Page 34 of A Crown Without Mercy

“There’s always a first for everything.”

“Yes—” Just as she replied, she noticed a form beyond the tree darting in and out of the shadows which appeared to be following them. She watched intently and could see the snow white color of the creature when it crossed through the silvery rays of the moon cleaving their way through the dense canopy.

Klyn turned his body and looked at her. “Is everything okay?”

“Would you mind stopping for a moment?”

He looked at her inquisitively and caulked his head to the side. “Stop?”

“Yes, please.”

He turned back around and pulled on the reins. “Whoa, easy boys.” Once the carriage stopped, he leapt from the seat and walked to the door. “Are you okay?” he questioned again.

Sylvana kept her eyes on the creature and watched as it leapt into a tree and crouched down on a thick branch. Klyn opened the door and took a hold of her hand as she stepped down from the carriage. She stopped at the edge of the road and Klyn stood so close to her she could feel the warmth of his body on her back.

“Sylvana, I need to know what you are doing?” he asked sternly.

“I need a minute alone.” She collected the sides of her dress and walked into the forest.

Klyn placed a firm hand on her shoulder. “I cannot let you head into the forest alone. I don’t know what you are doing, and I insist you get back into the carriage.”

The creature leapt from the branch and landed with a thud on the ground. Klyn let go of Sylvana, pulled the sword from the sheath on his back, and moved in front of her. “Sylvana, stay there,” he whispered sternly.

Sylvana stepped to his side and placed her hands on his forearm arm. “Stop. He’s not looking to hurt us.”

“What the hell is going on?”

“It’s Amarok. The villagers refer to him as the White Wolf.”

“They haven’t been spotted in hundreds of years. It’s a fucking Faye,” he stated.

“He’s not a Faye. You need to trust me,” Sylvana replied as she stepped further into the forest.

“Ahh, fuck,” Klyn rumbled as he reluctantly followed her.

After a short walk, Sylvana stopped and held up her hand. “Shh, don’t say or do anything.”

Amarok’s hazel eyes were aglow in the dark as he stepped from the shadows. “Wait here.”

She walked toward Amarok, kneeled down, and held out her hand. “Amarok, it’s okay,” she whispered.

Amarok nervously paced back and forth and then took one cautious step after the other in her direction. He looked over her shoulder and he and Klyn held each other’s gaze with a mutual look of distrust and malice. The hackles slowly rose along the nape of Amarok’s neck, along with a low, guttural snarl and curled lips which revealed his enormous ivory canines.

Sylvana ran her hand over his head and along his back. “Amarok, he won’t hurt you.”

After a moment, Amarok looked at Sylvana, rubbed his head against her chest, licked her face and nipped at her chin.“What are you doing along the road?”she asked telepathically.

“Watching you.”

“Where is your pack?”

Amarok sat on his butt and curled his thick tail around his body.“They’re waiting out of sight.”

“You shouldn’t be out here. It’s not safe,”Sylvana said.

“You’re not safe either. Do you trust the one who stands behind you?”

She turned ever so slightly and glanced at Klyn.“I do.”

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