Chapter 166
Dorothy's POV
The grandeur of the Iron Bastion didn't put me at ease.
As Caspian led us through those bustling streets, I noticed Kane's expression remained tense, his gaze sweeping vigilantly across every corner as if ready to face sudden threats at any moment. Those seemingly harmonious scenes—werewolves and goblins walking side by side, vendors enthusiastically hawking their wares—all seemed to carry an artificial falseness in his eyes.
The temporary settlement area was an open space enclosed by rough stone walls, its conditions utterly crude. The wounded lay on stone slabs covered with tattered cloth, children's sobs mingling with adults' hushed conversations, the air thick with the smell of blood and the bitter scent of medicinal herbs. After briefly going over some precautions, Caspian left, abandoning us exhausted refugees to our fate.
I knelt beside a wounded man, carefully treating the gash on his shoulder using the herbal knowledge Faye had taught me. Though my technique was still clumsy, I tried to be as gentle as possible. When I applied the crushed hemostatic herb to his wound, the man hissed sharply in pain, and I quickly murmured soothingly, "It'll be over soon. Just bear with it a little longer."
A young mother grasped my hand, tears welling in her eyes. "Thank you, miss. If it weren't for you, my child..." Her voice broke.
I smiled gently and patted the back of her hand. "Don't call me miss. We're family." As those words left my lips, warmth flooded through my chest. Yes, we were family—not by blood, but through shared hardship and mutual protection.
In the corner, Faye sat on a stone, watching me work. A gleam of approval shone in her eyes as she spoke. "You'll make a good Luna."
Her words made my face flush instantly. I lowered my head and continued handling the bandage in my hands, but I didn't deny it. I thought of yesterday's moment on the battlefield when I'd awakened my wolf spirit, thought of Willow's whisper in the depths of my consciousness, thought of that unwavering trust Kane had transmitted through our mate bond. I was willing to become Kane's Luna, willing to protect these people alongside him.
Night fell, and the Iron Bastion's "artificial sun" crystals gradually dimmed.
I stood at the edge of the settlement area, gazing at the distant bustling streets and towering rock walls, my heart both anxious and filled with anticipation. Though magnificent, this underground city gave off an oppressive feeling, like a cage that might collapse at any moment. Kane had been right—beneath this peaceful facade lurked a reality colder than the world outside.
Faye came to stand beside me, saying softly, "Destined mates are the Moon Goddess's blessing. Don't be afraid, child."
I took a deep breath, a slight smile tugging at my lips. "I'm not afraid. I just... want to become stronger, strong enough to stand beside him instead of hiding behind him."
Willow whispered in the depths of my consciousness, "We will. We'll become a Luna worthy of him."
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Kane's POV
Late at night, Caspian used checking on the settlement as an excuse to lead me away from the temporary camp alone.
My instincts immediately went on alert, but I followed him through the complex underground passages anyway. He deliberately avoided patrol soldiers and those wary-eyed werewolves, leading me through twist after turn until we finally reached a chamber hidden deep within the rock walls. This route had clearly been carefully designed—each corner perfectly avoiding the guards' line of sight.
This was his private quarters. Detailed maps and densely packed intelligence files hung on the walls, showing he'd been secretly investigating something. The room was dimly lit, illuminated only by a single earthfire lamp, the atmosphere oppressive and tense. I scanned those documents—they were marked with various symbols and dates, seemingly tracking some kind of pattern.
Caspian had his back to me, his tone grave. "Stone Ridge may seem calm on the surface, but undercurrents run deep."
I remained vigilant, leaning against the wall with my arms crossed over my chest. "So you risked bringing me here for what, exactly?"
Caspian turned around, looking me straight in the eye. "The truth. The truth about my father."
I raised an eyebrow. "You want me to help you investigate your own father? Why me?"
Caspian walked to the map, his finger pointing at the Iron Bastion's center. "Because you're an outsider, not controlled by the conservative faction. And..." He paused. "You've also lost family. You should understand that when the truth might destroy everything, avoidance only makes things worse."
I fell silent for a moment, my mind flashing to Frank's final words, to Dorothy fighting desperately for me on the battlefield. I analyzed coolly, "I only want to protect my people. If your investigation puts them in danger, I won't agree."
Caspian nodded. "I understand. In fact, this also serves my interests—the conservatives have been trying to expel you all. If I can prove your value..."
I cut him off. "I'm not here to prove my value. I'm here to survive."