Chapter Text
Very, very long ago, three beings lived together in peace and harmony. Each required the others. Each nourished something the others could not.
There were the People of the Forest, the People of the Night, and the People of the Day.
The People of the Forest shared the gifts of nature. They provided game, healing herbs, rare plants, and all the bounty of the wild.
In return, the People of the Night forged magnificent weapons and armor, crafted beautiful jewelry, and created tools that lasted for generations. They were masters of craftsmanship, art, and knowledge.
And together, the Forest and the Night kept the People of the Day safe.
In return, the People of the Day created roads, bridges, and great cities. They connected the world and allowed all three beings to prosper.
For many years, they lived side by side.
The forests flourished. The cities prospered. And the night was peaceful.
But peace is a delicate thing.
The People of the Night grew insatiable. The People of the Forest became timid. Both sides began to mistrust one another. The arguments became conflicts. The conflicts became battles. And the battles became war.
The forests burned.
The mountains bled.
The rivers ran red.
And while the People of the Forest and the People of the Night fought one another, the People of the Day stepped aside and watched.
“Why?”
The story stopped.
A soft hand gently brushed through dark curls.
“Because sometimes, my little wolf, people believe that a war between their enemies can only benefit them.”
The boy frowned beneath his blankets.
“That seems stupid.”
A soft laugh answered him.
“Yes.”
Moonlight filtered through the tall windows of his room, painting silver patterns across the floor. A brown wolf lay curled at the foot of the bed, one ear twitching lazily as he listened.
“Did we win?” the little boy asked.
She smiled.
“Not yet.”
“Then what happened?”
“Nobody knows how the story ends.”
He considered that for a moment.
“I don’t like unfinished stories.”
“I know.”
“Do you think the Forest and the Night will ever be friends again?”
Something softened in her eyes.
“I hope so.”
He followed her gaze to the window. Beyond the palace, the great forest stretched endlessly beneath the stars.
The Forest.
His home.
His favorite place in the entire world.
“Mother?”
“Yes?”
“Have you ever seen a vampire?”
The smile she gave him was instantly suspicious.
“Go to sleep, William.”
“That isn’t an answer.”
“It is the only answer you’re getting.”
She tipped him on the nose while Will groaned dramatically. His mother laughed and leaned forward, pressing a kiss to his forehead.
“You ask far too many questions.”
“But you never answer any of them.”
“Perhaps because some questions are dangerous.”
That only made them more interesting.
His mother clearly knew it too.
“Goodnight, my little wolf.”
“Goodnight, Mother.”
She rose from the edge of the bed.
At the door she paused. For a brief moment she looked back at him. Then her expression softened.
“Stay inside tonight.”
Will immediately sat up straighter.
“Why?”
“Because I asked you to.”
“Why?”
“Goodnight, William.”
The door closed behind her. Silence settled over the room. Will stared at the door for several long seconds.
Then he looked toward his wolf, who lifted his head from the foot of the bed. They stared at each other. Will smiled and the wolf’s ears flattened.
“We’re only going for a walk, Winston.”
The wolf let out a loud huff.
Ignoring him, Will threw aside his blankets and jumped from the bed.
His room was far larger than he needed, filled with bookshelves, carved furniture, and enough space to make hiding from tutors significantly easier. Crossing the room, Will stopped beside a carved wooden stand.
Resting upon it was a white wolf mask. Silver markings curved across the polished wood. He carefully picked it up.
Outside his chambers, members of the Royal Family were never meant to show their faces freely. At least, that was what his father always said. There were many reasons for that.
Most of them boring.
He slipped the mask over his face and immediately, the familiar weight settled against his skin.
Much better.
Behind him, Winston let out a dramatic sigh.
“You complain more than the servants.”
The wolf seemed deeply offended. Will grinned and crossed toward the window, were he looked outside and he instantly spotted the guards patrolling the courtyard below.
So, the roofs it was.
Before setting off, his gaze wandered toward a wooden chest standing beside his bed. A memory surfaced immediately. A warrior’s voice.
“Your sword is your best friend. It will always stand beside you.”
Will smiled. Opening the chest, he pulled out his wooden sword and fastened it proudly to his belt. Then he placed both hands on his hips and looked at Winston.
“Now I’m ready.”
The wolf blinked. Slowly, his gaze shifted toward a pair of small boots resting beside the bed.
Will followed his gaze.
“No, Winston. I want to feel the leaves beneath my feet.”
The wolf looked deeply unconvinced. With that, Will climbed out of the window.
Cool night air greeted him immediately, carrying the scent of damp leaves, flowers, and the forest beyond. Will’s bare feet padded lightly across the roof while Winston followed behind, crouched low and sniffing suspiciously at everything. Below them, voices drifted upward.
Laughter.
Music.
The distant sounds of palace life continuing long after he was supposed to be asleep. A group of guards practiced with wooden swords in one of the courtyards.
Their half-masked faces flashed in the lantern light. For a moment, Will stopped to watch. Only when Winston nudged his hand with his nose did he continue.
Eventually, they reached the edge of the roof. A massive tree stretched nearby, its branches almost touching the palace. Will climbed down easily. Winston looked over the edge and whined. Will searched the courtyard below until he spotted a large fountain.
