Sanctuary: Safe Haven

The wolf opened its massive jaws once more, but instead of a growl or snarl, a voice emerged—a voice that was distinctly female, deep yet resonant, carrying an air of strength and authority.

"Stranger," the wolf began, her eyes narrowing slightly as she spoke. "Even if you free me here, I will not bow down or submit to you. Although I feel no malice from you, that does not change the fact that you might attack me later on. Tell me what it is you want, and if it's within my power, I shall do it in exchange for my freedom."

Canna, momentarily surprised by the wolf's ability to speak, took a deep breath and looked at the ground, contemplating his next words. He then lifted his gaze back to the towering creature. "Are the wolves down here your kin?" he asked, his voice steady, but tinged with curiosity.

The wolf shook her massive head, the movement graceful despite her size. "No," she replied, her tone filled with disdain. "Those are random direwolves that the stupid orcs captured. My kin is far away from here."

Canna nodded, understanding a bit more of her situation. He glanced back at the direction where the other direwolves were held, then returned his focus to the wolf before him. "Help me talk to them," he said, his tone sincere. "I want to offer them a choice—a place in my sanctuary or the option to stay here.

They're penned up in this confined space, and I plan to move them to a much larger area, where they could be free. But with their current attitude, I don't think they'd fit in well."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The wolf's sharp eyes narrowed as she considered his words. "They are not my kin, but what do you plan to do with them?"

Canna met her gaze, unwavering. "Some can live their lives in my sanctuary, free and safe. Others could become mounts—they have the potential for it. I won't force them into anything, but they deserve the chance to choose a different life."

The wolf studied Canna intently, as if trying to read the truth behind his words. After what felt like minutes, though it was only moments, she spoke again, her voice carrying a weight of finality. "Done. I will help you. What else do you want in exchange for my freedom?"

A small smirk played at the corner of Canna's lips. "Your name and your story," he replied, his tone almost playful. "Then I'll take off your chains."

The wolf scrutinized him once more, her eyes narrowing as if she were weighing the value of his request. Finally, she spoke. "My name is Solara," she began, her voice deepening as she recounted her tale. "My pack and I once lived in a great forest, a vast expanse of trees and wilderness that we roamed freely. We were always migrating, seeking out a place to call our own.

One day, as our strongest warriors was away on a hunt, Grakthar, the orc leader, spotted our pack. He saw an opportunity—without our strongest, we were vulnerable. Grakthar used the younger wolves of my pack as hostages, knowing I would not risk their lives."

Solara's voice hardened, tinged with bitterness. "I fought him, using all my strength to ensure that my kin could escape. But Grakthar was more powerful than I anticipated. He overpowered me, capturing me while the rest of my pack fled into the forest. I was tortured, beaten, and humiliated.

Grakthar wanted to break me, to mount me as his trophy, but I remained stubborn, refusing to relent." Her eyes blazed with the memory of her torment, but there was a fierce pride in her voice as well.

"Every day, I prayed to the Golden Lion for a way to be rescued," Solara continued, her voice softening just a touch. "It was the only thing that kept me going—my faith that the Golden Lion would guide my kin to safety and one day, bring me out of this darkness."

Canna, who had been listening intently, interrupted gently. "The Golden Lion? What's that?"

Solara's eyes softened further as she spoke of the deity. "The Golden Lion is our protector, the most gentle yet strongest predator of our kind. A legendary beast that roams the world, but it has been missing for a long time. My father and his father before him spoke of how the Golden Lion was the mightiest in our forest, revered by all creatures, until it suddenly vanished.

Since then, we have worshipped it, believing that its strength and wisdom would one day return to guide us."

Canna nodded, understanding the reverence in her voice. "I see. A guardian deity... That's a powerful faith you carry."

Solara's gaze hardened again, bringing the conversation back to the present. "So, what is it you truly seek, human? You've heard my story. I've given you my name. Now fulfill your end of the bargain."

Canna's eyes met Solara's, a deep respect in his expression. "I understand your plight, Solara. Help me move the direwolves, and in return, you will have your freedom. That's all I ask."

Solara regarded Canna with a long, measured look. Despite everything, she could feel a sincerity in him, something she hadn't encountered in a long time. Finally, she nodded. "I give you my word, human. But one wrong move, and I will kill you," she said, her voice laced with a menacing undertone.

Canna only shrugged, seemingly unfazed by the threat.

"I have the title of an Alpha," she said, her voice calm. "It makes creatures weaker than me more willing to submit than to fight."

"An Alpha," Canna repeated, as if testing the word. "That's a handy title indeed."

With that, Canna moved to release Solara from her chains. Each clink of metal echoed in the chamber as he worked, the tension in the air palpable. Flora and Grimruk remained on high alert, ready to spring into action if anything went wrong. Noctis's eyes were wide, but he remained perched on Canna's shoulder, trusting in his master's decision.

Finally, the last of the chains fell away, clattering to the ground with a dull thud. Solara stepped back, shaking off the weight of her bindings, and stretched her massive form. Her muscles rippled under her matted fur, and she took a deep breath, relishing the first taste of freedom she'd had in what felt like an eternity.

She turned to Canna, her eyes meeting his once more. There was a mixture of emotions in her gaze—relief, wariness, and something akin to respect. "You've kept your word, human," she said, her voice softer now. "I will honor mine."

Canna nodded, satisfaction evident in his expression. "Thank you, Solara. Let's move the direwolves and see to their future."

Solara gave a slight nod in response, her gaze still locked with Canna's. There was a newfound understanding between them, a fragile but real connection. As she prepared to lead the way to the other direwolves, she paused, her eyes flicking back to Canna one last time.

She turned and began to walk toward the pens, her massive form moving with a newfound grace despite her injuries. Canna watched her go, a thoughtful expression on his face. He had gained her cooperation, but he knew this was only the beginning. Solara was a creature of immense power and pride—earning her true trust would be a challenge all its own.

As the group prepared to follow Solara, Canna couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. The next step would be crucial, not just for the direwolves, but for the fragile bond he had begun to form with Solara.