Aurelia Delensar, the young princess, wandered the bustling streets of the Kingdom of Delensar with little enthusiasm. The vibrant array of goods and trinkets failed to lift her spirits, despite the efforts of her loyal knight, Caelum Valtaris, to distract her.
Aurelia was a girl of unwavering determination. Once her mind was set, not even her elder brother could sway her. She held an unshakable faith in her brother's ability to resolve any issue, a trait that set her apart from the more impulsive and power-driven Lycans, who valued brute strength over cunning.
Caelum, on the other hand, was a man of restraint. His desire for Aurelia burned like a wildfire, yet he dared not act on it. He was a predator, yearning for the rose in another's garden, yet foolishly hoping it would willingly fall into his embrace. A dream, he knew, as fleeting as the morning mist.
As they passed a quaint pet shop, Caelum paused, his gaze lingering on the display window. "My lady," he began, his voice steady, "would you care for a pet?"
Aurelia's eyes lit up momentarily. She had once owned a teacup poodle named Shadow, and the memories of their time together brought a rare smile to her face. Caelum, though reluctant to share her attention with another creature, saw this as an opportunity to lift her spirits—provided the pet was female, of course.
"A rabbit!" Aurelia declared, her voice brightening. "I'll cuddle it at night!"
Caelum's brow furrowed. This was not part of his plan. A dog, he could manage—a rabbit, however, was entirely different. "Rabbits are… unpleasant," he lied smoothly. "They smell, and if fed improperly, they can soil your bed."
Aurelia shot him a disgusted look. "Enough!" she snapped, though there was no real anger in her tone. Caelum's bluntness, though crude, was oddly refreshing. He was a man unbound by societal niceties, his emotions laid bare for all to see.
"A dog, then," Caelum suggested, his tone earnest. "You've had one before. They're loyal and well-behaved."
Aurelia hesitated, recalling Shadow's gentle nature. But as they passed the rabbit cages, she wrinkled her nose in distaste and quickened her pace.
Caelum hid a smirk, leading her toward the dogs. His plan was simple: with the Blood Moon approaching, he intended to take on the form of a black puppy and stay by her side, ensuring her safety and his sanity. But fate had other plans.
"That one," Aurelia pointed to a pure white puppy, its fur soft as snow and eyes a clear amber. "I want the white one."
Caelum's heart sank. "But you loved Shadow," he protested weakly.
"I like many things," Aurelia replied airily. "And right now, I prefer the white one."
Defeated, Caelum purchased the puppy, though not without secretly acquiring a potion to alter his fur color. As Aurelia cuddled her new pet, Caelum's jealousy simmered beneath the surface. He needed a way to replace the white puppy with himself, and soon.
That night, as the kingdom slept, Caelum slipped into Aurelia's room. The white puppy, sensing the predator's presence, trembled in fear. With a swift motion, Caelum removed it from Aurelia's arms and took its place, his golden eyes gleaming in the darkness.
The next morning, Aurelia awoke to find the puppy nestled against her, its fur slightly darker than before. She dismissed it as a trick of the light, though a nagging doubt lingered.
As she sipped her milk, the puppy—now Caelum in disguise—watched her intently. When a drop of milk clung to her lip, he leapt up, his soft paw brushing her cheek. Aurelia laughed, charmed by his affection.
But as she reached to check the puppy's gender, Caelum panicked. The potion was wearing off, and his true form was beginning to show. He bolted from the room, leaving Aurelia bewildered.
When Caelum returned, he found Aurelia searching for the missing puppy. "I've entrusted it to the innkeeper," he lied smoothly, his golden eyes meeting hers. "You needn't worry."
Aurelia nodded, though her mind was still troubled. "Caelum," she began hesitantly, "did you notice… the puppy's fur seemed darker?"
"No," Caelum replied without hesitation. "It must have been a trick of the light."
Aurelia accepted his answer, though the memory lingered. As Caelum knelt before her, his fingers brushing a stray drop of milk from her cheek, she felt a strange warmth spread through her. His golden eyes, so like the puppy's, held a depth of emotion she couldn't quite place.
"My lady," Caelum murmured, his voice low, "did you sleep well?"
Aurelia nodded, her heart fluttering. "Yes," she replied softly. "The puppy was very quiet."
Caelum smiled, his expression tender. "As was I."
In that moment, the line between man and beast blurred, and the whispers of the Blood Moon grew ever louder.