Chapter five - The mark of the bound
887 Words
The big cave still felt warm from all the howls. Clara’s white fur turned back into skin. Her legs wobbled like jelly. Damien held her hand tight. He did not let go.
A lady with a scar on her cheek bowed low. “Luna,” she said. “You are our queen now.”
Clara wanted to say No, I’m just Clara! But the word Luna felt heavy, like a real crown on her head. All the wolves looked at her with big, shiny eyes. They needed her.
Damien squeezed her fingers. “You don’t have to talk. Just be here.”
She nodded. For the first time, she did not run away.
They gave her new clothes: soft pants, a dark shirt, and boots that fit just right. Someone had braided her hair while she slept. Silver strings sparkled in it. She looked like a hero from a story.
The scarred lady—her name was Rhea—took them deeper into the cave. The air got warmer and smelled like wet rocks and green plants. They walked through tunnels until they saw light.
A huge room opened up. It glowed soft green from funny mushrooms on the walls. Little houses were carved in the stone. Curtains hung at the doors. Rugs lay on the floor. A big fire burned in the middle. An old lady with silver hair stirred a pot.
Kids ran and played. Some were kids, some were pups. They jumped and turned into wolves and back again, laughing loud.
Clara stopped. “There are kids here?”
Damien’s face got tight. “Hunters hurt everyone. Even little ones.”
Rhea smiled when a small girl with silver eyes pulled her sleeve. “Aunt Rhea, is she the Luna from the stories?”
Rhea knelt. “Yes, little star. She will keep you safe.”
The girl looked at Clara. “Will you tell us the story about the queen?”
Clara’s tummy felt funny. She did not know what to say. Damien helped.
“Later,” he said. “First, the Luna needs food and a bath.”
The girl ran off, happy.
They gave Clara yummy stew with meat and carrots, warm bread, and sweet honey drink. She was so hungry she ate two bowls. The pack watched and smiled. Damien sat right next to her, his leg touching hers.
After food, Rhea took Clara to a small room with a curtain door. A big metal tub waited, full of hot water that smelled like flowers. Candles glowed.
Clara looked in a cracked mirror. The girl in it had bright eyes and a new scar on her shoulder. She looked strong.
Damien came in quiet. He started to unbraid her hair. His fingers were soft.
“You don’t have to,” she said.
“I want to,” he said. “Let me help.”
She let him. He took off her dirty clothes and helped her into the tub. The water felt like a big hug. He washed her hair gently. When he saw the scar, he touched it.
“This should have hurt badly,” he said.
“It didn’t kill me,” Clara said.
“Because you are mine,” he said, then looked sorry. “I mean—”
“I know,” she said. She turned in the water. “The bond. It’s louder now.”
He nodded. “It’s not finished. We need a mark.”
“A bite?” she asked.
“Yes.” He looked at her neck, then away fast. “It keeps bad wolves away. It stops the hurt when we are apart. But only if you want it.”
She remembered the pain when they were far. It felt like knives.
“And if I say no?”
“I will wait forever,” he said.
The pack outside started a soft song to the moon. Clara felt it in her bones.
She stood up. Water ran down. She took the towel. Dried slowly. looked at him.
“I’m not saying yes,” she said. “But not no.”
He smiled big. “That’s enough.”
They gave her a tiny room with a soft bed and furs. A small window showed the dark forest. Moonlight came in.
Damien stood at the door. “I will guard outside.”
“Stay,” Clara said fast.
“I don’t want to be alone.”
He came in. They lay on the furs with clothes on. She put her back to his front. His arm went around her like a warm blanket. The bond felt happy and quiet.
Clara dreamed. She saw the queen again on a cliff. A black wolf stood by her. Shadows marched below. The queen looked at Clara.
“The bond is strong,” the queen said. “But it can trap you.”
Clara woke up with a jump. Damien sat up fast.
“Bad dream?” he asked.
She nodded. “She warned me.”
He hugged her. “We will break any trap together.”
Outside, the sky tu
rned pink. The pack woke up. Far away, a new howl came. Deep and mean. Not their pack.
Clara’s blood got hot. The howl was a challenge.
The war was coming.
And Clara was ready.
- Writer
