That night, Luna stared at the massive shadow standing before her. Her legs trembled, and her hands gripped her phone tightly. She tried to calm herself, but the fear had already seeped deep into her bones.
“W-who are you?” Luna asked, her voice quivering.
The shadow didn’t answer. Only the sound of heavy footsteps echoed as it slowly approached. In the dim moonlight, Luna finally caught a glimpse of the figure. A giant wolf with sleek black fur and piercing yellow eyes.
“Fenrir…” Luna whispered, almost in disbelief.
Fenrir stood tall, his commanding presence intimidating. His voice was firm but calm. “I know what you’re planning, Luna.”
Luna forced a small laugh to mask her fear. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Stop lying,” Fenrir retorted coldly. “You’ve caused enough chaos. But I won’t let you hurt the Princess again.”
Luna flinched at his words. She knew Fenrir wasn’t bluffing, but she tried to maintain her composure. “Then why don’t you attack me now? Are you afraid I’ll win?”
Fenrir let out a low chuckle, his deep voice resonating in the air. “Win? You don’t even know who you’re dealing with.” He stepped closer, causing Luna to retreat a few steps. “Consider this your final warning. If you continue, you’ll face me directly. And I won’t be this lenient again.”
Luna swallowed hard, unable to respond. Fenrir turned gracefully and walked away, disappearing into the night’s shadows. Luna stood there, frozen, but her mind began to race. If Fenrir had appeared, it meant she was getting closer to toppling Aira.
***
Aira woke up with a sense of unease. She had been plagued by nightmares all night—of wolves, Luna, and losing control of herself. She tried to shake off the ominous feeling, but it lingered.
When she came down to the dining room, Mrs. Santi was waiting for her at the table, her expression more serious than usual.
“Are you alright, dear?” Mrs. Santi asked gently.
Aira nodded slowly. “I don’t know, Mom. It feels like… something’s wrong.”
Mrs. Santi looked deeply into Aira’s eyes before sighing. “I feel it too. But whatever happens, remember that you always have me here. Don’t be afraid, okay?”
Aira tried to smile. Mrs. Santi’s words always brought her some comfort, even though the anxiety still gnawed at her heart.
***
That afternoon, the atmosphere at Aira’s house shifted dramatically. A police car stopped in front of the house, and Luna stepped out with a triumphant look on her face.
“Mrs. Santi!” Luna called out from the gate. “I have something important to share.”
Mrs. Santi walked out calmly, standing at the gate. “What is it, Luna? Why did you bring the police here?”
Luna smirked. “I just want to ensure everything is safe. I’m sure you know what I mean.”
Mrs. Santi frowned. “If you have an issue with Aira, you should talk it out, not involve the police.”
One of the officers stepped forward. “Apologies, ma’am. We received a report of suspicious activity at this house. We’re just here to ensure everything is alright.”
Hearing the commotion outside, Aira peeked from behind the curtains, her heart pounding as she saw Luna speaking with Mrs. Santi.
“Why would she go this far…” Aira muttered.
Before she could think further, a soft but firm voice spoke behind her. “We need to leave now, Princess.”
Aira turned to see Fenrir standing there. His yellow eyes exuded calm despite the chaos outside.
“Fenrir? But I can’t leave! Mom is outside—”
“You don’t have a choice,” Fenrir interrupted. “If you stay here, they will take you. I won’t let that happen.”
Aira hesitated, but finally nodded. She knew Fenrir was right. With a swift movement, Fenrir lifted Aira onto his back.
“Wrap your arms around my neck. I’ll take you to safety,” Fenrir instructed.
Aira obeyed, and in an instant, Fenrir leaped out the window. With incredible speed, he carried Aira away from the house.
***
After running for some time, Fenrir finally stopped in a dense forest. Aira slid off his back, still catching her breath.
“Where are we, Fenrir?” Aira asked, glancing around.
“The forest where the wolf clans live,” Fenrir replied. “You’ll be safe here.”
Aira looked around, feeling a mix of unease and solace. The whispering wind through the trees and the earthy scent of the forest felt like another world.
Soon, wolves began emerging from the trees. They surrounded Aira and Fenrir, gazing at Aira with curiosity.
“She has arrived,” said one wolf in a deep voice.
“The rightful heir,” added another.
Aira took a step back, agitated under their watchful eyes. “What do they mean, Fenrir?”
Fenrir looked at Aira gently. “They recognize who you truly are. You are the rightful heir to the throne of the wolves, Aira. You are our queen.”
Aira shook her head quickly. “No… no. I’m no one. I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do—”
“You don’t need to know everything right now,” Fenrir interrupted. “But you must accept who you really are. You can’t keep hiding.”
***
That night, the wolves can gather in a clearing bathed in the light of the full moon, creating a magical atmosphere.
Aira stood in the center of the circle, feeling awkward and insecure. But Fenrir’s confident gaze gave her a sliver of courage.
An elder wolf stepped forward. “The time has come. We acknowledge Aira as the rightful heir of Kaela’s lineage. She is our leader, our queen.”
Aira shook her head slowly, tears brimming in her eyes. “But I don’t know anything… I don’t even know how to lead.”
Fenrir approached, lowering himself to her level. “You don’t need to know everything now. But you have a strong heart, hidden courage, and a desire to protect yourself. That’s enough to start.”
Aira looked at Fenrir, then at the wolves surrounding her. Their eyes were filled with hope, not the fear she had felt in the human world.
Slowly, Aira took a deep breath. She straightened her posture, though doubt still lingered in her heart. “If this is my destiny… I’ll try. I’ll learn to become the leader you need.”
Fenrir nodded proudly. “That’s a good start, Princess.”
As the ritual concluded, Aira stood on a large rock, looking out over the gathered wolves. For the first time, she felt that perhaps she did belong somewhere.
But in the distance, a pair of eyes watched from the shadows. Luna stood there, observing everything. A sly smile spread across her lips.
“So, this is the story…” Luna whispered softly. “In that case, I just need to end it all here.”