Liliana kept walking away from the Beaumont Pack’s territory. She wanted to go as far away as possible, until she could no longer hear a single sound from them.
Liliana looked up at the sky. The moon had completely given way to the sun. With what little strength she had left, she walked toward a cave on the edge of the lake. But before her feet could step inside the cave, her exhausted body could no longer bear the strain.
Bugh!
Liliana fell and lost consciousness. She only woke up when something deep within her soul kept screaming her name.
"Liliana, are you awake?"
Liliana blinked. "You...?"
"I’m Silver, your wolf."
Liliana froze for a moment, then quickly sat up. "You... it can’t be! I’m supposed to be someone without a wolf!"
"My lady, you can feel our spiritual bond to confirm it."
Liliana looked in disbelief at the silver wolf in spirit form that had now appeared beside her. In an instant, she felt a warm thread of light tightly connecting her soul to that of the wolf before her.
"You... are you really my wolf? Am I not someone without a wolf?"
Silver nodded slowly. "That’s right, Liliana."
"Wait! How did you appear? And why didn’t you show yourself when I called you at the Beaumont estate?"
"You don’t belong to the Beaumont family. They were so cruel to you, and I didn’t want to reveal myself in front of people like that."
"You..."
"If I’d appeared back then, you wouldn’t have dared to take this freedom. I don’t want a master who’s willing to suffer for others."
Liliana’s tears fell, streaming down her cheeks. Her younger sister had forgotten her, her partner had rejected her, and she had no one to lean on. Yet now, her wolf was there, and he actually wanted her to be free.
"Thank you... thank you..." she stammered between sobs.
After a moment, Silver looked up at Liliana, who was still crying. "Liliana, are you hungry?"
Liliana quickly wiped away her tears, then looked down. "No."
"You’re lying, Liliana."
Liliana smiled faintly. She stood up and wandered around looking for food once she felt the pain in her body begin to subside.
Relying on her wolfish instincts, she gathered wild fruits and caught small fish along the riverbank near the cave. Afterward, she walked back toward the cave, the safest place she could stay for the time being.
But her steps halted when she saw an elderly woman with white hair lying helplessly right in front of the cave’s entrance. Without a second thought, she immediately approached her.
It seemed the cave entrance right in front of her was indeed the most comfortable spot for a nap.
"Ma’am? What’s wrong with you?" she asked, trying to wake the woman.
The woman didn’t respond. Her body felt cold, and her face was pale. Liliana immediately noticed the black scar on the leg of the unconscious elderly woman. She knew exactly why this woman had fainted: she’d been poisoned by a snake bite.
With great effort, Liliana dragged the woman’s body into the cave. She tore off the hem of her shirt and tied it around the woman’s ankle to prevent the poison from spreading further.
"Ma’am, please hang in there. I’m going to treat you," she said as she reached for the dagger tucked at the old woman’s waist. With careful movements, she made an incision at the bite mark on her leg. Dark red blood mixed with thick black fluid slowly began to flow out. Liliana moved the dagger again, following the black line that ran down the woman’s leg.
Five minutes later, Liliana quickly washed her hands, covered in blood and venom, with river water. The woman seemed to be doing better. Her face wasn’t as pale as before.
Liliana breathed a sigh of relief. Back then, she used to do this often for Valerie because her younger sister loved to disturb snake nests and had nearly died many times from their bites.
Liliana shook her head, trying to shake off the memories of the past. She sat back down next to the old woman and lit a campfire. The cold air inside the cave slowly turned warm.
"Liliana, why did you help her?" Silver asked curiously as the girl sat there enjoying some fruit.
"Because she’s alone. Just like me."
"Can’t you be a little more ruthless? Don’t go around helping strangers."
Liliana shook her head. "This woman is different."
Silver just shook his head at Liliana’s attitude, which he thought was far too naive.
"What are your plans from here on out?"
"I don’t know. Maybe live in the middle of the forest, hunt, farm, and become a wild werewolf. I don’t have any money, connections, or anything. With my face and body in such a mess, who would want to hire me?"
"Why do you think that way?"
"Who would want me? Even the Beaumont family only took me in because I was willing to be a servant that Valerie could manipulate as she pleased."
"You have me. You can use me to pressure other werewolves and seize their wealth."
"No need. I like the peace and quiet. At least here I don’t have to grovel in front of anyone anymore. Never mind, I’m tired. I want to sleep," said Liliana, then lay down and ended the conversation.
Liliana realized that her wolf was different, and being different was dangerous. If she didn’t have enough strength, it would only spell disaster. Someone would surely capture her for research, or even try to control her.
Soon after, Liliana fell asleep. Silver gazed at her for a moment before transforming back into a soul light and entering Liliana’s body.
When morning came, Liliana woke up to the sound of someone chewing beside her.
"Are you awake?"
Liliana jolted awake and sat up immediately.
"Thank you for saving me. And for the food and a place to rest," the woman said, biting into the apple in her hand, completely oblivious to the shocked expression on Liliana’s face.
Liliana nodded briefly. "I’m going out for a bit. You’re free to leave once you’ve had your fill."
The old woman frowned. "You’re just telling me to leave? You’re not asking for anything in return? And why are you trying to avoid me when I want to talk to you?"
"You don’t need to give me anything. Besides, I treated your snake bite using your own dagger. Don’t you find it disgusting to see my disfigured face while you’re eating? Don’t worry about me, just rest here until you’re fully recovered."
Liliana was used to being treated badly, both at Beaumont Manor and at the academy. No one had ever allowed her to enter the dining room. Her scarred face was always their excuse for turning her away.
That’s why she thought this time would end the same way.