I woke up with a headache, something that seemed to be becoming a permanent fixture in my life lately. A few sips of fresh water, finishing off the remains of a fish I caught yesterday, and chewing on some herbs in hopes they might ease my troubles. Sometimes, I wondered if falling apart was just part of getting older, or if it was something more...

"No, you old fool. Plain and simple," Ragnar, my not-so-eloquent wolf companion, remarked, causing me to roll my eyes in annoyance.

"Listen, old man, we're the same age... so if I'm old, so are you," I responded calmly, to which he just snorted in dismissal.

I smiled to myself but soon felt an urgent need to scratch my overly long beard. It had grown too much, and though I wasn't generally a fan of grooming, it was time to do something about it.

Approaching my travel bag, which I carried even in my wolf form, I reached for a blade when suddenly I felt... something odd.

"Something close, very close," Ragnar's warning meant someone was approaching.

I quickly surveyed the area, concealing any signs of my presence. The river was just a few steps away when I hid behind a large rock. With my experience, I knew better than to be reckless. Cunning, caution, and resourcefulness were as valuable as combat experience and strength, and I possessed all these qualities in abundance — not that I was one to brag.

A muffled snap of twigs — subdued, as though the approaching creature was cautious, but its size made it impossible to completely conceal its movements. Could it be a bear?

Then I saw it. Despite the dirt marring its fur, which was once a silvery-gray, the massive, powerful body was unmistakable. Even through the fur, I could see muscles tensing, a single swipe from such a paw could snap a man's neck... This was no bear... This was something far worse... A Lycan. A female Lycan.

Everyone knew Lycans were usually royals or high-ranking individuals. You never saw a Lycan loner or a pauper... Yet here before me was clearly someone who fit those descriptions... Alone? Most likely. Poor? She didn't look like someone who could afford luxuries or even regular meals. And by the way she glanced back nervously... she was clearly on the run.

And then I froze. Those crimson eyes, so clear and piercing, if I had been speaking, I probably would have lost my voice. Instead, I just forgot to breathe for a moment. Here was a creature of pure power, confidence, and beauty... but also danger. And although I had just lectured myself on the virtues of caution, I couldn’t help myself. I had to approach her... my mundane, wild life was about to get a lot more interesting.

*Nemesis' POV*

Athena had given me control again to rest. We had reached a tributary of our kingdom’s largest river, which originated in the mountains. I planned to use this river to get to the mountains without having to cover extra ground. Of course, there would likely be villages or small towns along the way... I would have to avoid them. Neither in my lycan nor in my human form could I blend into a crowd. I was not a common wolf or any other shapeshifter.

As I considered this and looked around, I suddenly heard a yawn and a cough, or something similar. Startled, I quickly took a defensive stance and looked in the direction of the noise. I must have been tired... to not have sensed someone’s presence?!

"Whoa, easy there! It’s not polite to bare fangs at your host," a low, raspy male voice rang out in my ears.

I was taken aback by his words. But then I noticed signs of a campfire, fish remains... I smelled the scent of a wolf... who shortly emerged from behind a boulder in human form.

It was hard to tell his age... He could be pushing fifty, judging by the wrinkles around his eyes and the gray in his hair. But it was hard to say for sure because his beard was so thick and he looked so rugged that... I knew immediately. A loner.

I growled threateningly. Nasty creatures living outside the system, away from civilization, avoiding... I stopped my thoughts and ceased growling. Wait... wasn’t I essentially one of them now?

The man raised his hands in a gesture of peace and sat down on the ground.

"I’d offer you some fish... but I’ve already eaten," he said with a nonchalant tone.

I snorted. He seemed amused or at least intrigued by the situation... I didn’t intend to be anyone's entertainment. Unfortunately, there was no chance for conversation unless I was in human form. I also had no clothes, as the garments I had in prison had been torn when I shifted into my lycan form. But I was not a shy maiden. My body was nothing to be ashamed of or shy about.

So, after a moment, seeing that the man did not appear to be preparing to attack but rather waiting to see my reaction, I slowly shifted into my human form.

I stood before him with pride and dignity despite being completely naked, refusing to let my predicament diminish my stature. I stood tall, exuding strength.

I expected typical male comments, given my nudity. But the man's reaction surprised me... especially how his sly smirk disappeared, and his eyes took on an odd depth...