Althea stirred on the bed, her lashes fluttering as she slowly opened her eyes. A faint dizziness lingered, but her strength had mostly returned, and she could feel her energy flowing back into her limbs.
“You’re finally awake, My Lady!” lva exclaid, hurrying to her side.
Althea didn’t answer right away. Her gaze stayed fixed on the ceiling, her mind replaying the last thing she rembered—collapsing in Gavriel’s arms, his voice tight with worry as he called her na.
“Did they stop the infection from spreading?” she finally asked, blinking to clear her thoughts.
“Yes, My Lady. You don’t have to worry anymore,” lva assured her. Just then, Althea felt sothing stir beside her. She quickly jolted when she realized there was a wolf curled up beside her. Its fur shimred faintly in the morning light, black and white strands blending like shadow and moonlight.
“lva,” she stuttered with a gulp, pressing back against the pillows.
“Ah, don’t be frightened,” lva reassured quickly. “It’s an Eclipser Wolf, My Lady. Lord Uriel said it’s rare, a mythical wolf. It stayed by your side all night, keeping you warm. You were so cold, it helped you recover.”
Althea’s gaze softened as the wolf nudged her hand gently, as if urging her to pat it. Her fingers moved almost on instinct, stroking its back. The creature let out a low, satisfied whimper that tugged at her heart.
She smiled faintly. “Ah, I rember you... You’re the one who saved from the infected touched by dark magic. You stopped them before they could reach .”
The wolf gave a small woof, tail wagging, and Althea chuckled. Its fur, dark as midnight yet streaked with pure white, seed to glow faintly like embers under the sun.
Cradling the little wolf in her arms, she turned to lva, who was already laying out food on the nearby table. “How long was I unconscious this ti?” she asked softly.
“Two nights, My Lady,” lva answered. “Co, you must be starving. Eat first, and afterward we should walk a bit outside. Lying down for so long will make your body stiff.”
The wolf hopped lightly off the bed, circling Althea as though making sure she was steady before letting lva help her up.
Her eyes road the unfamiliar chamber. The air slled faintly of herbs and wood polish, not smoke or dust from ruins. “This isn’t the inn... Where are we?”
“We’re within the fortified walls of Reed Manor, under Alpha Abner,” lva explained. “Many survivors have been brought here. Azath Town suffered greatly... There’s much to rebuild.”
Althea nodded slowly, her heart tightening. She had been unconscious longer than the last ti. That only confird her fear—she had pushed her inner energy too far, drained herself until her body collapsed.
She was still deep in thought when the wolf suddenly leapt onto a chair beside her, staring at her with bright eyes.
“What is this? Aren’t you a little too clingy?” she teased, brushing a hand through its fur.
lva laughed as she set down a tray of fruits and bread. “I’ve never seen anything like IT. His fur... it glows at tis, My Lady. Lord Uriel said he’s still a baby, maybe only a month old. And he seems to have chosen you as its master. You should give it a na.”
Althea blinked, looking down at the little wolf nestled against her side as though it belonged there. Her heart swelled with warmth. A rare mythical wolf, bound to her?
Her lips curved in a faint smile. “A na, hmm... I’ll have to think of one fitting for a wolf like you.”
The Eclipser tilted its head, ears twitching, as if it understood every word.
“Let eat first,” Althea winked at the wolf before she started eating.
While she took her first spoonful, lva began talking. “There’s sothing you should know, My Lady. While you were asleep, I gathered news from the survivors and the people passing by. What happened at Azath Town—what you did—it already spread throughout the kingdom.”
Althea’s spoon paused midair. “Already?”
“Yes,” lva nodded seriously. “And there are two sides of argunt.”
Althea lowered her spoon slowly. “Go on.”
“So people are praising you,” lva explained. “They say the traitor’s daughter risked her life to save Azath. Many believe you showed courage, that you’re different from your father.”
The wolf gave a soft huff, as if agreeing. Althea stroked its fur absentmindedly while listening.
“But,” lva continued, “others say the opposite. They claim it’s all an act. They believe you only wanted to gain sympathy, or worse, that Cain planned all of this to wash away his betrayal.”
Althea’s eyes darkened. “So they still think I’m nothing but his shadow.”
lva lowered her gaze, not knowing how to comfort her. “Rumors are cruel, My Lady. So already argue whether you should be welcod... or watched carefully.”
Althea leaned back in her chair, staring at her al without appetite. “I saved that town because it was the right thing to do, not to prove anything.”
The wolf nudged her arm gently, as if sensing her mood. She smiled faintly and rubbed its head.
“Even so,” lva said softly, “your actions reached far beyond Azath. The Capital itself is buzzing. So see you as a heroine... others see you as a threat.”
Althea fell silent for a mont before speaking. “Let them say what they want. I didn’t risk my life to win their approval. What matters is saving as many lives as I can.”
She let out a sigh and hesitated but still asked, “The Alpha King?”
“Oh, he’s been very busy,” lva replied quickly. “He hasn’t co back since he brought you here last night. I heard he’s been making rounds along the borders, making sure there won’t be another breach like the one that happened the other night. He’s also looking for traces of where that dark spell ca from.”
Althea nodded slowly, her thoughts tangled. Her eyes drifted toward the open window, hoping for so distraction. But the mont she looked outside, her breath caught.
Down in the yard, walking among the soldiers and survivors, was a figure she instantly recognized. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
“It can’t be...” she whispered.
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