Darkness or light...?

14.

alpha wolf's pov:- 

As Zaria walked beside me, the night draped the forest in its tranquil embrace, our steps echoing softly over the mossy ground. The moonlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting ethereal shadows that danced with the rustling leaves. Despite the nocturnal beauty surrounding us, my attention remained fixed on the responsibility I held for Zaria's well-being.

Occasionally stealing glances at her, I observed the subtle signs of fatigue beginning to etch themselves onto her features. Though her pace remained unwavering, the weariness of our journey appeared to seep into her bones, evident in the slight sag of her shoulders and the weary lines around her eyes. Reflecting on the implications of her exhaustion in the nighttime forest, I contemplated the necessity of finding a suitable place to rest...

In the tranquility of the clearing, I break the silence, "We should rest for the night," Zaria simply nods in acknowledgment and begins to move about, gathering firewood 

AT THE VILLAGE:-

As two days passed since the group's return, they resumed their daily routines, seemingly untroubled by the absence of their friend whom they had left behind. Yet, amidst the façade of normalcy, one member of the group couldn't shake the gnawing anxiety that clawed at their insides. Even the slightest mention of their absent friend sent shivers of apprehension down their spine...

Rex found himself once again pacing the confines of his room, the weight of Zaria's mother's words bearing down heavily upon him. "Leave before you're caught up more with her," her warning echoed in his mind, each syllable laced with disdain. The implicit threat of harm if he dared to defy her only served to deepen his concern for Zaria's well-being. Despite his efforts to rationalize the situation, a nagging worry persisted, leaving him haunted by the uncertainty of what lay ahead for the girl...

As Rex paced his room, lost in thought, a series of knocks on his door pulled him back to reality. "Son, supper is served," his mother's voice floated through the door, warm and inviting. Quickly, Rex glanced at his reflection in the mirror, checking for any signs of the anxiety that clung to him like a second skin. Satisfied that he appeared composed, he walked to the door and opened it.

His mother greeted him with a smile that seemed to light up the dim hallway. "Let's go, Mother," Rex managed to say, his voice steady despite the turmoil swirling inside him. They made their way downstairs together, the familiar clink of cutlery and hum of evening chatter a comforting backdrop.

Upon reaching the dining room, Rex greeted his father, who returned the gesture with a nod and a reassuring smile.

The conversation at dinner took a more intriguing turn when Rex's father mentioned the queen. "I heard you met the queen," he said casually as if discussing an ordinary acquaintance.

"Yes, she had disguised herself as a student at the academy," Rex replied, still marveling at the revelation."

"Ah, yes, she does that sometimes," his father responded, a hint of familiarity in his tone as though he knew the queen personally.

Intrigued, Rex leaned in. "Did you know her well?" he asked, eager to learn more about the connections his family might have had with royalty.

"Of course, we knew her," his mother chimed in with a chuckle, her eyes reflecting a mix of fondness and respect. "We fought alongside her in the Great War."

Rex's interest peaked. He had known his parents were veterans, but this detail had never come up before.

"She was just 12 at that time," his mother continued, her tone shifting to something softer, tinged with sadness. "She lost all her childhood to training and fighting."

The mood at the table sobered as Rex absorbed this new information, his view of the queen—already complex—deepening with the personal history his parents shared. It painted a picture of a ruler who was not just a distant figurehead but someone who had sacrificed normalcy for duty from a very young age.

Rex's curiosity about the war grew as he sat at the dinner table with his parents. "Uhm, guys, can I know more about the war?" he asked, his voice tinged with earnest interest.

His father raised an eyebrow, perhaps surprised by the sudden interest, but then nodded understandingly. "Sure, you can find books about it in the academy's library," he suggested, acknowledging that the library held a more detailed account than they could provide in one sitting.

Rex nodded eagerly, his mind already racing with anticipation of what he might learn from those books. He finished his dinner quickly, eager not just for knowledge but also for his daily eve,ning walk, a ritual that helped him clear his mind and sort through his thoughts. As he stepped out into the cool evening air, his thoughts were a mix of excitement 

3 WEEKS LATER:-

During his evening walk, Rex followed his usual route, one that invariably led him past Zaria's house. Each time he approached, his heart held a flicker of hope that he might see some sign of her return, but night after night, the house remained dark and silent, a stark reminder of her absence.

However, this evening was different. As he neared the house, he noticed something unusual—the lights were on, piercing through the twilight with a warm glow. Additionally, there were sounds emanating from inside: voices, movement, the clinking of dishes. It was the kind of domestic cacophony that had been absent for too long.

Rex's heart quickened with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Could it be that Zaria had finally returned? Or was there some other explanation for the activity in the house?