A grin immediately appeared.
“Take a bath, Winston.”
Another whine.
“You’re starting to smell.”
Winston looked offended.
“You’ll survive.”
For a moment nothing happened.
Then came a loud splash.
Will buried his face in his hands to stop himself from laughing. Unfortunately, the splash had attracted attention. Voices echoed through the courtyard.
“Did somebody just fall into the fountain?”
“Sounds like it.”
Footsteps approached. Will quickly ducked behind several barrels.
A moment later he heard laughter.
“It’s Winston!”
“The princess’s wolf?”
“Of course it’s the princess’s wolf, Bryan.”
“Right, right. Sorry.”
Will rolled his eyes beneath his mask. The two young soldiers helped the soaking wet wolf from the fountain.
“What are you doing out here, huh?”
Winston’s tail immediately began wagging.
Traitor.
“Come on, Jimmy. Let’s go.”
“I’m coming.”
“Commander Crawford is going to destroy us tomorrow.”
“Then let’s enjoy our sleep while we still can.”
Their footsteps slowly faded into the distance.
Several seconds later, Will emerged from his hiding place. Winston trotted over, dripping water everywhere.
Will stared at him.
“You smell worse now.”
The wolf sneezed, and Will giggled.
“Come on. Let’s go.”
They disappeared into the darkness of the forest.
Even at night, the leaves shimmered with hints of silver, blue, and green beneath the moonlight. Tiny glowing insects drifted lazily through the air like wandering stars. Many considered the night frightening, but Will never had. Especially not when he could still see the distant lights of the palace shining through the trees.
It always made him feel safe.
His bare feet padded softly across fallen leaves, splashed through shallow streams, and hopped from stone to stone until eventually they reached the village.
Unlike the palace, everything here felt quieter.
A few conversations drifted from open windows. A lantern flickered outside a cottage. Somewhere a dog barked. Otherwise, the village slept peacefully.
Will liked it here.
The people were kind.
Most treated him like a normal child rather than a prince. He even had a friend named Peter here. He loved wolves almost as much as Will did.
As they crossed the village, Will paused upon a small stone bridge. Below, the river flowed gently through the forest. Dozens of glowing fish drifted beneath the surface like living lanterns. Will reached into his pocket and pulled out a small biscuit. He crumbled it between his fingers.
The moment the crumbs touched the water, the fish swarmed toward them. Within seconds everything had vanished.
Will chuckled.
Beside him, Winston continued staring into the water and let out a hopeful whine.
Will rolled his eyes.
“You’re impossible.”
Reaching into his pocket again, he held up another biscuit.
“I saved one for you.”
Winston’s ears immediately perked up.
Will tossed it, and the wolf caught it effortlessly and swallowed it in a single bite.
“You didn’t even chew.”
Their walk continued for several more minutes. Eventually, Will climbed into the branches of one of his favorite trees. The village lights glimmered in the distance.
The palace stood even farther away.
Tiny.
Peaceful.
Safe.
Will settled comfortably against the trunk and pulled out the last biscuit. Below him, Winston curled up among the roots. For a few precious moments, everything was quiet.
Will closed his eyes.
The wind whispered through the leaves overhead.
It was perfect.
“Help!”
Will’s eyes snapped open. The scream echoed through the forest. Below him, Winston was already on his feet. A deep growl rumbled in the wolf’s chest. For a moment neither moved.
Then another cry rang out.
Closer this time.
Will slid from the branch. The moment his feet touched the ground, Winston moved beside him.
“Easy, Winston.”
The wolf continued growling. Will rested a hand briefly against his neck.
“Let’s go.”
His stomach tightened.
Someone needed help.
And he wasn’t about to ignore that.
Together, they ran into the darkness. Branches whipped against his arms as he pushed through the undergrowth. Behind him, Winston stayed close. The wolf’s growls had not stopped.
If anything, they were becoming worse.
Then voices reached him. Will immediately slowed. Carefully, he crouched behind a thick bush and peered through the leaves.
His heart immediately dropped.
Three strangers stood in a small clearing.
Vampires.
Even from this distance he recognized them.
Dark armor.
Glowing eyes.
The stories had not lied.
One of them laughed. Another leaned casually against a tree. Between them was a fourth figure, bound tightly against a trunk.
A fairy.
The man’s clothing was torn. His face streaked with tears and his breath uneven.
“Please,” he whispered.
The vampires ignored him. One stepped forward and took the mans chin in his hand.
“No one is coming for you.”
The fairy squeezed his eyes shut and whimpered.
Will’s stomach twisted.
Something felt wrong.
The vampires seemed pleased.
“A male omega.”
The others laughed.
“Very lucky.”
Lucky?
The bound fairy certainly didn’t look lucky.
Will gripped a branch so tightly his fingers hurt.
The vampire roughly gribbed the fairies hair.
“We will take you with us and do wonderful things with you.”
He opened his mouth and Will could see his fangs.
“But before, we will taste you.”
The fairy struggled. For a moment, everything became very still. Then the vampire bit down and the fairy screamed.
Will’s eyes widened.
