A Face He Couldn't Forget
1651 Words
The royal palace of the Inferno Pack stood proudly atop Crimson Mountain, overlooking the vast kingdom below.
Built from black volcanic stone reinforced with crimson crystal, the palace was a masterpiece where ancient tradition met modern engineering. Rivers of molten lava flowed through carefully designed channels beneath reinforced crystal walkways, providing natural light and energy to the entire royal estate.
As dusk settled over the mountains, the palace glowed like a blazing jewel against the darkening sky.
Inside, preparations for the Annual Moon Summit were in full swing.
Royal staff hurried through the corridors carrying luggage and ceremonial robes.
Engineers completed final inspections on the royal convoy that would depart at sunrise.
Elite warriors checked their weapons and communication devices before the journey.
The palace kitchens buzzed with activity as chefs debated which signature desserts should represent the Inferno Pack at the Festival of the Bright Moon.
Every corner of the palace overflowed with excitement.
Everyone had somewhere to be.
Everyone had something to do.
Everyone...
Except one person.
Crown Prince Draven Ashfang stood alone on the balcony outside his private suite.
The cool mountain breeze ruffled his dark hair as he rested one hand on the railing.
His molten-gold eyes were fixed on the distant horizon.
But he wasn't really looking at the mountains.
His thoughts had wandered far beyond them.
To a pair of silver-gray eyes.
Three days.
It had been three days since that unexpected encounter on a rain-soaked mountain road.
Three days...
Yet he still remembered those eyes with impossible clarity.
He didn't know her name.
He didn't know where she lived.
He wasn't even certain she belonged to one of the Four Great Packs.
All he remembered...
Were her eyes.
Quiet.
Curious.
Gentle.
And somehow...
Filled with a loneliness he couldn't explain.
Draven closed his eyes with a quiet sigh.
"What is happening to me...?"
Normally, strangers disappeared from his memory within hours.
After countless border patrols and diplomatic visits, he had met hundreds of wolves.
Faces faded.
Names blurred.
Life moved on.
But not this time.
No matter how hard he tried...
He couldn't forget her.
He opened his eyes again just as the palace doors behind him slid open.
"You've sighed eleven times."
Draven didn't even turn around.
"I wasn't counting."
"I was."
A familiar laugh followed.
Only one person in the kingdom kept track of ridiculous things like that.
Kaelon Blaze.
Captain of the Royal Guard.
Best friend.
Occasional nuisance.
Always loyal.
Carrying two steaming cups of coffee, Kaelon stepped onto the balcony wearing the black combat uniform of the Inferno Elite. His crimson jacket was unzipped, his sleeves rolled to his elbows, and his perpetual grin suggested he was about to cause trouble.
He handed one cup to Draven.
"You look like someone stole your favorite motorcycle."
Draven accepted it with a faint smile.
"I don't even have a favorite motorcycle."
"Exactly."
"That's how serious this is."
Draven shook his head.
"I sometimes wonder why I keep you around."
Kaelon folded his arms proudly.
"Because life would be unbearably boring without me."
"...You have an answer for everything."
"I've spent years perfecting the art."
Silence settled between them for a moment as both looked over the glowing city below.
The streets sparkled with lights.
Hover trams crossed elevated bridges connecting different parts of the mountain city.
Families walked through lively evening markets preparing for the upcoming festival.
Far below, children chased one another beneath glowing crystal lanterns.
It was peaceful.
Exactly the kind of kingdom Draven hoped to protect one day.
Kaelon took another sip of coffee before speaking again.
"So..."
Draven immediately recognized that tone.
"So... what?"
"The mysterious girl."
Draven nearly inhaled his coffee.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Oh?"
"The silver-eyed girl from the mountain road?"
"No."
"The one you've been thinking about for three days?"
"No."
"The one who made you stare into space often enough that half the guards think you're planning battle strategies?"
Draven looked away.
"I wasn't staring."
Kaelon raised an eyebrow.
"You were."
"I was thinking."
"About her."
"I never said that."
"You didn't have to."
Kaelon grinned victoriously.
"I've known you since we were pups."
"You become quieter whenever something bothers you."
"And right now..."
He pointed dramatically toward Draven's chest.
"...something is definitely bothering you."
For the first time in three days...
Draven didn't deny it.
Instead, he looked toward the distant mountains once more.
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"...I can't explain it."
Kaelon's teasing smile slowly faded.
He had expected another argument.
Not honesty.
"What do you mean?"
Draven stared at the horizon.
"I've met hundreds of wolves."
"Thousands, perhaps."
"I've never remembered someone after a single meeting."
He tightened his grip around the warm coffee cup.
"But every time I close my eyes..."
"I see hers."
The breeze swept across the balcony.
Neither of them noticed the full moon beginning to rise above the distant peaks.
