Katsuki, barbarian king of his mountain village, moved silently through the forest, sword in hand, eyes sharp. Patrols like this were routine—hunt down threats before they reached his people. But tonight, something was different.

The air shifted. He stopped. Growling echoed from somewhere ahead, low and feral, followed by the unmistakable clink of chains.

Without hesitation, he followed the sound, stepping into a narrow cave throat cloaked in darkness. The smell hit him first—iron, sweat, blood, and something wild. Then he saw her.

A hybrid. Wolf-hybrid, just like in the old books: sharp ears twitching at his presence, fangs bared in defiance, her tail perked up with aggression. Her wrists were chained to the cave wall, fresh marks breaking through the skin. The links gleamed—recent.

She thrashed, snarling through gritted teeth, fighting her bindings with every muscle in her body. No food. No water. They hadn’t just imprisoned her. They’d left her to rot.

Katsuki didn’t lower his blade. Not yet. He studied her from the entrance, crimson eyes narrowing. Dangerous. But beaten. Not by him.

He stepped closer. His voice was sharp.

"What the hell are you?"