“No… that is not feasible. I possess no wolf within me; I never have.”
“We all witnessed your transformation, Molly,” an unfamiliar voice echoed from across the room. Molly recoiled upon observing the slender man. His posture and attire unmistakably indicated his noble origin from the palace. What was he doing in her room? Molly observed Jayce, yet he appeared entirely unfazed by the man’s presence.
He reclined against the fireplace, observing the flickering flames. The light rendered his hair nearly orange. “I apologise for the postponement of our meeting; my name is Beckham.”
Molly experienced a moment of realisation. Beckham was Jayce’s subordinate and closest companion; Kylie had informed her about him long ago, yet she had never encountered him in person until now. She perceived him merely as another guard on their journey, as he remained silent throughout the duration. Jayce must have taken him on all his excursions. “Greetings.”
“You were a white wolf; do you comprehend the rarity of that?” Beckham enquired, seemingly disregarding her previous statement.
Molly acquiesced feebly. All inhabitants of the kingdom were aware of the rarity of a white wolf. While other wolves could indeed be white, they typically exhibited spots of various colours on their bodies. Achieving a state of pure whiteness was nearly unprecedented. She could not possibly be a white wolf; he was erroneous in his assessment.
“I am uncertain how this occurred. This… it cannot be accurate.” Molly shook her head. It was unequivocally infeasible.
“Do you recall the events preceding your transformation?” Beckham distanced himself from the fireplace and directed his attention towards her. Molly raised the covers slightly higher.
“I observed unusual wolves emerging from the forest behind the altercation. Their distinct appearance, divergent from both packs, piqued my curiosity. When I witnessed them approach Jayce, I—” Molly faltered. Jayce observed her with his blue eyes, which resembled a tranquil storm. She ingested and proceeded. “I needed to rescue the prince; they would have executed you.”
Molly endeavoured to suppress her embarrassment under their scrutiny as she consumed additional cool water to soothe her throat. He was the prince; naturally, she endeavoured to rescue him. His life held greater value than hers.
“This must be a misunderstanding. I do not possess a wolf within me as you do,” Molly reiterated. At this juncture, it seemed as though she was attempting to persuade herself. Jayce silently refilled her water once more.
Beckham elucidated, “Certain individuals remain oblivious to their inner wolf until circumstances compel its emergence.” “If their family did not educate them, it is conceivable they may remain unaware until a pivotal moment occurs. I have encountered numerous individuals who did not undergo transformation until they were older than you.”
“I am perplexed; I have endured torment and… nearly been exploited-” Jayce’s gaze deepened at her statement, prompting her to continue hastily. “However, I have never altered my behaviour previously. Not once, nor to preserve my own well-being.”
“Our wolves often prioritise the protection of others over our own well-being, leading to unexpected behaviours. It is conceivable that yours was anticipating an opportunity to assist someone else, rather than yourself,” Beckham stated. Molly observed Jayce as he tousled his unkempt dark hair, while she curled her fingers in her lap.
“I wish to safeguard myself,” Molly stated softly, running her fingers along the scars on her arms. How many additional individuals were concealed beneath the covers? “I refuse to live in fear any longer. I will no longer await rescue from others when I am capable of rescuing myself.”
“I can instruct you,” Jayce proposed after a brief pause. She attempted to conceal her astonishment at his proposal.
Molly whispered, “I heard you calling for me.” “I perceived your voice in my mind. Why was your presence so distinctly audible?”
Jayce cleared his throat and averted his gaze for the first time since she emerged from her personal torment. “I am uncertain; perhaps you were experiencing a hallucination. You did lose a significant amount of blood.”
“Wait,” Molly surveyed her surroundings once more. They remained at Colton’s camp. Jayce must have permitted their stay due to her injury, and Colton graciously acquiesced. “What was the duration of my unconsciousness?”
“Two days,” Jayce stated, reclining in the chair. His clear eyes observed her, revealing subtle signs of fatigue on his skin. She contemplated whether he had slept at all during that period or if he had rested at any point while she was absent. Colton claimed he was searching for her fervently; he may not have been deceitful.
Molly expressed with a frown, “I am uncertain how much longer my body can endure before it ultimately succumbs.” For some inexplicable reason, her body felt alien to her. She appeared to be desensitised to everything, barely able to move her limbs.
“You will endure, Molly,” Beckham stated softly. “You received a small amount of Jayce’s blood to facilitate the healing of your wounds during your rest.”
Molly paused before she spoke once more. Jayce’s expression soured slightly, as if he anticipated her inquiry before she had the audacity to pose it. “Have you conversed with Colton?”
