Elira had returned to the forest and had been walking for a while. As the canopy above began to thin, Elira slowed her steps, blinking as soft golden rays filtered through the trees, casting warm speckles of light on the forest floor. She paused, her ears twitching. It was quiet here—not the kind of silence that warns of danger, but the kind that invites peace. A light breeze brushed through her fur, and something stirred in her chest. Not instinct. Not hunger. Something… gentler. A pull.

She walked to the light, and there was a space between the trees. As she stepped forward, she heard a voice in the distance. It was the bearded man from before, but not just a wanderer. He stood in the centre of a sun-drenched clearing, commanding the respect of a wolf with nothing but his presence. The creature submitted, lowering its head and body with the deference of one pack member to another.

Elira stopped at the edge of the trees, golden eyes fixed on the man.

He turned slowly as if he had already sensed her. His eyes—so deeply sad, yet warm—met hers.

“What beautiful golden eyes you have,” he whispered.

Elira paced at the clearing's edge, her body still aching from past battles. The wolf stood, teeth bared, but before it could take a step forward, the man raised his voice.

“Down.”

The wolf obeyed instantly.

She circled a little closer, trying to read him. There was no fear in his eyes. Only calm. Strength. And something else—something familiar.

"Easy," he murmured again, his voice low, more breath than command.

She stepped forward, and now they were face to face. Her breath mingled with his. She studied the lines on his face—the tension at the corner of his mouth, the grief in his eyes. Her heart thudded hard in her chest.

“Father?” she thought.

The word struck her like a wave. Her eyes widened.

And she fled.

She didn’t even realise she had run until the trees swallowed her. Her chest rose and fell like thunder. Her paws dug into the forest floor as memories crashed through her—his voice, his laughter, the warmth of his arms. Home.

In the clearing, the wolf remained still, alert. The man—Eldric—knelt beside it.

“Easy, Mistral,” he whispered, casting his gaze toward the brush. “I need to find her.”

Elira crouched behind a cluster of ferns, watching him. Her body trembled. Would he know me? She wondered. Would he even believe it’s me?

“Please,” he called, his voice raw. “If you can understand me… just come back. I won’t hurt you. I promise.”

His words clung to her like the breeze on her fur. And with it came something deeper than instinct—longing.

She stepped forward, slow and low, out of the shadows. Her golden eyes met his again.

“There you are,” Eldric breathed. He took a step forward. “You’ve grown strong, lioness.”

Her paws sank into the earth, her body tense, but her heart… her heart pulled her toward him.

The wolf watched but didn’t move. It had sensed it too—this wasn’t just any lioness.

Eldric reached out a hand. “Can you understand what I’m saying?”

Elira rumbled low in her throat. Not a growl. A response. A yes.

“I’ve been looking for a lion like you,” he said. “I don’t know why… but I felt drawn. I hoped you’d find me.”

Elira stepped forward again.

“I need a protector,” he whispered. “And I’ll protect you, too. I promise.”

She moved closer. Closer still.

And then, with the gentlest motion, she lowered her head. Eldric’s hand brushed her fur.

“There we are. You’re safe with me. Please follow me to your new home, lioness.” Eldric said gently.

Elira felt a wave of warmth wash over her as Eldric’s hand met her fur, grounding her in this moment. Despite the unfamiliar bond, a flicker of recognition anchored her heart. Somehow, she wanted to protect him just as he wished to protect her.

“Let’s go,” Eldric said, his voice steadier now, infused with determination. He turned, glancing back at the wolf. “You too, Mistral. We need to stick together.”

Elira followed them cautiously, the rhythmic sound of her paws on the earth resonating like a new heartbeat in her life as a lioness. Her golden eyes stayed fixed on Eldric—the man who unknowingly carried fragments of her past, guiding her into an unknown future.

“Hello there, Lioness. I’m Mistral,” Mistral said, his tone warm and curious. “Do you have a name?”

“No. My mother never had the chance to name me. I was called Little one, daughter or sister,” Elira said.

