Arane could feel the warmth and power radiating from the sapphire. It wrapped around her like a blanket, until all she could see was the gem glimmering in the moonlight. As if wanting to snatch it, Arane reached out her hand…

  And fainted.

  When Arane woke up, the smell of fresh earth filled her nose. Blinking as the world came into focus, she saw a dark sky slowly getting lighter, lighting up the forest. She spotted Orion looking at her, observing her and her movements.

  Arane froze and looked wide-eyed in terror at the beast, seeing him clearly for the first time in real life. Orion had fur as black as night, beautiful blue eyes that looked at her with a strange feeling, and most importantly, a sapphire necklace around its neck. Woozily remembering bits and pieces of last night, Arane immediately tore her gaze away from the sapphire, but it was like a powerful spell had been set on this sapphire, a familiar one, that attracted Arane to it…

  Snap out of it, Arane! She told herself. It wouldn’t do if she fainted again. Right now, she needed to follow her beloved mother’s advice, find shelter and food, water and a place free of wild beasts. Thinking of wild beasts, Arane’s gaze drifted back to Orion, who had soundlessly lain down and was enjoying the newly risen sun with his eyes closed.

  Perfect. It was exactly what Arane needed—for the wolf to be distracted, so that she could slip away without being noticed. Careful not to make a single sound, Arane slowly sat up. A dry leaf crackled under her and she flinched, staring at Orion with wide eyes, sure he had noticed. However, Orion was still enjoying the sun.

  Holding her breath, Arane cautiously stood up, keeping an eye out for things that would give her away. After getting steady on the forest floor, Arane relaxed a little. Perhaps it would be easier than she thought. Creeping along silently, Arane had just gone a few meters when she saw Orion’s ears flick in her direction. A scream caught in her throat and forgetting to stay silent, she dashed through the forest with an energy she never had before. Trampling through bushes, dodging trees and stirring crowds of birds, Arane ran through the forest, certain Orion would surely be on her trail and soon eat her up once he found her.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Back at the clearing, Orion frowned. He had been startled awake by the sound of a terrible crashing, footsteps pounding and trampling sounds of feet through dense vegetation. He wondered what could’ve made that noise, when he realized that Arane was gone.

  Contemplating for a while, Orion finally decided to leave it be. After all, he thought, lying down comfortably again, it’s better to be free than trot after a human. Just as he started to relax, the sapphire around his neck suddenly pulsed stronger. Orion jerked as he felt it. “What..?” he half-growled, looking down at the sapphire, which not not only pulsed, but emitted a crystal-blue glow. The pulse grew stronger, the glow brighter, until a massive magic circle appeared, with Orion at the center. Orion growled, confused and a little fearful of what was happening. Then the magic circle disappeared, taking Orion along with it.

  Orion felt as if his very being was being sucked into something. But as he tried to feel what it was, he realized that he wasn’t being sucked into something, but rather somewhere. All around him, darkness curled around Orion, shrouding him in a cold cloak. Orion shuddered. He didn’t like the feeling of the cloak. It reminded him of the dark sack that Aldero’s men had put him in.

  A pulse of the sapphire caught Orion’s attention. The sapphire was lit once again, pulsing stronger and glowing brighter than before. That could only mean one thing—Orion was reaching his destination.

  In a rush of blue light, Orion found himself back into the forest. Looking around, he realized he wasn’t in the clearing anymore. Instead, ahead of him was the little girl, leaning on a tree and panting. When she saw Orion, she let out a terrified choke, eyes widening, backing away in fear.

  “How could he come here so fast?!” Arane wheezed, trembling.