They hadn’t removed the iron cuffs, and Kitaria felt that it was for more of a power show than anything. But that was only while they remained in the forest. Once their little party was past the main crowds of people, they unshackled her.

                About time too. She thought. Not only had the iron done enough damage by now, but she didn’t want to be in chains in front of the wolves.

                Still, she was praying it was a joke, a cruel trick, and that they were just leading her in a big circle around the forest to scare her and she’d end up back at her cell at the end of it all. She’d only been in the cell for a day but already she missed it, anything compared to the prospect of meeting wolves.

                Wolves were supposed to be dangerous, savage creatures. She’d never met one, she’d never desired to go so close to the edge of the forest, but now it seemed she didn’t have a choice.

                Donghae was a part of her ‘send-off’ party, and was the only member she knew. There were two others but they also refused to talk to her. It was quiet, but it was Donghae’s straight back and stiff shoulders that hurt her the most. Kitaria wasn’t sure how long they had been travelling, but it was very early morning when they arrived, and she found herself thanking that they hadn’t arrived at night-time.

                “There it is.” The man on her left said, sounding far too cheerful, “your new home for the foreseeable future.”

                They were stood at the outskirts of their forest, one more step taking them out of the world of Fey and into the jaws of the Wolves. They were looking at a farmhouse, with a tall roof and a porch that needed repainting. Other than that, one may even say that it looked homely, something Kitaria hadn’t been expecting at all. Where were the caves and dark dank tunnels?

                “EXO!” Donghae’s voice startled her as he called out to the house.

                “What’s EXO?” she asked timidly, forgetting for a moment that she was a traitor and he her guard.

                “It’s the name of the pack that’ll be keeping you for the next little while.” He muttered to her, and she felt herself calm that he wasn’t ignoring her completely.

                But then her attention was taken again, because the house was scuttling alive with movement, people were dropping from windows, jogging from the back, some walking normally through the front door. Quickly she counted,

                12? I’m staying here with 12 wolves! I’ll never make it out alive.

                “Which one of you is the Alpha?” Donghae asked, his voice steady as if the wolves didn’t scare him at all. Surely he knew better.

                One of the wolves’ eyes flashed a dangerous red before stepping forward from the haphazard cluster they’d made.

                “Your name?” Donghae asked.

                “Kris.” The wolf replied.

                Kitaria swallowed, Kris was tall, and looked intimidating.

                Donghae nodded, as if in confirmation that the wolf’s name was indeed, Kris. “This is Kitaria. She’ll be staying with you for a while.”

                A few of the wolves in the back spluttered, “she’s staying with us? Why?”

                “Aw Hyung, we can’t have her living here!”

                “but she’s a Fey!”

                Kris shot a look behind him and they shut up, but he didn’t look pleased at the announcement either. “Why?”

                But Donghae had already turned his back with the other two escorts and was heading back to the centre of the forest. “Because we say so.”

                And that was it, Kitania was officially left alone with 12 wolves who must hate her guts, if the looks a few of them were giving her were anything to go by.   

                The footsteps behind her had faded into the distance, telling her that her fellow Fey were no longer with her, she was truly all alone. Kris and the other eleven wolves were staring at her, not making a sound.

                “So…”

                “What are you doing here?” Kris but her off. All of his beta’s moved closer, as if curious of her but still wanting to show support to their alpha.

                Kitaria didn’t speak, what was she supposed to say? I’ve been arrested and my punishment is to live with all of you for god knows how long. Right, she was sure that would go over swimmingly.

                One of the beta’s moved forward, touching Kris’s shoulder. “I’ll take care of this.”

                Kris gave her one last look before nodding and walking back to the house, ten wolves trotting behind him.

                Kitaria looked at the one who remained. He looked, well a lot friendlier than Kris that’s for sure. He had an easy-going smile, and friendly eyes that were directed straight at her.

                “My name’s Suho.” He said, taking another step towards her, noticing when she flinched back. “Don’t be scared, we’re not going to hurt you.” He chuckled, “Kris seems a little intimidating but he’s a softie deep down just like the rest of us. Well, except maybe Sehun but what else can you expect from a troublesome youngster.”

                Kitaria nodded numbly as Suho kept talking, were wolves supposed to be this friendly…?

                “Would you like to sit down?” Suho asked her, “I’ll admit I don’t know much about the fey but I know you like nature, and we do have some excellent grass here outside the forest.” His smile grew even bigger as he heard a small bubble of laughter. “I get that you’re probably nervous, and I don’t know why you’re here, but you don’t have to be afraid. I’ll sit with you here until you’re ready to go inside.”

                And he sat next to her as if this wasn’t their first meeting, as if they were two old friends spending a day outside as they skipped class. He didn’t say anything else, but he was humming softly under his breath making the air a little clearer, a little more comforting.

                 “I was arrested.” She blurt out, “and this is my punishment.” She bit the inside of her cheek, why on earth had she told him that? She fixed her gaze on the grass, running her fingers through it again and again until she heard him chuckle, and then burst out into full on laughter.

                “A little rebel then? You’ll fit in just fine here.” Suho stood, holding out his hand in an offer to help her up. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to the rest of the pack.”