Mistral’s ears twitched. “Oh. I can’t wait to hear what Master Eldric will name you. You’re large for a lioness your age—just like I’m a giant among wolves,” he added with a playful grin in his voice.

“That is true. I met a wolf on my travels, and he was a lot smaller than you,” Elira said.

“Are you in the mood to run, Mistral?” Eldric asked. “We will get back much faster, or my wife will worry.”

Mistral glanced at Elira, then let out a soft huff of amusement as Eldric hopped onto his back with practiced ease.

“You ready?” Mistral asked.

“I’ll race you; I’ve been here before,” said Elira as she crouched low, tail twitching with a gleam of mischief in her eyes.

“Oh, it looks like the lioness is edging for a race. Let’s see how fast you are,” Eldric said, grinning. “Ready…set…go!”

They sprinted across the road, with dust flying behind them. Elira sprinted ahead, muscles coiled and fluid as she passed Eldric and Mistral with ease.

“She’s one fast lioness,” Eldric called over the wind. “Let’s show her what we’re made of. Let's go, Mistral!"

Eldric steadied his grip on Mistral's fur as Mistral barked with laughter as he surged forward, attempting to catch up with Elira. Elira got closer to the castle—too close. She tried to slow down, paws skidding across the path and almost falling into the moat surrounding the castle. Mistral had already slowed down his pace as Eldric was guiding him.

"Easy there, girl, you don't want to fall in," Eldric said softly, dismounting.

“I wasn’t trying to!” she thought with a soft growl, shaking off the embarrassment.

“The king has returned with two beasts,” a voice rang from above. “Lower the bridge.”

"Excuse me!" Elira thought as she growled.

“Sorry about that, girl. They do not know what they are saying. I will talk to them later.” Eldric ensured.

The drawbridge lowered with a creak and a groan. As it settled into place, Eldric led the way, guiding both beasts across the stone bridge and into the castle.

Inside the grand throne room, a bear lay curled beside the throne, with an eagle perched behind it. Behind the seat lay a sleek jaguar, and beside it sat a small hyena, her posture alert and her eyes gleaming.

“We have some friends joining us!” the Hyena laughed brightly.

"Ah, happy to see fresh faces, Zara," Eldric said. Turning to Mistral and Elira. "The bear is Koda. The eagle’s name is Horus. That’s Zara the hyena, and the jaguar is Nero."

“I’m Mistral, and this is a new friend, a lioness,” Mistral announced proudly.

Horus fluttered down to perch on Nero’s back as the jaguar rose with a fluid stretch, Zara trotting cheerfully behind him. Koda rumbled low as he got up, lumbering over with curiosity.

“You found a new friend,” a familiar voice called warmly. “And this must be Mistral—the one you sneak off with so often.”

Elira froze. Her head whipped toward the speaker. Queen Elena.

She walked over to Elena and paced around a little.

“Don’t worry, dear, she’s simply curious,” Eldric said gently. “She stared me down, too, the first time.”

Elira dipped her head instinctively. Elena placed her hand on Elira’s head and proceeded to pet Elira, who melted beneath her fingers.

“She warmed up to you quite quickly; she ran the second we locked eyes," Eldric said, surprised.

“Honey, do you have a name for her yet? I have one in mind.” Elena asked.

"No, but by all means, present her with a name," Eldric said.

“How about…Nyra,” Elena said to Elira.

The name echoed in Elira’s heart.

Nyra nuzzled Elena’s hand as if to thank her for her new name. Even though she was once Elira, she embraced her new identity as a lioness.

Her new life had started with a name.

“She’s so gentle for a freshly tamed lioness. Did you train her on the way?” Elena asked.

“No, maybe it’s her nature. She did run at first, but she came out and calmed down quickly. It didn’t feel like she ran in fear, though, but I still have no idea why she would run,” Eldric explained.