He had heard the stories. But somehow reality felt worse.
The clearing fell silent except for the frightened sounds of the bound fairy.
Will stumbled backward.
His breathing quickened.
The stories were true.
The vampires really drank fairy blood.
Winston pressed against his leg. The wolf’s fur stood on end.
“We should go,” Will whispered.
For once, Winston seemed completely in agreement.
Will turned.
And immediately crashed into something.
Strong hands caught his shoulders before he could fall.
Will froze.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
He looked up.
A man stood before him. He was tall and his crimson eyes watched him calmly.
For a moment neither moved.
The stranger glanced toward the clearing, then back to Will.
“You should not be here.”
Will forgot how to breathe. Because suddenly he knew. This vampire had been behind him the entire time.
Winston growled immediately, his lips curling back to expose sharp teeth. Yet he did not attack.
He waited for Will’s command. Or for the stranger to make the first move.
The vampire simply reached up and straightened the wolf mask that had shifted during their collision before crouching down until they were nearly eye level.
Behind them, one of the other vampires finally noticed them.
“Is something wrong, Your Ma—”
A single glance silenced him immediately. The stranger’s attention never left Will.
“Leave.”
The vampire hesitated.
“The omega—”
“Take him home.”
The order was calm. Absolute. No one argued.
Within moments, the clearing began to empty. The bound fairy was carried away, and the remaining vampires disappeared into the darkness until only Will, Winston, and the stranger remained.
“What are you doing in the forest so late at night?” the vampire asked.
Will opened his mouth, only to discover that no words wanted to come out.
“I…”
The stranger waited patiently.
“I like the forest.”
To his surprise, the vampire nodded as though that explained everything.
“I can see that.”
His gaze drifted briefly toward the wooden sword hanging from Will’s belt.
“Are you not going to defend yourself?”
Will shook his head.
“You haven’t done anything.”
One dark eyebrow rose.
“Yet.”
The word made Will swallow. The vampire’s eyes moved to the wolf mask and lingered there for a moment.
“A wolf.”
Something almost amused flickered across his face.
“You are far from home, little noble.”
Will immediately shook his head.
“I’m not a noble.”
“No?”
“No.”
The vampire glanced once more at the mask.
“Of course.”
Unfortunately, he sounded completely unconvinced.
Wanting to change the subject, Will pointed at him instead.
“Are you important?”
That earned him a quiet laugh.
“What makes you think that?”
“You told them to leave. And they left.”
The stranger considered that for a moment before nodding.
“They did.”
“That means you’re important.”
“Perhaps.”
Silence settled briefly between them. But Will’s face darkened eventually.
“What are you doing to him?”
“The omega?”
Will nodded.
“We are surviving.”
“By hurting him?”
The vampire folded his hands behind his back.
“We take what we need.”
Will frowned.
“But why?”
The stranger’s gaze wandered toward the dark forest surrounding them.
“Because it is our nature. Just as it is your nature to wander through forests in the middle of the night with a wolf at your side.”
Will opened his mouth, only to close it again. That was annoyingly difficult to argue against.
“I still don’t think it’s the same.”
“No?”
The vampire hummed softly and let the matter rest. Instead, his gaze drifted over Will once more, the oversized wolf mask, the wooden sword, the bare feet, the leaves tangled in his curls.
Will followed his gaze and quickly changed the subject again.
“Your armor is beautiful.”
At that, the vampire actually looked surprised.
“My armor?”
Will nodded.
“And your sword.”
The stranger glanced down at the silver engravings decorating the dark metal.
“I have received many compliments over the years,” he admitted, raising a brow. “But never that one.”
Will shrugged.
“It is. The stories I hear always made vampires sound uglier.”
The words escaped before he could stop them.
A pause followed.
“I apologize.”
The stranger chuckled softly.
“You have good manners.”
“My mother says I should.”
“A wise woman.”
“What is your name?” Will asked after a moment. The vampire tilted his head.
“Shouldn’t you tell me yours first?”
“No.”
The answer came so quickly that the strangers smiled a bit.
“Very well.”
He rose to his feet, moonlight catching on the silver details of his armor.
“You should return home, little wolf.”
Will stood as well.
“You won’t follow me?”
“No.”
“You won’t eat me?”
“No.”
That was reassuring.
Mostly.
The vampire stepped aside.
“Go home.”
Will hesitated before nodding.
“Goodnight.”
A small smile touched the stranger’s lips.
“Goodnight, little wolf.”
With that, Will began to run. The wolf cast one final suspicious glance over his shoulder before following, and soon the darkness swallowed them both.
For a long moment, the vampire remained where he was, his gaze lingering on the path the child had taken.
The oversized wolf mask.
The wooden sword at his belt.
The endless questions.
Most children would have screamed.
Most adults would have run.
Instead, the little fairy had complimented his armor.
A small smile touched his lips.
An unusual child.
Far more unusual than he realized.
At last he turned away and stepped back into the shadows. Ahead of him waited war, politics, and responsibilities, the same endless cycle he had known for centuries.
Yet, for the first time in a very long while, something had managed to surprise him.
And somehow, he suspected it would not be the last time the little wolf crossed his path.