his Wolf obsession.

the sun hung heavy and molten, spilling orange fire across the field. wheat swayed in endless gold, whispering under the heat. everyone was busy. sickles flashed.basket filled. Rose and her sister worked side by side, hands raw, backs Bent. a few paces ahead,her mother and father wiped sweat from their chins with dusty hands, breathing hard.the other workers did the same _tired sunburnt,but moving. no one spoke. until the sound of hooves out through the Air heads turned. everybody dropped. bows of wheat hit the ground,knees hit dirt foreheads touches earth. "the King". Daniel rode alone. crown of sweat,not gold.armor dusted from the road. he feard no one.no lord.no general. only his mother. he dismounted, boots sinking inthe soil.his eyes swept the field. "look at you",his voice rolled over them,deep and steady. "working until your hands bleed.thia is what l want my people Tobe hardworker. work hard and you will never starve, under my rule". polite murmurs, shaking backs. then he turned Left and stopped there she was. Rose. her hair tied back,face flushed,a single strand of wheat stuck to her cheek. she wasn't bowing as low as others.she was still standing, catching her breath. the wolf inside Daniel woke up. he moved towards her slow.deliberate. the field went silent. "look up my dear".he said. rose straighten,but her eyes stayed down respectful.afraid. Daniel lifted one finger and titles her chin up. her eyes met his for the first time.green.defiant tired. his breath caught. "you are... a beautiful woman." he said and the corner of his mouth curved. not a court smile .a real one. the workers gasped. "l want you to come to the palace .", Daniel continues. "come with a sack of wheat. you will find gold waiting as payment". Rose flinched and stepped back.hidding half behind her father. "do not fear me".he said quietly.only she could hear. "because you have already been chosen.by the king". then the whispers.shock.jealousy. Daniel had never spoken like this to a woman. never looked at one like this. without another word,he turned. mounted his horse. and rode out from the farm.leaving the smell of wheat and obsession... behind him.