Dealing with unknowns

After four grueling hours on horseback, they finally broke free from the dense forest. The moment Ren's eyes landed on the vast expanse before her, she forgot how to breathe. Her lips parted, stunned into silence. Before she could gather herself, Kaisun leaned close, his warm breath ghosting against her ear.

"Welcome to the Moon Valley, Thegara's capital."

Her heart pounded wildly as her gaze swept over the rolling hills, a sea of vibrant wildflowers swaying under the golden light. The air carried the scent of earth and blooming flora, a stark contrast to the damp musk of the forest they had just left behind. Towering mountains stood in the distance, their snow-capped peaks gleaming like silent sentinels. It was breathtaking—untouched and surreal as if carved from a dream.

"This is… unbelievable," she whispered.

Kaisun chuckled, the sound deep and knowing. "Yes, Doe-eyes. What did you expect?"

Well, the answer was: A barren wasteland. That was what she had been told. A desolate land of monstrous beasts lurking in endless deserts, stripped of trees, rivers, or life. But this… this was alive. Lush. Thriving. Every warning she had ever received now seemed like a cruel lie.

As they descended the hills, her eyes landed on a winding river, its crystal surface glimmering under the sun. A stone bridge arched elegantly over it, connecting both sides of the valley. Just as they neared the crossing, movement flickered at the edge of her vision. She stiffened.

A pack of massive wolves emerged from the thickets, their silent forms slipping into place around them, forming an escort. Their eyes glowed, watching, assessing. Her pulse quickened, yet to her amazement, the horses remained unfazed, their pace unbroken.

Lifting her gaze, she caught sight of the castle perched atop a mountain—a vast, imposing structure with spires piercing the heavens. It was unlike anything she had ever seen. A fortress of stone, grand and impenetrable.

She pressed her lips shut, fighting the overwhelming urge to gawk. This wasn't her home. This marriage wasn't real—Kaisun had made that clear. She had no right to feel in awe of this place. No right to think of it as hers.

The city gates loomed ahead, and her heartbeat thundered as she spotted the massive crowd gathered beyond them. The townsfolk parted, making way for their ruler, but it wasn't their sheer numbers that unsettled, she panted, it was who they were.

Humans. Imps. Goblins and other species...

What?

Had she mistaken the rumors? Wasn't this supposed to be a city of shifters? Only shifters?

The question left her lips before she could stop it. "How is this possible?"

She regretted it instantly. Was this offensive? Had she insulted the very man who had built this city?

Kaisun glanced down at her, but before he could respond, the guards stationed at the gates swiftly moved to open the path. The first thing she discovered was that they entered the marketplace, and Ren's grip tightened around the reins as her senses were assaulted by the vibrant crowd.

Lively chatter and the scent of exotic spices filled the air. Merchants called out their wares, banners of various trading houses fluttering in the breeze. Some of the sigils… she recognized them. These were merchants from distant lands. And as soon as she looked at the people. Then she felt it. The weight of countless stares pressed down on her.

The market had fallen eerily quiet. Every gaze was fixed on her, the strange human girl their ruler had brought home.

He had taken an action no one had anticipated.

Whispers rippled through the crowd. Murmurs she couldn't decipher. Were they curious? Wary? Displeased?

Ren swallowed hard. Kaisun had told her he was the Alpha King of Thegara, which meant these people accepted him as their leader. But what about her? Did they know of their marriage? Had he told them? Had he kept it a secret?

A slow and shallow breath escaped her lips, but it did little to ease the anxiety coiling inside her. How would they react? Would they embrace her as his wife? Or see her as an outsider?

She had to earn their favor. Failure was not an option. Peaceful life in this vast and diverse realm depended on it.

"Don't be afraid; they are good people," Kaisun said, his voice warm and reassuring. "These goblins are nothing like those in the forest."

Ren wanted to believe him. She really did. But how accurate were his words?

She knew of these goblins. There were five kinds—some with green skin, short in stature, mischievous but harmless. Their round faces and wide eyes made them look almost childlike. Cute, even. But looks could be deceiving.

And it wasn't just the goblins. It was everything. How many kinds of shifters lived here? And more importantly… how would they react to her presence?

A hawk screeched above them and she winced. Oh, that was just a bird, silly girl.

Her mouth was too dry to shape words instantly, but as she observed the market and houses fading behind them, she forced herself to ask, "Did you tell them you were bringing a bride?"

That was what she needed to know. How close was he to his people? And how close did he want her to be to him?

"They will know soon enough."

That wasn't an answer.

The weight in her chest only grew heavier as they crossed the road leading toward the castle. She tried to push away the thoughts gnawing at her and tried to focus on her surroundings instead. But with every step closer to those towering gates, a deeper unease settled in her bones.

Then, she saw them.

Ren's breath stilled. Her eyes widened in horror.

Two enormous figures stood guard at the castle entrance—stout, broad, and towering over any human she had ever seen. Giants.

Her throat clenched. The sound of a massive chain rattling sent a tremor through her spine. The guards heaved on a heavy wooden spool, pulling the gate open.

Kaisun's hand brushed against hers. "Calm down, princess. No one is going to hurt you here."

Was he sure?

Her breath came short, sharp. These giants could—accidentally—oh gods, they could crush her underfoot. Without even meaning to.

She tore her gaze away, staring down at her hands to hide their tremor.

"They are only dangerous to my enemies," Kaisun murmured beside her. "They are loyal to me and follow my orders above all else."

She let out a jagged breath. It wasn't enough to ease the stiffness in her limbs.

Rigid, Ren could no longer feel her fingers. And yet, she knew this was only the beginning. The hardest part of entering this new world hadn't even begun.

It was still waiting for her, hidden behind the veil of these walls. Soon, she would face the rest of the shifters. And she had no idea if they would accept her… or tear her apart.

After everything she had endured, she longed for a chance to start anew, free from dread and doubt. But it appeared to her that she had to deal with countless unknowns.