the forest. After performing her usual morning rituals, she went to the stables, ready to start a new day. She greeted the horses and started

e stable, she saw a human form lying on the ground. He was a man, visibly injured. Her face was pale and covered with

burning with fever. "My God, who are you?" she whispered, her mind filled with q

spered in a hoarse voice. "They

. She had to help him first. She got up and went to get clean water and bandages in a war

ean her wounds. She gently wiped the blood and applied bandages to the most serious

s and his look indicated that he was not a simple wanderer. Isabella remembered the stories of conflicts betw

f the stables where she kept additional supplies. It was a discreet place, far from curious

s and medicinal herbs," she said to h

room, gently closing the door behind her. His mind was in turmoil. She had to know more

orked mechanically, but his mind remained focused on the injured man. His features were marked by fatigue a

gitated. She sat down near him and applied the herbs on his wounds, hoping that it would redu

I ... I don't know how long I can s

w who you are, but I'm going to do my best to help you

ran. Yes, I'm from the neighboring pack. But I'm not here

urprised by her words. "Why

"It's a long story. Let's just say I challenged the Alph

k was risky, but she couldn't let him die. "Okay, Kieran. I will help you get well. But y

but determined. "I promise I won't cause yo

l. No one should know you're here. I will come

ds. Each visit was an opportunity to get to know him better, and little by little she discovered the

n his spine, an instant electrical connection. Kieran looked at her intently, his eyes

I know what it's like to be rejected, to be alone. And mayb

park of gratitude in his eyes. "

ore attached to this mysterious man. She found in him a strength and a sweetness that she had not known

aightened up on her makeshift bed, her look more liv

side, attentive. "Wh

go home. I cannot stay hidden here forever. But I promise to come

you go back there, you risk your life. And

rs. "I know. But I can't flee forever. I have to face my past to

sadness. "All right. But be car

nsity that made her heart beat fa

etly. They separated at the edge of the forest, and she watched

mind was turned to Kieran. She hoped he would keep his promise and return safely. In the mean

watching the moon rise in the sky, her thoughts wand