Years had flown by since Lysander was just a young boy. Bortoli had witnessed considerable growth, with an influx of new families contributing to its expanding population. By then, I was nearing thirty-five years of age, assuming many of the responsibilities that once fell on Arland. He had aged into his seventies, and the torch of duty had gradually passed to younger hands.

As time passed, Lysander matured into a commendable young man, well-regarded and helpful within the village. He honed his skills in swordsmanship, crossbow handling, and even engaged in hand-to-hand combat training, contributing positively to the town's safety and well-being.

Unfortunately, Lysander also harbored a secret life. During the nights, he addressed the needs of his other, more primal self. In the guise of the beast, he would venture into the northern forest, a place where he could be free without posing a threat to anyone.

We were all aware of Lysander's secret and had learned to discreetly manage it, effectively keeping his true nature hidden from the public eye.

During a particularly harsh winter, a group of merchants arrived in our village for trade. Accompanying them was a vibrant caravan of gypsies, bringing with them an array of colorful wagons and various entertainments. It was a sight unlike any other, and for Lysander, who was twenty-five at the time, it was his first encounter with such a lively spectacle.

The townspeople filled the streets, eager to partake in the rare joy and entertainment brought by the visiting caravan. The cold air was alive with laughter and chatter, creating a festive atmosphere despite the chill.

We stood among the crowd, in front of a wagon that was uniquely designed for puppet shows. Suddenly, the door of the wagon opened, and a beautiful woman stepped out. Her long, black hair flowed elegantly over her shoulders, and her eyes, a warm light brown, glowed with a soft radiance, enhancing the natural beauty of her skin. Her presence was like a burst of warmth on a cold winter day, captivating the attention of everyone around, including Lysander.

"Good morning, milady. It seems not every trunk is filled with old coats that nobody wishes to wear."

Lysander, despite our numerous rehearsals on how to charm a lady, still struggled with the art of conversation. As he approached the woman, she stopped in her tracks, her eyes fascinated by his distinctive bright red eyes.

Unimpressed by his attempt at flattery, the woman lifted her gown just enough to avoid the mud and began to walk away from him. "That was a terrible thing to say to a lady."

I quickly took hold of Lysander by the shoulders, turning him to face me. "For heaven's sake, Lysander, you're really terrible at first impressions."

"I learned from the best. No wonder you've never found a mate."

Over the years, Lysander and I, forged a bond similar to that of blood brothers. Together, we oversaw the management of the house and attended to the various needs and requests of the village. I took the initiative to organize a small militia, ensuring the village had adequate defense against intruders and the predators that threatened our livestock.

However, a significant difference between us became increasingly apparent with time. While I aged at a normal human pace, Lysander's aging process was noticeably slower, a likely side effect of his unique nature. Consequently, as I grew older and began to feel the effects of age, Lysander remained robust and strong.

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As the lady made her way back to her wagon, she paused, turning to address us. "Any of you gentlemen interested in a reading? Perhaps the gentleman with the white hair would like his fortune told?"

Lysander and I exchanged a glance, both intrigued by her offer. "Sure, why not!"

"Then come in."

Inside the wagon, we found ourselves in an ambiance filled with mystery. The interior was intriguing, centered around a golden table holding an enigmatic glass ball. The woman swapped her bandana for a black garment adorned with an unfamiliar symbol.

She picked up a deck of cards and began shuffling them. "I am Audrey. Among my people I'm known as the mind walker. Have you ever had your fortune told before?"

"I never had," Lysander said.

"What about you sir? Would you like to know what your future unfolds?"

Arland's words from my youth echoed in my mind: 'The future is unknown by anyone, except yourself.' At the time, his words seemed cryptic, their meaning elusive.

"I'll pass on the reading, but I'm sure my brother would be fascinated by it."

Audrey responded with a warm smile, giving the cards one final shuffle. "Smart man. Now, red eyes, are you ready to begin?"

Lysander nodded in agreement. Audrey fans out the deck and places it in front of him. "Pick only three."

With cautious curiosity, Lysander reached out and carefully selected three cards from the spread. Once he had made his choices, Audrey gathered the remaining cards back into the deck.

"I'll reveal each card one at a time. Remember, if you become uncomfortable or wish to stop, just let me know. Once all the cards are turned, your future reading will be complete."

The first card she flipped was 'Death'. Her eyes momentarily widened; a reaction not lost on us. The second card she turned over was the 'Ten of Swords', further intensifying the worry on her face. Finally, the last card revealed was 'The Devil'.

Without saying a word, she collects the cards from the table and placed them back on the deck.

Lysander's face was filled with confusion. "What happened?"

Audrey started shuffling the deck once more. She fanned out the cards neatly in front of Lysander. "Let's try this again. I might have made a mistake. Please choose three more cards."

Lysander cautiously chose another set of three cards from the deck. To our surprise, the cards revealed were exactly the same as the first draw: 'Death', the 'Ten of Swords', and 'The Devil'.

"There's something unusual here. I've never seen the same set of cards drawn consecutively like this before."

Audrey carefully collected the cards, setting them aside with a thoughtful expression. She then placed her hands on the table, palms up, and gestured for Lysander to place his hands over hers. The moment Lysander's hands touched hers, Audrey's behavior changed dramatically. She abruptly recoiled, pushing his hands away. Her eyes were wide with shock and fear.

"Please leave."

Observing Lysander's expression turn to one of disappointment, he quietly stood up and exited the wagon. I had a suspicion that Audrey's reaction was due to her claimed abilities as a 'mind walker'. Perhaps in that brief touch, she had glimpsed into Lysander's dual nature and encountered his wolf side, which might have startled or overwhelmed her.

Understanding the potential implications of this encounter and wanting to shield Lysander from further distress or rejection, I discreetly placed a bag of coins on the table.

"This should suffice as payment for your services and for your discretion. I would appreciate it if you could leave the village as soon as possible and not return."

"You don't understand. That man... he's like the devil incarnated."

Her words sparked anger within me. "Calm down, he is not the devil. Lysander is my brother, and he has never harmed anyone."

Audrey rose from the table, accepting the bag of coins, but her expression remained troubled. "But he will, I saw it clearly. Once the beast within him takes full control, it will be unstoppable, and it won't spare anyone, not even those he loves."

"I don't understand, Audrey. What did you saw?"

"Please stay, this conversation needs to happen."