Kael's POV
“Why are we in a human town?” Elara asks as we walk down the cobblestone street, her green eyes taking in the bustling marketplace around us. “The forest would be a more direct way to the capital.”
I adjust the bag on my shoulder, eyeing her carefully. She has been like this for days—wary, distant, always looking for the catch.
“I don’t want you sleeping on the ground anymore.”
Her eyebrows furrow.
“I can handle sleeping rough.”
“Not anymore.”
I stop walking and turn to face her fully.
“Besides, this is the first time you’ve left your pack settlement. You should see what the world is like.”
She opens her mouth to argue, but curiosity wins over stubbornness. Her gaze drifts to a street performer juggling fire, then to merchants hawking wares she has never seen before. T