Somewhere far beyond those mountains...
The girl with the silver-gray eyes was also preparing for the journey to Moon Mountain.
Neither of them knew...
That destiny had already begun moving them toward the same path.
The quiet silence on the balcony didn't last long.
The glass doors slid open once again.
"Oh, perfect."
A calm feminine voice interrupted the conversation.
"I had a feeling I'd find both of you here."
Kaelon sighed dramatically without turning around.
"And the peaceful evening officially ends."
Draven hid a smile behind his coffee cup.
Stepping onto the balcony was Commander Selene Emberfall, one of the youngest and most respected officers in the Inferno Pack.
Her long crimson hair was tied into a high ponytail, and the black-and-red combat uniform of the Inferno Elite fit her perfectly. A lightweight tactical jacket rested over her shoulders, while a silver communicator gleamed on her wrist.
Despite being only twenty-three, Selene had earned her position through talent rather than family status.
She was intelligent.
Fearless.
Disciplined.
Among the younger generation, she was considered one of the strongest fire warriors.
But beneath her calm expression...
A storm quietly raged.
She had admired Draven since they were teenagers.
She had trained beside him.
Fought beside him.
Celebrated victories beside him.
Somewhere along the way...
Admiration had slowly turned into love.
Or perhaps...
What she believed was love.
She had never confessed.
She never needed to.
At least...
That was what she kept telling herself.
One day, when Draven became Alpha...
She believed she would stand beside him as Luna.
It wasn't arrogance.
It was simply the future she had imagined for years.
Selene looked between the two men.
"I've been searching the entire palace."
Kaelon raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
"No."
"I checked the training grounds first."
"You weren't there."
"Then the command center."
"You weren't there either."
"So naturally..."
She looked directly at Draven.
"...I knew I'd find you somewhere quiet."
Draven nodded politely.
"Is something wrong?"
She held up a digital tablet.
"The travel schedule."
"The royal convoy leaves at eight tomorrow morning."
"The security teams have been assigned."
"The summit itinerary has been approved."
"And your father wants everyone in the main conference room in thirty minutes."
Kaelon let out a dramatic groan.
"I knew there was a reason you came."
Selene smiled faintly.
"Someone has to make sure you actually follow the schedule."
"I follow schedules."
"You once arrived forty minutes late."
"That happened once."
"It happened four times."
Draven chuckled.
"You count too?"
Selene looked at Kaelon.
"I learned from him."
Kaelon proudly folded his arms.
"My influence is spreading."
The three shared a brief laugh.
For a moment...
Everything felt normal.
Then Selene noticed something.
Draven had smiled.
Not because of a joke.
Not because of the summit.
But because Kaelon had once again mentioned that mysterious girl.
She had noticed it earlier.
Now she was certain.
Something had changed.
She looked at Draven carefully.
"You've seemed distracted these past few days."
"I'm fine."
"I didn't ask if you were fine."
"I asked why you've been distracted."
Before Draven could answer...
Kaelon spoke with a grin.
"It all started after a small accident."
Selene immediately turned toward him.
"Accident?"
Draven sighed.
"It wasn't important."
Kaelon ignored him completely.
"We were driving back from the western border."
"It had been raining."
"A vehicle came around a blind curve a little too fast."
"We both swerved."
"No one was hurt."
Selene's expression grew serious.
"And that's all?"
Kaelon smiled knowingly.
"Not exactly."
Draven gave him a warning look.
"Kaelon..."
"What?"
"I'm just telling the story."
He looked back at Selene.
"Our Crown Prince forgot the entire world existed for about thirty seconds."
"I did not."
"You absolutely did."
"I was making sure everyone was safe."
"Of course."
"And I suppose you were also conducting a scientific study on eye color?"
Draven rubbed his forehead.
"I regret telling you anything."
Selene's curiosity deepened.
"Who was in the other vehicle?"
Draven remained silent for several moments.
"I don't know."
"You didn't ask?"
"No."
"You didn't even learn her name?"
"No."
Selene frowned.
"Then why are you still thinking about it?"
Draven looked toward the mountains beyond the palace.
His answer came almost unconsciously.
"...Because I can't forget her eyes."
The words hung heavily in the evening air.
Kaelon slowly stopped smiling.
Selene felt something tighten inside her chest.
She searched Draven's face for uncertainty.
For hesitation.
Instead...
She found sincerity.
He truly didn't understand why he couldn't forget that brief encounter.
Neither did they.
High above Crimson Mountain, the full moon rose silently into the night sky.
Its pale silver light spilled across the palace balcony...
As though it already knew what none of them did.
Far away, hidden beyond forests and mountains...
The owner of those unforgettable silver-gray eyes was already on her way to Moon Mountain.
And for the first time in nineteen years...
Destiny had begun counting down the hours until they met again.
- Writer
