Run! The Lost Princess of the Black Wolves

Chapter 21 - Among the Northern Pines

Chloe followed the woman who confidently lead the way through the castle's winding stairs and corridors. Chloe couldn't help but wonder who the woman was. “What’s your name?” she asked hesitantly.

“I’m Gunda,” the woman offered her a tight-lipped smile. “I used to be your mother’s maid. Until the day she left, and I never saw her again…" They walked for a bit in silence before she eventually continued. "Is she… well?”

“She is,” Chloe nodded. “Under the circumstances.”

Gunda sighed. “Yes, I heard about your brother. How horrible. I cannot understand why she chose to live among the savages in the South. But that’s what happens.”

“What?” Chloe frowned.

“She should have come home… when she finished her mission," Gunda shook her head. "She should have come home. But no, she chose to stay in the South,” Gunda pursed her lips.

“But she stayed with my father,” Chloe objected. “Her fated mate,” she emphasized.

“In such case, she could have rejected him,” Gunda scoffed. “He was not suitable.” Her contempt toward Warren was written all over her face.

“My Father’s a good man,” Chloe protested.

Gunda patted her arm. "Of course, dear. What daughter wouldn't say that? Oh well, here's your room."

Gunda opened the door to a huge room with stylish décor, and as Chloe stepped into the room, she was taken aback by the sheer size of it. The room was much larger than she had expected, and the high ceiling made it feel even more grandiose. The walls were painted in a soft, misty blue hue, creating a calm and serene ambiance.

"It used to be your mother's room," Gunda spoke with a hushed voice, her tone filled with a mix of reverence and sadness. As she spoke, her eyes were fixed on Chloe, looking melancholic.

Chloe's eyes roamed over the furniture, admiring the tasteful decor. The bed was enormous, with a plush white duvet and fluffy pillows, and the bedside tables were made of polished wood that matched the dresser on the opposite wall. A cozy armchair and a small table with a vase of fresh flowers completed the furniture in the room.

Despite the luxurious feel of the room, Chloe couldn't help but notice the absence of any ornaments or ruffles. Rebecca's taste for simplicity was reflected in every aspect of the room, and it was evident that every piece of furniture had been carefully selected to fit her unique style that, apparently, she had cultivated ever since she was young.

Chloe walked over to the dresser and ran her hand over the smooth wood. She couldn't help but feel a sense of connection to her mother as she took in the serene beauty of it. “This room feels like home,” she almost whispered. “It’s like a piece of her soul was left here.” She got an urgent desire to call her.

“This room has not been changed since Aurum left. We clean it from time to time, but besides that, it hasn’t been touched. It remains just as she left it,” Gunda’s gaze wandered over the room.

"And it will stay that way until she returns," a sudden voice startled them, causing Chloe to spin around. An old lady stood in the doorway, her posture crooked and her silvery hair tightly coiled into a bun. She leaned on a stick with a wolf's head carved into it, its ruby eyes shining in the dim light. Chloe felt the intensity of the woman's gaze, as if she could see into her very soul.

“This room will remain the same, at least as long as I am alive,” the old woman spoke again, her voice laced with conviction. She slowly entered the room, approaching Chloe.

Gunda hurried over to the old woman, offering her arm. "You should have mindlinked me, Mylady," she chided gently.

The lady chuckled. "No need to fret, Gunda. I can still walk on my own two feet.”

Chloe narrowed her eyes, trying to place the woman's face. She couldn't shake the feeling that she knew her from somewhere. "Grandmother?" she ventured tentatively.

The woman nodded. "Lovis, my child. I am Thora, your grandmother,” she offered a tight-lipped smile. “Do you remember me? You were so small last time we met."

“I do,” Chloe smiled, however, she was feeling perplexed. Didn’t her grandmother remember her name?

As she searched for a tactful way to correct her, Thora spoke again. "I am genuinely happy you decided to come here," she said, walking towards Chloe with slow, slightly dragging steps.

"She doesn't look that happy to me..." Chloe's wolf muttered.

"True," Chloe agreed. Her grandmother didn't look happy at all. But maybe she was, deep down?

"I have waited for you, and hoped your mother would bring you with her to come back home," her grandmother continued with a faint smile.

Chloe was taken aback by her words. "Come back?" she repeated skeptically. "You mean, to stay?"

"One day, she will," Thora replied with a knowing nod. "This is her home. And now, it's yours."

Chloe shifted uncomfortably. "Mother has a life with our pack back home," she felt she had to explain. Was her grandmother senile or something? "And so do I," she added carefully.

"You belong to the North, both of you," Thora's voice grew sharp. "Even if your father's colors have tinted your hair and skin, you still carry your mother's Northern blood in your veins. You should not be living among the savages in the South."

“We don’t live in the South,” Chloe objected. “And our pack is not savage!" Without thinking, she backed away a few steps from her grandmother.

What was wrong with these people?

Thora's expression softened slightly as she saw Chloe backing away. "I know, my dear," she replied, her voice suddenly gentle. “But you have no need to be afraid, my child. Come, let me have a closer look at you.” She beckoned Chloe to come closer, and with hesitant steps, Chloe approached her until Thora laid a wrinkled hand on her arm.

Thora took Chloe's hand, looking deeply into her eyes. “Your eyes may be green,” she nodded. “But I can see your mother in you. My beloved Aurum. My beautiful daughter, lost to the Black Wolves. I have mourned her every day since. But now, here you are, my Lovis,” Thora straightened her back, her voice filled with pride. “An exotic flower among the Northern pines. You have nothing to worry about, my sweet child. You are safe here.”

