Chapter 22: The Unnecessary Arrival
Evanora’s POV
The moon hung high and cold, washing the Devourix tents in silver.
Around me, werewolf warriors moved in silence—bandaging wounds, dragging the fallen, burning what could not be saved. Exhaustion clung heavier than blood. No one spoke unless necessary. Pain had made us efficient.
An extra hand would’ve been useful.
I hissed softly as I tied a torn strip of cloth around my leg, pulling it tight to slow the bleeding. It would heal. Eventually. For now, it was an inconvenience.
That was when I heard them.
The howls came sharp and layered—melodic, controlled, unmistakably coordinated. My head snapped up.
From the horizon, a formation of wolves surged forward, kicking up sand and moonlight with every stride.
Not rogues.
Not Thorn Hunters.
Too clean. Too disciplined.
Pack wolves.
At the center of their advance, the largest wolf shifted mid-run. Fur peeled into tanned skin, bones stretching as he rose into human form without breaking pace. Ceremonial armor wrapped his body—polished, elegant, utterly impractical.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
A performance piece.
No one moved.
Too tired to fight, too wary to welcome. The camp held its breath, suspended between relief and suspicion.
Kaden stepped forward, brushing dust from his uniform like the gesture alone could restore order.
“I am Beta Kaden of the East-God Pack.”
The man inclined his head. “Himaru. Delta of the Sunstone Pack. We come from the far northern forests.”
Kaden’s brows lifted. “Sunstone?. My apologies. I didn’t realize you’d arrived.”
Himaru smiled carefully. “We were en route to your territory. The timing is… unfortunate.”
Kaden’s jaw tightened. “As we informed the council earlier, Thorn Hunter attacks have escalated. We expected you last week.”
Himaru drew breath to answer—
—and lost the moment.
“Oh, darling,” a voice cut in, smooth and amused. “Blame the terrain, not us. These dunes are positively dreadful for our manes.”
I didn’t need to look to know trouble had arrived.
Kaden turned, unimpressed. “And you are?”
The man stepped forward, confidence draped over him like a tailored cloak.
“Mercurius,” he said lightly. “Alpha Geri’s brother.”
He smiled—a smile that didn’t suit him.
“He’s far too busy to attend these… puny attacks.”
Mockery.
He thought it was cute.
Let him.
I wasn’t in the mood to analyze him. My fingers brushed my injured leg instead, grounding myself in something real.
Zagan appeared beside my cot, holding a blood pouch and wearing an irritatingly alert expression. The bed beneath me was rough, the ground uneven, the night far from finished.
“Puny?” he echoed mildly.
I gave him a small, knowing smile.
“Another drama,” I murmured, tightening the knot on my bandage.
“Yet to unfold.”
The medical tent already reeked of heavy herbs.
“Do you think he’s actually going to help this pack?” Zagan asked quietly.
“Why?” I replied. “You’re disappointed you won’t get to slaughter Thorn Hunters alone?”
I laughed softly.
His lips curved wider. “I hope Mercurius looks after us. We’ve had enough trouble already.”
I nodded. Councils, attention, and identity were risks we didn’t need.
“I’ll see the wounded,” Mercurius announced. “I am a pack doctor.”
Kaden nodded curtly and led them forward.
The tent flap snapped in the wind as they approached.
Mercurius inspected the wounded with visible disinterest—until his gaze landed on me.
I raised a brow.
“Is she from the vampire realm,” he asked casually, “or a Devourix hiding in werewolf territory?”
Kaden’s jaw tightened before he answered.
“They’re from the vampire realm,” he said flatly. “Both of them.
This is Dr. Mercurius of the Sunstone Pack.
This is Zagan, a merchant. Faith is his assistant.”
“Assistant?” Mercurius echoed. “What kind of assistant?”
I didn’t answer.
Kaden did.
“Not our problem,” he said coolly. “Doctor—shall we move on to the other wounded?”
Mercurius smiled again.
Unnecessary smiles. They annoy me instantly, heavier than the stench of herbs.
