CHAPTER 63: COME WITH US

Shaking her head at her thoughts—since it didn’t matter whether the slit was intentional or coincidental—Emira slipped into the dress. Straightening her posture, she forced herself to push the unease aside. She could not afford to dwell on such things.

Gathering her courage, she stepped out of the room. The moment she saw them, she hurriedly lowered her gaze, bowing deeply as she greeted the two princes and said in a low voice," Greetings, Your Highness."

As expected, Prince Kael’s eyes flicked over her, cold and sharp as ever. His gaze lingered for only a heartbeat before he looked away, saying nothing.

Prince Zen, however, was different. His eyes glinted with amusement the instant they found her, as though he had been waiting only for this moment. "Come here, little fire. We’ll eat as we talk."

Even though the man said that they would eat as they talked, it was Emira who ate slowly and he talked.

"You know the pack rules. Now that you have severed ties with your old pack and followed us here, you must first be accepted into ours. Normally, this would require you to prove yourself by doing something for the pack. But in your case, that will not be necessary—you will not be joining as an ordinary member, but as a slave."

"Within the Stormhold Pack, there is not much distinction among members when it comes to hierarchy, informally. The rule is simple and clear: treat everyone with respect. That is what ensures harmony."

Emira nodded at his words. This was how it was supposed to be, the way things were often spoken of in stories and teachings. But she knew well enough that reality was very different. While people claimed that the Moon Goddess had created all wolves equally, power always told another story. And no matter what anyone said, the hierarchy never failed to exist.

Even as she thought this, Prince Zen knocked lightly on the table in front of her and continued, "I know you don’t believe me, but you will see soon enough that the Stormhold Pack—-nd many other packs as well- are not as backwards as the Moonville Pack, clinging to outdated notion.

Anyway, for the protection of the pack, in official matters, the crown prince’s word is the law. After him, it is Kael’s, and then mine."

Emira nodded slowly, and Prince Zen paused for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as though weighing his next words.

"Little fire," he said at last, his tone soft but firm. "Other than us, you need not concern yourself with the others. Even if you are a slave, you belong to us and only us. That means no one else has the right to order you around. Am I clear?"

Emira’s head lifted at that, her brows drawing together in confusion. What exactly did he mean? Did he truly want her to disregard the rest of the pack? Was that what he was telling her?

He must have caught her hesitation, because a smile curved across his lips as he explained further. "I only mean that you must keep your head down and stay out of trouble. This time, Kael and I will be staying for a few days before leaving on our next mission. You will follow us when we go. So there is no need for you to try and form attachments or friendships here..."

Even as she nodded at the words, a strange sense of uneasiness settled within her. Why give her such bizarre instructions?

She turned to look at Prince Kael, but he seemed to have nothing to say.

***

Emira’s first look at the Packlands of the Stormhold Pack left her breathless. It was beautiful—so beautiful that for a moment she forgot to breathe. A beauty she had never even imagined in her wildest thoughts. The towering peaks of the mountains framed the land like silent guardians, their snow-capped ridges gleaming under the sun.

Wildflowers of every shade stretched as far as her eyes could see, swaying gently in the breeze, filling the air with a fragrance that seemed both strange and familiar at once.

The moment they had entered the pack territory, the Princes had abandoned their bikes and begun walking toward the palace. Their steps were steady, purposeful, and even in this simple act of walking, they carried an air of command that no one dared challenge. It reminded her of the time when they had caught her and brought her back to the Pack courtyard...

Emira followed, her heart beating faster with every step, unsure if the beauty around her was enough to ease the tension knotting in her chest.

Other than the breathtaking view, what struck her most was the festive atmosphere. She could sense it in the air, in the smiles of the wolves who had gathered, in the way voices rose in cheer as the princes passed.

The Stormhold Pack was celebrating the return of their Princes, and the mood was one of joy and reverence.

She had not realized until then just how large their envoy truly was. When they had begun the journey, she had thought it was only the princes and a few other warrior wolves.

But as they walked deeper into the territory, more wolves appeared, joining the procession without hesitation. At least thirty of them trailed behind, forming an orderly line, their presence disciplined yet powerful.

And yet, in that formation, she found herself in an odd position. She was not pushed behind, nor forced to walk among the others. Instead, she remained between the princes, shielded by their presence and hidden from the view of the others. It felt decidedly strange, almost unnatural, and she could not shake the awareness of it.

Her eyes remained lowered as they moved, the weight of curious gazes pressing on her like a heavy cloak. She could feel them, trying to see her behind the towering Princes, and wondering why she was there.

The urge to shrink into herself was overwhelming, but Emira forced her steps to remain steady as they entered the palace. She paused at the entrance while the rest of the soldiers stopped too while the two Princes walked ahead.

Just as they were about to enter the threshold, though, Prince Zen turned around and ordered," Little fire. You will follow us in."

Emira looked up, shocked. And from the reactions of the other, who had gathered there, she knew they were shocked too.