440- The Weight of Promises
POV Thalyndra Moonclaw:
I shook my head, refusing not to respond with mockery, even if it was just a simple gesture. I ate the eggs with bacon in silence, filling myself with the delicious food.
I knew I didn't have a choice about my future, yet I liked to think as if I did. Living in Eldoria might not be so bad, if Anton kept his promise.
I raised my face to him, pushing the empty plate away.
"I don't want the Merchants' heads," I warned, crossing my arms in front of my body.
A crease appeared between his dark eyebrows.
"You don't?"
I shook my head.
"No, I want the Merchants—so that I myself can rip off their heads. I don't need you to avenge me, Anton. I'm not a victim, much less an innocent. My father didn't want me to be an easy target, so he raised me as a warrior. Blood doesn't scare me. If someone is going to dismember them, that someone will be me."
A genuine smile appeared on his lips, his white, aligned teeth reflecting.
"If that is your wish."
"Yes, it is."
"Alright, nothing more fair."
I had the answer I needed. Anton might have many flaws, but dishonorable wasn't one of them. He was an Eldoria who, like his father, kept his promises above all else.
I had no one else. My home no longer existed, and my family was dead. All that remained was to wait. And if he didn't deliver the Merchants to me as he had said, then I would go after them myself, even if it meant fleeing from the Eldoria.
"I accept staying here, but it won't be forever."
"Only until you're completely safe."
"When this is all over, I'll leave and handle my life however I want." I tensed.
"As I already said, you're not a prisoner, Thalyndra. You're only here because I have a mission to fulfill and my father has a promise to keep. When you're safe, and if it's your will, you can leave."
I nodded.
"Great."
He stood up, sliding his fingers through his hair, tossing it back. A rebellious strand fell over his forehead, capturing my attention.
"Do you want to meet the rest of the family?" he asked, casting a glance toward the front door, which was still open. "They're organizing Beltane, which is our event that marks the beginning of summer."
I felt a pang of nervousness in the pit of my stomach. I had never been around so many wolves before. How would they react to my presence? Either way, I would need to meet them. Eldoria would be my residence for the next few weeks or months. I needed to adapt to them, and they to me.
"I... I don't know," I murmured, feeling nervousness overtake me.
"They're eager to meet you and very excited about it."
I bit my cheeks.
"Are you sure?"
He nodded.
"I know you must be used to humans, but I can assure you we're much better than them and just as kind." He winked.
If Anton knew they weren't always kind, he wouldn't say that to try to calm me down.
I stood up, my legs shaky and my heart racing.
"Is there any kind of greeting I should refer to them by? A title?"
Anton stared at me sideways, as if horns had sprouted from my head.
"You don't know anything about wolves?"
I brought my thumbnail to my lips and began biting the corner in a nervous act.
"I know each pack has its own culture, but I don't know exactly how things work here or in any other one, because I've never been to any. Everything I know about wolves is what my father taught me. I learned a lot about objects and our origins, but nothing beyond that."
He scratched the back of his neck.
"Well... here you should refer to my parents as 'Majesty,' since they're the leaders."
"No names, just Majesty?"
I couldn't say why, but deep down, I felt he was being mischievous with me. Still, I decided to ignore the feeling.
"That's right." He shrugged. "I'm also royalty, you know? Since I'll be the future leader, their son—sort of a prince—and you stabbed me TWICE." He raised his fingers, showing the number. "That alone constitutes a death sentence, since you attempted against my life." He made a hand gesture. "But I can forgive your blunder."
I stared at him through trembling lashes, annoyed.
"How thoughtless of me..."
"Don't worry, you're not used to these hierarchies, so you're forgiven."
"How kind of you." I placed my hand over my heart and took a deep breath, pretending to be completely grateful.
Anton headed toward the door, and I followed.
"Ready to meet the Eldoria, Moonclaw?"
I bit my lower lip, my throat constricted with nervousness, my heart beating as fast as a hummingbird's wings.
"Yes, I'm ready."
"Just, please, don't stab anyone. I don't know if they'll be as lenient as I am with your imminent state of violence."
"Don't worry—that imminent state of violence I reserve just for you."
He sighed.
"That makes me feel so special."
I contained the immense urge to roll my eyes.
He stepped outside the house, and I followed closely, ready to meet the people who would become part of my routine in the very near future.