***

Weeks passed; Nyra was allowed to roam the castle freely. Queen Elena enjoyed the times when Nyra would join her in Elira's bedroom, as she noticed that Nyra seemed happier when she followed Elena around. Nyra displayed an extra gentleness in Elira's bedroom and wouldn't touch or remove anything.

As Nyra walked into Elira’s room with Elena, she stopped and found Elira's favourite cat plush lying on the floor. She decided to lie down and cuddle up to it, feeling a comforting sense of familiarity.

As Nyra nestled against the cat, a wave of nostalgia washed over her. Elira’s memories of cherishing the cat when she was young, and the times it sat on her bed watching as Elira grew. The room felt safe, filled with the memories of her past life as Elira.

Night drew near, and the low sun shone through Elira’s curtains. Elena knelt beside Nyra, brushing a hand over her fur.

“It’s time for bed, my sweet lioness. You have had a long day of exploring,” she whispered, a smile gracing her lips.

Nyra responded with a contented purr, her eyes closing as she savoured the moment. Eldric entered the room, a tired but satisfied look on his face.

“Looks like someone is ready to settle down,” he remarked, watching as Nyra nuzzled closer to Elena.

“Shall we bring her to our room tonight?" Elena suggested.

“Absolutely. She’s practically falling asleep on you. She won't make it back to her room, and she can’t sleep in here," Eldric replied, moving closer to the two.

With a gentle hand, Elena guided Nyra to her feet and steered her to their room. They placed a pile of cushions by the window, and Nyra slumped on top of them and closed her eyes. Eldric placed a comforting hand on Nyra’s back, feeling the soft rise and fall of her chest. The dim lighting was creating a cosy atmosphere. Nyra, feeling the warmth of her family, settled onto the cushions as Eldric pulled a blanket over her.

As Elena and Eldric prepare for bed, Elena whispers, “Goodnight, Nyra. I’m glad to have you with us.”

Eldric echoed her sentiment, his eyes reflecting a deep warmth. With the sounds of Eldric and Elena's voices surrounding her, Nyra drifted off to sleep, the boundaries between Elira and Nyra beginning to blur.

Sunlight filtered through the window, casting a warm glow over Nyra’s fur as she lay sprawled on the floor, her body soaking in the comforting heat. The morning light stirred her from her slumber, but she remained still, enjoying the peaceful moment.

“…ra. …yra. Nyra,” a soft voice called, cutting through the silence.

Nyra blinked open her golden eyes, her gaze landing on a young woman dressed in a maid uniform. The woman stood hesitantly, her hands clasped together as if unsure whether to approach.

“Nyra, oh, you’re awake,” the maid said, her voice gentle but filled with an underlying tension.

Nyra slowly stretched her powerful legs, yawning widely, and observed the maid. She tilted her head, curious about the woman’s hesitancy.

“Is she afraid of me?” Nyra wondered.

She took a step forward, testing the waters, but the maid instinctively took a step back. Sensing her fear, Nyra lay down again, this time more deliberately, lowering her head to the ground in a gesture of peace. She hoped it would show the maid that she meant no harm.

After a few minutes, she felt a light pressure on her head as the maid timidly reached out and began to stroke her fur.

“So soft….” The maid muttered to herself.

Nyra’s eyes fluttered shut for a moment, enjoying the warmth of the touch.

“I wonder what her name is?” Nyra purred, her mind drifting.

“Oh… my name,” the maid suddenly said, flinching as if caught in a secret. “How rude of me… I’m Rachelle.”

Nyra’s eyes flew open, startled. “Wait… did she hear that?”

Rachelle immediately bowed, flustered. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to alarm you. You didn’t know I could hear, did you? I apologise!”

Nyra stared, half in awe, half in disbelief. "You can hear me?"

Rachelle’s hands fidgeted nervously.

“You see, I was born with this ability to understand animals as if they were speaking English. It’s not something I can control, so I won’t always understand you, and I’m sorry if it startled you. It just… happens.”

Nyra blinked, absorbing this revelation.

“So, she can hear my thoughts?”