~Recap~

“Ahh!” Scream Azura in pain when her knees hit a cold stone. Although her bones were fine because of the cozy clothes and snow layer, the pain was still intense and the fear was beyond it.

Which is why, despite the pain going through the vain, she hustles herself and buckles on her belt, only to discover that her kits were broken.

She crawls down and tries to fix them but it is no use. “No, no. Please. Not now.” After a few failed attempts, she gives up and throws the metallic parts furiously.

Picking up the rods which were still fine, she stands and prepares herself securely.

Her grip tightening and her alerted steps lightning. When she turns around, she finally sees herself around… Around a wolf. Again.

______

“Azura… Azura! Where are you? Awe man…” Theo exhales as he takes another break after skipping through the snowy forest.

It's not as if he was usually this tired or something. However, today, Azura's excessively amusing spirit was even surpassing him. The lady for sure got some good meals and deals within herself today. He must admit.

“Huh… Maybe I'll just sit and set myself at rest for sometime. She must be fine anyway.” Says the man to himself as he slips down subtly and leans in a comfy way on the fluffy surface.

It felt satisfyingly relaxing that despite the cold state, Theo found the warmth and found himself literally dozing off over the snow. As for Azura, he probably just take a quick nap and would get back to work, yeah?

Or at least, that's what he thought. Which definitely didn't work the way it was supposed to as he heard some odd sounds and even felt movements.

Movements that occur right in front of him.

However, he couldn't catch an eye because it was ridiculously quick. “What?” Asks the man to himself.

Just as Theo was wondering in thoughts if what could it be or what was possibly happening, another swift went through and the man was off guard. “This can't be…” Theo mumbles while standing up.

He takes a few steps forward and looks around the high hills and snowy environment of the forest. He gets closer to an edge to take a look down

And there… Right there, he witnessed what he was fearing. Or, more like concerning over.

Of course, he was concerning over the wild riders of snow, the guard dogs. The wolves.

And not one or two wolves, he saw a trio of them. Running through the downside and rushing towards the same direction as Azura's.

“Shit! They are here again. They must be after her. I have to stop them before something unfortunate happens. They must not meet. And they must not interact with her.” With that, Theo proceeded back immediately to buckle himself up so he could reach the destination as soon as possible.

He begins to tie up the belt and kits but as he is halfway done, something hits his mind and he stops suddenly. He looked over the hills and mentally measured the distance he was supposed to be crossing to reach Azura.

And as soon as he tied up the suit, he untied and freed himself all the same way. He walks to the edge of the hill he was standing on. He gazes once again towards the direction before he starts crawling down and crouches in a way as if he was about to jump.

But there was a slight fact about it. Theo didn't only seem like he would jump.

He actually did it. He actually jumped.

______

Silence.

The whole situation was caught in ominous silence that a single particle flowing through the wind could be heard clearly.

Well, of course aside from the particles and wind, the breathing was audible as well. Breathing of Azura of Azura. And breathing, or certainly, howling of the wolf.

Luckily, the animal was still only howling and not growling. It was being calm and simply staring at Azura and not already mauling her.

Taking the advantage of the odd generosity of the creature, the lady begins stepping back, aiming to run backwards. Only to see two other wolves hopping in from the woods.

And despite the excessive fright Azura had in her eyes, her eyes took time to observe the trio of these huskies.

The first one which has been gazing at Azura for a while now, was purely white in shade with a greater size and structure of figure. The wolf legit seemed like some ancient being if Azura would be honest.

The remaining two were exact opposite in shade. One was black and the other one was golden brown. They were not as large as the white one in the middle but they were still quit big and seemed energetic and not to mention, energetically young.

Azura didn't know as to what told her their age but somehow she just happened to sense it.

“Grr…”

The low growls startles Azura as she gets back to where she was, she lifts her rot and seems ready to attack but stops halfway when her past acts rewind in her mind.

“What do you want! Why are you chasing me!” Azura screams out of frustration.

“Look, I don't know what you guys are but I definitely don't have anything to offer. I am not blaming you anymore for whatever your clan did but please, leave me alone because I don't want to hurt you!”

She breathes out heavily and lowers her head to hear the wolves growl back.

“Neither do us, Azura.”

Well, that was clearly not a growl because Azura obviously heard what was said. She heard and understood what the wolves said!

“D-did you… Did you just t-talk?” Asks Azura in complete surprise and was impatiently waiting to hear back again.

Unfortunately, she couldn't when another wolf thrashes in out of the snow and falls behind. Now this wolf, which seems to have grey fur and grey eyes, was growling at the trip and they seemed to be arguing or something.

Azura couldn't understand them anymore but honestly, she couldn't understand anything which was happening. She looked at them and then closely at the newly appeared grey wolf and it somehow reminded her of Theo…

Theo!

Just as Azura thought of the man, she sees the grey wolf has confronted and made the others run away already.

It was only the two of them now. It turns towards her and starts crawling in her direction slowly.

Azura's heart wrenches inside as she takes a few steps backward while still laying onto the ground. When she hits a stone behind, she assumes it to be a deadend and closes her eyes, waiting herself to be ripped apart.

“I won't hurt you, Azura.”

Upon hearing her name, Azura's eyes fluttered open and she was stunned to see Theo crouching in front of her. “Theo? You? There, there was a wolf right here!”

“Yes, I know. It was me, Azura.”

Of course, the young woman couldn't believe her ears. Nor her eyes. “What!” Azura shouts hastily and then silence takes place before Theo subtly breaks it.

“You always ask me if why was I interested or cared about wolves, right? Then here is your answer, Azura. I am keen about them, because I am related to them. I care about them, because I am one of them.”

Azura was still overwhelmed with everything she saw and heard but since she needed to hear even more, she asked, “S-so, you're a wolf, Theo?”

Theo smiles widely and his fangs could be seen still. Azura could only stare in terror while even waiting to hear another terrifying answer.

“Not just a wolf, Azura. A werewolf. I am a werewolf.”