: The Hea

nary training, a precursor to the intense "

sp of combat, but her heart was still tha

s the courtyard. Mist clung to the ground, curling around the ston

oday felt

deep breath. Today was the first da

her life, she had been surrounded by seasoned warri

nts and guards shadowed her every step. But

rounds, his dark eyes scanning the space with calculated pr

, masking her nervou

e replied, his voic

bblestones with warm light. Nora moved gracefully, her silver hai

nts with the precision of someone who

ling. "But your footwork is too heavy. Tr

he faintest smile. "Like

ing. Laughter and the sounds of their

ward for a split second, studying

o know if the rumors were true. If she

ut I want to see... if you can rea

one smooth motion, his hand grazed her arm w

shallow, j

!" Nora

around the tiny cut. Warmth spread through her skin. Within

just a fraction of a second.

ask of calm. "Ah... my fault.

ss! But... thank you for not letting me get hurt." H

lly is the 10th Generation Princess... And she ha

his head. "I'll be more

questions became more pointed, though

ng embodiment of a thousand-year-old

t's true," Nora replied,

My father always looks sad when he explains things to me. I only know the way his gaze makes

ars, the silver eyes that shone with kindness and warmth. She wa

more about your

s... a legacy from my grandmother. She was the highest priestess of

head curiously. "Why are

smoothly, "and how I could be of service. From the loo

oth la

ned in a rhythm that se

n Pack, the delicate balance between strength and heart. She shared small anecdote

now and then. But his mind worked

calm of the mo

rred deeply, se

e courtyard. Dust rose from the eastern gate as a

e Alpha Jones Durkehn's pl

at the northern border, travelers from

low hum vibrated

mask firmly in place. But he notic

urs. "Bring them to the hall. I want to

clearly unaccustomed to the grandeur of the Blo

tarkly etched in ever

o trespass. Our pack sent us scouting. We heard rumors of a certain herb that

a calm authority that made even seasoned warriors feel small. "You

ing the Blood Moon borders?" His voice th

we heard the northern forests were filled with good fruits and healing herbs. We did

, curiosity mixing wi

adow of a smile touched his lips. So this is the level of f

our intentions were not hostile. But you will remain here under supervision.

ng over their faces. Even in fear, they had un

ire," King Jones ordered. "B

ed away to quarters, their gr

were scared, weren't they? Even the stronges

xpression neutral. "Yes, Princess.

re of the calculat

can help all packs u

ped out o

emies have to sta

poke. Her trust in everyone was clear in her posture, her tone, her ve

ers, King Jones Durkehn sat at his desk, a

ounded at

" he co

t trusted warrior, stepped inside

ng about the boy," Alpha Jones said

rding to them, he didn't show much during training, but his movements were... effort

hn smiled faintl

d, confusion flicker

nes commanded. "I want to know ever

. why do you choose him to be your daugh

t loyal warrior. "He is just a boy, Gareth. Not a threat.

nctively. And if it does... I believe

ne that made it clear this was not a

said, bowing deeply

and unconsciously moved to a hidden compartment in his desk, where an an

about th