Eldric woke up to a wet sensation on his cheeks. Blinking through blurry vision, he saw a little wolf right in front of his face, its tiny tongue licking Eldric's cheeks with eager affection. Rubbing his eyes with his chubby little hands, Eldric mumbled in a sleepy, babyish voice,

"You’re here again?"

Heaving a sigh, Eldric pushed his one-year-old body to sit up. It was a struggle every time. Every movement felt like an immense effort, with his small limbs not yet strong enough to respond quickly.

"This damn body, why does it move so slowly?"

The little wolf sat back on its haunches and began wagging its tail enthusiastically. The motion sent ripples through its soft, black fur, which shimmered like a midnight sky under the faint light filtering into the cave. The little wolf’s eyes, a striking blue, glinted with mischief and pure adoration as it leaned into shower Eldric with more wet kisses.

Eldric couldn’t help but chuckle at the wolf’s antics. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He reached out to pet the wolf’s head, his fingers sinking into the soft fur. The wolf, feeling the gentle pats, wagged its tail even faster.

“You behave like a dog, Noel. If Stella sees us together again, she’ll curse me to death.”

Noel, the second pup of Stella, was born on the same day as Eldric. His black fur was identical to hers, but his eyes were uniquely his own. Unlike his mother, Noel had no markings on his forehead.

Eldric's initial days were a haze of confusion and helplessness. As a newborn, he spent most of his time curled up on the cold, hard ground of the cave, his tiny form barely stirring except when hunger or discomfort roused him. The only regular visitor in those early days was Stella, whose presence was marked by brief, begrudging visits. Her arrival would be heralded by harsh glares and muttered curses, her demeanor a constant reminder of Eldric's unwelcome presence. After hastily feeding him, Stella would vanish, leaving him alone.

As Eldric's senses slowly awakened to the world around him, he began to notice more than just the stark solitude of his surroundings. He found himself captivated by the dance of shadows that flickered across the cave's entrance, mesmerized by the interplay of light and darkness that played out each day.

By the fifth month of his existence in the cave, Eldric's physical strength had grown just enough to allow him to roll over and lift his head. His newfound mobility sparked a curiosity that drove him to explore his limited domain with increasing vigor. He would spend hours each day crawling across the rough, uneven floor of the cave, his small hands and knees navigating every nook and cranny with growing confidence. The texture of the cave floor, once foreign and harsh beneath his delicate skin, became a source of tactile fascination. The cool touch of the stone walls that enclosed him and the occasional splash of water from stalactites high above all provided new sensations that stirred his senses.

But the end of the fifth month brought with it a profound sense of loneliness. Eldric's mind, though still young, was sharp and keenly aware of his isolation. The silence of the cave was oppressive, broken only by his own voice and the distant sounds of the waterfall. Stella's visits remained brief and hostile, and Aelius had not returned since his departure, leaving Eldric feeling abandoned and adrift in the cave's solemn embrace.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

However, as the sixth month approached its end, a new presence entered Eldric's life: Stella's second pup, Noel. Unlike his mother, Noel was a bundle of curiosity and playfulness. The young wolf would stealthily slip into the cave to visit Eldric, often nuzzling him affectionately and wagging his tail with boundless enthusiasm. Noel's visits brought a much-needed glimmer of joy to Eldric.

Whenever Stella discovered Noel with Eldric, her reaction was predictably furious. She would unleash a torrent of curses at Eldric and forcefully drag Noel away. Despite Stella's efforts, Noel's determination to see Eldric never wavered. The baby wolf would find ways to slip back into the cave. Noel's presence became a beacon of hope for Eldric. The little wolf's playful antics and affectionate nature provided a small but significant comfort. Eldric would laugh and giggle as Noel licked his face and tumbled around him. For the first time, Eldric felt a connection—a sense of companionship—that alleviated his crushing loneliness. Noel's bright blue eyes, always filled with mischief and adoration, were a constant reminder that Eldric wasn't entirely alone.

"You're the only one keeping me sane," Eldric murmured as he hugged Noel tightly.

"Stella and every other wolf hate me, and Aelius has already forgotten about me. I feel abandoned, just like in my past life."

"But you know what? I don't need any guardians. I'll become strong enough to stand on my own."

With a determined sigh, Eldric stood up and strode towards the waterfall that had become a source of endless fascination. Its crystal-clear waters cascaded down in a symphony of soothing sounds that reverberated through the cavern. The mist generated by the waterfall enveloped Eldric in a shimmering veil, casting rainbow-like reflections on the cave walls. He paused, mesmerized by the play of light and water, which seemed to dance in harmony with each other.

Approaching the pool of water at the base of the waterfall, Eldric caught sight of his reflection. His eyes gleamed with a mixture of pride and incredulity as he admired his appearance.

"I can never get over this handsome face of mine."

In his previous life, Eldric had been an unremarkable man with an average look and build, but in this reincarnation, he had been bestowed with striking features that set him apart.

Eldric's thoughts drifted to his birth mother, and he could vividly recall her beauty even in death. She had long, lustrous silver hair that shimmered like moonlight. Her face was delicate and fair, with a flawless, snow-white complexion. Her large, almond-shaped eyes were captivating, their crystal-clear silver irises reflecting an ethereal light. Framed by long, thick eyelashes, her eyes had a gentle yet striking presence. She had a small, button nose and soft, pink lips that added to her graceful appearance. Her sharp jawline and defined features gave her an air of strength and elegance.

"She was definitely the most beautiful lady in this world," he thought with a mix of pride and sorrow while holding the pendant around his neck, a small but intricate piece of jewelry that his mother had given him, perhaps at birth.

His gaze then shifted to his own jet-black hair, shiny and smooth. His eyes, a striking red, were a stark contrast to his mother's silver irises. "They must be my father's DNA," he mused, wondering about the man whose features he carried. His perfect face and small, yet well-formed body made him look like a tiny prince. Eldric always thought that, given his mother's elegant appearance and the expensive clothes she wore, she must have come from a very wealthy family. But the questions that plagued him the most were why she had been chased, where were her family, and why his father, whoever he was, hadn't been there to protect them.

Eldric clenched the pendant tightly in his small fist, his memories pressing down on him.

"I will definitely find the one who brought death to her," he vowed, his voice trembling with a mix of sorrow and determination.

"Whoever they are, they can never escape. I will make them pay, even if it means facing her family or my own father."