The wooden cup trembled.
Eleanor sat cross-legged on the floor of her room, eyes fixed on the object, hands raised slightly as if directing an invisible force. Her breath came in slow, focused puffs. Nothing. Not even a twitch.
She gritted her teeth. "Why isn't this working?"
Her voice echoed in the quiet room.
The familiar chime echoed in her head.
[MoonCore: Breathe. Calm your mind. Let the power in.]
"Let the power in? How?" she muttered, frustrated.
Silence followed.
Of course, MoonCore wasn't always talkative.
Eleanor closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. Her mind drifted through the chaos of thoughts—the death, the lies, the shifting past of a girl she didn't know, yet now was.
"Fine," she whispered to herself. "Breathe. Calm. Focus."
She opened her eyes. Lifted her hand. Focused on the cup again.
The water inside shimmered faintly. A faint vibration passed through the wood. Then… it lifted—just slightly—hovering in the air.
"Yes!" Eleanor gasped.
But the moment shattered as the door slammed open.
Brina walked in holding a stack of neatly folded clothes. "Daria—"
Startled, Eleanor's focus broke.
The cup crashed to the floor. Water splashed across the wooden planks.
Brina blinked. "Oh! Sorry—didn't know you were—what was that?"
"You ever heard of knocking?" Eleanor snapped, standing.
Brina blinked again, eyes dropping to the spilled water. "Why would I? You never lock the door." She placed the clothes on the bed, kneeling to grab a nearby rag. "Daria, you messed the floor. You're not a child anymore."
Eleanor bit back her retort, crossing her arms. She watched in silence as Brina dabbed at the puddle. The quiet between them grew heavy.
Brina finally finished and stood. "Come on. It's time for your bath."
The bathwater steamed gently as Brina washed Eleanor's back, her movements soft and practiced. Afterward, they sat by the small mirror while Brina combed through Eleanor's wet hair.
"You're different," Brina said suddenly.
Eleanor looked at her reflection. "Different how?"
"You're not scared anymore," Brina murmured, fingers moving through damp strands. "You used to flinch at every sound. But now…"
Eleanor studied her own eyes in the mirror. "What was Daria like?"
Brina smiled faintly. "She was… kind. The kindest. So gentle, it hurt to see how people treated her. Especially her stepsister Elyndra."
"Because she was wolfless?"
Brina nodded. "Everyone mocked her. Said she deserved to be a slave because she had no power. Even her smile was timid. But she always smiled. Always tried to help others."
Eleanor's expression darkened. "That girl is dead."
Brina stopped brushing. "What?"
"I'm not Daria," Eleanor said quietly. "Not anymore."
Brina stared at her through the mirror, her lips parted like she might laugh it off. But she didn't. She didn't speak.
Eleanor turned. "Brina… can I tell you a story?"
Brina blinked. "I love stories."
Eleanor lay back on the bed, eyes on the ceiling. "Once upon a time, there was a queen. A powerful queen. She had everything—a kingdom, a husband, and her childhood best friend. She loved them both."
Brina sat beside her, listening.
"She thought that love would protect her. But it betrayed her. They betrayed her. They took everything. Even her life."
Brina's voice was soft. "That's… a sad story."
Eleanor turned her head to her. "Can I trust you, Brina? As a friend?"
Brina's answer came without hesitation. "You can. I would never betray you. Even if it meant my life, I'd protect you."
Eleanor stared into her eyes. "I've heard those words before."
She turned away, pulling the blanket over her shoulders.
Behind her, Brina sat frozen, the candlelight flickering across her face. There was something unreadable in her expression. Like she, too, was keeping a secret.
---
Somewhere Deep in the Mountains
The masked figure sat in silence inside the wooden cabin, sharpening a long blade.
The door creaked open, though no one entered.
Instead, a shadow poured through the doorway like thick smoke—an aura, pulsing black and alive.
"You have until tomorrow," it hissed. "Kill her. Or prepare to die."
The masked man stood quickly. "Why her? Why is she a threat?"
The aura twisted in midair, like smoke forming a face. "She is more than she seems."
"Who is she really?" he demanded.
The air thickened—then slammed into him.
Invisible hands squeezed his throat. He gasped, grabbing at nothing, lungs screaming for air.
"She is not Daria," the voice hissed. "But she walks in Daria's shell. Kill her… before the next two moons. Or I will kill you."
With a final shove, the shadow vanished, leaving the masked man coughing and trembling.
---
The Next Morning — Hermose Market Square
Eleanor stood beneath a hanging sign carved with a wolf's head, clutching a hand-drawn sketch of the blue-eyed man from her vision. She held it up to stall vendors and strangers.
"No, sorry," one said, squinting. "Never seen him."
She tried another. Then another.
Then—she bumped into someone.
Her body tensed.
Aedric.
He smirked, stepping in her path. "Going somewhere?"
"I'm busy," she said, trying to sidestep him.
He moved again. "Tell me how you defeated those wolves yesterday."
"I already told you. I don't know."
His eyes narrowed. "Where's the real Daria?"
Eleanor blinked. "What?"
"You're not her," Aedric growled. "You can fool the others—but I knew Daria. I know when someone else is wearing her skin."
Her pulse raced. But she forced a smile. "You're crazy."
"Am I?" he leaned in. "She didn't hold power like that. She didn't move like you. What are you?"
Before she could answer, a familiar voice called out.
"Hey! Daria!"
Brina.
Eleanor waved and ran toward her. "There you are!"
Aedric stared after her, suspicion burning in his eyes.
Eleanor grabbed Brina's arm. "Where've you been?"
"Looking for you," Brina replied casually, then glanced at the drawing in Eleanor's hand. "What are you doing in the market?"
"Looking for blue eyes."
Brina froze just a second too long.
Then a voice interrupted them. A tall man with sun-baked skin and tired eyes approached. "The Alpha has summoned you. Both of you."
"Why?" Eleanor asked.
Brina nudged her. "You don't question the Alpha."
They followed the man—Theron, Korran's personal slave—through winding paths. At first, they assumed they were heading to the pack house. But soon, Eleanor noticed something was off.
The trees grew thicker. The market disappeared. No guards. No houses. Only forest.
Brina stopped. "This isn't the way to the Alpha."
Eleanor's instincts screamed. "Where are we going?"
Theron stopped ahead. He turned slowly.
"I heard you're looking for blue eyes," he said.
Eleanor's heart dropped.
His eyes shifted—from brown to bright, piercing blue.
His teeth lengthened into fangs.
His fingers cracked and curled into claws.
"You found him."