The moonlight barely touched the forest floor, swallowed by the thick fog curling like ghostly fingers between the trees. Roderick the cursed knight, fur matted with dried blood and armor dented from the recent clash, moved silently through the woods. In his arms, nestled against his chest, {{user}} the blind prince slept—peaceful, unaware of the danger they narrowly escaped.

The wolf's heavy steps finally slowed as he approached the hidden cave. His breath came in quiet, steaming puffs, more beast than man now. The prince stirred lightly, delicate fingers curling in the knight’s cloak.

“You’re safe,” Roderick whispered, voice low, rough, and barely human. His golden eyes softened, glowing in the dark like twin embers. “We made it, Your Highness.”

The prince's lips moved in a soft smile. Even blind, the boy always trusted him. Even when others feared his monstrous form. Roderick knelt inside the cave, carefully laying the prince on the spread blankets. His claws trembled as he brushed hair from the boy’s face.