The Monster

Chapter 26

Nalani named the little rabbit Kapoo.

She made a small leash for him and took him for a walk around the castle.

Several young werewolves stared hungrily at the rabbit, their gazes followed his every leap.

Nalani noticed and glared at them. "Don't even think about it!" she shouted. "Do you think I can't cast spells? I may be a Mirean, but I can still turn you into frogs if you touch my rabbit!"

The mischievous children backed away, wide-eyed with fear. Karyan, who was watching from the window of his room above, could only smile.

Despite his curiosity as to why Nalani would bother to keep a creature that seemed more suited for a meal, he admired Nalani's spirit.

Determined to support her strange choice, Karyan went down to the stable.

He found some wooden planks and began to build a simple box, filling it with dry straw. Once satisfied with his work, he went in search of Nalani.

He found her in the garden, pulling up a patch of wild bushes. Kapoo was tethered to her ankle, jumping up and down contentedly. Karyan approached quietly, carrying the box.

"Nalani," he called softly, not wanting to startle her. Nalani looked up, with eyes widened on her face as she saw Karyan carrying the wooden box.

"What is it?" she asked, wiping her hands on her apron.

"For the rabbit," Karyan said, placing the box in front of Nalani. "I thought he might need a place to stay."

Nalani's face muscles softened. "Thank you," she said with a high tone. She crouched down, untied the straps from her ankles and put Kapoo into the box.

The rabbit sniffed around, then went into the hay contentedly.

Karyan watched him. "Why a rabbit?" he asked, his tone more curious than critical.
"Wouldn't it be easier to... well, you know."

Nalani looked up, meeting his eyes. "I like rabbits," she said simply. "And sometimes, the smallest lives have the most meaning."

Karyan nodded slowly, absorbing her words. He realized that there were many things he did not understand about Nalani.

"If anyone bothers your rabbit," he said, his voice low but firm, "don't make them frogs. Report them to me. They must answer to me."

Nalani's smile seemed amused. "Oh, did you hear that? Don't worry, those children won't dare. They are very afraid of my threats."

"Can you?"

With a regretful smile, Nalani shook her head. "If I could do shape-shifting, I would turn myself into a weasel and hide in a tree when they sent me here."

Karyan's eyes narrowed. "You really don't like living here, Nalani?"

"I'm not talking about you or your beautiful palace. After all, I have long been a part of Inverno. I am an Inverno person."

"You are? Isn't that the same thing? We are both wolves. Perhaps the only difference is that the Inverno are more aggressive and arrogant. But even Monds are like that sometimes."

"No." Nalani shook her head. "It's not the same for me, Alpha. There is nothing for me here. I left my heart in Inverno."

Nalani shook her dress from the grains of dirt. She grabbed Kapoo's box, holding it high on her chest so the rabbit wouldn't try to jump out. "Apparently I have to go.
I'll take Kapoo to my room, then go to Bertold's place. He needs help in his laboratory today." With a small smile, Nalani departed.

She turned around near the garden gate. "Thanks for the box!" she exclaimed before actually leaving Karyan.

After Nalani left, Karyan sat on the stone bench, pondering her words. How could she prefer Inverno? The rough werewolves, the wild forests with limited game, and the dingy alpha’s castle. And their alpha, Kabar... He still remembered Kabar’s arrogant smirk when they accidentally crossed paths in a no-man’s-land, bound by the rule not to fight.

That bastard had given Nalani to him, with suspicious intentions. Yet, Nalani still said she preferred Inverno.

Karyan huffed in frustration. He had tried to be kind to her, to make up for his harsh treatment when she first arrived. But it seemed to mean nothing to Nalani. She still hoped to return to the lair of the Inverno clan.

Karyan growled, rising to his feet and staring for a moment at the garden, which had returned to its former beauty, as if Lorelei were still there.

He still didn’t understand what had happened. Was it Lorelei’s magic lingering in the garden, or was it Nalani’s own power working without her realizing it?

***
Karyan was discussing with his elders and advisors about the fortifications along the northern border when Radoff entered the meeting room.

His normally calm demeanor turned urgent.

“Two werewolves were injured while hunting in the forest,” Radoff reported.

“Their bodies were slashed, but fortunately, they are still alive. One of them managed to recount the encounter. They were attacked by a monster while stalking a wild boar.”

Karyan’s eyes widened, eyebrows raised.

The attack from the so-called monster had not happened for a long time. It only attacks when provoked. What was bothering him this time?

“Radoff, tell me more,” Karyan pleaded while leaning forward. “What exactly did the survivor say?”

Radoff glanced around the room before continuing, “He described it as a large shadowy figure with eyes that glowed like embers. It was extremely fast and deadly, attacking before they could even react.”

Karyan’s jaw hardened. “This thing... This creature only attacks when they are angry. Something must have provoked them. What do they do before they attack?”

“Hunting wild boar,” Radoff replied. “But the survivors say that they may have accidentally stumbled too close to its lair.”

Karyan nodded, “This is very disturbing. We need to understand what triggered the attack. If the creature feels threatened, it could attack again.”

He turned to Radoff, “Investigate this thoroughly. Find out what’s bothering the monster. We can’t allow more casualties or risk the creature roaming free in residential areas.”

Radoff nodded, already moving towards the door. “I’ll be right there, Alpha.”

As the door closed behind him, Karyan spoke to the advisors, “We must be vigilant. Strengthen our defenses and be prepared for another possible encounter. We must keep our wolves safe.”

The elders murmured in agreement, their expressions were serious. But Karyan’s mind wandered to the past. He called out to a guard near the door. “Tell Karina I’m waiting for her in my room.” The guard nodded and left.

Karyan dismissed the meeting and returned to his room.

Karina entered as Karyan was pacing restlessly. She looked at the alpha with curiosity. “What’s going on? Why do I see some guards walking around with tense expressions?”

“The creature attacked two werewolves while they were hunting in the forest,” Karyan replied.

Karina gaped. “What do you mean?”

Karyan’s face hardened. His eyes bore into Karina’s with a cold intensity. “You know exactly what I mean. This creature apparently felt disturbed by something, which is why it attacked.”

Karina’s expression changed. “You mean, you think I went into the forest to meet it?” she snapped.

“You’ve always said you wanted to talk to it, Karina. Who’s to say you didn’t decide to go into the forest to find it?” Karyan retorted.

A flush of red spread across her face. “I... I didn’t do it! Why are you accusing me?”

“Because you’re the only one who’s not afraid of it,” Karyan replied coldly. “It was your father.”
***