Chapter 2 Flashback

After we both had recovered, the wolf lying on the snow cave floor suddenly transformed into a human. However, I noticed one thing a symbol on his neck, identical to mine. I moved closer to the white wolf, now fully in human form.

"Why is that symbol exactly like mine?" I asked, curious about this person.

"Because you are also part of the White Wolves."

"What do you mean?" What he said only made me more curious.

"You've forgotten, haven't you? You are part of the White Wolves, the child of Queen Andewi, the White Wolf Queen, and King Leiba. An incident happened in the Kingdom of Kuta, which is why I had to bring you to the human realm."

"What is he talking about? I don't believe him. Maybe he's just rambling because of the injuries he suffered earlier."

"I don't understand what you mean, but it's time for me to return to my kingdom. I need to tend to the palace," I said.

"Then what about me? Can I come with you? I promise I'll protect you and won't cause any trouble for the people in the kingdom," I pleaded, hoping he would allow me to come. If I were left alone again, the Red Wolves might come for me once more.

"Yes, please let me come with you," I begged.

"Alright then," he agreed. I felt sorry for this wolf, worried that he might get hurt again in the outside world, especially since he hadn't fully recovered yet. From that day on, the white wolf became my companion.

"Turn back into your original form," I requested. I couldn't take him with me in his human form.

"Alright," he said, and with permission granted to accompany me to the kingdom, he transformed back into the white wolf.

We both left the cave. I walked behind the prince, watching his movements carefully in case there was an unexpected attack. I would protect him swiftly if needed.

But everything seemed peaceful, and we arrived safely at the kingdom.

I watched how the soldiers greeted the prince at the gate, though they seemed a bit afraid of me in my wolf form.

"My soldiers, you don't need to be afraid of my white wolf. He is my companion, and now he is part of this kingdom. Understood?" the prince said, calming the frightened soldiers. After all, a wolf is a wild creature that could attack at any moment.

"Y-Yes, Prince," one of them stammered nervously.

Apparently, some of the soldiers had already informed the King and Queen about the prince's return to the kingdom.

I saw my father walking ahead, moving faster than the queen, who was behind him with her attendants.

Both of them came to welcome me while I was still outside. My father immediately embraced me tightly, and I could feel his deep longing. Then, when the queen arrived, she hugged me as well. The warmth of their embrace brought me comfort.

"The prince is truly well-loved here," I thought to myself, witnessing the warmth of the prince's family in this human realm.

"Wait," the king released his embrace, staring sharply at a white wolf behind Prince Arnold.

"Why is there a wolf here?" asked the king.

"Father, forgive me, but this wolf is my pet while in the ice cave. He has protected me and been a shield so I could recover my energy smoothly," I said.

"Really? But he's dangerous."

"No, Dad, he's good. This wolf won't bother me, I assure you."

"If what Arnold said is true, then let's just leave it be, dear. Maybe this wolf has become a friend to Arnold," defended my mother.

"Alright, if anything happens, and he makes the soldiers or the people of the kingdom feel threatened, I won't hesitate to kill him."

"Yes, Father, I assure you he won't be like that."

"Dear, rest. You must be tired. Oh, if you're hungry, you can eat first," said my mother with concern.

"Okay, Mom," finally, I took permission to leave and go to my room.

I closed the door to the cave, shut the window, and drew the curtains so no one could see inside.

"You can turn back into your human form now," I said.

"Finally," he said, shifting back into his human form. "My body feels stiff after staying as a wolf for so long."

He stood up, stretching his joints, and I could hear the cracks of his bones as they snapped back into place from the stiffness. This was the first time he'd remained in his wolf form for so long. In the wolf world, he usually stayed in human form unless he was hunting.

"By the way, Prince, why did you seal off the room so tightly?"

"Because when you change into your human form, no one should see it. Especially since my soldiers are always patrolling around here to check for security."

"I see."

"You must be tired too. Get some rest," I said, allowing him to sleep while I slept on the other bed.

The more I looked, the more the symbol on his neck was identical to mine. But I wasn't yet sure about him. I glanced in the mirror again, checking closely to make sure there was no difference between the symbols on our necks.

"Hah!" I was startled to see the prince standing beside me. He was so close. What was he going to do to me?

"Prince?"

"Sorry, sorry, but I couldn't help noticing that the symbol on your neck is as clear as mine," I said, showing him.

"I already told you, we're both from the White Wolf clan, and you are the child of Queen Andewi."

"But how can I be the child of Queen Andewi when I'm human?" I was utterly confused hearing him explain that I was the son of the White Wolf Queen.

"So, back then," I began telling the prince the story.

***

"Aghh, it hurts," groaned Queen Andewi, unable to bear the pain as she was about to give birth, but the chaos in the kingdom kept causing delays.

"Aghh, in there, dear, just a little longer," King Leiba, who was there, tried to calm his wife, but it was clear how difficult it was for her.

The commotion outside continued, but the queen forbade the king from joining the battle against the Red Wolves' invasion.

As a loyal follower of Queen Andewi, I had to protect her in case anything went wrong.

"I can't just sit here any longer. If I stay here, what will become of our soldiers and our people? I need to go out and protect them all, including our child," said the queen.

"But, dear," I said, grabbing my husband's hand.

"No, I can't. The Red Wolves have been merciless. How many more lives must be lost? I must save our soldiers and the White Wolf people," she insisted, determined to protect them.

"In that case, take this crystal. Maybe it can protect you," I said, handing her the ancient White Wolf crystal, a symbol of protection and restoration.

"No, my love. It's better if you give it to our child when they are born. Promise me you'll protect them if something happens to me. At least our child will be safe," she replied, leaving the room and heading toward the battlefield.

After that, the queen finally gave birth to a son, though she hadn't given him a name yet. Once the birth was over, she used her healing magic so she wouldn't feel any more pain.