Louve POV
Some names are not meant to be spoken. Not allowed. Not in whispers. Not even in memory.
Yet his name had a way of finding me, slipping past every wall I had built, settling deep beneath my skin like a scar that refused to fade away.
Lynx.
I stiffened, my grip tightening around the silver dagger in my hand.
"Focus." I muttered to myself.
The training ground stretched before me, quiet under the pale morning light. As the rays of the sun touched my skin, the scent of earth and steel lingered in the air. I moved again, swift and precise, striking the wooden post in front of me. The blade sank in with a dull thud.
Again and again. I made each strike sharper than the last.
Pain was easier to deal with than memory. It was clean. Simple. Controlled.
Unlike the past. I thought to myself as I threw the dagger to the ground with a sharp force. The memory still haunted me. Not in fragments nor in pieces, but as a whole. The way he looked at me that night. The way his presence wrapped around me like a storm I could not escape.
And those eyes always felt intense, commanding, and impossible to forget.
I shut my eyes tightly, forcing the memory away.
"Not now," I muttered under my breath.
I didn't have time to dwell on the past. Not today.
I went back into my building as I headed towards my room. Moving quickly, I grabbed my bag from the edge of my bed, checking its contents out of habit. Everything was in place. Good. I slung it over my shoulder, ready to leave, and then my phone suddenly rang.
I glanced at the screen and saw that the caller was Mother.
I exhaled sharply before answering. "Yes, Mother."
"Why did it take you so long to pick up?" Her sharp voice came through immediately. "We need you here. Now. If you can bend time, then do it."
Same tone. Same authority.
Nothing ever changed.
"I understand," I replied calmly.
"Good." She answered back.
The call ended. I slipped my phone into my pocket and headed out without another thought.
The road stretched endlessly ahead as I drove, the hum of the engine the only thing filling the silence. Something about today felt off; I couldn't explain it, but the feeling clung to me stubbornly.
Halfway through the journey, my fuel light blinked.
"Great," I muttered, feeling a bit disappointed.
I pulled into a nearby gas station, stepping out to refuel. The air felt colder than usual, the atmosphere strangely quiet. Then out of nowhere I heard a scream. It was faint-but clear enough.
I froze.
My senses sharpened instantly. The sound came from a nearby street.
Without hesitation, I stepped away from my car and followed it, my instincts already on high alert. As I turned into a narrow path, I spotted an alley ahead.
And that's when I saw them.
Three men and a girl.
Rage surged through me instantly.
They had her cornered.
She was struggling, terrified, trying to fight them off.
"Hey, back off," I commanded.
"I hate people like you," I said coldly.
Before they could even react, I moved so fast.
I grabbed the nearest one and slammed him against the wall with enough force to knock the breath out of him. The other two lunged at me, but they were nothing compared to what I was.
I took them down quickly-so efficiently and controlled.
I didn't kill them. Not worth it.
The alley fell back to its silent state.
My gaze shifted to the girl.
She was shaking, her arms wrapped tightly around herself, fear evident in her eyes as she stared at me.
I softened slightly.
"Hey... it's okay," I said, lowering my voice. "You're safe now."
No response.
I understood clearly, so I tried not to say anything that might traumatize or scare her off.
"Umm, see, I'm sorry, okay? You're going to be alright. It's okay; they are bad guys, but they won't dare to touch or hurt you anymore, I promise. I have to get you out of here immediately," I said softly to her.
Slowly, I crouched down to her level, careful not to startle her. "Can you stand?" I asked her gently.
She hesitated... then gave a small nod.
"Good," I said.
"Come on," I said gently, helping her up.
We walked back to the gas station in silence. I finished fueling my car and opened the passenger door for her.
"Get in." I told her.
She obeyed quietly.
The drive to the mansion was longer than usual.
Or maybe it just felt that way.
Moments later, I arrived at the mansion, waiting for the huge black gates to be opened. The atmosphere felt warm but so quiet, with foggy weather and the sounds of birds chirping from a distance.
I checked the time; I knew I was already late. Mom had called earlier, I recalled. The gate was finally opened after confirmation. "Buckle up, girl," I told her as she stared at me. As I drove in, I saw Elina; she is the house mistress. She was standing by the doorstep, waiting for my arrival. I parked the car and stepped out. I went towards the boot, opened it, and brought out a silver briefcase.
Before entering the mansion, I had told the girl who was inside my car not to step out if she wanted to get back home.
"Hmp, yes," she replied. I smiled back at her; eventually, she spoke.
Walking towards Elina, I read her facial expression. It looked like there was some tension inside.