Chapter 6 Memories Of A Bloody Past

• Serenity returned to her room, her appetite having vanished as she tried to process the whirlwind of events that had unfolded. She could never have imagined that her life would take such a dramatic turn. Now, she would have to learn to live in a world she found repugnant, where oppressive and tyrannical monarchy would become her reality, and she needed to survive.
• Serenity threw herself onto her bed, and with the pillow covering her head, she tried to silence the protest of her inner Wolf, who disagreed with the decision she had made, feeling it might have been hasty. The internal conflicts intensified as she grappled with the weight of her choices and the responsibilities now resting on her shoulders.
• The solitude of the room became the stage for the battle between the Serenity she was and the one she now needed to be. The walls bore witness to the struggle between acceptance and resistance, between resignation and rebellion. Serenity now sought to find balance within herself as the world around her transformed into a challenging landscape.
• In this moment of introspection, she faced not only the consequences of her choices but also the need to reconcile her own identity with the demands of a destiny that seemed increasingly relentless.
• “I know, Serenity, it will be hard to feign indifference to those who need us, but it’s my family that’s at stake here,” she argued with her wolf.
• The day passed quickly, and Serenity did not leave her room. Her mind didn’t stop for a second; it was already night when her stomach growled with hunger. Despite her lack of appetite, she knew she needed to stay strong. So, she decided to go downstairs for dinner.
• Serenity found her father sitting at the head of the table, his head bowed. Her mother was not at the table, and Serenity chose to remain silent. The atmosphere was tense, but the silence was broken by her father.
• “Dear, can you tell me what’s going on with you? I don’t quite understand your decision.”
• “Father, the decision has been made, and given the circumstances, there’s no going back!” She lowered her head, letting a tear escape.
• “And what about Leander? What will you do about him?” Orion asked, concerned.
• “He’s no longer my problem, Father. As I said, he rejected me; it was clear he didn’t care about me.”
• “But Serenity, he was your companion given by Luna!” Orion said, perplexed.
• “Don’t worry, I’ll have a second chance.” She brought the spoon to her mouth, trying to mask her discomfort.
• Orion found all of this absurd, but he didn’t have time to question anything. The news of the turnaround in alliances would spread like wildfire through the court. Orion’s decision not only surprised but also generated intrigue and speculation among the nobility. The castle corridors echoed with murmurs and curious glances as the news spread.
• The rest of the dinner proceeded in silence. Serenity glanced at the chair where her sister would have been sitting and sighed. She didn’t understand why Seraphina was doing this. It had always been her dream to have a position in the royal family and be the wife of a prince; it would have been a privilege for her. But for Serenity, it would be a disaster. She wouldn’t know how to conduct herself in that place; she couldn’t witness injustices and stay silent. Now, she would need courage and determination.
• The dinner ended, and Serenity walked with determined strides through the halls of her mansion. Her heart pounded with a mix of anxiety and resolve, driving her to do what she loved most: helping those in dire need. She knew her life was about to change, but her goal was clear to save her parents from a cruel fate. However, she first needed to close a chapter.
• The hour was late. Despite the pain and confusion, she had to go out and deliver food and blankets. The kingdom was full of homeless people; many wolves and their families had lost everything due to the high taxes. Entire families spent all day without food, and Serenity feared they wouldn't survive the night. She was worried and needed to figure out how she would continue to help them.
• Although she couldn’t find a solution no matter how much she thought, she hoped that if she could convince one of her maids to continue the work, it might be possible. As usual, after her father retired to his chambers, Serenity took the opportunity to leave. Gathering everything she could, she ran as fast as she could through the forest until she reached a clearing near the main road. With a distinctive howl, she drew the attention of the wolves hiding in the shadows.
• The clearing, bathed in the silvery light of the moon, became the stage for a secret realm. The wolves gathered with their pups, curious and eager for play, emerging from the shadows like little stars responding to the moon’s call. The pups' eyes sparkled with the innocent joy of youthful wolf hood.
• Serenity, now in her lupine form, seemed to be the leader of this small pack. The clearing, surrounded by ancient trees and the silence of the night, was a refuge where freedom reigned. The pups ran around her, while the adults formed a line before her, eager to be fed.
• The secret refuge Serenity had built deep in the forest represented an escape, a haven of peace and happiness amidst the hardships everyone faced. The clearing transformed into a sanctuary where Serenity experienced genuine freedom, leading her small pack.
• Many of the wolves present suffered from mistreatment and prolonged hunger, reflected in their skinny bodies and hunched postures. Some shivered from cold and hunger, all living in despair, searching for any shelter that offered a semblance of safety. Yet, they could never stay in one place for long, as the king’s soldiers constantly prowled, seeking stray wolves to enslave.