“Th-thank you, grandmother,” Chloe bowed her head, not knowing what else to say.

Thora's expression turned sour as she continued speaking. "I told your mother to come home so many times," she said, her voice laced with bitterness. "We even traveled down to the South to convince her to bring you and your brothers up here to the North, so we could make decent people out of you. But she refused, telling me off completely, and I haven't heard from her since." Thora's words hung heavy in the air.

"No s**t," Chloe's wolf snickered. "Who would not want to come back here? These Northerners seem so friendly..."

Chloe lifted her gaze to meet Thora's light blue eyes. "Was that when my cousin came to visit?" she asked, trying to put two and two together. Nothing her grandmother said made sense.

Thora let out a weary sigh. "Yes," she said. "We thought maybe seeing your cousin, such a splendid little child she was, would remind your mother of her Northern roots and that she would understand you wouldn't grow up alone. But she refused, and now, look what has happened to all of you!"

Chloe flinched as Thora suddenly raised her voice, looking visibly upset. “What... what do you mean?” Chloe stammered, taken aback by her grandmother's sudden outburst.

Thora's eyes blazed with anger as she continued her rant. “Yes, look at what has happened! Your brother Nicholas, murdered. Your other brother mated to a filthy half-human. And you, fated to mate with an Eastern murderer. This is all the Moon Goddess' way of punishing Aurum for not fulfilling her destiny! If only she hadn't…” Thora trailed off, her voice thick with emotion.

Chloe's jaw dropped in disbelief as she gazed at her grandmother in utter shock. Had she really just referred to Isabel as "filthy"? And was she insinuating that Chloe's mother was to blame for Nicholas' death? Her inner wolf was howling with fury, and she had to summon all her strength to rein in her emotions and prevent herself from causing a scene.

“Mylady, your heart…” Gunda intervened, softly patting the older woman’s arm while giving Chloe a warning glance.

Thora immediately lowered her shoulders, her breaths becoming calmer. "Thank you, Gunda," she said, her voice returning to its usual stern tone. "You're right. I shouldn't let my emotions get the best of me." She turned her gaze back to Chloe. "You must understand. The Northern way is the only way.”

"Not for us..." Chloe's wolf muttered.

"Definitely not," Chloe agreed.

“Shall we head to Master Crassus' office now? He is waiting for us,” Gunda suggested urgently, not giving Chloe a chance to reply.

“Yes, yes,” Thora let out a sigh and nodded. “Let’s not keep him waiting any longer.” She turned to Chloe and placed a hand on her shoulder. “You must forgive me, my child… These wounds just won’t heal. Your mother’s betrayal will always haunt me. But I will never stop hoping she will come to her senses, and when she does, I will hold no grudge. She’s always welcome home.”

As they began walking down the ornate corridors, Chloe's mind was spinning with confusion. Her mother, a traitor? But in the West, her parents were hailed as heroes? They were practically celebrated for ending the brutal war that had ravaged their lands, lasting over a decade. How could it be that in the North, her father was deemed to be unworthy and her mother branded as a betrayer?

Chloe was deep in thoughts as she followed her grandmother and Gunda through the grand corridors of the castle, shocked by everything her grandmother had said. She was totally thrown off by her grandmother's words, feeling like the rug had been pulled out from under her feet. Now, she really needed to speak with her mother! However, the next moment they reached a massive, towering door in dark wood, adorned with intricate details in gleaming silver. Gunda rapped on the door with a grand silver knocker, but without awaiting a response, she pushed open the door and strode in.

They stepped into a room that was vast and grand, with a massive desk dominating the space, and behind it sat a man who seemed very familiar. He had striking white hair, a sharp nose, and piercing blue eyes, reminding her of her mother but less friendly-looking. It had to be her uncle, Chloe thought. He had a stern expression etched on his face, but his features softened as he locked eyes with Thora.

“Mother,” he stood up and walked around the desk, gracefully taking her arm and guiding her to one of the plush armchairs by a fireplace. The warmth of the fire spread comfort throughout the room, and Chloe couldn't help but admire the grandeur of the space.

"Argen, you’re so considerate to your old mother," Thora beamed, settling into the chair. "But don't forget your niece is here to see you," she added, gesturing towards Chloe who was still standing awkwardly in the doorway.

Chloe felt her palms start to sweat as she stood before her uncle, who was radiating with such Alpha aura and confidence. Unsure of how to address him, she nervously fidgeted with her hands. What should she do – curtsy? Bow? Offer him a handshake?

"Good evening, sir," she said, attempting a polite bow. "I'm Chloe, Rebecca's daughter." She caught a glimpse of her grandmother flinching at the mention of her mother's name, adding to her growing confusion.

"I am well aware of who you are," her uncle scoffed, gesturing towards an adjacent armchair for Chloe to take a seat. "Here in the North, we know you as Lovis, and your mother’s name is Aurum. I do not wish to hear that other name again," he added with a sharp tone.

She winced at the sharpness of his words. She already knew her mom's past was a touchy subject, but this was not what she had anticipated! Carefully, she sat down in the armchair he pointed to and put her hands in her lap, her mind spinning. Feeling overwhelmed and out of place, she wondered what would happen next?

Maybe going to the North wasn’t such a good idea after all.