Hours had passed in the Moonlight Pack. The chaos had settled a bit; those who were mad had been killed by Valex's command to avoid any further disorder. Houses were destroyed, and the surroundings were completely in disarray. The injured were being treated, and some of those who were still okay were taken to the third and fourth borders, till the first and second were fixed. This relocation effort might take days, if not weeks. Valex remained present, trying to keep calm and maintain order, but the pack had collapsed, leaving him devastated.
Meanwhile, in the palace, Odesse stood outside looking at the gate, which was guarded by four guards. With a sly expression, she approached them and said, "Why can't I go outside? I want to know what's going on. It's been hours now." One of the guards looked at her and replied, "I have told you, we were ordered by the king not to open this gate under any circumstances until he returns." Odesse groaned and asked, "Okay, will you at least tell me what's going on?"
Another guard looked at her with an irritated expression. "Hey girl, what gives you the right to ask us questions? As a mere human, you should know your place, which is scrubbing the floors." Odesse's face fell as she pointed a finger, about to respond, when someone grabbed her hand. She looked up and saw Eryx standing beside her.
Eryx smiled nervously. "I'm sorry, don't mind her. Let's go." He gently pulled her away. Odesse shot a disgusted glance at the guard before turning to Eryx. "Eryx, what are you doing? Let me talk to that disrespectful guy. I'll tell him what I think!"
Eryx stopped and hugged her, leaving Odesse stunned with her eyes wide open. "It's been so long since we last spoke. I missed you," he said. Odesse, still in shock, replied, "That's true; we haven't spoken in a while."
Eryx teased, "You didn't miss me, did you?" Odesse smiled, scratching her head. "Of course I did, silly." Eryx's face turned red as he covered his mouth. "Yeah, right. Where did you go? You never told me."
Shocked, he fidgeted with his hair. "Um, I went to see my parents." Odesse's eyes widened. "Whoa, you get to visit your parents?" Eryx nodded. "Yes, Master Valex allows every servant to visit their loved ones at least once every six months for no more than a month, but only if they are part of this pack. Those who were bought cannot.
"Wow, in the Silverclaw, you break all contact with your loved ones," Odesse remarked. "Master Valex is amazing," Eryx remarked. Odesse blushed and reaffirmed, "He really is," as she looked at the ground. Eryx thought as he looked at her, "Odesse, you truly are an ethereal beauty."
Odesse turned to him and said, "Oh right!" Eryx jumped in fright. "What happened?" she asked. Eryx laughed awkwardly, "Nothing."
Odesse chuckled. "What's happening outside the palace? The guards won't let me go out, but I can hear that things are disorganized." Eryx asked, "How can you hear them from a distance?" Odesse shrugged. "I don't know, a gift or something. Now tell me what's going on. I haven't seen Master Valex today."
Eryx met her gaze, looking concerned. "I have no idea, Odesse." Disappointment crossed her face as her lips formed a pout. Eryx hesitated, then said, "Um, Odesse." She looked at him. "Why are you and Master Valex so close? And why exactly are you staying inside the palace?"
With a puzzled smile, Odesse answered, "Do you remember when I fainted? That's why I was told to stay in the palace."
Eryx remarked, "Well, many other servants have fainted but have never received the special treatment you get from Master Valex. The way you both talk casually is a bit odd. He cares for you a lot—perhaps too much."
Odesse laughed it off. "What? You're funny, Eryx." But Eryx replied seriously, "I'm serious, Odesse. Don't you think it's alarming? He even hosted a party for you in the village. That isn't something a wolf king would do for a human servant."
Odesse stared at him, sweat forming on her brow. Eryx pressed on, "You're just a servant, right, Odesse? A human servant?" Odesse thought to herself, What do I say, Eryx? I can't tell you that I carry his mark—a mark I never consented to have. I have to stay here, and I don't know why he treats me differently. Maybe it's because of the mark, but I'm sure he doesn't have any real feelings for me.
Eryx tries to snap Odesse back to reality. "Odesse, what are you thinking about?" he asks. She looks down and then back at him, answering, "Nothing."
Eryx continues, "So, Odesse, what's the relationship between you and Master Valex?"
She replies, "Huh? King and servant obviously."
Odesse remains quiet, looking at Eryx with a gaze that challenges his assumptions, yet she can't outright deny them. She then takes his hand and holds it between hers. Eryx's eyes widen, and his ears turn bright red.
"Odesse," he says, surprised.
"Do you miss me that much? Do you want me to come stay in the servant quarters again?" She smirks cheekily.
Eryx looks at her, smiles shyly, and admits quietly, "Maybe."
Odesse leans in closer, teasing, "I can't hear you."
He finally confesses, "Yes, I do."
She beams at him, then he says, "We haven't been seeing each other much since you started staying in the palace."
Odesse laughs, "Aww, Eryx." She wraps her arms around his shoulders. "You're the only friend I have in this palace and my best friend. Others don't really like me, especially the other girl servants. They always look at me with disdain."
"Maybe you should try talking to them," Eryx suggests.
Odesse sighs, shaking her head. "No way! You're my best friend here, no one else."
They both laugh just as the guards open the gate. "Welcome, Your Highness," they announce as Valex arrives on his horse. He glances at the guards and asks, "Has Kael returned?"
One guard responds, "No, Your Highness."
"Alright," Valex replies, dismounting from his horse. Just then, he hears the laughter of Odesse and Eryx. He turns to see them together, scrunching his eyebrows as he studies them intently.