Lyaria pauses for a moment in the middle of the dark street noticing that she left everything she was carrying at the inn, but doesn't worry anyway knowing that Ezer would take care of it for her and continues up until she reaches the center of the village.

A red smudge on the horizon was the last thing the sun lit up as she reached the castle gates wide open showing the bustle that was taking place within its walls. Men carried weapons in their hands or pushed carts full of spears, women served food and gave coats, as well as children or young people cut firewood.

Lyaria didn't need any more clues to know something was wrong, she quickens her pace as the floorboards of the castle creak in response. Inside the movement was less, groups of veterans and leaders could be seen talking in groups in low voices and many of them holding maps in their hands.

After some corridors that served as a connection for the rooms and a staircase that led to the first floor, Lyaria manages to make her way to her father's study guarded by guards.

“Father!” She unconsciously raises her voice as she enters before realizing that someone other than Utrecht was present in the room.

"Are you sure about the number?" Utrecht raises his hand indicating Lyaria to wait a moment without diverting his attention from the man beside him.

“Yes, but every minute more and more groups arrive. I propose a preemptive strike before they overwhelm us.” When Lyaria recognizes the young man a complicated expression forms on her face.

“The troops at least need half an hour to be ready.” Utrecht puts his hand to his chin organizing the hundreds of things he had to do in such a short time.

"I took the liberty of giving the alert before informing you."

“Well, that saves us time. I charge you with the preparations, but they are not allowed to go into battle without my presence.”

"Yes, Alpha." The man turns around passing Lyaria, shooting her a look for a fraction of a second, giving her the feeling that it penetrated her soul and revived the guilt.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Yheer…" She tries to speak to him, but stops herself knowing it wasn't the right time. Now they had another goal in mind, both him and her.

“You come at the right time. I assume the old man will have explained everything to you so that speeds things up. We are running out of time as you can see, you can't wait until the full moon anymore, you have to be in the mountains before sunrise.” Utrecht stands up and places both hands on her daughter's shoulders.

"I will stay and fight!"

"No, no... I don't want the same thing to happen as your mother. One person cannot change the course of a battle.”

“She did it.”

“She was special, stronger than the two of us put together.” Before she knows it, Lyaria is wrapped in a hug.

“I don't want to run away leaving everyone behind.”

"You are not escaping, you are looking for a solution to our survival... for all of us"

“There's nothing in that place, just less cold. Also, he has no interest in taking power.”

"Then guide him, over time molds his ideals to match ours. Let him return to the land from which he was expelled and that we were unable to conquer. When he takes power, it will be the moment we escape from this prison of ice and rocks shared with the beasts.”

“A puppet.” Lyaria pronounces those words bitterly.

"Yes, a puppet that you will control. We have been gathering information for years, infiltrating their territory pretending to be simple wolves, use that knowledge to make your way in that land full of corruption.” Utrecht releases his hug and looks directly into his daughter's eyes, which remind him so much of his beloved. “Goodbye my daughter, that the winter does not hold back your steps and remember not to seek revenge if the situation arises in which we do not resist enough, in that case live happily as your mother would have wished.”

“Goodbye father….” She hugs him again, this time for a full minute.

Lyaria leaves the room with a heavier heart than when she entered, she knew she had a goal to accomplish and all the people depended on her. However, the method to fulfill it was not to her liking, perhaps in the past it would be different when she still did not know Ezer so closely, but now he was one of the few people who understood and her.

"Miss, I was asked to deliver this to you." One of the guards by the door hands her a small piece of paper, then returns to his post without flinching.

"I don't blame you, take care of yourself." A single phrase written quickly and carelessly, but it was enough to take some of the weight off her shoulders. She hoped he would forgive her, after all she knew very well the person who was once her first love, although there was always a glimmer of doubt that Yheer wouldn't.

“Forgive me for not being able to save your sister.” Lyaria apologizes for the last time in her mind before focusing on what she should do.

“I have to find Ezer, the town must be in chaos at this point.” She runs toward the exit through the halls of the castle to be greeted by a chill night breeze and a bustle that now engulfs the entire village.

“It's going to be a long night.” She smiles to herself as she repeats the same phrase that Ezer often says without realizing it.