You Wouldn’t Understand

Chapter 33
Thad didn't want Karina to act recklessly by exploring the forest alone, which was why he finally agreed to accompany her to the creature's lair.

Although he didn't know the reason, he couldn't let Karina face such danger without protection.

That night, under the cover of darkness, they slipped silently into the forest. Thad's skill allowed them to evade the patrolling guards with ease, moving like shadows between the trees.

The air smelled of pine and damp earth, the only sounds were their labored breathing and the occasional rustle of leaves underfoot.
Thad led the way, his senses honed and alert, every step was careful.

Karina followed close behind, her heart pounding with fear. She kept her eyes on Thad's back, trusting him to guide them safely through the maze of trees and shrubs.

They went deeper into the forest, the canopy of leaves above growing thicker, blocking out the moonlight. Thad moved with practiced precision, leading them over narrow paths and over moss-covered rocks, always alert to his surroundings.

This was the first time Karina had witnessed Thad's skill, and she couldn't help but admire it.

Finally, they reached the mouth of the cave, the entrance to a dark hole in the rocky hillside.

They crouched behind a group of bushes, peering into the visible opening. Thad's hands were clenched into fists, ready for whatever might emerge from the shadows.

"We're here," Thad whispered. "What now?"
Karina took a deep breath. "We go inside," she replied. "I need to see it for myself."

Thad nodded, though worry showed in his eyes. "Stay close," he cautioned. "And be prepared to run if anything goes wrong."

With one last look at each other, they crept toward the cave entrance, moving together.

The air grew colder as they stepped inside, the darkness engulfing them completely. Thad's hand touched Karina's, a silent assurance that he was there, that she wasn't alone.

Inside, the cave was a maze of tunnels and chambers, the walls slick with moisture.

The silence was oppressive, broken only by the trickle of water echoing down the stone corridors.

Thad led the way, his footsteps barely making a sound, every sense on alert for the slightest sign of danger.

They went deeper, the darkness surrounded them more and more.

Thad's instincts guide them through the maze. Karina's heart was beating faster.

She had come this far, and she didn’t want to go back now.

As they turned a corner, a faint, eerie glow illuminated the tunnel ahead. Thad raised a hand, signaling Karina to stop.

They crouched low, peering around the corner. The slight light from the holes above allowed them to see the shape of the creature's lair, a large room filled with disturbing, otherworldly light.

With his trained eyes, Thad scanned the room for signs of movement. Karina's breath caught in her throat, her eyes fixed on the heart of the creature's domain.

This was it, the moment they had risked everything for.

"He's not here... " Karina whispered. Thad was astonished to hear the disappointed tone in her voice. "Where is he?"

"He's probably out hunting," Thad said. "
Thad was right. As they crouched in the cave, the creature appeared, dragging its prey – a large deer. Karina trembled as she got her first clear look at the form of the creature that was once her father.

The creature was enormous, with a strange blend of wolf and man, standing on two legs.

Its eyes glowed a fiery red, its snout full of sharp teeth dripping with saliva and blood. Its fur was filthy and gave off a sickening stench.

Karina’s heart ached at the sight of the creature. She wanted to get close to it, talk to it. She was sure there were still remnants of her father’s consciousness inside the creature.

She started to rise from their hiding place, but Thad held her back.

The movement caught the creature’s attention. It growled angrily, its roar echoed throughout the cave.

Panic struck Karina as she realized they had been spotted. Thad grabbed her hand, and they darted from their hiding place, turning into wolves on the way.

They ran through the forest, branches slashed at their sides, the creature’s roar sounding behind them.

They dared not look back, unsure if the monster was chasing them. Their only focus was to escape.

Bursting out of the forest, they reached the settlement, panting and exhausted.

There, waiting for them with anger on his face, stood Karyan.

“What were you thinking?” Karyan’s voice was low.

Thad shifted back to his human form.

“Karina needs-“

“There is no reason,” Karyan cut him off sharply. “You’re a danger to yourself and others. That thing-“

Karina changed back, stepping forward defiantly. “I have to go. You know why I need to see him...”

Karyan’s eyes narrowed. “No, I don’t. And I don’t want to know. All I know is that you two have endangered the entire pack.”

“But he was....”

“Karina!” Karyan’s shout boomed loudly.

His anger was at its peak, and all who knew him knew it would be hard to stop if challenged. “Return to the castle right now!”

Karina no longer argued.

Eventually, she left the place. Meanwhile, Karyan was still glaring at Thad. “Now I know why that thing got angry and hurt some wolves.”

Thad looked down. “Yes. I didn’t mean to bother him. I didn’t think it had any magical abilities that could detect me looking for it.”

“And what are you looking for?” Karyan hissed sharply.

“Not for what, Alpha. But for whom. Karina asked for my help...”

“And you were stupid enough to fulfill her wish?”

Thad’s face flushed. Yes, of course he had always been a stupid wolf because of Karina’s persuasion.

Karyan snorted sharply. He understood it right away. “You will go to your cabin now, Thad. You’ll be held there with two guards until I’ve decided on a suitable punishment for you.

Thad nodded resignedly. “I understand, Alpha.”
***
Karina was in her room. Standing in front of the window looking at the forest below.

In her mind the figure of the horrible monster flashed, making her shudder.

There was nothing left of her handsome father who always smiled at her in that monster.

Since her mother’s death, her father and her had been inseparable. But then her father’s excessive ambition, his greed for power, drove them apart.

She got her mother's love from Lorelei, but only briefly and that was even more depressing.

The door to her room was opened.

Karyan entered with an angry face.
“What’s on your mind, Karina? Why are you looking for that cursed creature?”

Her emotions broke out. “Because he’s my father!” she sobbed. “Because I’m lonely and want him back. You wouldn’t understand!”
***