read their leader's now troubled face."Alpha," Devota said, her tone formal yet full of concern. "Maybe we should stop the search for a while. This blizzard is getting crazy, and we're losing our way."Altair didn't answer immediately, just squinted, trying to see more clearly even though his vision was obscured by the fog. The cold bit into his bones, and he felt the foreboding growing stronger. But his mind wasn't just on the rogues they were hunting-there was another image nagging at his heart. Enne.She had left the village early in the morning to hunt for the trail of the rogues who had escaped the night before, but ever since the storm had started, she had been feeling restles
"You've come to your senses," he said calmly, as if this encounter was just an ordinary occurrence.A sense of surprise and alarm immediately crept into Enne's mind. Although she had been rescued by Andhara before, there were many things she did not yet understand about the man, something that made her not entirely comfortable around him.Enne tried to keep her distance and stay alert. Slowly, she got up and leaned against the cave wall, her body still weak but enough to give her some space."You... saved me?" she asked softly, trying to subdue her nervousness.Andhara nodded casually. "I saw you almost freeze to death in the middle of a storm. There's nothing wrong with helping someone who is dying, right?" she said in a light tone.Enne stared at her silently, feeling confused whether to be grateful or even more wary. Andhara's relaxed demeanor didn't seem to imply any bad intentions, but there was something that made it difficult for Enne to feel comfortable.Andhara seemed to sens
Enne let out a long breath, staring at Altair's retreating back. He knew very well that something was making the man uneasy. The way Altair spoke, the look in his eyes, all implied that he had something on his mind, but he chose to keep it to himself.Trying to divert his mind, Enne obeyed Altair's suggestion to continue with breakfast. With various thoughts in her head, Enne arrived and sat down at the dining table. The aroma of warm bread and winter potato soup was appetizing, but a bit of anxiety still filled her heart. Jessica greeted her with a gentle smile."Good morning, Miss Enne. Please enjoy. I've prepared a winter dish that might warm your heart," Jessica said, pouring Enne a cup of hot tea."Thank you, Jessica," Enne replied with a small smile, trying to hide the feelings of anxiety that surrounded her.The morning passed quietly. Enne enjoyed her breakfast in silence, accompanied by the sound of the winter wind blowing softly from outside the window. However, as the after
That morning, the corridor was quiet, as if waiting for something unexpected. Altair walked with firm steps, his intention was only one-a quick breakfast before starting the day. He imagined the warmth of coffee chasing away the cold in his throat. Occasionally, he rubbed his hands that were reddened by the cold air, although the freezing he felt was not only because of the freezing season but also the atmosphere that somehow felt more tense than usual.When she almost reached the dining room, her steps faltered. At the end of the hallway, she saw Devota, a Beta she could always count on. However, there was something odd about the man's face. His face was pale, as if he carried bad news that was too heavy to say."Devota?" called Altair, quickening his pace.Devota looked nervous, but the man managed to control his emotions. "Alpha... there's a big problem."Altair stopped the pace, his forehead furrowed deeply. "What's going on?"Devota looked directly at the Alpha. "The captives...
The snow continued to fall, piling up on the window frames until the room felt quieter, more silent. The silence almost made time stand still, only the faint sound of the fire in the fireplace occasionally crackling in the corner of the room, creating a little warmth in the midst of the cold night. Altair sat across the table, his gaze dreamy. His face was serious, focused, but occasionally his gaze softened when his eyes glanced briefly at Enne.In his mind, Altair tried to piece together the facts about the rogue arrests that happened this morning. The six who were caught were a stubborn group-more persistent than originally thought. Despite being caught, they still refused to give any further information. And one thing that kept ringing in his mind was the reason behind their actions. Those rogues weren't just rioting to cause trouble; they were attacking the village, as far as Altair could tell, he found a loophole, they were doing it for revenge. But revenge against whom? The que