Cara’s POV
I couldn’t breathe. Jacob’s story kept replaying in my head, the words echoing over and over. “The Cupbearers… hunted, shunned, cursed.” Was I truly one of them? It felt like a storm was raging inside me, tearing me apart, and I needed to get away.
Without thinking, I moved away from the bonfire, further into the shadows where no one could see me. The cool air hit my face, but it did little to calm the confusion swirling within me. I leaned against a tree, closing my eyes and letting out a shaky breath. Why did his story make me feel like my life was about to change?
“Running away already?” A familiar voice broke through my thoughts. I opened my eyes, and there stood Alexander, his eyes full of concern.
“Alexander,” I muttered, not knowing what to say. I hadn’t expected him to follow me, especially not now. He took a step closer, his face softening when he saw my expression. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” he said with a slight chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.
I forced a smile, but it didn’t reach my eyes. “It’s just… Jacob’s story… it’s…”
“Scary?” he finished for me. “Yeah, it can be for those that are just hearing the story for the first time. But who says it’s all true?” He winked, and I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
“I wish it wasn’t,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. I didn’t even realise I had said it out loud until he took a step closer, his face now serious.
“Cara,” he said softly, “You don’t have to hide from me. I can tell there’s more to you than you’re letting on. And that’s okay. You can tell me when you’re ready.”
I looked into his eyes, searching for any hint of judgment or fear, but all I saw was patience and understanding. It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders. “Thank you,” I managed to say, my voice cracking.
He nodded, and for a moment, we stood there in silence, just letting the night surround us. Then, he took a deep breath and said, “You know, I have my own version of that story. It’s considered a secret, only known to few, but consider it a friendly gesture.”
I blinked, curious. “What do you mean?”
“About the rulers of Ellorin,” he explained, sitting down on a fallen log and gesturing for me to join him. “There’s a council that rules over the east. made up of all the strong Alphas. They act like they’re the ones in charge, they are bastards with each of them having his or her own agendas. but they only control a part of Ellorin.”
He had told me this story before, about the secret council that rules east Ellorin in secret. “And what about the west?” I asked, leaning in.
My father once told me that the council rules only the East part. But there’s a rumor that another power. a true ruler holds dominion over the Western lands of Ellorin.”
my heart was pounding in my chest as i listened to Alexander. “You mean the bloodline of Fenrir?” i whispered.
“Yes and no” he confirmed,
“Why yes and no?” I asked, a little confused
his expression turned serious. “It’s like that because there is a great distance separating the east from the west. The chasm is so big that the eastern part of Ellorin hardly comes into contact with the western part. But the story goes that the ruler of the west is the descendant of Fenrir, who is believed to still hold power over the western territories.
Alexander’s eyes darkened, and I saw a flash of anger. “When I was a boy, my father was part of that council. But after our pack was attacked by unknown wolves, and my parents were killed, they turned their backs on us, saying we were rogues. My father was stripped of his title, even in death, and we lost everything.” His fists clenched, and I could feel the pain radiating from him.
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered, reaching out to touch his arm.
He shook his head, giving me a sad smile. “It’s in the past. But there’s one more thing. Among the council, there’s a figure they fear, a rogue who’s more powerful than any of them. They call him the ruler of the Great Woods.”
“Who is he?” I asked, my heart pounding.
Alexander’s eyes took on a distant look, as if recalling a long-forgotten memory. “All I know is that he’s called ‘Master.’ That’s his only title, and his true name is known to none. But he’s said to be an incredibly powerful Alpha, one who commands the utmost respect.”
Alexander looked at me with a seriousness that made my blood run cold. “He is the hope of the rogues. He is believed to be the one to unite all the rogues into one. They call him the Rogue King.”